What documents do I need to prepare to invite relatives?

All Canadian programs that allow you to bring your loved ones to Alberta — whether for a short visit, a multi-year stay with a Super Visa, or permanent residence through family sponsorship — require three basic pieces of evidence:

1. identity and citizenship,
2. family relationship,
3. financial capacity and absence of risks to Canada.

Documents will be collected simultaneously by both parties — the “host” in Calgary and the relative abroad.

1. Passport and photo

• Each applicant must submit a biometric foreign passport valid for at least 6 months after the planned date of departure.
• Two identical photos, 50 × 70 mm, on a light background, taken no more than six months ago. For electronic applications, a 600 dpi scan with a head size of 31–36 mm is required.

2. IRCC application forms

• Tourist TRV / Super Visa: IMM 5257, IMM 5707.
• Super Visa: additional immigration medical examination (e-Medical sheet) and confirmed payment of biometrics CAD 85.
• Sponsorship for permanent residence: IMM 1344 (sponsor), IMM 0008, IMM 5532, IMM 5406, IMM 5669 for the applicant.

The forms must be signed electronically in the PR Portal or downloaded with a wet signature in PDF format. If even one page is missing, the package will be returned without consideration.

3. Documents proving identity and family status

• Birth certificates — original + translation into English, certified by a certified translator from ATIS or ITC Calgary.
• Marriage/divorce certificate, court decision on custody, death certificate of previous spouse.
• National passport (for police clearance) — all pages must be scanned.

All Ukrainian documents that remain Ukrainian in origin need only be translated and certified; an apostille is not required, as Canada is a signatory to the Hague Convention.

4. Proof of family relationship

• Photocopies of certificates (birth, marriage) showing a continuous line of descent to the sponsor.
• The sponsor must submit their Canadian passport or PR card, front and back, as proof of status.
• For spouses — joint bank accounts, rental agreement, photos from events, correspondence, transfer receipts.

5. Financial confirmation from the sponsor

• Latest Notice of Assessment (or three, if it is PGP sponsorship) — income must exceed LICO or “LICO + 30%” for parents.
• Certificate of employment with annual salary / contract.
• Bank statement for the last 6 months.

For Super Visa, add:

• Invitation letter with a promise of financial support;
• Medical insurance policy for at least CAD 100,000, paid for one year;
• Insurance policy payment receipt (Insurer Letter “premium paid in full”).

6. Police Certificate

Persons aged 18 and over must submit certificates from each country where they have lived for 6 months or more. Ukrainians can order a certificate through the consulate in Toronto by adding a copy of their passport and a postage-paid envelope; the fee is CAD 40, and the processing time varies.

7. Medical examination

For a Super Visa and most immigration programs, you need a preliminary IME from a panel doctor. In Calgary, these include Southport Medical Clinic and Brentwood IME Clinic. You must bring the referral document from the portal and your ID card; the results are valid for 12 months and are sent electronically.

8. Biometrics

After paying the fee of CAD 85 (CAD 170 for a family), IRCC will send you a BIL. In Calgary, the nearest VAC is VFS Global Calgary VAC on Macleod Trail. Fingerprints are taken once every 10 years for temporary statuses, but must be retaken for PR applications.

9. Translations and notarization

Any document not in English/French must include:

• the original or a certified copy;
• a full translation;
• the translator's affidavit.

Use accredited services — Registry @ South Trail Crossing, Languages in Motion, or Immigrant Services Calgary ITC.

10. Additional requirements by program type

11. Where to do everything in Calgary

• Translations — Immigrant Services Calgary ITC (85 languages).
• Photos — any photo center → ask for “IRCC photo 50×70”.
• Biometrics — VAC Calgary (VFS).
• Medical exam — Southport Medical Clinic, Brentwood IME.
• Notary/Commissioner for Oaths for affidavits — Registry Agencies or Lawyer Centre Downtown.

12. Useful checklist before sending the package

☑ Make sure all forms are the latest version and signed ☑ All certificates — clear scans, translation + affidavit ☑ NOA / T4 downloaded, income amount > LICO

☑ Super Visa policy paid, PDF receipt in folder ☑ e-Medical number (IME/UMI) added to the form ☑ BIL paid, printed for VAC ☑ Photos are 50×70 mm and less than 6 months old.

☑ All files are named in English: Passport_Mother.pdf, BirthCert_Sponsor.pdf, etc. ☑ A copy of the set has been made to the cloud and USB

Strict adherence to this list will reduce the risk of your application being returned and speed up your reunion with your loved ones in Calgary by approximately one month.