Applying for a visitor visa for parents to Canada is an emotional and important process. Many families get approval in the first attempt. However, some applicants face one, two, or even multiple refusals.
If your parents’ visitor visa has been refused, don’t panic.
There is no permanent denial for a Canada visitor visa. The key is having the right strategy.
In this detailed guide, I will explain:
Should you change the reason after refusal?
What are the strongest reasons for travel?
How many times should you reapply?
How much funds should be shown?
When should you take a break?
1. Should You Change the Reason After Refusal?
Short answer: NO.
Many people make this mistake.
For example:
First application reason: Pregnancy
After refusal: They change it to convocation
Next time: They change it to birthday
This creates confusion.
If your reason was genuine in the first application, it remains genuine in the second application.
Strong Truth:
Refusal does not automatically mean:
Your reason was weak
Your documentation was wrong
Your SOP was incorrect
Sometimes refusals happen due to high rejection rates or internal processing limits.
Stay consistent. Improve documentation if needed — but don’t change your story unnecessarily.
2. Strongest Reasons to Apply for Parents’ Visitor Visa
There are many valid reasons to invite parents to Canada.
1. Happy Reasons
Pregnancy and due date support
Birth of grandchild
Birthday celebrations
Marriage anniversary
Convocation ceremony
Wedding in Canada
Housewarming ceremony
👉 Pregnancy is one of the strongest reasons, especially for mothers or mother-in-laws.
Even if pregnancy-based application gets refused once, you should reapply with the same reason if it is genuine.
2. Emotional or Sad Reasons
Death anniversary rituals
Health issues of child in Canada
Family emergency
Meeting after long separation (2+ years)
Even if there is no major event, a simple reason works:
“We have not met for the last 2 years and want to spend time together.”
That is completely valid.
3. Can You Apply If You Are on Study or Work Permit?
Yes.
You can apply for parents’ visitor visa even if you are:
On Study Permit
On PGWP
On Implied Status
On Work Permit
On Extension
However:
If you are a PR holder → consider Super Visa
If you are temporary resident → apply Visitor Visa
Super Visa is more suitable if you are a PR or citizen.
4. How Much Funds Should Be Shown?
This is one of the biggest confusion areas.
1. Recommended Funds:
Minimum: $5,000 CAD per applicant
Safer side: $10,000 CAD total
Why?
Because:
Flight tickets are attached
Accommodation is free (staying with child)
Food and local travel covered by child
Parents don’t need huge funds.
Even applicants showing $30,000 sometimes get refusals.
Some showing $5,000 get approval.
👉 Visa approval is not purely based on large funds.
2. Best Way to Show Funds
Long-term bank statement (best option)
Fixed Deposit (FD) in parents’ name
Combination of:
Child’s Canadian account
Parents’ Indian account
If funds are newly deposited:
Avoid bulk deposits in savings account
Prefer Fixed Deposit instead
If FD is new and refusal happens:
Wait 2 months
Reapply when FD becomes older
Simple.
5. How Many Times Should You Reapply?
Many people are afraid:
“Will we get banned after multiple refusals?”
Answer: No.
There is no ban just because of refusals.
You can reapply:
2–3 times back-to-back
Even 4 times if required
If 3–4 refusals happen consecutively:
Take a 3–5 month break
Then reapply
Just make sure:
No misrepresentation
No false documents
No different information in each application
Consistency is the key.
6. Important: Do Not Change Everything After Refusal
This is similar to study visa cases.
For example:
Good university
Good IELTS score
Paid first-year fee
Still refusal
Does that mean you should change university every time?
No.
Same logic applies here.
If your reason is genuine:
Keep it
Improve explanation
Upgrade SOP if needed
Reapply
7. Visitor Visa vs Super Visa
If you have:
PR or Canadian Citizenship → Apply Super Visa
Temporary Status (Study/Work Permit) → Apply Visitor Visa
Super Visa allows longer stay and is stronger for PR holders.
8. Final Strategy Summary
1. Do not change genuine reason
2. Keep documentation consistent
3. Show realistic funds ($5,000–$10,000)
4. Reapply confidently after refusal
5. No fear of ban (if no misrepresentation)
6. Take a break only after 3–4 consecutive refusals
Final Words
Getting refusal for parents’ visitor visa can be emotional and frustrating. But remember:
There is no permanent denial for visitor visa.
With proper strategy, clear documentation, and consistency — approvals do come, even in second or third attempt.
If your parents’ visitor visa has been refused, stay calm, improve the file, and reapply smartly.
Success is possible.
