Temporary Resident Visa
If an out-of-country family member wishes to attend convocation and your country of origin requires a visa to enter Canada, your family member will need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for Visiting Family Members.
The family member must apply for a TRV from a Canadian consulate, embassy or high commission in the home country. See the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website for a list of visa offices.
Your family member will need the following supporting documents for his/her application:
- A letter of invitation. This is a letter written by you inviting your family member to come and visit/attend convocation. Details about the information required in the letter of invitation are available on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.
- A letter from McMaster’s Student Services department confirming you are a registered student and the anticipated completion date of your studies (for both undergraduate and graduate requests).
- In some countries, a second variable may be required to prove the identity for the Visitor Visa to Canada. These variables may be a passport number, date of birth or identity number.
- Please confirm with the appropriate agency issuing the Visa as to what they wish to use and provide that information to the Student Services department at McMaster, so that they may include it in the official letter. A complete name match with passport information and relationship to the student must be confirmed as well.
Important Dates & Deadlines

April bulletin: Final exams, term info, payment plans & more!
09:00 AM
Wednesday, April 14 – Classes end Thursday, April 15 to Friday, April 30 – Final exams Tuesday, April 6 at...

Let’s Chat: Wellness
12:00 PM
Student Services joined Student Wellness Centre Counsellor, Aklima Sarkar, for our Let’s Chat event on March 19 at 10:30 a.m....

McMaster MS 365 student email
01:00 PM
Student email is migrating to the Microsoft 365 environment starting in May 2021. Updates, information, support and training about the...

Visa/Mastercard credit card payment convenience fee increase to 2.25%
08:00 AM
McMaster University is partnered with Moneris to provide students with an online credit card fee payment option. The credit card...

Information on tuition-free access for current and former foster kids
09:00 AM
McMaster provides tuition-free access for eligible current and former foster kids. More information can be found here.

Meet MAC!
10:00 AM
Meet MAC, the new chatbot for the Registrar’s Office! MAC is here to help answer your Student Services questions about...