Intending Organ Donors Visa

There are a few different eligibility criteria that you will need to fulfil to obtain an Intending Organ Donors Visa.

You must:

• Comply with the normal eligibility requirements for a temporary resident visa
• Have proof that the organ you intend to donate is medically compatible between yourself and the Canadian resident who is the recipient
• Have proof that the medical costs and all costs associated with the organ donation are covered by the recipient’s provincial/territorial health insurance or through specific provincial/territorial health funding
  • This includes transportation to and from Canada, living expenses while in Canada, and evidence of private medical health coverage to cover health issues unrelated to the organ transplant.
• Have proof that there is no transaction, sale or unlawful exchange involved in the donation process

Another criterion for being issued an Intending Organ Donors visa is that the visa officer must be convinced that there will be no sale, transaction, or unlawful exchange involved in the living organ donation process. This will consider the financial and contextual cues of both the donor and the recipient of the organ transplants.

In this context, ‘sale’ may mean the exchange of human organs for non-financial benefit as well as for money.

This criterion is in place to identify and eradicate the possibility of exploitation or organ trafficking.

In order to satisfy the visa officer that a sale is not being transacted, the organ donor will use the following criteria to assess and evaluate the legitimacy of the organ donation:

• Whether or not you and the recipient are related to each other
• The financial and social situations of both you and the recipient
• Your own understanding of the medical risks and overall health impact of the surgery
• The circumstances under which you were identified as a potential organ donor
• Local social context (such as if there are existing suspicions of illegal organ donations occurring in the area)
• Whether you have received or expect to receive a benefit (financial or other) as a direct result of the organ donation
• Your own level of commitment to the donation (for example, if there are any indicators that you are undecided and may choose not to make the organ donation once in Canada)

The visa officer will use their own discretion as part of the assessment of bona fides (or your own honesty and integrity when presenting evidence and information) in deciding whether or not to issue the intending organ donor visa.

The application process for an Intending Organ Donors visa is largely the same as applying for a normal temporary resident visa (TRV).

To apply for the Intending Organ Donor Visa, you will first have to determine your eligibility for it as outlined above.

You will then have to fill in the application form for a TRV online, ensuring that you specify that the reason for your visit is because you are donating an organ.

Alternatively, you may apply for a TRV on paper through your nearest visa application center.

You will also need to include the necessary supporting documents with your application, including those that prove you meet the specific eligibility criteria for an Intending Organ Donors Visa.

These may include documents outlining your own financial status, providing proof that the recipient has Canadian citizenship or is a permanent resident of Canada, and proof that there is adequate medical care back in your home country so that the visa officer will not suspect that you will overstay your visa in Canada.