Canada Visa Types, Requirements, and Application
Do you know how to apply for Canada visa? This article will provide you the useful information about types, and requirements as well as some tips for using this visa effectively. Let’s get started!
Who needs a visa to enter Canada?
Visa exemption
- US citizens carry a valid US passport.
- The following travellers only need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to board their flight to Canada. However, these travellers do not need an eTA if entering by land or sea – for instance driving from the U.S. or coming by bus, train, or boat, including cruise ship:
Pre-arranged visa
Citizens of countries not eligible for visa exemption need a visa to come to Canada by any method of travel—plane, car, bus, train or cruise ship.
Canada visa types
Here are some Canada visa types depending on the purpose of customers:
Visitor visa
For tourism, visiting family, or short business trips of up to 6 months. Includes:
- Temporary resident visa (TRV): The standard visitor visa for vacations, seeing family, etc. Valid for up to 6 months.
- Super visa: For parents of Canadian permanent residents visiting for extended periods. Valid for up to 2 years.
- Transit visa: For brief stopovers in Canada while traveling to another country.
Study permit
For international students enrolled at an eligible Canada academic institution. Allows pursuing studies for the duration of the academic program.
Work permit
For temporary foreign workers and business visitors coming to Canada for short-term work or business activities like meetings, conferences, etc. The employer generally applies for this type of work visa.
Immigration visa
For foreign nationals planning to immigrate permanently to Canada. Includes:
- Skilled worker visa: For skilled professionals immigrating via Express Entry or provincial nominee programs.
- Business visa: For experienced entrepreneurs and investors applying through business immigration programs.
- Family sponsorship visa: For spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children sponsored by Canada permanent residents.
- Refugee visa: For approved refugees and asylum seekers.
Choose the appropriate visa type depending on your purpose for visiting Canada. The eligibility criteria, application process, fees, and validity period vary for each visa category.
Canada visa requirements
While each visa type has specific eligibility criteria, some key requirements for a Canada visa include:
- Valid passport: Must be substantial for the whole length you expect to remain in Canada. Include a photocopy together with your application.
- Completed application form: Particular to the sort of visa you’re applying for. Shapes are accessible online.
- Letter of explanation: Laying out your reasons for going by Canada, agenda, subtle elements of any family or companions in Canada, etc.
- Financial statements: Demonstrating you have got adequate stores to cover costs for the trip, counting points of interest of resources, salary, and liabilities.
- Biometrics: Fingerprints and photos are required for most Canada visa applications as part of the biometric verification process.
- Supporting documents: Depends on your visa category but may include educational certificates, medical clearance, employment proofs, business registration, etc.
- Visa fees: Shift based on nationality and visa sort. Pay online by credit card or at the visa application center.
- Health insurance: Proof of valid Canada health insurance may be required by immigration upon arrival, depending on your nationality.
Meet all the eligibility conditions required for the specific type of Canada visa you are applying for to avoid delays or rejections.
How to apply for Canada visa?
Here are step-by-step guides for applying for Canada visa application:
Step#1. Determine visa type
Choose which Canada visa category is reasonable based on your reason for going to Canada as a traveler, specialist, understudy, or worker.
Step#2. Prepare the application package
Get all the desired reports and forms ready for the visa you’re applying for. Double-check the necessities to maintain a strategic distance from any lost data.
Step#3. Submit an application online
For most visa sorts, you’ll be able to yield the total visa application online through the official Government of Canada site. Make an account, fill in subtle elements, transfer archives, and pay expenses online.
Step#4. Get biometrics
Plan an arrangement at your closest Visa Application Middle (VAC) worked by VFS Worldwide to supply fingerprints and photographs as required for biometric confirmation.
Step#5. Send passport
Once approved, send your original passport to the Canada visa office handling your application. They will stamp the visa and return your passport by courier.
Start your visa application well in advance, at least 2 months before your planned travel date. Processing times vary from 2-12 weeks depending on nationality and visa type.
Tips when applying for Canada visa
Here are some useful tips for you to have quick processing:
- Provide total and precise data on all shapes. Any crevices or blunders can delay processing.
- Incorporate all essential supporting records as per the checklist. Divided applications are rejected.
- Make past any question that your universal ID has at the smallest 6 months of authenticity remaining. International ID ending some time recently may be refused.
- Book your biometrics course of action sometime soon as you pay the visa costs to preserve a vital remove from delays.
- Pay close thought to the inquired record bunches and judgments for all uploads.
- Be brief but join satisfactory focuses of intrigued in your letter of clarification drawing out your trip.
- Maintain copies of all chronicles submitted checking application shapes.
- Respond right away in case additional information is inquired while processing.
- Avoid common botches that can conflictingly influence your Canada visa application with genuine arranging and consistency.
Canada visa fees
Here are Canada visa fees that you must pay attention to:
- Temporary Visa: $74.82
- Study Permit: $110.74
- Work Permit: $114.43
- Visitor Visa for family members of Canada permanent residents: $74.82
Include $2.75 for the biometrics charge per individual. Candidates from certain nations may have to pay higher visa costs.
Visa expenses can be paid by credit card online or through cash at the VAC. Other charges incorporate
- VAC service fees: $7.38 to $22.14 approximately depending on VAC.
- Courier return of passport: $14.76 approx.
The fees are non-refundable regardless of approval decision. However, you can get a refund in some cases if the application is incomplete.
Processing time for Canada visa
Most applications for visitor visas are processed within 7 days to 2 months on average. It can take over 6 months for higher-risk countries.
- Study permit: Usually processed in under 8 weeks if complete. Student visas for priority markets like India and China may take 12-16 weeks.
- Work permit: On average, a work visa application can be processed in 4-8 weeks. Some specialized categories like NAFTA visas faster.
- Immigration visa: Permanent resident applications for skilled workers can take 6 months or more for approval due to security checks.
- Super visa: Generally processed faster within 2 months as eligibility criteria are simpler for parent/grandparent applicants.
Additional delays if the Canada visa office requests more information or clarification during processing.
Where to apply for Canada visa?
Here are some ways to apply for Canada visa application:
Apply online
Most candidates can total the whole visa application counting shape accommodation, record transfer, and expense installment on the official Government of Canada site. Biometrics must be given independently at an endorsed Visa Application Centre.
Mail paper application
Some visa categories like certain trade and displaced person applications may require submitting physical shapes and supporting archives to the significant visa office. Check online guides for point-by-point instructions.
In-person
If there’s no online application choice for your visa type, you’ll have to visit the Canada visa office individually to yield the forms and archives at the side biometrics. Call to book a Canada visa appointment.
What to do if Canada visa is rejected?
If your Canada visa application gets refused, you have the following options:
- You can reapply immediately unless explicitly prohibited.
- Review the rejection letter carefully to understand why your previous application was denied. Look for any incorrectly submitted documents or eligibility criteria you failed to meet.
- Gather new documentation and information to strengthen your reapplication. For example, if your financial records are inadequate, provide updated bank statements and financial proof.
- Make any required changes in your circumstances. For example, if your application was denied due to insufficient family ties to your home country, you can provide proof that this has now changed.
- Write a letter explaining how you have addressed the reasons your previous visa application was rejected. Outline specifically what additional information you are providing in the new application.
- Be patient and avoid reapplying too soon. It’s best to wait 6-12 months if there are significant concerns raised, like the doubtful purpose of travel. For simpler cases, 2-3 months is reasonable.
- Reapply online and resubmit biometrics and passport for processing the new application. You may have to pay full fees again.
- Consider hiring an immigration lawyer or consultant to improve your chances, especially if your visa was denied multiple times.
- If your new application gets denied again without a change in circumstances, submit an appeal within 30 days citing errors in the decision.
With the right approach, many applicants who are refused initially can get their Canada visa approved upon reapplication. Be diligent in addressing any shortcomings and provide as much positive proof as possible.
Apply for Canada visa from another country
In a few circumstances, you will be able to apply for a Canada visa from a nation other than your domestic nation in case certain conditions are met:
- If there’s no Canada visa application center (VAC) in your nation of citizenship or home, you’ll be able to apply from an adjacent nation. In any case, you’ll for the most part as it were applied at a VAC that serves your nation of permanent residence.
- If you have a substantial residency allowed for a nation you’re living in, you’ll be able ordinarily apply from that nation instead of your domestic nation. For case, on the off chance that you’ve got lasting residency within the U.K. but are a citizen of India, you’ll apply for Canada visa from the U.K.
- If you’re as it were briefly going to another nation as a traveler, you ordinarily cannot apply for a Canada visa from that nation and need to yield your application in your nation of permanent residence.
- In extraordinary circumstances like well-being crises or family emergencies, you will be allowed to apply from a nation you’re going by briefly in case you give documentation.
- Your biometrics can be submitted at any accessible Visa Application Middle worked by VFS Worldwide in any case area.
- Consult with the Canada visa office capable for your nation to affirm if you’re qualified to yield a visa application from another nation based on your particular circumstance.
How to extend Canada visa?
If your Canada visa is expiring but you need to stay longer in Canada, you can apply to extend your status by submitting a visitor record application. Here is the process:
- You must apply at least 30 days before your current visa expires. Applications submitted after expiry may not be accepted.
- Complete an application for extending your stay as a visitor using the specific form available online for your visa type.
- Pay the CAD 100 visitor record fee online or via accepted payment methods.
- Provide updated supporting documents like financial statements, insurance, hotel bookings, flight itineraries, etc. to prove you can sustain yourself.
- Apply online or by mail depending on your visa category. Include your original passport.
- If approved, you will receive a visitor record document indicating your new expiry date and conditions.
- A visitor record extension allows you to stay in Canada but does not let you re-enter if you leave. Apply for a new visa if you wish to return.
- You can normally extend your stay as a visitor up to a maximum of 6 months beyond your original authorized period in Canada.
Follow the proper visa extension process well in advance to avoid becoming an illegal overstay. Applications may be denied if submitted late or if eligibility criteria are unsatisfactory.