Whether you are returning or it’s your first time traveling to Canada, you should prioritize Canada Visa application in your travel plans. The North American country, Canada is a highly developed country.
According to Wikipedia, Canada has the seventeenth-highest nominal per-capita income globally and the sixteenth-highest ranking in the Human Development Index. Its advanced economy is the tenth-largest in the world, relying chiefly upon its abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade networks.
As with other developed nations, the country’s economy is dominated by the service industry which employs about three-quarters of Canadians & foreigners based in Canada. Moreover, Canada’s stable and diverse economy has been attracting foreign nationals. The demand for foreigners to travel to the country has been consistently increasing over the past few years.
Making the country a prime destination for people seeking to relocate to the country to achieve a better life. As there are so many opportunities for professional growth and development. But most people are still wondering how they can enter the country legally. The answer is Canada Visa application, with exception to some, foreigners must apply and get a Visa to enter the country legally.
However, we will provide information in full detail about Canada Visa, who needs a Canadian Visa, types, requirements, and Canada Visa application. In addition, we will also provide any other important information pertaining to the Canada Visa application.
What is Canada Visa?
A visa is an official document, usually stamped or glued inside a passport, giving permission from a foreign authority for you to enter, remain within, or leave that territory or country. Visas are issued by foreign government offices in one’s home country.
Therefore, a Canada visa is an official document that gives a foreigner the authorization to legally enter Canada and stay either permanently or temporarily. However, you will need to contact the Canadian embassy or consulate in your home country before you plan to leave on your trip. This is to find out if you need a visa to enter the country or to stay for a longer period of time.
Moreover, you will have to meet the eligibility criteria and fulfill all the necessary requirements for the Canada Visa application. Also, the requirements, fees, and processing times may vary depending on the type of Canadian visa you need. Furthermore, Canada Visa applications can be done in person, by mail, or online. However, whichever means you choose to follow, ensure that you have the complete application documents.
You must mail your passport, use secure mail services and enclose a stamped, self-addressed return envelope if you cannot visit the foreign government office in person.
Do You Need a Canada Visa Application
Most people need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada – not both. Some people may only need their valid passports.
What you need depends on:
- the type of travel document you will travel with;
- the country that issued your travel document;
- your nationality; and
- how you will travel to Canada.
However, you do not need a Canada Visa application if you are from one of the countries that have a visa exemption or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) agreement with Canada. If you are otherwise, that is from people from countries that don’t have such an agreement, then, you must apply for a visa.
However, just as we mentioned earlier, the requirements, fees, and processing time may vary depending on the type of visa you need. Including the Canada Visa application process, but there are few general steps you must follow which we will be talking about in this article.
Types of Canada Visa
Furthermore, you must first find out which visa you need to apply for before you start the Canada Visa application process. Besides, there are several types of visas for Canada, which each of them designed to fit your motive or reason for going to Canada.
However, some of them are as follows:
- Visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
- Student visa
- Work visa
- Permanent Resident Visa
Visitor Visa(Temporary Resident Visa):
The temporary Canada visa gives a foreigner permission to stay in Canada for a specific period of time, usually up to six months or more. However, the Canadian temporary visa is an ideal option for foreigners who wish to come to Canada for studies, work, or for vacations. Moreover, a temporary Canada visa may be multiple or single entries.
A multiple entry visa, while valid will let you travel to Canada for six months at a time as many times as you want. It will be valid for up to 10 years or one month before your passport expires, whichever is shorter. You must arrive in Canada on or before the expiry date on your visa.
A single entry visa on the other hand, lets you travel to Canada only one time and is valid for up to six months from your date of arrival. For instance, you may only be eligible for a single entry visa if:
- you are eligible for a fee-exemption and the purpose of your entry to Canada is limited (such as, for an official visit by a foreign national)
- you are taking part in a one-time special event in Canada
- there are approved country-specific procedures or guidelines in place.
However, you don’t need to choose between the two. A multiple entry visa is what all visa applicants are automatically considered for. Your Canada Visa application will be reviewed and you will get a visa depending on your situation. Furthermore, student and work visa or permit with several other visas are under or types of temporary visa.
Canadian Permanent Resident Visa
The permanent Canada visa allows the holder to live and work permanently in the country. However, there are also known as immigrant visa, and the types are as follows:
- Immigrant Investor Program
- Family Sponsorship Program
- Self-employed Persons Visa
- Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
- Start-up Visa
- Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP)
Canada Visa Application
However, just like we have mentioned earlier, the requirements, visa fee, processing time, Canada Visa application process may vary depending on the type of visa you need. We will guide you through the general step-by-step application process for both applications in person and online.
To apply for a Canada visa in person, you need to go through the following step by step guidelines:
- Identify visa type
- Begin your application
- Book an appointment
- Pay your visa fees
- Attend your visa appointment
- Wait for the processing of your visa.
- Submit your passport and processing fees
- Collect your passport
1. Identify visa type
Firstly, you need to know the type of visa you need and find out whether you are eligible to apply for it. Moreover, you will also need to know the necessary supporting documents that you will have to submit during the application process. Including the fees, you will have to pay and the processing time for the specific type of visa.
However, each application must comply with the guidelines applicable for the specific visa category. You can use the link at the end of this article for detailed information on the visa categories.
2. Begin your application
After you determine the visa type you need, and whether you meet the eligibility requirements. The next step is to go ahead and start the Canada Visa application process. You can download the visa application form, fill and print the completed form. Then bring it with you to the visa application center or Canadian embassy or consulate in your home country for submission.
Moreover, if you are applying online, you can submit the Canada Visa application directly to the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. However, either way, you must completely fill out the Canada Visa application form online. Handwritten forms will not be accepted. If you are applying in person you have to print the application, sign, and attach all the necessary supporting documents. Then, submit them to the Canadian embassy or consulate/ Visa Application Centre in your country.
3. Book an appointment
Furthermore, once you have completed your Canada Visa application. The next step is to choose a Visa Application Centre or a Canadian embassy/ consulate and schedule an appointment. This is appointment is to have your biometrics ( fingerprints and photo) taken.
After that, you will receive an email notification, confirming that they have your biometrics. A letter of confirmation will also be included in the confirmation email. You will have to book individual appointments for each member if you are part of a family or group.
4. Pay your Canada Visa application fees
After you must have completed your application, you will have to pay your visa application fee. Besides, must have already found out the fees you are required to pay depending on the visa type you need. However, you can pay the fees at the time of your appointment, if you wish to download and print the application form, and take it with you to the embassy or Visa Application Centre.
5. Attend your visa appointment
The next step is to visit the Visa application center or Canadian embassy/ consulate and attend your scheduled appointment. This is when you submit your complete Canada Visa application form if you have not submitted it online. You will have to give your application and biometrics once you arrive at the Canadian Visa application center or embassy/ consulate.
Moreover, you will also pay the applicable visa application fees and charges, after which you will get a receipt. The receipt will contain a tracking number, which you can use to check the status of your Canada Visa application online. You can do this via your online account if you applied for the visa online.
6. Wait for the processing of your visa
Then, the Canadian visa application center or embassy will process your Canada Visa application. Which might take up to two weeks or more depending on the type of visa. You will get an email notification once a decision has been made regarding your application. You must continuously check your email account, as all embassy notifications regarding your Canada Visa application will be posted on your account.
7. Submit your passport and processing fees
If the notification you received says that your Canada Visa application was successful, then the next step will be to submit your passport to the Canadian embassy or consulate. You can mail the passport together with the processing fees to the address of the embassy in your home country. However, the processing fees vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for, the cost may range from $20 to $50.
8. Collect your passport
After submitting the passport and paying the required processing fee. The Canadian embassy officials will receive the passport and fees, and then stamp the visa on your passport. After that, you can pick up your passport from or the embassy will mail it back to you. Most times, you may get the notification of the embassy’s decision immediately after the visa interview or appointment. In such cases, you will have to provide your passport, pay the processing fees, and get the passport there immediately.
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The frequent questions that people ask
Required Documents for a Canada Visa Application
Furthermore, here are the documents you will need to submit during the Canada Visa application process. They are as follows:
- Valid passport
- Canada visa application form
- Evidence of paid visa fees
- Police statement (to prove clean criminal record)
- Medical test results
- Passport photographs which must be in accordance with the Canada visa photo requirements
- Proof of financial stability
- Proof you will return to your home country once the Canadian visa expires.
- Official government identity documents
- Letter of support or invitation to Canada
- A cover letter that explains the purpose of your travel to Canada
How can I get job in Canada?
- get Canadian work experience.
- practice your English or French.
- build your network of contacts.
- meet Canadians and make friends.
- find someone who will be a reference for you.
- show potential employers that you’re willing to work har
Conclusion
However, just like we mentioned earlier the processing time for the Canada visa varies for each type. Although it usually takes between two to four weeks, or more generally. The processing of your visa starts once the Canadian immigration authorities received your complete visa application. The processing time can only be delayed if you are required to provide additional documents for the application.
Moreover, you can also check out other articles we have published about Canadian immigration.
Please refer to the official website of the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) using the link below for more detailed information on the Canada Visa application.