Are you willing to get a Canada visa? Find the comprehensive Canada Visa Application Process here. Here’s your guideline for a successful Canadian visa application.
To reach your dream of visiting or living in Canada, it’s essential to recognize the Canada visa application process. Without accurate guidelines or without filling in all the requirements for getting a visa, you may not be able to submit a successful visa application. In this article, we’ll give precious information on perfect visa types, visa requirements, fees and costs and more to assist you succeed in your application.
Canada Visa Types
Canada offers various visa choices, each made for specific immigration purposes. To understand the requirements for a successful visa application it is essential to know the visa types of Canada. Here is all the necessary information about a Canada visa:
1. Temporary Visa: This type of visa is ideal for short-term visits, such as for studies, work, or vacations.
3. Work Visa: This type of visa is for people who want to work in Canada.
2. Study Visa: This type of visa is for students from other countries who want to study in Canada.
4. Permanent Resident Visa: This type of visa is for people who want to live in Canada permanently.
Canada Temporary Visas
If your plans involve a limited stay in Canada, temporary visas may be your best choice. These visas serve different purposes, such as studies, work, and leisure.
Canada Student Visas
Canada welcomes international students by offering them the opportunity to bring family members and obtain open work permits after completing their studies. Find the ideal path to study and live in Canada with guidance from Canada visa experts.
Canada Visitor Visa | Canada Tourist Visa
Depending on your nationality, you can seek a Canadian visitor visa for your vacation. To enhance your chances of visa approval, it’s essential to show your commitment to returning to your home country once your trip is complete.
Canada Work Permits
Working in Canada gives you important Canadian work experience, which can help you become eligible for permanent residency. Various work permits, like Labor Market Impact Assessment, NAFTA, and Live-in Caregiver work permits, require you to have a Canada visa sponsorship job offer.
Canada Business Class Immigration
Canada’s Business Class Immigration has three categories: Quebec, Federal, and Provincial Nomination Programs. They all lead to permanent residency. Usually, you need a net worth of more than CAD 300,000 for eligibility.
Canada Federal Skilled Worker Visa
This type of visa is for people who want to live in Canada permanently. The Canadian immigration office uses a point system to choose who gets it. The assessment criteria encompass your educational history, work expertise, and fluency in either English or French. To be eligible for this visa, you need to score a minimum of 67 points out of 100 and hold a minimum of one year of occupational background.
Canadian Experience Class Visa
If you are currently working in Canada under a temporary work permit, you have the chance to apply for permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class Visa. This immigration route is tailored for individuals who have gained at least one year of work experience in Canada and are skilled in either English or French.
Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program
This program helps skilled workers to become permanent residents quickly. To be eligible, you require at least one year of full-time work in a specific trade within the last five years. Part-time work can count if it totals two years of full-time equivalent work. You also need a job offer and must meet language requirements for AI detection.
Canada Provincial Nomination Programs
If you couldn’t get a permanent residence with the Skilled Worker Visa, you still have a chance through Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP). These programs are for people with lower skill levels who can help specific provinces in Canada grow. To apply, you need to get a certificate from the province, and then you have to apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for a PR visa.
Canada Quebec-Selected Skilled Workers Program
Quebec wants skilled workers from all over the world to help its economy. People who want to live there permanently need to meet certain requirements and follow certain steps, like getting a Quebec Selection Certificate.
Canada Family-Sponsorship Program
Once you get permanent residency in Canada, you can assist your family to become permanent residents too. This program includes your spouse, kids who depend on you, your parents, brothers and sisters, partners you live with, grandparents and grandchildren.
Canada Super Visas for Parents and Grandparents
This long-term visa is an outstanding choice for family reunification. This visa category enables you to have your family members join you in Canada for a maximum of 10 years. Additionally, it allows you to sponsor your parents and grandparents, helping them attain permanent resident status through Canada’s family sponsorship program.
Canada Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP)
Skilled caregivers can help children, disabled individuals or old people in Canadian homes. To participate in this program, it’s essential to possess the appropriate work experience and be proficient in either English or French. Caregivers are required to adhere to specific guidelines, such as providing a minimum of 30 hours of compassionate care to individuals with disabilities each week.
Canada provides diverse immigration opportunities for people with different goals and qualifications. Knowing the most suitable available visa options is your first step to achieving your dreams in Canada.
Canada Visa Application Process | How to Apply for a Canada Visa?
When applying for a Canadian visa, start by determining the specific visa category that suits your purpose. If your goal is to pursue education in Canada, you’ll require a study permit. If your intention is temporary work in Canada, you should apply for a work visa. For those aspiring to become permanent residents, there are specific pathways to follow.
After selecting the perfect visa for you, start the below process:
1. Gather Required Documents
Every type of visa has a specific list of necessary documents. Typically, you’ll require a valid passport, a completed application form, evidence of sufficient funds, and additional supporting paperwork such as an acceptance letter from a Canadian educational institution (for study permits) or a job offer (for work permits).র্
Also more: Grand Canyon University Full Review
2. Canada Visa Application Online
The majority of Canadian visa applications are typically submitted online through the official website of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). To access the website, you can simply click on the following link: https://www.canada.ca/en.html. This link will direct you to the official website in your web browser.
Upon arriving at the website, establish your account and complete the application form. Aside, from uploading the required documents. Lastly, pay the visa processing fee.
3. Canada Visa Biometric Appointment
Based on your citizenship and the category of your visa, you might be requested to provide biometric information, such as fingerprints and a photo. To meet this obligation, you will be directed to visit a Visa Application Center (VAC) located within your native country.
4. Interview or Medical Examination
Some visa applicants might need to attend an interview or undergo a medical examination. These requirements vary based on the visa type and individual circumstances.
5. Track Your Visa Processing
Following the submission of your application, you will be required to wait for the processing period, which may vary from a few weeks to several months. It’s important to check the current processing times on the IRCC website by tracking your visa through the application ID and passport number.
6. Passport Submission
After your application is approved, you will receive a Port of Entry (POE) document. The specific document type will differ based on the visa category you have applied for.
By adhering to the aforementioned guidelines, you will be able to proficiently submit a visa application for Canada.
Canada Visa Requirements
For a Canada visa application, specific documents are essential and must be presented at different stages, ranging from the initial application to your actual travel to Canada. Here’s a comprehensive checklist of the necessary items for your Canada visa application:
- Valid passport;
- A Bio-data of the applicant;
- Proof of educational qualification;
- Applicant’s National Identity Card or Online Birth Registration;
- Photograph of the applicant;
- Proof of at least one year of work experience in the specified job;
- Apply by following the official procedure to Canada with the above documents.
Documents Required after Initial Visa Application is Accepted
- Copy of Canada visa application form;
- Proof of visa fee payment;
- Police Clearance;
- Vaccination Certificate or Corona Vaccination Certificate;
- Medical report from registered hospital;
- Statement of bank balance as bank solvency, (fixed deposit, current account, savings certificate, provident fund or share market balance etc.);
- Fingerprints, retina scans and photographs at Canadian consulate interviews;
- Letter of undertaking to return after visa expiry;
- Copy of marriage certificate if the applicant is married.
These documents are necessary at various points during the process of obtaining a Canada visa.
Canada Visa Photo Requirements
For Canada visa application, there is a fixed photo requirement:
- Dimensions of the photo: 50 mm wide by 70 mm high
- (In inches: 2 inches wide by 2-3/4 inches long)
- Face Measurements: Ensure the height of the face measures between:
- Minimum: 31 mm (1-1/4 inches) from chin to crown of head
- Maximum: 36 mm (1-7/16 inches) from the chin to the natural top of the head
Canada Visa Requirements for USA Citizens
To qualify for a Canadian visitor visa from the USA, you must satisfy these fundamental requirements:
- A valid passport.
- You must be in good health.
- Have no criminal or immigration-related convictions.
- Demonstrate to an immigration officer that you have connections, like a job, home, financial assets, or family, that tie you to your home country.
- Convince an immigration officer that you will return to your home country after your visit.
- Have enough money to cover your stay, which varies based on the duration and your accommodation choice (hotel, friends, or relatives).
- You might also require a medical examination and an invitation letter from a Canadian resident.
This document is only applicable to the visitor visa application process.
Canada Visa Processing Time | Canada Visa Wait Time
Processing times for Canadian visas can vary significantly based on the type of visa you’re applying for. Below, you’ll find the average processing times for various Canadian visas:
- Express Entry Processing Time is 6 months.
- PR Card Processing Time is 120 days.
- PR Card Renewal Processing Time is 77 days.
- Canada Work Permit Processing Time is 5-36 weeks.
- Work Permit – 4 weeks (while inside Canada).
- Work Permit – 5 to 6 months (outside of Canada).
- LMIA Processing Time is 10-36 days.
- Study Permit Processing Time is 4 weeks to 5 months.
- Study Permit – 4 weeks (while inside Canada).
- Study Permit – 9 weeks (outside of Canada).
- Study Permit – 5 months.
- Canadian Citizenship Processing Time is 24 months.
- Canadian Visitor Visa Processing Time is 23 days – 8 months.
- Visitor Visa – 23 days (while inside Canada).
- Visitor Visa – 4 to 8 months (outside of Canada).
- Visitor Visa extension – 6 months.
- Canada Visitor Visa Processing Time After Biometrics – up to 30 days.
- Canada Spousal Sponsorship Processing Time is 13-17 months.
- Super Visa Processing Time is 4-6 months.
- Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) – 2-6 months.
Some factors can increase Canada visa processing time. Such as type of visa application, country of applicants, application correctness, applicant’s information verification time, IRCC application process etc.
How to Get a Green Card Holder Canada Visa
A green card holder is typically a Permanent Resident who can reside and work in Canada indefinitely.
To obtain Canadian permanent residency, you must apply through programs such as Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), or family sponsorship. Each program has its criteria and process. Typically, you need to meet all the requirements, go through a medical exam and security check and attend an interview if necessary.
Upon approval, you’ll get Permanent Resident status. It will allow you to live and work in Canada permanently. But, before applying online, research the right program and follow the application instructions carefully.
If you are a US citizen and green card holder, it is very easy to visit as a tourist. For this, you should plan, book accommodation and have enough funds. Also, you must meet general entry requirements, such as good health and no criminal record.
How Much Will A Canada Visa Cost | Canada Visa Fees
The Fees and Costs for a Canadian visitor visa, worker’s visa and student visa have been determined through the Canadian immigration website –Canada.ca. Here’s the list of the total costs for your desired Canadian visa:
Canada Visitor Visa Costs
- Visitor visa, per person: $100
- Visitor visa, per family (1 fee per family of 5 or more people): $500
- Extending stay as a visitor, per person: $100
- Restoration of status as a visitor: Visa fee not needed, $200
Canada Workers Visa Costs
- Work permit, per person: $155
- Work permit, per group (3 or more performing artists): $465
- International Experience Canada: $161
- Open work permit holder: $100
- Restoration of status as a worker: Restore your status ($200) and get a new work permit ($155): $355
Canada Students Visa Costs
- Study permit, per person: $150
- Restoration of status as a student: Restore your status ($200) and get a new study permit ($150): $350
Biometrics Costs
- Biometrics, per person: $85
- Biometrics, per family: $170
- Biometrics, per group: $255
Other costs
- Temporary resident permit: $200
- Partial payment for a work permit: (If you already paid $100): $55
- Partial payment for a study permit: (If you already paid $100): $50
Canada Visa-Free Countries
As of November 2023, the Canadian passport is ranked 38th globally on the Passport Index statistics. This ranking enables Canadian citizens to enjoy visa-free travel to 148 countries. But, to visit other countries, Canadians need to apply for visas before going.
This shows how easily Canadian passport holders can travel to many places worldwide without needing pre-entry visas.
Bottom Line
A well-prepared Canada visa application is the beginning to a Canadian journey. So, follow the above instructions, meet requirements and manage costs. If you submit your application properly, your visa will be approved.
FAQ’s
Can I Apply for a Canada Visitor Visa from the USA?
Yes, you can apply for a Canada Visitor Visa from the USA. The application process is usually done online, and it is essential to meet all the requirements.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Visa After Biometric in Canada?
Once you’ve given your biometrics to the IRCC with your visa application, it typically takes about 8 weeks to get your valid visa. However, the timeframe can vary, so it’s a good idea to consult with your immigration lawyer.
