A Canadian visa, or Visa, may be required if you are going to Canada on vacation, if you plan to live there temporarily or if you want to work. The Canadian government requires that you complete a visa application before entering the country. So it is useful to know what to do to get a visa for Canada.
Steps
Step 1. Find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada
- Visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
- Check the country list to see if your country is listed.
Step 2. Check the list of exceptions
There is usually no visa requirement for US or UK citizens or citizens of any of the listed countries.
- Get the documentation to apply for a temporary resident visa. It can be achieved in 2 ways.
- You can download the documentation.
- You can apply for it at the Canadian visa office in your country (at the Embassy or Consulate).
Step 3. Request a copy of the documentation to be completed for each person in your family who wants to travel to Canada with you
Step 4. Contact the Canadian visa office in your country
Ask the visa officer if there are any expenses to be incurred relating to the visa application and what the payment methods are
Step 5. Complete the visa application
- Read the instructions carefully to be sure you have the required requirements and to know what documents you need.
- Get the documents you need according to the instructions. You must have a travel document, i.e. a passport, valid for at least six months. In addition, 2 passport-sized photos of each family member traveling to Canada with you are required.
- Make a bank transfer or check for the amount requested. The Canadian government usually asks that you pay in Canadian dollars.
- Sign the application.
- Submit your application to the Canadian visa office in the country where you live.
Step 6. Fulfill any other requests after submitting the application
The Canadian government may ask you to be interviewed by a visa employee. You may also need to undergo a medical examination, which could extend your application process by 3 months
Warnings
- Depending on your situation you may need other documents. For example, you may need a travel itinerary, proof that you work, or other identification documents. If you are visiting relatives or friends you may need a "letter of invitation" from them to attach to your visa application.
- If your application is refused you will receive a letter with the reason why your visa was refused and the office will return all your documents to you.
- A parent or guardian must sign the application for under 18s.
- The visa application process can be slowed down if information or documents are missing.
