Country wise VISA
Countries
Canada
A Canada visa is a permit that allows you to visit Canada, and stay there for a certain period. There are a few countries which do not need a permit to enter the country. However, for Indian nationals, a visa is necessary. The Canadian visas are of multiple types depending on the type of stay, number of entries, and the purpose of the visit. Even though the normal visa is issued for 6 months, the actual length can vary based on the Canadian Border Security Office decision.
Indian Immigrants
Hindi Spoken People
Punjabi Spoken People
Indians Students
Canada VISA Guidance with FAQs
Become Eligible This Way
You must have a valid and good intention behind travelling to the country.
You must possess sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents throughout the stay.
You must have strong ties in your home country that will ensure that you will return after your stay.
You must have a clean criminal track record and be of good character. You may have to provide PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) for the same.
You must at least meet the minimum health requirements required by the authorities.
To apply for a Canada visa from India, you have to follow a few steps. However, before starting your application, there are a few prerequisites. The first one is for you to determine which type of visa you need. There are several Canada visa types ranging from a visitor, work, student visa, etc. After this, you need to determine if you are eligible for that particular type. This can be done by answering a questionnaire on the Government of Canada website. Once you are eligible, you can choose to apply for the Canada visa online, or on paper.
The offline process can be done by -
- Downloading an application form.
- Filling the necessary details, as per the requirements.
- Attaching the mandatory documents.
- Paying the application fees, along with biometric charges.
- Biometric is mandatory at VAC.
- Sending the application via mail or in person to a VAC.
The Canadian government is in the phase of digitizing records, and as a result, people are requested to make their Canada visa application online for the process. To find out how to apply for a Canada visa online, you can follow the following steps -
- You will have to create an account at the Government of Canada website. You can also use your bank account details to create one.
- Once this is done, you can log in to the account and start filling out your Canada visa application form.
- You should then upload your documents as asked.
- Pay the application fees as well as the biometric fees and submit the Canada visa online application.
Be it online or offline, after you submit your application, you will have to wait for the embassy to approve it. In the meanwhile, you will also be asked to submit your biometric information. You can provide this at a visa application center, or at other referred biometric collection centers. Alternately, you might have to submit to an interview at the VAC.
Whatever the process you follow, you have to ensure that all the details are correct, and the necessary documents have been submitted as you do not want your application to be rejected. A rejected visa history may cause hindrances in future visa applications
Canadian visas can be categorized into Temporary, and Permanent Visa. The temporary resident Canada visa types can be mainly classified into the following -
- Visitor visa / Temporary resident visa (TRV) - Anyone who is visiting the country for tourism, family or business related purposes are granted temporary resident status. These are issued normally for 6 months. They are of two types-
- Canada Tourist Visa - This type is required by an individual whose sole purpose of the visit is tourism. Be it visiting family members/friends, or to explore the country, or any other tourist activities, you require a tourist visa.
- Canada Business Visa - If you are planning to visit Canada to implement or expand a business, to attend business meetings/conferences, to venture possible business plans, as long as your main agenda is professional activities, you require a business visa.
- Work visa - This is a temporary type that permits an individual to work for 6 months in Canada, after which he will have to return home or apply for an extension.
- Study visa - For students attending courses in Canada that last more than 6 months, a study visa is issued.
Usually, these are issued for multiple entries. Meaning, you can go in and out of the country multiple times in the visa period. Also, most temporary visas are issued for 6 months. However, depending on how strong your case is, the visa officer may issue permits valid up to a maximum of 10 years; or until the passport validity date, whichever comes first.
The documents to be submitted for the application depends on the Canada visa types you are aiming for. There are a constant set of documents that are common for all visas, and a special set depending on the type. The general documents required for Canadian visa are as follows,
- A valid passport + old passports, if any.
- 3 photos as per Canada visa requirements.
- Duly filled and signed application forms.
- NOC from employer/leave sanction from school/college.
- Travel itinerary - confirmed air tickets, proof of accommodation.
- Proof of financial means - bank statements, Form -16, passbook, salary slips, etc.
- Proof that you will return to your home country once the Canadian visa expires.
- Identity and Civil Status Documents.
- Police clearances to show no criminal records (if requested).
- Medical certificate to prove that you have no chronic disease (if requested).
- A covering letter stating your purpose, motive, and duration of the travel.
- Letter of support/invitation to Canada.
The Canada visa photo specifications are as follows -
- Size: 33mm width and 48mm length.
- Colour: Must be submitted in colour showing true skin tones.
- Head size and position: The head must be between 15mm and 22mm wide. Length is 28mm to 33mm.
- Recency: Photo must be from the past 6 months. Older photos will be rejected.
- Background: Solid, plain white or light blue only.
- Smile: Neutral expression. No smiling
- Eyes: Wide open. Must be visible
- Make sure your ears are both visible.
- The photo should not be blurry.
- Glasses: Thin rimmed eyewear for medical purpose only.
- Headgear: None unless for religious purposes.
- Dimensions and size (pixels): None specified.
- Attire, clothing, dress code: Be sure what you are wearing does not match the background. This could cause rejection and retake.
- Beard: Optional.
- Quantity needed in application: 2
| VISA Type | Description | Fee Amount (in CAD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Temporary Resident Visa |
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) |
$ 7 |
|
Temporary Resident Visa |
International Experience Canada Participation |
$ 156 |
|
Temporary Resident Visa |
Study Permits |
$ 150 |
|
Temporary Resident Visa |
Visitor Visa (Inc. Super Visa) |
$ 100 |
|
Temporary Resident Visa |
Work Permit |
$ 155 |
|
Permanent Resident |
Business Immigration (Applicant) |
$ 2140 |
|
Permanent Resident |
Business Immigration (Spouse or Partner) |
$ 1365 |
|
Permanent Resident |
Business Immigration (Dependent Child) |
$ 230 |
|
Permanent Residnet |
Skilled Worker & Express Entry Immigration (Applicant) |
$ 1365 |
|
Permanent Resident |
Skilled Worker & Express Entry Immigration (Spouse or Partner) |
$ 1365 |
|
Permanent Resident |
Skilled Worker & Express Entry Immigration (Dependent Child) |
$ 230 |
|
Family Sponsorship |
Parents, Grandparents, Spouse or Partner, Child, Any Relative (as Applicant) |
$ 1080 |
|
Family Sponsorship |
Parents, Grandparents, Spouse or Partner, Child, Any Relative (Dependent of Applicant or Co-Applicant - Older than 22 Years) |
$ 1080 |
|
Family Sponsorship |
Parents, Grandparents, Spouse or Partner, Child, Any Relative (Dependent Child) |
$ 150 |
|
Citizenship |
Adult (18 and over) |
$ 630 |
|
Citizenship |
Minor (under 18) |
$ 100 |
Depending upon your preference, you can apply for the visa online or offline. For the online mode, you can find the application form on the portal of the Government of Canada. For the offline mode, you can find the application form on the website of the same. You can then download it and print it. However, it is advised to use the online form for faster processing
No, you do not necessarily need an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or any other language proficiency test unless you are applying for a student visa, work visa or other forms of permanent residence visa. In these cases, you are required to show that you are well proficient in English by meeting the minimum score criteria in these tests.
The Canadian visa takes a lot of time for processing. On average, it takes about 60 to 90 days from the submission date. This is due to the high load of applications, as well as the biometric submission. Once you submit the application, you will be asked to submit your biometrics. This can take up some time. If you have previously submitted the biometric in the past 10 years, you may be eligible to skip this step and may receive the visa faster.