In most cases, a visa will be required to visit Canada. Previously, it was only possible to apply in person, but with the rise of Internet technologies, you can skip the lines at embassies and get everything done twice as fast. The process takes a few clicks and is available 24/7. The following post should help you learn more about applying for the most requested type of visa – the tourist visa.
Crossing Canadian Borders: Who Needs a Travel Permit?
Canada has a strict border policy. Most foreigners must have a visa to enter the country. However, some nationals fall into the visa exemption category.
If your country has a visa waiver agreement with Canada, you do not need a tourist visa. Get an eTA if you are traveling by air. It is an alternative to the standard visa and is even faster to obtain. If you plan to arrive by other means of transportation, you can cross the Canadian border without a visa.
Other countries must apply for a visitor visa several weeks before the trip. The most convenient way is to use the Internet services of the Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Agency.
Get a visa online in 3 steps
1. Fill in the form on the Official Portal.
The platform is convenient to work with: it allows you to save the entered data and return to it later if necessary, and will not allow you to proceed to the next stage if you entered invalid data. Although the service can correct errors by marking them red, it cannot find typos in personal data. If there are, it may be a reason for rejection, so check everything carefully before submitting.
2. Upload supporting documents.
Here is a checklist to keep in mind:
- National passport or any other identity document that proves your citizenship
- Passport
- A bank statement with sufficient funds to cover your expenses
- Proof of intention to return (elderly parents and minor dependent children, work
- resume on a specific date, etc.)
- Photo size 420 × 540 pixels for online submission
Depending on the type of visa and country of origin, other documents may be required.
3. Pay the fee.
Pricing varies and starts at 100 CAD. Payment transfer through the online payment system of the platform.
Please wait until you receive a notification that your application has been received and is being processed. Usually it will take no more than 3 weeks for the results to be finalized. After making the decision, the Embassy will send you your passport with the attached visa by mail if the application is approved.
Getting the right photo format
Avoid visa rejection due to incorrect image format. The Canadian visa photo specifications are difficult for an amateur to follow. Use professional services to avoid getting it wrong. You have 2 options:
- Go to the photography studio. Download the digital version of the image to your USB
- Use online editing tools like Visafoto. Upload the selfie from your smartphone and let the software adjust it to the correct format
The latter is faster, cheaper, and more convenient because you can do everything from the comfort of your home.
Tourist visa validity
As a general rule, tourists receive multiple travel permits for 5 to 10 years. But that doesn’t mean you can stay in Canada that long. You have to leave the country in 6 months. Sometimes and earlier by decision of the border service. The departure date will be noted in your passport.
The process of obtaining your visa online is not complicated. Follow these tips, carefully review the information you enter on the form, and make sure your photo meets the specifications.
Categories: How to
Source: HIS Education