Difference between revisions of "Get a Canadian Visa"

#Check to see if you need a visa to enter Canada. Not everyone needs a visa to visit Canada. For instance, United States citizens do not need a visa. Visit the Government of Canada's website at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp, which has a section titled "Find out if you need a visa." Find your country in the drop-down list, and then answer any other questions that pop up. Once you hit "Go," it will tell you whether or not you need a visa.<ref name="rf1">http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp</ref>

#* Note that whether you need a visa or not, you will need a valid passport to enter Canada.<ref name="rf2">http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html</ref>

#Check to see if you need an ETA to travel. Canada is also implementing another type of travel authorization, which will be made final in March of 2016. It's called an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and only applies to people entering the country by air from certain countries. For instance, if you are flying from Australia, you need this authorization. When you search for whether or not you need a visa, it should tell you whether or not you need an ETD instead.<ref name="rf3">http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp</ref>

#Make sure you have a valid reason to travel. One of the most common reason for a visa applications is if you are planning to visit as a tourist.<ref name="rf4">http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/apply-how.asp</ref> You may also get one for business trips.<ref name="rf5">http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/business/apply.asp</ref> Finally, you can get a visa to see your kids or grandkids.<ref name="rf6">http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/supervisa-how.asp</ref>

#* You may want to apply for a super visa as a parent or grandparent, even if you don't need a visa to visit Canada; this visa lets you visit for as long as 2 years.<ref name="rf6" />

#Check your eligibility. Use the website's eligibility calculator to make sure you can apply for a visa. Though it doesn't ensure you will get one, it can tell you if you are not eligible at all.<ref name="rf7">http://onlineservices-servicesenligne.cic.gc.ca/eapp/eapp.do</ref>

#* It will ask you questions about the length of your trip, how long you're staying, where you are from, and even your marital status.<ref name="rf7" />

#Create a checklist. Once you've checked your eligibility, you'll be asked a series of questions to create a checklist of documents. You'll need to answer questions about why you're visiting, whether you're employed, if you've ever committed a crime, whether you've had a physical in the last year, and other such questions.<ref name="rf7" />

#Gather your documents. The documents you need may vary based on the country you’re coming from. Some common documents you may need include a valid passport and information about your travel planes, such as a plane ticket and your itinerary. You need to prove you're in good health with a copy of the appointment you made for a physical.<ref name="rf8">http://www.cic.gc.ca/ctc-vac/getting-started.asp</ref>

#* You may also need to provide proof of your income, such as bank statements or pay stubs.<ref name="rf8" />

#* You will fill in information about your family, including any family you have in Canada.<ref name="rf8" />

#* In addition, the application may ask that you give information on any time you've traveled outside your country in the last 10 years, proven with your passport, visas, work permits, and student permits.<ref name="rf8" />

#Provide extra information for a super visa. If you are applying for a parent or grandparent super visa, you will need to give proof that you are actually a parent or grandparent. You can provide evidence such as the birth certificate of your child or grandchild or a baptismal certificate. You'll also need a letter from your child or grandchild that includes an outline of care and lists the number people that are in that household.<ref name="rf9">http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5256ETOC.asp#incometables</ref>

#* You or your child must provide evidence that the child or grandchild exceeds the low income cut-off, which is on the website. For instance, in a single-person household, that person's income must exceed $23,861 in 2015.<ref name="rf9" />

#* Before entering on this visa, you need to show you have insurance from a Canadian company that will cover you for the time period you are there. It must cover up to $100,000 and be valid for multiple entries to Canada.<ref name="rf6" />

#Provide a photo. You are required to give a passport photo when applying. It needs to be at least 420 pixels by 540 pixels. It should be a JPEG file between 60 kilobytes and 240 kilobytes in color.<ref name="rf8" />

#Upload the information to the computer. Any documentation you have must be scanned and added to the computer. That includes your photo.<ref name="rf8" />

#Create an account. When going through the eligibility checklist, you should have been given a personal reference number. Create an account with the system, and when prompted, enter your personal reference number.If you didn't get one, you can use the same link to apply for one.<ref name="rf10">http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/mycic.asp</ref>

#* Fees can vary based on what country you come from. You may also have to pay a fee for the government to collect fingerprints and a photo, depending on where you come from.<ref name="rf11">http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/fees/result.asp?countrySelect=BZ&lob=trv</ref>

#* You can save money by applying together as a family. However, it's really only beneficial if you have 5 people or more.<ref name="rf11" />

#* If you are applying on paper, you can still pay online if you want, and you must submit the payment before you turn in the application. However, you can also pay by bank draft or certified check to the Receiver General for Canada. You need to send in a copy of the receipt or copy of the bank draft with your application.<ref name="rf11" />

#Work through the application. You will need to add your documents and fill in any biographical paperwork. You will also need to upload your picture.<ref name="rf8" />

#Look for confirmation. You should receive confirmation that government received your application. Don't forget to check your spam folder.<ref name="rf8" /> Also, be watching for acceptance or rejection of your application, which should come through the mail. How long it takes varies by application, but it can take as long as 70 days.<ref name="rf12">http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=031&t=3</ref>,<ref name="rf13">http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp/visitors.asp</ref>

#Understand how an eTA differs from a visitor's visa. An eTA is not nearly as complicated as a visa. You must apply online.<ref name="rf14">http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-start.asp</ref>

#Gather what you'll need. You need a valid email address before submitting. You'll also need a credit card and your valid passport.<ref name="rf14" />

#Pay the fee, and submit the application. The fee for this application is only 7 Canadian Dollars as of 2015. You pay online as you submit the application.<ref name="rf14" />

#Wait for authorization. Unlike the visa, you should get a response fairly quickly. In fact, you may get it as quickly as within 5 minutes or so of submitting your application.<ref name="rf14" />