Canada Visa Application is a hot topic in the mind of those looking for greener pastures. Canada is a nation that has built itself on the economy, academics, and infrastructure.
Canadian immigration has the past few years has seen an increasing amount of people applying for the Canadian visa.
In this blog post, you will be informed on how to go about your Canada Visa Application.
This process requires you to follow through with due diligence because its success depends on your dedication.
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Related post: 17 Best Post Graduate Scholarships in Canada for all students
Where is Canada located?
Canada is a country located in the Northern part of America.
It has ten provinces and territories extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean.
The Canadian Visa
The Canadian Visa is a stamp on your passport allowing you to enter and leave the country.
This legal stamp document allows you to enter the country and conduct your business.
Your reasons might either be in relation to your academics, pleasure, or trade.
To acquire a Canadian visa means that the Canadian Consulate or Embassy in your country has found you eligible for entry.
Although when you are at the Canadian border it is up to the officers to evaluate your entry.
What are the types of Canada Visa Application?
Before applying for a Canadian Visa, you need to know which visa you are applying for. Here are the few types of Visa available:
- Visitor visas
- Student visas
- Work visas
- Permanent Residence visas
- Business Immigrant visas
- Express Entry Program visas
Having this information is beneficial to you because you can pick one that fits your reason for travel.
Each of the visas mentioned above has its requirements and duration.
Cost of Canadian Visa Application
| Study permit (including extensions) | C$150 |
| Work permit (including extensions) | C$155 |
| Work permit – maximum fee for groups of performing artists and their staff | C$100 |
| Visitor visa – single entry or multiple entries (including extensions) | C$100 |
| Visitor visa – maximum fee for family | C$500 |
| Visitor record (including extensions) | C$75 |
Canada Visa Application
The Canada visa application mostly depends on the type of visa you are applying for. To start your application, you need to execute a few simple steps.
- Find out if you are eligible for a Canada visa.
- Creation of your online account.
- Compiling your document file.
- Payment of fees.
- Wait for the processing of your Canadian visa.
- Submission of your passport and processing fees.
Let’s break this down individually for clarification purposes.
Find out if you are eligible for a Canada visa
This has been made easy and achievable by the Canadian government.
The Canadian government has created an online questionnaire platform where you will be tested.
The type of visa you want will determine the type of questions you are asked.
To even give you an added advantage, the online platform will send you relevant instructions and steps to follow.
This will allow you to meet up with the requirements.
Getting this part done is through the Canadian government website. You can visit the official website https://www.canada.ca/en.html.
While you are on the website, you are to move your mouse towards the immigration tab and click.
As you hover your mouse over the immigration tab, a drop-down list of options will appear.
Head over to the first one and click on My Application, then tabs with headings such as Visit, Immigrate, Work, Study and other options will be made available.
the right one that corresponds with your purpose for acquiring a Canadian visa.
For example, if you want to acquire a tourist visa, then head over to the Visit tab and click on it.
After clicking on the tab that matches your reason for the Canada Visa Application, you will see more information there.
Any tab you click on will automate a link that says “find out if you are eligible” to pop up.
This link will direct you to a questionnaire page where you are required to answer several questions.
These questions range from personal information, the purpose of visiting Canada, and previous travel history.
Your results will be shown to you at the end of the questionnaire.
Results based on Questionnaire
The results will come in three self-explanatory types such as:
- An option of “You are eligible for the selected visa”
- sometimes you could see “You are eligible for another type of visa”
- While in the worst scenario “You are not eligible for the visa”
If you are found eligible, an email is sent to your account containing the description of the visa as well as for instructions. Make sure you save this email as it contains your reference code. These instructions will also explain to you whether to apply online or in person.
Creation of Your Online Account
The Canadian government recently started digitalizing their records, so you will be required to apply online.
Creating your account for Canada visa application can be done in two (2) ways:
- Creating a Government of Canada login (GCKey)
- Using an online banking login of banks partnering with the Canadian Government
Compiling your document file
After your account creation, you can start your Canada visa application. While applying use the reference code sent to your email that confirms you are eligible.
Here, the online system will show you the list of required documents for your Canadian visa application. All the required forms must be submitted online.
Payment of Fees
After verification of your submitted document, you will be taken to a payment page.
Your payment depends on the type of visa that you are applying for.
After payment, your application will be submitted.
This will take five (5) working days for the application to reflect on your account.
If you are applying in person, then it is necessary for you to take all your required documents to the Canadian Embassy in your home country.
Wait for processing of your Canadian visa
Your Canada visa application may take two or more weeks before you get a response from the Embassy.
this process, extra documents and biometric data might be required of you. Lastly, an interview might be requested.
During this interview, the officer determines whether you are eligible to get a Canadian visa or not.
The decision by the officer can be made known to you immediately after your appointment or through a notification letter.
This notification will be posted on your online account.
Submission of your passport and processing fees
If a successful Canada visa application is sent to you, then the next step is to submit your passport and pay a processing fee.
You can mail this to the embassy in your country.
The processing fee is dependent on the type of visa you are applying for.
The fees can range from $20 to $50 which can be paid by cheque or money order.
Once your Canada visa application is successful, you can travel to Canada.
After landing in Canada, the customs officials will ask you for your passport and document.
They will also ask you why you are coming to Canada.
It is important that you answer this question carefully because the officers will decide on letting you into the country after you answer their questions.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How long does it take a visa to Canada?
A: The Canadian visa is very sought after and it requires your patience and dedication.
The duration for the Canada visa application is between two to four weeks. In some cases, it might even take longer.
Q: How can I extend my stay in Canada?
A: In a situation where your Canadian visa is about to expire, an extension is necessary.
You can apply for a visa extension; this is known as the Canada Visitor Record. This should be done 30 days before your visa expiration.
