Canada Visa – Application and Guidelines

Canada is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and makes for an amazing tourist destination. But it’s also an amazing place to move permanently if you have your heart set on a better life, especially when you look at some of the benefits like universal health care, low crime rates, and low taxes that it offers to its residents. Here are some simple steps you can take towards living in Canada or moving there temporarily on a Canada Visa in 2022.

Canada Visa Application – Canada is one of the most popular destination countries in the world. Canada attracts tourists and foreign students from all over the world because of its multicultural environment, and political stability. Although Canada offers unique opportunities to those who wish to live there, there are certain requirements that you need to meet before you can apply for your Canadian Visa in 2022. If you are planning to immigrate to Canada as soon as possible, you need to be aware of all these requirements and guidelines so that you are not caught unaware when the time comes to apply for your visa in 2022 or any other year thereafter. Continue reading...

About Canada Visa

A Canada visa is a permit or authorization issued by any of the Canadian immigration authorities to allow a foreign national to enter Canada and remain there for a specific period of time. A Canada visa must be applied for before entering Canada and applications are processed at Canadian Embassies, High Commissions, or Consulates abroad. Visas are typically issued for tourism, work, study, or other purposes depending on your circumstances.

Most people need a multiple-entry visa which is valid for up to 10 years from when it was first used. Other visas only last one year unless you have strong ties to Canada (such as being born there). This depends on your citizenship as well as your country of residence/citizenship.

Canada attracts many thousands of people every year who plan to settle there. You can easily enter Canada with a valid visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization, which you can get online if you’re from one of 40 eligible countries. To apply for a visitor visa, start by filling out form Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to Canada Visa Checklist. This ensures that your application is complete before you submit it so that you don’t have to do it later on.

Who Needs a Canadian Visa?

If you are planning to study, work or live in Canada for more than six months, a Canadian visa is required. The type of visa you apply for depends on your reason for traveling to Canada. For example, if you plan to study or work in Canada, then an international student or work visa will be necessary.

If you are going to visit family or friends living in Canada as a tourist, then a tourist visa will do. It is important that you have specific reasons when applying for visas to ensure that you are compliant with Canadian laws.

What are the Canada Visa Types?

Before you apply for a Canadian visa, you must first know which visa you want to apply for. Here are the types of Canada visas:

• Visitor visas.
• Student visas.
• Work visas.
• Permanent Residence visas.
• Business Immigrant visas.
• Express Entry Program visas.

Electronic Travel Authorization

The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a visa waiver program that allows citizens of participating countries to travel to Canada for up to six months at a time. eTA is an online, electronic alternative to obtaining a paper authorization.

It provides low-risk travelers with an electronic pre-screening experience similar to what they would receive if they applied for a visa at a Canadian port of entry. The program was introduced on June 1, 2015. As of March 31, 2021, there were three countries participating in eTA: Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania.

Applying For An Electronic Travel Authorization

It’s a new way to apply for entry into Canada. That process has just changed: On March 15, 2017, a new requirement came into effect that affects all travelers who need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, require an eTA when flying or transiting through Canada.

Canadians don’t need an eTA if they are only traveling by land or sea or if they are not boarding a flight in Canada. An application can be submitted at any time prior to travel with just some basic personal information as well as passport details of applicants such as name, date of birth, nationality, and gender.

Temporary Canada Visas

If you are an international student or employee who wants to visit Canada temporarily, you must apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV). There are several different types of visas that allow you to come to Canada for work, study, or vacation. If you plan on working while in Canada, you need a work permit. Each of these visas will be discussed further in their own sections below. For now, we want to cover some general information about all temporary resident visas.

Here are the types of Canadian Temporary Visas:

• Canada Tourist Visa. The Visitor Visa or the Tourist visa allows the holder to enter Canada for the purposes of tourism in the country.
• Canada Super Visa. The Canadian Super Visa allows parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or Canadian Permanent Residents to visit their children or grandchildren for an extended stay.
• Diplomatic and Official Visa. The Diplomatic and Official visa gives permission to officials and diplomats from foreign countries to enter Canada for official duties and purposes.
• Courtesy Visa. The Courtesy visa is given to all those people who do not qualify for a Diplomatic and Official Visa but are considered important due to their ranks and positions. This includes, for example, members of trade missions or diplomats with touristic intent.
• Canada Business Visa. The Business Visa is given to those who are traveling to Canada for business purposes as individuals or as a group of business people.
• Visa to Give Birth in Canada. This visa is given to people who fulfill all the criteria to stay temporarily in Canada and who are pregnant and want to give birth in the country. Giving birth in Canada makes the baby automatically a Canadian citizen.
• Intending Organ Donors Visa. This visa is given to a person who is traveling to Canada with the purpose of donating an organ to a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Canada Facilitation Visa. Facilitation Visas are given to Canadian citizens with dual nationalities who do not have a Canadian passport but have a passport of another nationality. The facilitation visa is stamped on the person’s other nationality visa due to the extreme hardships of the person getting a Canadian passport.
• Canada Student Visa. A Canadian student visa is given to those who have been admitted to a Canadian university to complete their studies. If you are going to Canada to study for less than 6 months, then you can only get a TRV visa, but for more than 6 months of studies, you will need a Student Visa.
  Canada Temporary Work Visa. Canada temporary work visas are given to those people who have a job offer in Canada and will work for up to 6 months. To get this visa, the person must present a valid job offer letter from an employer and qualify for a temporary visa.
  Temporary Residence Permit. This permit is for people who need to go to Canada for different purposes but are otherwise not admissible for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). This permit is issued only for the length of time that the person needs to be in Canada, for example, 2 weeks for a workshop.
  Working Holiday Visa. The Canada Working Holiday Visa is given to young people from 30 countries, so they can work in Canada and travel. It is a random selection visa which means that applicants will submit their applications and wait to be randomly selected to apply for the work permit.

Applying For A Temporary Residence Permit

To apply for a temporary residence permit, an applicant must file an application, along with proof of status in Canada. Applicants may be required to submit additional documents. Canada’s visa office will review applications on a case-by-case basis.

Once approved, a temporary residence permit is issued which is valid until the authorized expiry date indicated on it or until other conditions are met that result in permanent resident status. Permanent residence permits are usually issued by mail, but they can also be picked up personally at a Canadian port of entry or at an immigration office.

Permanent Canada Visas

Canada Permanent Residency Permits or PR permits are given to foreign nationals who want to live permanently in Canada. It is also referred to as Canadian Citizenship or Canadian Immigration. These permits have four categories: Family Class, Skilled Worker, Business Person, and Live-in Caregivers. The family members of a permanent resident can apply for permanent residency together with them if they meet certain conditions.

If you are applying for a Canada visa, you must go through several steps before your application is accepted by the immigration office. The first step requires you to make an application online on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

These are otherwise known as immigrant visas and can be of different types, as follows:

• Immigrant Investor Program. The Immigrant Investor Program is for people who will make investments in the Canadian economy and have a net worth of at least CAD$800,000.
• Startup Visa Program. The Canada Startup Visa is for people who will be individually involved in contributing to the economy.
• Self-employed Persons Visa. The Self-employed person visa is for people who have skills in business, athletics, culture, or farming and can start their own businesses. 
• Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program (QSWP). If you have one of the occupations which are required in the Canadian province of Quebec and you are fluent in French, then you can apply for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program which will allow you to move and work permanently there.
• Family-Sponsorship Program. The Family Sponsorship Visa allows the spouses and dependent children of Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents to immigrate to Canada permanently.
• Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP). This visa is given to caregivers who are qualified to take care of elderly, disabled people, or children and live in a private home in Canada.

Applying For Permanent Residence In Canada

Before applying for permanent residence, applicants must first apply for a temporary resident visa from a Canadian visa office outside Canada. The applicant's spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and parents may also apply to come with them to Canada at that time. In addition, applicants who are already living in Canada on a temporary resident permit must apply for an extension of their status prior to submitting an application for permanent residence.

All applicants must complete an online form, pay a fee and submit supporting documents such as proof of English or French proficiency as well as police certificates from all countries where they have lived for six months or more since reaching age 16. Applicants between 18 and 54 years old must also provide proof of employment in Canada or elsewhere over the past 12 months.

Express Entry Visas

As of January 1, 2015, CIC will no longer accept new applications for Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program. In addition, applicants who are currently in Canada on a work permit will not be eligible to apply for an upgrade to permanent residence under FSW Program. All applications received before December 31, 2014, will continue to be processed.

However, given that it takes about 18 months for CIC to process an application through FSW Program, there is limited time left for eligible skilled workers to obtain permanent resident status via FSW Program. If you have already applied and don’t see your name on Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website after June 12th, 2016 then your application is still being processed by CIC.

The following are part of this program:

• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP)
• Canadian Experience Class

1). Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

On June 1, 2014, IRCC’s Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) became effective. FSTP is a new immigration program that will allow many skilled tradespersons to apply for permanent residence as part of Canada’s economic immigration class.

Traditionally, foreign workers in Canada who are able to work in skilled trades or perform related technical occupations must apply for permanent residence under one of two programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These streams are meant to encourage employers across Canada to hire foreign workers who have strong skill sets and experience in order to help fill job vacancies that may be difficult to fill locally.

The visa is given to people who are qualified tradespeople in occupations such as:

• Carpenters
• Aircraft Mechanics
• Crane Operators
• Heavy-duty Equipment Mechanics
• Electricians
• Machinists
• Ironworkers
• Welders
• Plumbers, etc.

2). Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) allows individuals to apply for permanent residence after meeting certain criteria. The FSWP is aimed at foreign nationals who have skills that are needed in Canada’s labor market.

Candidates need to demonstrate their proficiency in either English or French, along with knowledge of Canada’s history, society, and economy. Foreign nationals must also pass a points test with their overall score being calculated by evaluating their education, work experience, language skills, age, and adaptability factors.

3). Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP)

In addition to meeting certain federal eligibility requirements, you may also be eligible for a provincial nomination. Your occupation may be listed on a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) grid. If your occupation is on a PNP grid, it means that your province or territory has agreed to accept your application under their PNP program.

If you are accepted through a PNP program, you can apply for permanent residence without first having to apply for and receive an economic immigration visa from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). The following three major provinces are participating in Canada Provincial Nominee Programs: Ontario PNP, British Columbia PNP, and Quebec Express Entry System. Find out more about Canadian Express Entry System by clicking here.

4). Canadian Experience Class

Applicants for Canada work visas typically have one of two pathways to permanent residency. The first is through Canada’s employer-specific programs like an Intra-Company Transfer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

These types of applications allow employers to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis. If you’re currently working abroad, however, then you probably won’t qualify for these programs because they only accept applicants who are already working in Canada. Your other option is to apply through Canada’s Experience Class (commonly referred to as the skilled worker program). To qualify, your foreign work experience must be: at NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B.

Canada Visa Application

The Canada visa application process depends mostly on the visa type you need to apply for.

To apply for a Canada visa, you need to go through these simple steps:

• Find out if you are eligible for a Canada visa.
• Create your online account.
• Compile the document file.
• Pay the fees.
• Wait for the processing of your Canadian visa.
• Submit your passport and processing fees.

Find out if you are eligible for a Canada visa

If you are currently a citizen of another country, it is important to make sure that you are eligible for a Canada visa. This can take some research; most countries have different guidelines as to who is eligible to receive a Canada visa. Some countries allow citizens easy access while others require applicants to meet very specific requirements.

Luckily, CIC has created an online tool to help determine if you are eligible for a Canada visa: DiscoverCanadaApp. There you will be able to input your personal information and find out whether or not you qualify for a Canada visa. If it turns out that your particular circumstances do not make you eligible, there might still be options available through other types of visas.

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How to navigate through the Canadian government website?

To apply for a Canadian visa, you will need to go through their official website. The website can be difficult to navigate through, so you should prepare yourself beforehand with all your information organized so that it’s ready to submit. The first step is creating an account with them on their official website.

Afterward, get together all of your documents like your passport information, family members’ names, and date of birth as well as any supporting documents like bank statements or pay stubs. Once all of that is set up, choose what type of visa you would like to apply for: work/study/visitor, Continue Reading

Receiving the results

You will be able to see three different types of results which say one of the following:

• You are eligible for the visa you have selected.
• You are eligible for a different type of visa that the system will match you with.
• You are not eligible for the visa.

You can apply for Canada PR for a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner. To be eligible, you must have lived together for at least one year within three years of applying. If you are applying from inside Canada, you will need to file an application with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Once your application is received, it will be assessed based on factors such as age and skills.

Results of your Canada visa application are released on a first-come-first-served basis; however, IRCC says they ...prioritize applications that are submitted earlier in processing. The processing time takes around 12 months; if you reside outside of Canada when filing your application, it may take up to 15 months to receive a notification.

Create your online account

The instructions sent to you by email will show you whether you must apply for a Canada visa online or in person. Since the Canadian government is digitalizing its records, most people will have to apply online. To do that, you must create an account.

There are two ways to create an account for the application:

• Using your online banking login since the Canadian Government has partnered with many banks;
• Creating a Government of Canada login (GCKey);

You can use whichever one fits you better, since either way you will have to use your banking details to pay the visa fees.

Compile the document file

Once you log in to your account, you can start your Canada visa application. Use your referral code to start applying for the visa you have been deemed eligible for. Once you enter the reference code, the system will show you a list of documents for your Canadian visa application.

Pay the fees

Once the system has verified that you have submitted all the necessary documents, it will take you to the payment page. You will have to pay the Canada visa fees depending on the type of visa you are applying for. When that is completed, your application will be submitted.

It will take around 5 workdays for you to see the application on your account, and if you apply in person, you will just have to take those documents to the Canadian Embassy in your home country.

Wait for the processing of your Canadian Visa

Once you have been approved for a Canadian visa, your passport will be stamped with a date (or dates) of up to ten years from when your visa was issued. You can apply for entry to Canada by presenting your passport at an Immigration Canada office or port of entry. The date on which you are eligible to enter Canada is based on citizenship, job offer, time already spent living in Canada, or other factors such as study.

If you are unable to use one of these dates then you will need to re-apply for a new visa with new processing times starting from scratch again. For some visas, there is no expiry date so these individuals can stay in Canada permanently.

Submit your passport and processing fees

The first step is to submit your passport, visa application form, digital photos, and processing fees online. The processing fees can be paid online or at a bank location. Once you have submitted your documents, they will be reviewed for accuracy and then sent for further review by an immigration officer.

This whole process should take about 6-12 weeks depending on your citizenship. If there are any issues with your documents, they will be returned to you so that you can correct them before resubmitting them.

After a Successful Canadian Visa Application

After a successful application, you should start getting excited! With your Canadian visa approved, you can travel to Canada to start a new life. If you are eligible for Express Entry, you should expect an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

This is when your permanent residence journey will begin. You must use your ITA to apply for permanent residence within 60 days of receiving it. Under some circumstances, you may be eligible for an exemption from needing to meet these time limits. Keep following us for the latest updates about Canadian immigration changes...

How Long Does it Take to Get a Visa to Canada?

If you’re wondering how long it takes to get a visa to Canada, you should first look at your situation. For example, if you’re applying for a temporary visa with intention of staying for more than six months, you will most likely need to fill out a long-form application (unless your spouse or parent is Canadian).

If your reason for visiting Canada is business-related, expedited processing may be available—but only if you’re traveling with an invitation letter from a Canadian organization. If not, expect at least one month between receiving your invitation letter and getting your temporary visa.

Can I Help Someone Get a Canada Visa?

If you’re worried that someone you know might be a candidate for deportation, you can use your status as a family member to help that person avoid being removed from Canada. But be careful: opening up your home or bank account to someone isn’t a guarantee that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will stop pursuing removal.

Rather, IRCC may simply delay enforcement. It is also important to know that if you open your home or bank account to an ineligible relative who has received government assistance, it may jeopardize your ability to sponsor another relative in future years.

The Letter of Invitation must include the following information: About the person, you are inviting:

• Full name and date of birth
• The reason they want to come to Canada
• How long do they intend to stay in Canada and when they will leave
• Their contact information
• The relationship you share
• Where they will stay
• How they will finance their trip

About you:

• Your full name and date of birth
• Your occupation
• Your residential status in Canada (Canadian citizen or permanent resident)
• Your family details – names and dates of birth of your immediate family members (spouse and dependents)
• How many people live in your household

However, the Letter of Invitation does not guarantee that they will get a Canadian visa. The visa will be processed on its own merit, but the letter may help.

How Can I Extend my Stay in Canada?

Applying for permanent residence with an immigration lawyer is a better option. If you want to extend your stay in Canada, it’s best to look into getting immigration status as soon as possible. While visitors can stay in Canada for up to six months without a visa, if you wish to extend your stay beyond that time period, you need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).

This can be done by filling out an application form and submitting it at any Canadian embassy or consulate abroad. Once your application has been accepted, you have six months within which to enter Canada. After that time frame expires, further extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances; for example, if there are urgent personal or medical reasons why you cannot leave Canada immediately.

What Happens if I Overstayed my Canada Visa?

Let’s assume that you have overstayed your Canada visa for a few months, which has caused your legal status to change from temporary resident to overstayer. What does that mean? Basically, an overstayer is someone who has stayed in Canada longer than their visa allows.

In order to avoid becoming an overstayer, it is important to know whether you can stay past your expected departure date. If so, you need to apply for an extension of your status as soon as possible; otherwise, your failure to leave Canada on time could lead to much more serious consequences.

What if My Canada Visa is Rejected?

You should know that if your Canada visa is rejected, you are still able to apply for a different type of visa or for another Canadian immigration program. It’s important to understand that a Canada visa rejection does not mean you won’t be eligible for Canadian citizenship at a later date. The most common reason why visas get rejected is that applicants fail to submit all required documents, so make sure you take care of every single step when applying for your Canada visa.

You can also appeal if your application has been turned down but note that it can take several months before an appeal is granted. If you aren’t eligible to live in Canada permanently, don’t worry; there are other ways to visit Canada such as on a visitor or temporary work permit.

How Much is a Canada Visa Fee?

The Canada visa fee depends on the type of visa you are applying for. There are also different types of fees you must pay, such as a processing fee and a biometrics fee.

A normal Visitor Visa fee, however, is $CAN100.

Can I Apply for a Canada Visa From Another Country?

If you are a citizen of another country, you can apply for a Canada visa by filling out an application. In order to apply for a Canada visa, you must be sponsored by someone who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

You must also be able to demonstrate that you will leave Canada when your authorized stay expires or when you no longer meet the eligibility requirements for entry into Canada.

Will I Get a Refund if my Canada Visa Application is Rejected?

Canada visa fees are non-refundable, even if your application is rejected. That’s because you’re paying a fee for the visa application to be processed, not for the visa itself.

However, in some cases, you may get a refund if you withdraw your application before it starts to process. After it has started to process, you will not get a refund.

Additionally, if your application is you may receive a refund for the following:

• The fee for the Right of Permanent Residence
• The fee for the Right of Citizenship
• The fee for an Open Work Permit
• The fee for International Experience Canada (IEC)
• The fee for Employer Compliance

However, you can still request a refund for any of your fees through the Government of Canada: Immigration and citizenship website.

Do I Need to Submit Biometrics For my Canada Visa Application?

No, you don’t need to submit biometrics (fingerprints and photos) with your application. But if you’re applying for temporary residence, you will have to give your biometrics after you apply. If you are applying from within Canada, you can pay a fee of $85 CAD to have your biometrics taken at a biometric collection service point.

Or, if you prefer, we can do it for free when we process your case. Don’t worry—you don’t need a special visa just to give your fingerprints! You will only need one if you want to study or work in Canada without being a permanent resident or Canadian citizen.

Conclusion

If you have adequate points, as outlined above, it is possible to apply for a Canada visa under Economic Class. The work permit that you obtain through applying under Economic Class allows you to live and work legally in Canada until your application for permanent residence is processed. Most applicants, get a positive answer within six months of filing their application with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This process will take approximately six months.

The key to receiving a positive answer for a Canada visa under Economic Class is collecting as many points as possible. The more points you have, the higher your chances of being eligible for a Canada visa. The good news is that it is not impossible to get sufficient points. If you have enough money, investment capital, or if you meet relevant education requirements, it should be possible to make an application that gets sufficient points under one of three categories: Express Entry pool, Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Good Luck!!!