Canada Visa Application
Ways to obtain a Canadian visa depend mostly on the type of visa you want to acquire. However, the following are steps you must go through before you can obtain a Canadian visa.
Find out if you are eligible for a visa: Before going through application for a Canada visa, you should first find out if you are eligible for a program. This will show your chances of getting approved for a visa.
For this purpose, the Canadian government organizes questions which those intending to get a Canadian visa, will first answer to test their chances for getting a visa. You can navigate through the Canadian website here, to test your chances of getting approved for a visa.
Create an Online Account
Haven’t taken the test, the information will be passed across to you, on whether you are eligible for a visa or not. If you are eligible for a visa, you are to proceed to create an online account. There are two major ways by which you can create an online account which includes:
- Creating a government of Canada login
- Using your online banking login.
Either of the two ways that are convenient for you, make use of it, however, you will still have to make use of your banking login, to make payment for your visa fee.
Compile your visa documents
Once you’ve successfully created an account, you will be asked to log in. Documents will be required from you to upload on the sites, based on the visa you are eligible for. You can find the list of required documents here
Pay The fee
On successful completion of your documents uploads, you will be asked to pay for your visa fee. The visa fee will depend on the type of visa you are applying for. Once your payment has been verified, your application will be submitted.
Usually, it takes a minimum of 5 working days for the application to appear on your account. If you are applying for a visa in person, you can take the required documents to the Canadian embassy in your home country.
Wait For Processing Of Your Visa
When you have completed your visa application, your visa may take two weeks or more to get processed depending on the type of visa you applied for. Bear in mind that, Immigration board may request more documents from you if need to warrant so.
In some instances, you may be asked to attend an interview, when you apply online. If you are asked to attend an interview, you will have to book an appointment with the Canadian embassy in your home country, or they will book one for you. While going for your interview, endeavor to go with all your required documents.
After your interview, the embassy will determine, whether you qualify for an interview or not.
Submit Your Passport and Processing Fee
If your Canada visa application gets successful, you will receive a mail, that your Visa has been approved. The next thing for you to do is to submit your passport with your processing fee.
The processing fee you will be paying depends on the type of visa you applied for, which ranges from $20 to $50.
You can submit your passport and processing fee, by submitting it physically or mailing it to the address of the Canadian embassy in your home country. Once they receive your mail, they will stamp your visa on your passport and mail it back to you.
Can I help Someone Get a Canada Visa
Yes, you can. If you have a relative, friends, and family staying in other countries. You can send them an invitation letter to come and join you in Canada. However, ensure that your letter contains the following
- Full name and date of birth
- Their contact information
- The relationship you share
- Where they will stay
- The reason they want to come to Canada
- How they will finance their trip
- How long they intend to stay in Canada and when they will leave
It must also contain these details about you.
- Your residential status in Canada (Canadian citizen or permanent resident)
- Your occupation
- How many people live in your household
- Your full name and date of birth
- Your family details – names and dates of birth of your immediate family members (spouse and dependents)
Furthermore, bear in mind that sending them an invitation letter does not guarantee that they will get approved for a visa.
Conclusion
Applying for a Canadian visa requires that you first check the one that best suits you traveling to Canada.
If your application gets rejected, you have the right to apply again, provided that you now have additional required information or documents.