Visiting Canada will require you to obtain a visa in most cases. Previously, it was only possible to apply in person, but with the rise of online technologies, one can skip the lines at embassies and get everything done twice as fast. The procedure takes a couple of clicks and is available 24/7. The following post should help you learn more about applying for the most frequently requested type of visa: a 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 a visa waiver category.
If your country has a visa abolition agreement with Canada, you do not need a tourist visa. Get an eTA if you are traveling by air. It is an alternative to a 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 online services of the Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Agency.
Get a visa online in 3 steps
1. Fill in the Official Portal Form.
The platform is convenient to work with: it allows you to save the entered information and return to it later if necessary and will not allow you to proceed to the next stage if you have entered invalid data. While the service can correct errors by highlighting them in red, it cannot find typos in personal information. If there are any, it may be a reason for rejection, so please review everything carefully before submitting.
2. Upload supporting documents.
Here is a checklist to keep in mind:
- A national passport or any other identification that proves your citizenship.
- a travel passport
- A bank statement with a sum sufficient to cover your expenses
- Proof of your intention to return (elderly parents and minor children to care for, a job that
- resume on a certain date, etc.)
- A 420 × 540 pixel photo to submit online
Depending on the type of visa and country of origin, other documents may be required.
3. Pay the Fee.
The price varies and starts from $100 CAD. Transfer the payment 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. Normally, it will not take more than 3 weeks for the results to be finalized. Once the decision is made, the Embassy will send your passport with an attached visa through a courier service 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 mistakes. You have 2 options:
- Go to a photo studio. Get the digital version of the image on your USB
- Use online editing tools like Visafoto. Upload your selfie taken with a smartphone and let the software adjust it to the correct format
The latter is faster, cheaper, and more convenient, since you can do everything from the comfort of your home.
Tourist Visa Validity
As a general rule, tourists obtain a multiple entry travel permit for 5 to 10 years. But that doesn’t mean you can stay in Canada that long. You must leave the country in 6 months. Sometimes earlier at the discretion of the border services. The departure date will be written in your passport.
The process of obtaining your visa online is not complicated. Follow these tips, carefully check the data you enter in the form, and make sure your photo meets the specifications.
Categories: How to
Source: vtt.edu.vn