Canad is one of the most visited countries in the world. People enter Canada for different purposes. So there are different visas for it. In this text, we will cover all about Canada visitor visas, requirements, application process, and more.
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ToggleWho Needs Canada Visitor Visa?
Canada visitor visa is a short-stay visa. It permits people to enter the country and perform what they need. However, not everyone needs it. A few countries are free of it. Such countries can enter Canada with only a passport or travel document. If citizens/nationals of visa-free countries want to stay longer, they have to apply for a visa.
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Canada Visitor Visa Refusal Reasons
Providing that you are from one of the below countries, you need a Canada visitor visa:
Who Needs and Does not Need Canada Visitor Visa?
If you need a Canada visitor visa or not depends on your nationality. The nationals of the following countries need a Canada visitor visa:
Asia
Afghanistan | Kazakhstan |
Armenia | NorthKorea |
Azerbaijan | Kuwait |
Bahrain | Kyrgyzstan |
Bangladesh | Laos |
China | Lebanon |
East Timor | Macao Special Administrative Region |
Georgia | Malaysia |
India | Maldives Islands |
Indonesia | Mongolia |
Iran | Nepal |
Iraq | Oman |
Israel * | Pakistan |
Jordan | Russia |
Palestinian Authority | Saudi Arabia |
Sri Lanka | Syria |
Taiwan | Tajikistan |
Thailand | Turkey |
Turkmenistan | Vietnam |
Uzbekistan | Yemen |
Qatar |
*Israel citizens must have a valid Israeli “Travel Document in lieu of National Passport”
Africa
Algeria |
The central African Republic |
Ghana | Mauritius | Somalia |
Angola | Chad | Guinea | Morocco | South Africa |
Benin | Comoros | Guinea-Bissau | Mozambique | South Sudan |
Bhutan |
Democratic Republic of Congo |
Ivory Coast | Namibia | Sudan |
Botswana |
The Republic of Congo, |
Kenya | Niger | Swaziland |
Burkina | Djibouti | Lesotho | Nigeria | Tanzania |
Faso | Egypt | Liberia | Philippines | Togo |
Burma (Myanmar) | Equatorial Guinea | Libya | Rwanda | Tunisia |
Burundi | Eritrea | Madagascar | Sao Tomé e Principe | Uganda |
Cambodia | Ethiopia | Malawi | Senegal | Zambia |
The Republic of Cameroon |
Gabon | Mali | Seychelles |
Zimbabwe |
Cape Verde | The Gambia | Mauritania | Sierra Leone |
Europe
Albania | Moldova |
Belarus | Montenegro |
Bosnia-Herzegovina | Romania |
Kosovo | Serbia |
North Macedonia | Ukraine |
North America
Antigua and Barbuda |
El Salvador | Nicaragua |
Belize | Grenada | Panama |
The Republic of Costa Rica, |
Guatemala | Kitts and Nevis |
Cuba | Haiti | Lucia |
Dominica | Honduras |
Vincent and the Grenadines (St. Vincent) |
Dominican Republic | Jamaica |
South America
Argentina | Ecuador | Surinam |
Bolivia | Guyana | Trinidad and Tobago |
Brazil (note: some Brazilian citizens may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements) |
Paraguay | Uruguay |
Colombia | Peru | Venezuela |
Oceania
Fiji | Palau |
Kiribati | Tonga |
Marshall Islands | Tuvalu |
Micronesia, Fed. States | Vanuatu |
Nauru |
Types of Canada Visitor Visa
There are diverse types of Canada visitor visas. Each one of them suits a particular group. Their rules and limitations are different.
Tourist Visa
Canada tourist visa is for people to visit the country for tourism purposes. Applicants can visit Canada’s tourist attractions and have fun. People can also use it to visit friends and family. It allows people to stay with relatives for a short time. As a tourist visa is a short-stay visa, people can only stay for a limited time. The tourist visa is only valid for six months. However, the authorities can grant you a visa valid for longer than that. Even you have a visa valid for five years, you can not stay in Canada for longer than six months. You must leave Canada after three months. After spending some time abroad, you could return to Canada.
Please note that not everyone needs a Canada tourist visa. You might be free of that. A few countries like the EU, the US citizens can enter Canada with a passport. They can stay in the country for a short time with their passport or travel document. The rules change if they want to stay longer.
Diplomatic and Official Visa
This visa got introduced for diplomats and officials. They can apply for it to perform whatever diplomatic duty they have in Canada. However, not everyone needs it. A few countries’ diplomats are free of visa. Their diplomats and officials can enter Canada with a passport. Yet, many more officials need a visa. There is a condition to apply for a Diplomatic and Official Visa:
- Applicants must have a diplomatic or official duty in Canada.
- Candidates must be from a country that requires a visa for Canada. Not every country requires a visa for Canada.
There are also strict rules over diplomatic visas. Its holder s can not:
- Work
- Study
- Apply for Canadian citizenship
- Benefit from Canadian public services
Applicants only have permission to complete their official duties.
Canada Courtesy Visa
A few foreign nationals do not qualify for diplomatic and official visas. However, they are important figures. They also have official duties to complete in Canada. So the government introduced a courtesy visa for them. Courtesy visa has the same rules as a diplomatic visa. Its validity is also limited. Courtesy visa holders may not:
- Work
- Study
- Get public benefits
- Apply for Canadian citizenship
It is for them to complete the official assigned duties. Remember that you can not apply for a courtesy visa if you do not hold official duties. Officials can not use a diplomatic visa to visit Canada for tourism. They must apply for a Tourist visa to do so.
eTA
eTA is short for Electronic Travel Authorization. eTA is a travel document. A few countries can apply for it. The application process is completely online. The applicants’ passport receives an online number. Its holders can enter the country with this number.
Applicants can use eTA to enter Canada for:
- Tourism
- Visiting friends and family
- Do business activity
The eTA is only to facilitate traveling to Canada. You can not work or study under an eTA. Remember that only a few countries are eligible to apply for it.
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Canada Visitor Visa Requirements
The requirements for a Canada visitor visa are different. However, there is a standard set of supporting documents. Remember that they are to prove you have been honest with the provided information in your application. The supporting documents also prove your eligibility to enter Canada. They are as follows:
- Application form
- Proof to have enough funds
- Itinerary
- Invitation letter
- Your immigration status and for your family
- Banks statements
- Declaration letter
- CV/Resume
- Educational status
- Job-status
- Photo
- Proof of having a clean record
- English/French translation of your documents
Please remember that the Canadian officials might ask for more documents. The particular visitor visa you apply for might require more documents.
Note: do not forget that the application process for eTA is online. So you should provide the scanned form of documents.
Canada Visitor Visa Application Process
The application process for Canada visitor visas is as follows:
1. Visa
Before applying for a visa, see if you need a visa or not. Not everyone needs a visa to enter Canada. You might be exempt from the visa you want to apply for. Also, you might need another type of visa. Research it.
2. Eligibility
When you found out you need a visa, check its eligibility. There is an eligibility element for every visa. Determine that you fulfill that. If you do not comply with them, your application will get rejected. The Canadian government is strict with its visa rules.
3. Application form
Begin the application by completing the application form. You have to download and complete the right type of application form. There might be some changes.
Be cautious when you complete the form. The Info you put must be identical to your documents. Once you completed the form, print the date and sign it. Keep it as you have to submit it to the officials.
4. Requirements
Now gather the requirements for the visa. There are a few supporting documents for each one of them. Be careful that everything must be complete. Provide a copy of all of them.
5. Visa appointment
It’s time to get a visa appointment with the Canadian embassy or consulate. The place depends on the country you live in. It could be the Canadian:
- Embassy
- Consulate
- A visa center authorized by the Canadian government
Memorize or write down the exact date and time of the appointment. You should get there on time, not even a minute late.
6. Appointment
Get to the embassy or consulate when it’s time. Do not forget to bring all the supporting documents, passport, and application. You submit all of them to the authorities.
You might have to pass an interview depending on the type of visa. The officials will ask about the nature of your visit to Canada. There is nothing to worry about it. It’s simple and easy.
7. Fees
There is a processing fee for every visa. Bring enough money to pay for it. Without paying, your application will not get processed. Remember that you should pay for the eTA online.
8. Processing
When you completed everything, you should wait until the application gets processed. The processing time for each visa is different. It depends on different elements.
When the visa gets approved and issued, the officials will send it to your address. In case it gets denied, they will notify you why.
Let’s sum up…
In this article, we explained everything about Canada visitor visa.
We have covered the people who need them, requirements, application process, and more.
You could visa the Library’s menu to find out more about other types of Canada visas.
See the homepage to learn more about other countries’ visas.
If you have experience with visas, please write it down in the comment section. Your comment would function as a tip for applicants. It will help them to avoid mistakes and save time and energy.
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