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Canadian Visa and How to Get It

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Canada is a country of immigrants. Come to see the vast expanses, big cities and people who speak dozens of languages. And if you like it, it's not too difficult to move here permanently, if you have a useful profession, good health and can speak English or French.

Visa Regime in Canada

Citizens of most countries of the world need a visa to visit Canada. The legal basis for issuing visas is set out in the immigration and refugee protection regulations in force since 2002.

Temporary Visa

So, short-term visas are issued for up to six months. The name of this document is visitor visa or temporary resident visa. In fact, this is a short-term residence permit. The type of visa depends on the purpose of visiting the country: it can be tourist, educational, working, guest, business. If you are going for a short-term training, you do not need a separate study permit.

Visas can be single-entry or multiple-entry, valid for multiple entries into the country. The visa fee for them is the same, and the applicant does not need to specify which option they are applying for. Initially, all applications are considered for a multiple-entry visa, but in some cases the migration service issues a single-entry visa. A multiple-entry visa allows you to stay in the country for up to six months over a period of ten years.

Visas are issued by embassies and consulates at the place of residence of the foreigner, and you can also apply to visa centers.

For property owners

The acquisition of real estate in Canada does not give its owner a preferential right to obtain a residence permit, permanent residence or any visa benefits.

However, if you plan to live in Canada, the possibility of buying an apartment or house is worth considering. You can find out how to do this in our article.

Long-term Visa

If you enter Canada for a period of six months to several years, you are issued a long-term nonimmigrant visa-the equivalent of a residence permit. Depending on the purpose of moving, visas will have different types, validity periods, requirements for obtaining and additional documents. So, if you are coming for work or study, you will need to get the appropriate permission. In addition, all long-term visitors need to pass a medical examination at an accredited medical center.

Documents

The list of required documents is generally standard.

  • Foreign and domestic passports (for a child – birth certificate).
  • Photos (two or three pieces, depending on the type of visa).
  • Health insurance with coverage from $30,000. In some cases, the minimum amount will be increased.
  • Proof of sufficient funds. For a tourist it is calculated based on the amount of $70 per day. You will need to present an account statement, a work certificate, a letter from the sponsor, or other supporting documents.
  • Certificate of marital status.
  • Certificate of no criminal record.
  • Certificate from work.
  • Receipt for payment of the visa fee.

Foreign language documents must be translated into English or French and notarized.

Procedure for obtaining a long-term visa

Documents for such a visa can also be sent to the embassy or consulate of Canada in your country or issued through the visa application center. You will also need to pass biometrics.

Visa costs

  • Temporary resident Visa – 100 CAD ($75) 
  • Study permit (+temporary resident visa) – 150 CAD ($113)
  • Work permit (+temporary resident visa) – 155 CAD ($117)
  • Temporary resident permit – 200 CAD ($150)
  • Visa fee – 31.2 CAD ($23)
  • An additional service fee of visa center of 4.04 CAD ($3)
  • Delivery of biometrics – 85 CAD ($64)

There are no clear deadlines for visa processing. Experts say that if you apply online, the answer may come in a week, or about two weeks through the visa center. However, sometimes you have to wait more than a month for a response.

The visa center helps you to collect the necessary package and correctly process the documents, but does not guarantee that you will receive a visa.

Also read:
How to Move to Canada: Advantages of Speasking French
How to Move to Canada: Regional Programs for Immigrants

Visa Options

Student visa

If you are entering Canada to study at a school or university, you will need a study permit. The basis for its issuance is a confirmation from the educational institution about your enrollment. As a rule, you need to pass exams to get it. Only accredited schools and universities have the right to issue these documents.

At the same time, certificates of education received at home as well as certificates of language courses are added to the standard package of documents.

A minor child may travel with a parent, or they may have to find a guardian in Canada.

Work visa

A work visa is issued on the basis of a work permit. To get it, you need two main documents.

  • Job offer from the employer.
  • Labour market impact assessment (LMIA) - this document must be obtained by the employer and will show that hiring a temporary employee is justified in this situation and will not harm the labour market.
  • In addition to standard documents, you will also need proof of work experience (letters of recommendation from previous jobs) and qualifications (diplomas, certificates, and possibly a license for certain types of activities).
  • Work permits can be issued with or without a specific employer. In the first case, if you decide to change your employer, you will need a new permit.

Information on the migration service website.

For retirees

In Canada, there is no separate residence permit for pensioners, but there is a supervisor, which is valid for up to two years with the possibility of extension. It is issued to the parents or grandparents of a citizen or permanent resident of the country. The main condition is that your host relatives must financially support your life in Canada. To get a supervisor, you will have to collect a decent additional set of documents.

  • Official invitation from a child or grandchild.
  • Confirmation of the required level of income (payslips, account statements, etc.).
  • Proof of kinship (birth certificates, baptisms, etc.).
  • Health insurance with $100k coverage.

Business visa

This type of visa is intended for those who travel on business issues: to negotiate, conclude a contract, participate in conferences, launch their own company in Canada.

The key document here will be an invitation from a canadian counterparty organization. In addition to the official information about the inviting party, it should contain a detailed description of the purpose of the visit. In addition, the package of documents must include confirmation of the authenticity of your intentions. These are copies of contracts, conference programs, business correspondence, and so on.

Temporary resident permit

One of the types of visas is called "temporary resident permit". Based on the name, you would think that this is the "real" residence permit. In reality, this is a rather rare type of permit, which is issued in isolated cases – when a person is denied on General grounds, but he can provide reasons for making an exception.

Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver, Canada

Extending and Changing the Visa Type

While in Canada, you can apply for a new temporary residence permit. This is done in cases where you need to extend your stay, change its type, or if you entered on a study / work visa, but now change your place of study/work.

Formally, this can be done online or in paper form no later than 30 days before the expiration of the first permit.

In fact, you must have a good reason. These include an invitation from a University or workplace. You will need this type of document when changing your place or if you want to switch from a tourist visa to a work or study visa. However, there are significant limitations and failures are not uncommon.

Also read:
The Best Destinations for Freelancers
The Benefits of the Pandemic for Remote Workers

Reasons for the Refusal of a Visa

  • One of the most common reasons for refusal is an error in the registration of documents, for example, a photo taken not according to the standard. You may also be refused because the purpose of the trip does not match the type of visa requested. In such cases, it is allowed to repeat the request.
  • The lack of official income.
  • The provision of false information. For this you can get an lifetime refusal.
  • Lack of property in the homeland or other reasons to return.
  • Criminal record.
  • Violation of migration laws of other countries.
  • Dangerous infectious diseases.

More information about forms and documents can be found on the website of the Canadian Department of Migration.

Quoting conditions of Prian.info materials

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