Canada Immigration

Canada Visa Application Requirements and How to Apply 2023/2024

Published on May 17, 2023

Canada Visa Application: Do you have any plans of travelling to Canada? or you’re interested in getting A Canadian Visa, This article will guide you through the necessary steps you need to take. Kindly read on.

To visit Canada, you must make use of form IMM 5257. It is used by individuals who want to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit Canada for a temporary purpose such as tourism, visiting family or friends, or business trips.

Individuals must acquire a TRV before their departure from their home country. It is impossible for an Individual to obtain a TRV upon arrival in Canada.

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is an official document issued by a Canadian visa office that is placed in an individual’s passport to indicate that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident.

This article is all about the Visa Application form.

Canada Visa Requirements

In order to qualify for a Temporary Resident Visa, individuals must show the officer that they meet the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and that they will be in Canada for a temporary stay.

Individuals must also:

1. Satisfy an officer that they will leave Canada at the end of their stay;

2. Show that they have enough money to maintain themselves and their family members in Canada and to return home;

3. Not intend to work or study in Canada unless authorized to do so;

4. Be law-abiding and have no record of criminal activity;

5. Not be a risk to the security of Canada;

6. Provide any additional document requested by the officer to establish their admissibility;

7. Be in good health (complete a medical examination if required).

Paper Application

Step 1:

Read complete information on the visa requirements on the IRCC website and download the appropriate application forms and checklist relevant to the purpose of your visit.

Please refer to the “Prepare Your Application” page to obtain details on visas.

Step 2:

Fill out the application form. Electronically Completed Forms are to be printed on a white, bond quality, non-glossy paper, using a laser printer.

Please ensure that they printed clearly the 2D barcode and on high-quality paper. Downloaded and hand-written forms will not be accepted.

If an applicant cannot complete a paper application by themselves and requires assistance to do so, they can avail VFS Global’s chargeable Assisted Service Paper Application, at the Visa Application Centre.

Service is available for both biometric and non-biometric applicants.

Applicants will be required to attach current passport copy and complete a Visa Application Centre consent form for Assisted Service Paper Application.

Step 3:

Complete supporting documents as per the IRCC document checklist relevant to the visa category.

If you cannot provide all the supporting documents as mentioned in the official IRCC document checklist, you are required to fill out and sign the waiver form and attach it with your application.

Failure to provide the requested documents as stated in the IRCC document checklist may cause additional delays or refusal of your application for a visa, permit, or travel document.

Read the Privacy Policy, fill out 2 copies per person of VFS Global Consent Form, and attach it with your application.

Step 4:

• Pay the Government of Canada Fee and biometric fee if required as per instructions on the IRCC website. Pay your fees.

• For applicants who cannot make online payments, VFS Global offers an additional paid service wherein applicants can pay cash at the center, and avail the use of a VFS Global Corporate credit card to make the online payment.

Confirmation of the Government of Canada fee payment generated on the IRCC payment portal will be issued to the applicant, along with the invoice-cum-receipt.

Step 5:

If you are not required to submit biometrics, visit your local Canada Visa Application Centre along with your passport, photographs, completed forms, the Government of Canada Fee, and all the supporting documents listed in the IRCC document checklist.

Applicable Visa Application Centre service charges for package transmission and Assisted Service, a Paper application will be charged to you at the time of the application submission.

If you are required to submit biometrics, prior appointment is mandatory for biometric enrolment.

A planned visit with a preferred time slot at the Visa Application Centre guarantees prompt service thus eliminating longer waiting times resulting in inconvenience.

Step 6:

On your appointment date, arrive at the Visa Application Centre with the appointment letter 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time.

Your completed and printed application forms will be required, supporting documents, Government of Canada fee payment receipt, original passport, and two copies of the passport bio-data page.

E-Application

Step 1:

Complete instructions on how to submit a visa application via E-Application can be found on the IRCC website “Apply Online”.

Applicants who are required to submit biometrics after successfully submitting an E-Application will receive a notification as a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL).

Upon receipt of the BIL, you will be required to visit the Visa Application Centre to submit biometrics.

Step 2:

If you are required to submit biometrics, prior appointment is mandatory for biometric enrolment.

Once an appointment is scheduled, they will generate an appointment letter along with a reference number.

The appointment letter will provide details of the date, time, and location of the appointment, along with other relevant information regarding security at the center, additional services, etc.

If you are not required to submit biometrics, please wait for the decision of your application and check your MyCIC account for further instructions.

Step 3:

On the date of your appointment arrive at the Centre 15 minutes prior to your appointed time.

Your original passport, appointment letter, and Biometric Instruction Letter will be required.

Upon completion of biometric enrolment, they will provide you a receipt confirming that they have collected your biometric at the Canada Visa Application Centre.

Step 4:

Once a decision has been taken on your visa application, they will notify you via email to submit your passport through a Passport Request Letter.

If you are unsure of emails from IRCC getting delivered to you, please check you’re my CIC account periodically for updates.

Upon receipt of the Passport Request Letter, submit your original passport, current passport copy and 2 copies per person of VFS Global Consent Form along with the Passport Request Letter, at the Visa Application Centre.

FAQs on Canada Visa Application

Below are the frequently asked questions on Canada Visa Application

1. How long take to get Canada visa?

Two to four weeks

2. Can I get a job in Canada from Nigeria?

if you wish to work there you will need the correct work permit, even if the work will be unpaid

3. How much does the Canadian Immigration Assessment Package cost?

The fee for the Canadian Immigration Assessment Package is $200.00.

4. Is interview required for Canada visa?

After the visa fee is paid, the application requires the applicants to schedule an interview with the Canadian Embassy/Consulate

5. How many times can I visit Canada in one year?

While valid, a multiple entry visa will let you travel to Canada for six months at a time as many times as you want.

6. Is Canada open for visitor visa?

You can come to Canada only if you’re eligible to travel

7. Which is the easiest place to migrate in Canada?

British Columbia PNP has become the first choice among immigration seekers.

8. Is Canadian visa difficult?

On the surface, obtaining a Canadian student visa seems quite simple, but it can sometimes prove to be a challenge.

9. Who can sponsor me in Canada?

Those 18 and older who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and persons registered under Canada’s Indian Act are eligible to sponsor their family

10. What is a super visa?