Canada Visa

Canada is one of the most gorgeous countries in the world. With snow-capped mountains, serene beaches, aurora borealis, midnight sun and abundant wildlife, Canada is a highly sought-after tourist destination. It offers best-in-class education which attracts students from all over the world. Canada is also one of the leading developed nations, making it an ideal place for conducting businesses. If Canada is on your travel bucket list and you have been planning a trip to this North American country, you will need to obtain a Canada visa. Besides the Canada visa, you should also buy travel insurance in order to secure your trip to Canada.

What is Canada Visa?

Canada visa is an official permit that allows a foreign national to enter the Canadian border. It is a document that grants permission to its holder to travel to as well as stay in Canada for a limited period of time. It also allows its holders to transit through the international transit areas of Canadian airports or land borders. A Canada visa is issued by the Embassy and Consulates located in the home country of the traveler.

As per the laws of Canada, Indian students can get a Canada study visa faster if they apply via the  Student Direct Stream (SDS).

Every person traveling to Canada should carry valid travel insurance with them. A travel insurance policy is an insurance that protects the insured traveler from any eventualities that he may face during his trip to Canada. It is advisable for all people traveling to Canada to purchase a travel insurance policy before they commence their trip to Canada.

Features of Canada Visa

• Available for both single-trip and multiple trips
• No visa fee for obtaining a Transit visa
• Faster processing of Study Permit for Indian applicants

Canada Visa Types

Different kinds of travelers have different reasons for traveling to Canada. Some would want to study in Canada, others may be traveling for work or simply to visit this beautiful country. Based on different purposes of travel, five types of Canada visas are offered to foreign nationals wanting to visit Canada. Every traveler should select a Canada visa based on the purpose of their travel. Moreover, you can obtain a travel insurance policy for your trip to Canada irrespective of the type of Canada visa you apply for. Take a look at the five different Canada visa types:

Visitor Visa or Temporary Resident Visa

A Canada Visitor visa or a Temporary Resident visa is a visa that allows a foreign national to travel and stay in Canada for a short duration of time. It is a type of Canada Visa that can be applied by people traveling for vacations, for business or just to meet friends and families staying in Canada. A Canada Tourist visa or business visitor visa is issued for a period of 6 months. A Canada Tourist visa from India can be issued for both single trip and multiple trips. Applicants of Canada Visitor visa need to apply for study permit or work permit if they want to study or work in Canada.

Study Permit/ Canada Student Visa

A Study Permit is a document issued along with a Canada Visitor visa that allows a foreign national to study in an educational institution in Canada. Although Study Permit is not a type of visa, several people also consider it as a Canada Student visa or Canada Study visa. Indian citizens who want to study in Canada can apply through Student Direct Stream (SDS) to obtain their Study permit within 20 days.

Work Permit/ Canada Work Visa

A Work Permit is a document that allows a non-Canadian citizen to work in an organization located in Canada. It is not a visa and thus has to be applied along with your Canada Visitor visa if you want to work there. A Canada Work Permit Visa is available in two types – Employer-specific Work Permit and Open Work Permit. If your Canada Work visa application gets approved, you will be sent a letter by the Canadian Embassy or Consulate. This letter will authorize you to get a work visa on arrival in Canada. Moreover, a Canada Work visa can be issued within 2 weeks if your employer requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment or LMIA letter through the Global Talent Stream under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Super Visa

It is a type of Canada visa that should be applied by people who are traveling to visit their children and grandchildren in Canada. It is an extension of Canada Visitor visa and has been exclusively designed for parents and grandparents who will be staying with their children or grandchildren for more than 6 months. A Super Visa is a multi-trip visa that is issued for a period of 10 years with a maximum duration of 2 years per trip. Moreover, it is mandatory for all applicants of Super visa to have medical insurance with a minimum of $100,000.

Transit Visa

A Transit visa is a type of Canada visa that should be applied by people arriving in Canada to catch a connecting flight to their travel destination. It allows its holder to transit through the international transit areas of the Canadian airports within 48 hours. A transit visa is mostly valid for single or double entries in Canada. People who need more than 48 hours to transit from Canada should apply for a Canada Visitor Visa instead of a Transit visa.

Student Direct Stream

Indians are given preference when applying for a Canada Study visa or Study Permit. Canada Study visa can be fast-tracked and obtained within 20 days if Indian applicants apply through the Student Direct Stream (SDS). SDS is a visa process that allows Indians to receive a Canada Study visa or Study Permit much faster than the rest of the world.

However, getting a Canada Study visa faster through SDS is possible only if all the required documents and biometrics are submitted to the Canadian Embassy or Consulates at the earliest. Plus, it can only be applied by Indian students filing a Canada visa application from outside Canada.

Besides India, SDS is applicable to Canada student visa applications from 6 other countries including China, Morocco, the Philippines, Pakistan, Vietnam and Senegal.

Permanent Resident in Canada

A Permanent Resident (PR) is a non-Canadian citizen who has been granted permanent resident status in Canada. A person with a PR status can live, study and work in any part of Canada. He will be protected like a Canadian citizen under the laws & citizen rights of Canada and will be eligible for social benefits such as medical cover. Moreover, a person with a PR status of Canada can later apply for the citizenship of Canada.

Each PR status holder needs to spend a minimum of 730 days in Canada in the last five years to retain their status. People staying in Canada temporarily for studying or work does not become a permanent resident of the country. People with refugee status can apply for PR status if their claim is approved by the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Each permanent resident is issued a Permanent Resident or PR card. The card can be used to show your residency status in Canada. It can be used at the time of entering Canada through public transport including aeroplane, train, bus, ship, etc. However, a person with a Canada PR status cannot vote or contest an election. Such people are also not allowed to take up jobs that require a high-level security clearance.

Although PR status can be lost upon its expiry, its holder can voluntarily give up their permanent residency by following an official procedure. 

Validity for Different Types of Canada Visa

Who Should Apply for Canada Visa

As per the laws of Canada, all Indians need a Canada visa in order to travel to this country. The visa is granted by the Canadian Embassy and Consulates located across India. All kinds of Indian travelers can obtain a travel insurance policy before they apply for a Canada visa.

When to Apply for a Canada Visa

Every person who wants to obtain a Canada visa should apply for it before their date of departure from India. It cannot be obtained at the international airport in Canada where you arrive. Similarly, international travel insurance cannot be purchased after arriving in Canada and has to be obtained before your departure in India.

How to Apply for a Canada Visa?

The procedure for applying for a Canada visa is very simple. You can apply for a Canada visa online or offline. Follow the steps below to file a Canada visa application online:

• Visit the official website of Government of Canada
• Go to ‘Immigration and Citizenship’
• Select the visa category who want to apply between Visit, Work or Study’
• Select the type of visa you want to apply and click on ‘How to Apply’
• Select if you are applying from outside Canada and if you are filing an online or offline visa application and click on apply
• Create an account and fill up the Canada visa application form
• Pay your visa fees
• Schedule an appointment for the Visa Application Centre (VAC)
• Arrange all the required document
• Visit the VAC and give your biometrics
• Attend the interview
• Canada visa will be issued to the people who clear the interview

Documents Required to Apply for Canada Visa

Every Canada visa application requires a few documents to be submitted. Take a look at the list of documents that you need in order to obtain a Canada visa:

• Valid passport with at least two blank pages
• Duly filled application form
• Photocopy of round air ticket or travel itinerary
• Two photographs with your name and date of birth written at the back
• Proof of financial ability to afford the trip. This may include:
  • Photocopy of latest Income Tax Return
  • Letter from the employer mentioning your designation, salary and job description
  • Letter from the accountant stating your annual income (in case of self-employed Canada visa applicants)
  • Document proof of income from other sources including pension statements, investments, etc.
• Letter of invitation from your business partner residing in Canada (In case of Business Visitor visa)
• Report of medical examination from an approved medical service provider in New Delhi

Additional Documents Required to Apply for Canada Visa:

Documents Required to Apply for Canada Study Permit Visa

• Letter of acceptance from a post-secondary University/ School in Canada
• Document proof of fees paid for the first year of study
• Proof of financial ability of the applicant or his sponsor to afford the trip. This may include:
  • Photocopy of latest Income Tax Returns
  • Letter by accountant mentioning your annual income (in case of self-employed sponsors)
  • Proof of income from other sources including pension statements, investments, etc.
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate or GIC of $10,000 from a bank listed by the Canadian Deposit Insurance Company*
• Certificat d’acceptation du Québec or CAQ from MIDI or Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (for people who want to study in Quebec)
• English or French language test score

*GIC can be obtained from the listed banks on the official website of Canadian Deposit Insurance Company. It includes ICICI Bank, SBI Canada Bank, HSBC Bank of Canada, Scotiabank, Bank of China, Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and RBC Royal Bank.

Documents Required to Apply for Canada Super Visa

• Letter of Invitation from your child or grandchild who has a permanent residency in Canada. It should promise financial support for your stay and mention the number of people staying with him
• Proof of relationship between you and your child/ grandchild residing in Canada through a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, etc.
• Photocopy of Permanent Residency or Canadian Citizenship document of your child or grandchild
• Document proof of Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) of the child or grandchild. This may include:
  • Recent Notice of Assessment (NOA)
  • Recent T4 or T1
  • Employment insurance stubs or pay stubs
  • Letter of employment mentioning the salary and the date of joining the organization
  • Bank statements
• Document proof of valid health insurance or medical insurance from a Canadian insurer with a minimum cover of $100,000

Canada Visa Application for Minor Child:

• Passport of the child
• Photocopy of birth certificate
• Letter of authorization preferably from both parents or legal guardian mentioning their contact details along with the name, address and contact number of the person who would look after the child in Canada. The letter should be English or French language

It is advised to all applicants of Canada visa to confirm the list of supporting documents at the time of applying.

Canada Visa Fees

Every Canada visa application online or offline will be processed only after you pay the fees. Take  a look at the fee amount that needs to be paid along with different kinds of visa applications:

Along with the above-mentioned visa fees, a Canada visa applicant will also have to pay the biometric fee if he gives his biometric details at the VAC. Each individual applicant needs to pay $85 as the biometric fee for Canada visa. In case a family of two or more people are applying for the visa, a biometric fee of $170 has to be paid.

However, applicants of transit visa do not have to pay any biometric fees.

Travel Insurance for Canada Visa

Canada is the go-to country for people who love exploring different places or want to experience nature at its best. It is also a favorite destination for conducting business or for pursuing higher studies. A lot of planning goes behind planning the perfect trip to Canada. But even a small eventuality such as falling ill due to climate change or missing your connecting flight can cost you dearly. The only way to maintain yourself and your budget from such unforeseen incidents is by purchasing travel insurance.

A travel insurance policy is a safety net that protects the insured traveler from any eventualities that they may face during their trip to Canada. It covers any emergency expenses that you may incur during your Canada trip and also arrange emergency cash if you, unfortunately, lose your bag or get robbed. International travel insurance for Canada provides coverage against medical expenses, loss of passport, trip cancellation & curtailment, personal liability, loss or delay of check-in baggage, personal accident, missed connecting flight, flight delay, medical evacuation, etc.

A travel insurance policy can vary in its features and coverage depending on the type of policy you choose. While students traveling to Canada can get a Student Travel Insurance, families traveling together can obtain a Family Travel Insurance. There are also customized Senior Citizen Travel Insurance plans for elderly people. Frequent flyers can opt for Multi-Trip Travel Insurance. A Student Travel Insurance provides additional coverage including sponsor protection, study interruption, compassionate cover and bail bond.

Buying a travel insurance policy is not mandatory to apply for a Canada visa, except in case of a Super visa. In order to apply for a Super Visa application, you need to get medical insurance or health insurance with a minimum cover of $100,000 from a Canadian insurance provider. However, it is advisable for all Canada visa applicants to obtain a travel insurance policy before their trip.

How to Get a Travel Insurance for Canada Trip?

Buying a travel insurance policy is possible online as well as offline by visiting the branch of an insurance company. Travelers who want to purchase travel insurance for their trip to Canada online can follow the steps mentioned below:

• Visit an online insurance aggregator to compare the coverage and premium quotes for different travel insurance plans offered by various insurance companies
• Select the plan who want to buy
• Visit the official website of the insurance company whose travel insurance plan you want to purchase
• Duly fill-in the policy proposal form
• Pay the premium amount online
• Download your travel insurance policy

Canada Visa Processing Time

The processing time varies for different types of Canada visa applications. Refer to the table given below to find out the visa processing time taken by different types of Canada visa applications:

The Canada visa processing time mentioned in the table above does not include the time taken by the Visa Application Centre (VAC) to send the application to the Embassy office. It also does not include the time taken to give your biometric.

How to Check Canada Visa Status?

You can check the status of your Canada visa application online. Follow the steps given below to check the status:

• Visit the official website of Government of Canada
• Go to ‘Immigration and Citizenship’
• Select ‘My Application’ and then ‘Check your application status’
• Enter the type of application
• Log in to your account to check your Canada visa application status