How to Apply for a Canada Visa from India
Introduction
Canada is a vast and beautiful country located in the continent of North America. It is blessed with stunningly beautiful natural landscapes and abundant natural resources. The Canadian people are extremely warm, and the nation’s multicultural society is modern, progressive, and pluralistic. The residents of major cities such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver enjoy a high-quality life at a relatively reasonable cost.
Canada has adopted a system of parliamentary democracy that upholds the highest values of equality, liberty, and human rights for all its citizens. Whether you are a traveler, a student, or a working professional scouting for the best opportunities, Canada has a lot to offer and embraces everyone with open arms.
Before planning for a foreign trip, it is essential to know and apply for the right type of visa to enjoy a hassle-free stay abroad. Here’s all you want to know on how to apply for a Canadian visa and other important details.
What is a Canada Visa ?
Whether you are planning a short-term stay or permanent residency, you must obtain a Canadian visa by completing all the requisite formalities.
Types of Canada Visa
Visitor Visa
Foreigners who wish to visit Canada for a short duration (not exceeding six months) can apply for a Visitor visa. This visa is useful for those visiting their friends & family or for undertaking short-term work.
Tourist Visa
Anybody who wishes to visit Canada for travel and tourism purposes must apply for a tourist visa. This visa is valid for six months.
Transit Visa
A transit visa is required for travelers who must pass through Canada while traveling between two international destinations. This visa is typically issued for a duration not exceeding 48 hours, and it may be valid for one or two entries.
Study Permit
International students who wish to pursue their studies at any of the approved educational institutions in Canada must obtain a study permit. This visa is usually valid for the duration of the study program.
Work Permit
Foreign nationals who want to work in any company or organization in Canada need a work permit. The employer sponsors this visa, and its duration is dependent on the employment contract.
Permanent Residence (PR) Visa
Foreign nationals who wish to immigrate to Canada must apply for and obtain a PR visa. Though it is not equivalent to citizenship, a PR visa holder is entitled to certain special benefits, such as access to healthcare services and legal protection.
Duration of Different Types of Canadian Visa
| Visa Type | Validity |
|---|---|
| Visitor Visa | Six Months |
| Tourist Visa | Six Months |
| Transit Visa | 48 Hours |
| Study Permit | Duration of the Course |
| Work Permit | Based on the Employment Contract |
| Permanent Residency Visa | One Year or Five Years as printed on the PR card (with further renewability) |
Eligibility Criteria for a Canada Visa
The eligibility criteria to be fulfilled to obtain a Canadian visa are as follows:
The applicant must hold a valid Indian passport
There should be no major health issues afflicting the individual
The applicant should not have any criminal antecedents and must not be convicted of any criminal offense
There must be sufficient proof of return to India at a specified future date
The applicant must produce evidence of adequate funds to support his/her stay in Canada
A medical examination certificate and a letter of invitation (if applicable) must be submitted
Stepwise Process to Apply for a Canada Visa
- Determine the right type of visa for your travel purposes and check whether you are eligible to enter Canada
- Check whether you have all the requisite documents to travel to Canada, including whether you have any exemption
- Apply for the specific visa by creating an account on the official portal of the Canadian Immigration Services
- Fill up the online visa application form and submit it along with the supporting documents. You can pay the visa fee online
- Schedule an appointment with the visa application center to attend the visa interview and submit the biometric details
- Please wait for the processing and approval of your visa application. The average processing time for a Canadian visa is 47 days
- The offline application procedure is similar to the online procedure discussed above. The only difference here is you must download the visa application form from the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. The filled-up application form can be submitted when you visit the visa application center for the interview.
How to Apply for a Canada Visitor Visa?
Most applications for a Canadian visa from Indian nationals are routed through VFS Global, an exclusive service provider to the Government of Canada. This agency is duly authorized to provide support to visa applicants from India. The procedure to apply for a Canada visitor visa is as follows:
Check the requirements for the visa. Download and read the application form thoroughly
Arrange the required documents as per the checklist
Fill out the application form. The consent form must also be filled out and attached to the application form
The duly filled application form and the documents can be submitted at the Canada Visa Application Center (CVAC). The visa application fee and service charges (if any) can be paid in cash at the counter
Accept the receipt for your visa application. You can track the status of your application with the unique tracking number on the receipt
How to Apply for a Canada Work Visa?
The online application procedure to obtain a Canada work permit from India is as follows:
Visit the official website of the Government of Canada
Click on ‘Immigration and Citizenship’. Select the work option to open the relevant page
Go to the ‘Get a Work Permit ’ option. Choose the appropriate type of worker. Click on the option ‘Apply for Work Permit.’
Select the ‘How to Apply’ tab. Scroll down and select the location from where you are applying for the Canadian work permit
Choose ‘Get the application to work in Canada’ from the drop-down menu. Select the option of online application and your home country
Sign in to your existing account or create a new one. Fill out the application form completely and accurately
Upload the required supporting documents along with the application form. You can pay the Canada work permit visa fees online
Schedule an interview at the Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC)
Provide the details on biometrics at the VAC and get your picture clicked
Attend the visa interview at the allotted date and time
Every successful applicant will receive an approval letter from the consulate or the Canadian Embassy
How to Apply for a Canada Student Visa?
A Canadian study permit allows international students to live and study in Canada for a specific period. Most students are allowed to work part-time with their studies. Study permits also provide an additional 90 days after completing the course to facilitate a student’s departure or application for a visa extension.
Requirements to Apply for a Canada Study Visa
A valid passport
Proof of sufficient funds to support your stay
Medical examination certificate
Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
Other relevant documents for a study visa
Application Procedure
A Letter of Acceptance from a DLI is essential to obtain a Canadian study permit. The visa application can be submitted online or offline with the supporting documents and the consent form. The prescribed visa fee can be paid online. Depending on the Canadian Visa Application Center (CVAC), it may take around six weeks to process a study visa.
Required Documents to Apply for a Canada Visa
The set of documents required to apply for a Canada visa is as follows:
A valid Indian passport
Any document acceptable as proof of identity
Medical examination certificate
Police clearance certificate
Proof of financial resources to support your travel and stay
Return travel tickets (for short-term visas)
A cover letter that describes the purpose of your travel
A letter of invitation/sponsorship
Latest passport-sized photographs
How Much Does the Canada Visa Cost?
| Visa Type | Fees |
|---|---|
| Visitor Visa | $100 |
| Tourist Visa | $100 |
| Transit Visa | Nil |
| Student Visa | $150 |
| Work Permit | $155 |
Time Required for the Completion of the Canada Visa Process
The average time required to process a Canadian visa application is around 47 days for Indian nationals. Hence, applicants are advised to plan well and begin their visa formalities at least two months before their intended travel date.
Ways to Track Your Canada Visa Application
Phone
VFS Helpline Number 022-67866002 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm) and 912262018404
Toll-Free Number 18002668858
Website
Visit the official website of VFS Global
Select the ‘Track Your Application’ menu. Click the ‘website’ link mentioned on the page
Enter your tracking ID number. This number is mentioned on the receipt received from the visa application center
Enter your date of birth in YYYY-MM-DD format
Validate the captcha code and click ‘Submit.’
How to Check the Canada Visa Status With Your Passport Number ?
Applicants can easily check their Canada visa application status using their passport numbers. The procedure is as follows:
Visit the official website of the Government of Canada
Go to the ‘Visa Application Status’ menu
Please enter the acknowledgment number (or passport number) and your date of birth in the prescribed format
Enter the captcha code and click ‘Submit.’
Your visa application status will be displayed on the subsequent page
Note: Applicants also receive their visa application status periodically on their registered mobile numbers and email addresses.
Mandatory Documents to Carry While Travelling to Canada
Post the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has imposed additional restrictions on foreign nationals entering the Canadian territory. Apart from the basic travel documents, the following documents are essential to visit Canada:
COVID-19 vaccination certificate (with one of the vaccines accepted or approved by the Canadian government)
A COVID-19 negative report obtained within 72 hours before you arrive in Canada
ArriveCAN receipt confirming the submission of the following documents before you check in at the Indian airport:
(i) Travel itinerary
(ii) Personal contact details
(iii) A quarantine plan
(iv) Proof of approved COVID-19 vaccination
What are the Reasons for the Rejection of a Canadian Visa?
The applicant does not fulfill the prescribed eligibility criteria for the visa category that he/she has applied
Failure to provide proper documentation or submitting incomplete or inaccurate information in the visa application
Applicants with a criminal history are generally rejected due to security concerns
Lack of adequate financial resources to support the stay in Canada
The applicant does not demonstrate strong domestic ties such as family, employment, or property in India
Serious health conditions of the applicant that may pose a public health risk to Canada
There is no clarity on the applicant’s purpose for visiting Canada
Candidates with a history of visa violations in the past are liable to face rejection on their new application
A lack of language proficiency can lead to the rejection of study or work visa applications
Is Travel Insurance Mandatory While Applying for a Canada Visa?
Several unexpected events, such as medical emergencies, study disruptions, trip cancelations, loss of baggage, etc., can cause severe financial hardships to international travelers. Medical treatments are prohibitively expensive in Canada. Lack of access to quality healthcare can turn fatal for travelers. Travel insurance offers comprehensive coverage for these eventualities.
Further, travel insurance can strengthen your Canadian visa application and reassure the immigration authorities that you can handle any emergency during your stay.
Frequently Asked Questions on Canada Visa
The Canada Visitor visa charges are as follows:
(i) Application fee – CAD 100
(ii) Passport processing fee – CAD 45
(iii) Biometric fee (if required) – CAD 85
The cost of obtaining a Work visa for Canada is $155 per person. This cost is inclusive of extensions.
The applicants can adopt any of the established immigration programs offered by the Canadian government to obtain permanent residency in Canada. This primarily includes the Express Entry System, Family Sponsorship, Provincial Nominee Program, Start-Up Visa Program, and the Caregiver Program. The eligibility criteria and the application process are different for each program.
Some of the key benefits available to permanent residents in Canada are as follows:
- The freedom to live, work, or study anywhere in Canada (without restrictions on the type of work or duration of stay)
- Access to welfare benefits such as support for education, child benefits, disability benefits, and social assistance
- Access to essential healthcare services at low or no cost
- Protection of the legal rights of an individual
- Employment and retirement benefits
- Opportunity to apply for Canadian citizenship
Disclaimer: The nations, visa costs, and other information presented here are derived from a variety of sources. This is not a recommendation or promotion from Prominent Insurance Brokers. Before purchasing your tickets or requesting a visa, please confirm the same.