As someone who has always admired Canada, I understand why it’s a dream destination for many foreign students. Situated north of the United States, it’s known for its development and beautiful landscapes. Despite its popularity, obtaining a Canadian visa can be confusing. If you’re curious about the process, stick around as I walk you through the process in this article.
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What Is A Canada Visa?
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This visa is a stamp on your passport that gives you access to enter the country of Canada.
A Canada visa gives you permission to travel to Canada and legally be able to stay there for a temporary period or permanently.
When you get a visa to Canada it means that the Canadian Consulate or Embassy in your county decided that you are qualified and meet the requirements for entry.
Moreover, when you are at the Canadian border and customs, it is the officers at the border who will evaluate whether you can enter.
When you answer the Canadian Border Services Officer (BSO) questions honestly and correctly, you will be given the privilege to enter.
Otherwise, if they suspect you and discover you are not eligible to enter they will deny your access and tell you to go back to your home country even if you have a Canada visa.
Who Are Those That Need Canadian Visa?
People from various countries that don’t have a visa exemption or the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) agreement with Canada will need a visa to access their country. Specifically, people from countries around the world need a visa to visit, work, or immigrate to Canada.
Perhaps you are one of these applicants and you need a visa for Canada, then you have to apply for one. However, it depends on the kind of visa you want, you will have your method of applying and you need to take a few steps.
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Types Of Canada Visa
- Temporary Canada Visa
This kind of visa allows you to stay in Canada for a specific period that is determined by the Canadian Consulate or the Border Services Officers (BSO).
This period is usually up to 6 months and the visa can be a single-entry multiple-entry. The single entry allows you to enter Canada once and stay for only 6 months then go back to your country. While multiple entry visa allows the person to enter has much time until the visa expires and stays temporarily.
- Permanent Canada Visa
This kind of visa allows the holder to permanently settle down in the country. This visa is also known as the immigrant visa and it has different types which include the following: immigrant investor program, startup visa program, and self-employed visa program.
- Express Entry Visa
This kind of visa is an electronic immigration program that is designed by the government of Canada. This allows people from various parts of the world to apply for immigration to Canada based on their specific skills.
Some of the programs are the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP), and the Canadian Experience Class.
How To Apply For a Canadian Visa
The visa application process depends on the kind of visa type you need to apply for. For you to apply for a Canada visa you need to follow the following steps:
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Find Out If You Are Qualified For The Visa
You need to find out if you are qualified for the visa. Luckily, the Canadian visa from the government has made things easy for you. They have created diverse tests to evaluate you as an applicant if you are eligible by asking you to fill out an online questionnaire.
It depends on the kind of visa you want, they will ask you to answer various questions and the system will inform you if you can apply or not. Also, it will send you some relevant instructions and steps you have to take to fulfill the requirements.
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Create Your Online Account
Create your online account. There are instructions that will be sent to your email that will show you whether you must apply for it online or in person. Moreover, the Canadian government has digitalized their records which most people will have to apply for online. To do that you have to create your account.
There are two ways you can easily create your application account which include:
- You can use your online banking login details since the Canadian Government is partnering with various banks.
- You can create a Government of Canada login (GCKey).
You can make use of any of your choices since both ways you will have to use your banking details to pay the necessary fees for your visa.
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Compile Your Document File
When you log into your account you can easily begin your application for a Canada visa. Make use of the referral code to start applying for the visa you have been deemed qualified for.
Once you enter the reference code, the system will show you a list of documents for your visa application.
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Pay The Fees
When the system confirms that you have submitted the necessary documents, it will take you to your payment page.
Then you will proceed to pay the Canada visa fees which depend on the kind of visa you are applying for. Immediately is completed then the application will be submitted.
Within 5 workdays for you to see the application on your account and when you apply in person, you will have to take the documents to the Canadian Embassy in your country.
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Then You have to Wait For The Processing Of Your Visa
The Embassy of Canada will process your visa application for two or more weeks depending on the kind of visa you applied for.
Also, they might ask for more documents or tell you to submit your biometrics and then have an interview with you.
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Submit Your Passport And Processing Fees
After receiving a notification that your visa application is successful then you can move on to the next step to submit your passport to the Canadian Embassy.
It can be done by sending a mail to the address of the Embassy in your country with the processing fees. The processing fees depend on the kind of visa you are applying for and they will range between $20 to $50 you have to pay by check or through money order.
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Conclusion
If Canada is your dream country follow the necessary steps and how to apply for a Canadian visa I have stated in the article. For more information, Kindly Join Us on Twitter
