What is the facilitation visa?

The first thing you should know about facilitation visa is that it is exclusive for Canadian citizens with dual citizenship. This visa facilitates the entry to Canada to those who have dual citizenship. 

This usually happens to many people who despite being citizens of Canada, don’t have a Canadian passport. In this case, the Canadian government has created this type of visa that allows these people to visit the country for a short time.

Important!

If you don’t have a Canadian passport, but you have to visit Canada on a short-term notice due to some unforeseen circumstances. Now, you can’t start the process of obtaining a Canadian passport. This is where you need a facilitation visa to make the visit. 

You can visit Canada with a facilitation visa but with a foreign passport. However, you will still be treated as a Canadian citizen.

Requirements for the Facilitation Visa

If you are thinking of applying for this visa, then you must meet these requirements:

  • Proof that you have Canadian citizenship through a birth certificate or any other document
  • To apply for this Visa, you need to be in one of the following circumstances:

 

    • Your documents have been lost or stolen 
    • Have dual citizenship and are going to Canada for the first time
    • You have dual citizenship and did not get a Canadian passport before leaving Canada
    • You were a child born in Canada to foreign parents who had returned to their country and did not want to claim the Canadian citizenship that you had acquired automatically when you were born
    • You are or were a child who went through an adoption process in a foreign country and that country only allows you to leave through their national passport
    • You are under 18 years old, and you are coming to live with Canadian parents for humanitarian or compassionate reasons, but you have a foreign passport or travel document. You must have evidence that one of the parents in Canada is a Canadian citizen.

 

  • You must prove that you do not have a Canadian passport because of reasons beyond your control.

If you meet these requirements, then you can apply for the visa. If you cannot meet any of these requirements, then your visa will be rejected. The alternative is to apply for a different type of Canada Visa.

Applying for the Facilitation Visa

First, the facilitation visa application process is different from other Temporary Resident Visa applications. You need to fulfill the requirements we mentioned before. You may submit a direct visa application to the Canadian Consulate or Embassy in the foreign country where you have your second citizenship.

You must submit the following forms for the Facilitation Visa application for Canada:

  • Form IMM 5257, Application for Temporary Resident;
  • Form IMM 5707, Family Information Form;

Other forms that you might have to fill out if they are applicable for you are:

  • Form IMM 5409, Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union;
  • Form IMM 5476, Use of a Representative;
  • Form IMM 5475, Authority to release personal information to a designated individual;

In addition to these forms, you must also submit the following supporting documents:

  • Valid passport from the country where you have your second citizenship
  • Proof that you have a Canadian citizen such as:
    • Your Canadian Certificate of Citizenship;
    • Birth Certificate from a Canadian province or territory is acceptable unless you were in these situations at the time of your birth:
      • One of your parents was a diplomat or a consular officer of a foreign government
      • One of your parents was an employee or representative of a foreign government
      • One of your parents was an officer or an employee of a specialized agency of the United Nations
      • One of your parents was an officer or an employee of an international organization with diplomatic privileges or immunities
      • None of your parents were Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada
    • Naturalization Certificate issued before January 1st, 1947
    • Registration of birth abroad certificate issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977
    • Certificates of retention issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977
  • Proof that you could get a Canadian passport for reasons beyond your control
  • Proof that you need to go to Canada due to an emergency
  • Your bank or other financial statements to prove you have enough funds for the trip to Canada
  • A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you a visa
  • Two (2) photos that meet the Canada Photo Requirements
  • Medical examination forms if the Consular Officer finds it necessary
  • Your employment or education status through a resume or diplomas, as well as a letter from your employer stating that you have contractual obligations to fulfill and you must return to your home country

After meeting all these documents, you must also pay the fees. 

Keep in mind!

An official at the Canadian Embassy might ask you a few questions about the purpose of your visit to Canada and your official duties. Also, they might also ask you to submit biometric information if they find it necessary.

How long is the Facilitation Visa processing time?

It might take a few days to process the application. If your application is accepted, then, they will grant you the visa and stamp it on your passport. You will be notified in case your application is rejected

Facilitation Visa fees

You must pay the following fees to be able to apply for the Facilitation Visa:

  • Visa application fee of CAD 100
  • Biometrics fee of CAD 85

And, if your application is approved, you must pay the passport processing fee of around CAD 45.

How long will the Facilitation Visa remain valid?

The duration of the visa will depend on the government of Canada. However, regardless of the period of validity, you cannot stay more than 6 months within Canada. 

This is because you applied for this visa due to an emergency, so the government assumes that you will visit Canada to solve the problem and leave immediately, so you should not stay longer than necessary. 

Can I bring my dependents with me to Canada with a Facilitation Visa?

It depends on your situation. In case of an emergency, when you need someone to accompany you, then it is possible that the government of Canada allows you to travel with relatives; 

However, if your family does not need to travel with you, but you want them to go with you, then they must obtain their own visas.