Canada Visa Requirements

Requirements you need to fulfill in order to get a Canada visa

In order to enter the country of Canada freely, you must be a Canada visa holder. You could be allowed to visit Canada temporarily or move there permanently, all depending on the type of visa you possess. The person applying for a visa can have different intentions on why they want to go to Canada, such as, working, studying, visiting and so on. The success of the application for a visa depends on the applicants fulfilled requirements.

In this article, we will discuss more the general requirements for obtaining a Canadian visa and a variety of types.

General Canada Visa Requirements

The first thing when you set out to apply for a Canada visa is selecting the visa type that you want to apply for. Each visa is different from one another and they require different specifications that you must fulfill. However, there are a few general requirements that you must fulfill. These are the following:

  • You must have a valid passport issued by your government with a validation more than the time you will spend in Canada, just to make sure that you will be accepted by your home country on the way back. Additionally, you must have at least one blank page in your passport other than the last page for you to get the visa stamped.
  • All primary applicants of Canada visa must be over 18 years old. If you have children under 18 years old, they can apply besides you, but they cannot apply alone.
  • You must sign the documents and forms that are required and necessary.
  • All supporting documents must be translated by an authorized translator.
  • You must submit documents to prove that you do not have a criminal history.
  • You must have two photographs that follow the Canada photo Requirements. 
  • You must be ready to pay any Canada visa fees for applying and processing of the visa.
  • You may be asked to provide bio-metric information and attend an interview depending on your case and the visa that you are applying for.

Temporary Resident Visa Requirements (Visitor/Tourist)

The Canada visitor visa is also known as the Temporary Resident Visa which includes visas for visitors, tourists, parents, etc. After taking the eligibility test, the Canadian Government system will evaluate if you fit to apply for the visa you want. If you do fit into this category, you will have to create an online account which will list all the needed documents and requirements that you must complete. Generally, you must comply with the following requirements:

  • Follow the General Canada Visa Requirements as mentioned above
  • Visa Application Center (VAC) Consent Form must be filled and signed
  • You must fill and sign Form IMM 5257, Application for Temporary Residence. It is very important to write all your personal information as it is on your passport. If you make any mistakes, the Canadian Government will request a corrected version of the application which of course will postpone your visa application process.
  • You must fill and sign Form IMM 5707, Family Information Form where you will be asked questions about your family, their names, dates of birth, and occupations. You will have to give information on whether a member of your family has been to Canada or they are Canadian Permanent Residents or Citizens. This form is designed and used to determine if you are likely to stay in Canada more than the time you will be allowed by obtaining your visa.
  • In specific cases, you may be required to fill and sign other documents, such as:
    • Form IMM 5476, Use of a Representative
    • Form IMM 5409, Statutory Declaration of Common Law Union
    • Form IMM 5257 Schedule 1, Application for Temporary Resident Visa
    • Photocopies of your current immigration status in Canada or any other country;
    • Invitation letter, only if you are visiting family or friends;
    • Proof that your financial status can support your stay in Canada;
    • If you are visiting family or friends, you must provide with their immigration status;
    • If you are visiting family or friends, you must provide their bank statements;
    •  You can explain why you want to visit Canada and why they should accept your application by providing a Declaration Letter which will be addressed to the Government of Canada
    • You should provide a travel itinerary (by land, air or sea) to prove the dates of your stay in Canada;

Study Permit Requirements

Canada is a popular study destination, for which you need a Student Visa or Study Permit. The possession of Student visa will allow you to stay and study in Canada temporarily but you must fulfill some additional requirements. The requirements for the Study Permit Visa are:

    • The General Canada Visa Requirements as specified above;
    • You must fill and sign Form IMM 1294, Study Permit Form with the exact information as your passport. Any mistake in the information will postpone the processing time of your visa. You must be in possession of the visa before the study program is scheduled to begin.
    • You must fill and sign the Visa Application Center (VAC) Consent Form;
    • You must fill and sign Form IMM5707, Family Information Form. This form must contain the names, dates of birth, immigration statuses, and occupations of your family members in Canada. If your family members are not in Canada, you must specify if they have ever visited.
    • You must have a valid admission letter from a Canadian university which states the following information:
      • The title of your degree;
      • The level of your studies;
      • The duration of your studies;
      • Your unconditional acceptance in the program;
      • Start and end dates of your studies;
    • In order to prove that you can afford your stay in Canada, you must submit bank statements as a student;
    • You must submit a letter stating the cost of your tuition;
    • If your tuition or cost of living is covered by scholarships or awards, you must submit a letter to prove;
    • You must submit your family’s income tax returns;
    • You must submit a medical examination form;
    • You must submit previous diplomas and reference letters or any certificates that you possess;
    • You must submit your employment history as well as contacts of your employers;
    • You must submit proof of English language proficiency from standardized tests;
    • It is preferred to obtain a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a Canadian Financial Institution in the amount of CAD$10,000 in order to cover your living expenses.
    • You might also be required to submit:

 

  • Form IMM5409, Statutory Declaration of Common Law Union;
  • Form IMM 5257 Schedule 1, Application for Temporary Resident Visa;
  • Form IMM 5476, Use of a Representative;
  • Photocopies of your current immigration status in Canada or any other country

 

Work Permit Requirements

If you want to work temporarily in Canada, you must apply for Canada work visa or the work permit. The temporary visa will be granted only if all the requirements are fulfilled. In order to get the Work Permit you must be eligible with the following conditions:

    • The General Canada Visa Requirements that are specified above;
    • You must fill and sign the Visa Application Center (VAC) Consent Form;
    • You must fill and sign Form IMM 5707, alongside with the names, dates of birth as well as occupations of your family. Additionally, you must provide information concerning the immigration status of every family member if they are in Canada, or if they ever visited Canada.
    • You must fill and sign Form IMM 1295, Work Permit Form with the exact information as on your passport. Make sure you fill it correctly, otherwise the Embassy will ask you to submit corrected version which will postpone the application process.
    • You must provide a valid employment offer from a Canadian employer stating:
      • Their financial status;
      • Your job position;
      • The company employing you;
      • Your annual salary;
      • The start and end dates of your employment;
    • You must provide a Labor Market Impact Assessment conducted by the Canadian company which will prove that they need a foreign worker and there is none in Canada that are willing, qualified or available to work in that particular position.
    • You must provide your qualifications such as your educational degrees and previous employment history.
    • You might also need to submit the following:

 

  • Form IMM 5409, Statutory Declaration of Common Law Union;
  • Form IMM 5476, Use of a Representative;
  • Form IMM 5257 Schedule 1, Application for Temporary Resident Visa;
  • Medical examination;
  • Photocopies of your current immigration status in Canada or any other country;

 

Permanent Resident Visa Requirements

If you obtain a permanent residence in Canada you will be allowed to move and live there as long as you like. After a few years you will be granted with the option for applying for Canadian citizenship. Just because this visa brings more benefits from the others, the requirements to apply are more extensive. In order to get Permanent Resident Visa for Canada, you must fulfill the following requirements:

  • The General Canada Visa Requirements as we mentioned above;
  • You must fill and sign the Visa Application Center (VAC) Consent Form;
  • Application for Permanent Residence (aPR);
  • Form IMM 5524, Application for a Travel Document;
  • Complete a medical examination;
  • It is important to know that since obtaining a permanent residence in Canada is on a case by case basis, the Government of Canada will issue your personalized list of all the supporting documents only after you submitted the aPR. You will have to submit all the supporting documents that are mentioned by the Government of Canada in order to complete the requirements.