About Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean. Canada is the world’s second-largest country by total area, and its common border with the United States is the world’s longest land border shared by the same two countries.
The land that is now Canada has been inhabited for millennia by various Aboriginal peoples. Beginning in the late 15th century, British and French colonial expeditions explored, and later settled, the region’s Atlantic coast. France ceded nearly all of its colonies in North America to the United Kingdom in 1763 after the French and Indian War, which was essentially the North American theatre of the Seven Years’ War. In 1867, with the union of three British North American colonies through Confederation, Canada was formed as a federal dominion of four provinces. This began an accretion of provinces and territories and a process of increasing autonomy, culminating in the Canada Act 1982.
Canada is a federal state governed as a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. The country is officially bilingual and multicultural at the federal level, with a population of approximately 35 million as of 2013. Canada’s advanced economy is one of the largest in the world, relying chiefly upon its abundant natural resources and well-developed trade networks, especially in the United States, with which it has had a long and complex relationship.
Canada is a developed country, with the ninth highest per capita income globally, and the 11th highest Human Development Index ranking. It ranks among the highest in international measurements of education, government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, and economic freedom. Canada is a recognized middle power and a member of many international institutions, including the G7, G8, G20, ICCPR, NATO, NAFTA, OECD, WTO, Commonwealth of Nations, Francophonie, OAS, APEC, and the United Nations.
FACT SHEET:
Capital | Ottawa |
Largest city | Toronto |
Official languages | English / French |
Demonym | Canadian |
Government
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Legislature
| Parliament
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Area
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Population
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Currency |
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Time zone
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Date format | dd-mm-yyyy mm-dd-yyyy yyyy-mm-dd (CE) |
Calling code | +1 |
ISO 3166 code | CA |
Internet TLD | .ca |
LARGEST METROPOLITAN AREAS IN BY POPULATION (2019 CENSUS)
Name | Province | Population | Name | Province | Population |
Toronto | Ontario | 6,471,085 | London | Ontario | 545,044 |
Montreal | Quebec | 4,318,051 | St.Catharines Niagara | Ontario | 434,093 |
Vancouver | British Columbia | 2,691,328 | Halifax | Nova Scotia | 440,035 |
Ottawa Gatineau | Ontario Quebec | 1,441,012 | Oshawa | Ontario | 413,094 |
Calgary | Alberta | 1,514,072 | Victoria | British Columbia | 402,027 |
Edmonton | Alberta | 1,447,014 | Windsor | Ontario | 354,096 |
Quebec | Quebec | 824,041 | Saskatoon | Saskatchewan | 330,067 |
Winnipeg | Manitoba | 730,018 | Regina | Saskatchewan | 261,068 |
Hamilton | Ontario | 794,072 | Sherbrooke | Quebec | 221,004 |
Kitchener- Cambridge- Waterloo | Ontario | 584,026 | St. John’s | Newfoundland and Labrador | 212,043 |
HOW TO APPLY?
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
- Passport (Minimum 6 months validity) – All Passports (Old & New)
- Photo (35mm X 45mm, white background, matt finished, 80% FACE should display)
- Marriage certificate – If Married
- Divorce Deed – If Divorced
- Spouse Death certificate – In Case of Death
- Child birth certificate/ Bonafide certificate – If child travelling
- Vacation letter/Student Id card – If student travelling
- NOC of parents (Child Below 18 Years) – If travelling alone or third party
- Aadhar Card Copies of all Family Members
- Pan card (Personal/Company)
- Business registration certificate (Gumasta dhara/Memorandum/Partnership deed)
- Company Profile / Brochure (If having)
- Business letter head-03 Nos. & visiting card
- IT returns last 3 years with balance sheet
- Last 6 months current account statement
- Partner NOC & Authorization Letter
- Pan card, Company Id card, Job Letter
- Last 6 months salary slips
- Last 3 years form no.16 & IT returns with computation
- Leave letter/NOC (No objection certificate)
- Agriculture income certificate (From Mamlatdar / TDO)
- Form no. 7& 12, 8A (Land paper)
- Agriculture bills (If having)
- Retired letter
- Pension bank passbook
- Supporter Letter and Supporting Affidavit
- Last 6 months bank statement/bank passbook
- Bank fix deposit/ MIS /Post Savings/KVP/SVP/NSC
- Share holding statement/ Bonds/ Mutual Funds
- Provident fund/GPF/PPF
- LIC / other policy surrender value
- Financial report/ Valuation of property (House/Shop/Land)
- Applicant’s Education Details
- Last 10 Yrs Employment details
- Email Id & Contact Details
- Marriage Date(if married)
- Applicant’s Parents / Spouse/ Children’s( Date of Birth, Occupation & Address)
SPONSOR DOCUMENTS (CANADIAN CITIZEN/ PERMANENT RESIDENCE)
- Sponsor letter
- Full passport copy of sponsor (Notarized)
- Permanent residence card copy (Both side front and back )
- Driving license
- Health card
- Email ID & contact details
STATEMENT FROM YOUR EMPLOYER ON BUSINESS LETTERHEAD, GIVING WITH FOLLOWING DETAILS
- Date and nature of employment
- Salary paid
- Whether position is temporary or permanent
LETTER FROM YOUR BANK (1 ORIGINAL FOR EACH APPLICANT) ON THEIR BUSINESS LETTERHEAD, GIVING WITH FOLLOWING DETAILS
- Opening date of bank account
- Total amount deposited for the past year
- Present balance
- Average balance last year
COPY OF RECENT PAY STUBS. 3 OR 4 SHOULD BE ENOUGH
COPY OF LAST THREE YEARS INCOME TAX RETURN. (NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT)
DOCUMENT OF SAVING IF HAVE ANY.
TENANCY AGREEMENT OR LETTER FROM ESTATE AGENCY OR LANDLORD
IF STUDENT
- Enrollment Letter
- Passport copy/ Visa copy/ Student ID Copy
- Rent Agreement (NOC Letter from LandLord)
- Transcript
- Study permit
- Bank statement (3 months)
- Convocation Letter
- Personal Invitation Letter – With Sign
(Family & Friends) & Visa status
BIOMETRICS
Please note that appointments are mandatory in order to enrol biometrics at the Visa Application Centre. A planned visit with a preferred time slot at the Visa Application Centre guarantees prompt service thus eliminating longer waiting time resulting in inconvenience.
Who must provide biometrics
The following people between the ages of 14 and 79 must provide their biometrics:
- temporary residence applicants who are applying for:
- a temporary resident visa (TRV)
- an extension of authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident
- a temporary resident permit (TRP)
- a restoration of temporary resident status
People who are eligible to apply for an electronic travel authorization are not required to provide their biometrics if they are travelling to Canada as a tourist.
Persons approaching 14 years old
For biometrics purposes, the age of the applicant is based on the date the application is received by IRCC.
There may be cases when an applicant is 13 years old when the application is submitted to a visa application centre (VAC). If the person is 14 years old when the application is received by the IRCC office, a biometric instruction letter (BIL) must be issued to the client, and biometrics are required in support of the claim, application or request.
Persons approaching 80 years old
For biometrics purposes, the age of the applicant is based on the date the application is received by IRCC.
There may be cases of applicants who are 79 years old when the application is submitted but turn 80 years old before biometrics collection. These clients are required to provide their biometrics. IRCC offices, Service Canada locations and U.S. application support centers can collect biometrics from all applicants who present a valid BIL, regardless of their age. However, at a VAC the Canadian Immigration Biometric Identification System (CIBIDS) will not allow the biometric information to be collected once the applicant turns 80.
In such cases, VACs must do the following:
- advise the applicant that the IRCC office will contact them to arrange an appointment to submit their biometrics
- advise the responsible IRCC office of this situation, following the protocols set up by the VAC
Processing Time
Visitor visa (from outside Canada) India
General time: 2 to 3 weeks [20 – 21 working days]
You may need to give biometrics with your application.
This processing time doesn’t include:
- the time it takes to send an application between a VAC and our office
- the time you need to give your biometrics
Review for decision
Your application will undergo a detailed review by an officer. The officer will consider all the information and documentation you have provided, and will assess it and will decide if an interview is necessary. If so, you will be informed of the interview date, time and place.
If your application is refused, any original documents, including your passport if submitted with your application, will be returned to you with an explanation of why your application was refused.
FIND YOUR VISA APPLICATION CENTRE
Location | Opening Days | Opening hours |
Ahmedabad Visa Application Centre VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. Unit No 1 and 2, Bhikubhai Chambers, Near Bharat petroleum Ashram Road, Paldi Ahmedabad 380 007, India | Monday to Friday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
Bengaluru Visa Application Centre VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd., 8th Floor, Sobha Pearl, Commissariat Road, Near Mayo Hall, next to Bangalore Central Mall, Ashok Nagar, Sivanchetti Gardens, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025 India | Monday to Friday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
Chandigarh Visa Application Centre VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. C-313, B-3rd Floor, Elante, Industrial Area Phase 1, Chandigarh, India – 160002 | Monday to Friday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
Chennai Visa Application Centre VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. 5th Floor, Fagun Mansion, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore, Chennai – 600008 | Monday to Friday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
Hyderabad Visa Application Centre VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. Zonah Crescent, 3rd Floor, Banjara Hills Road No 12, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034 | Monday to Friday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
Jalandhar Visa Application Centre Aman Plaza, 1st Floor, 310 Lajpat Nagar, Mahavir Marg, Nakodar Chowk Opposite to Lovely Autos, Jalandhar-144001 | Monday to Friday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
Kolkata Visa Application Centre VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. 4th Floor, Rene Tower, Plot No. AA-I, 1842, Rajdanga Main Road, Kasba, Landmark: Near Geetanjali Stadium Kolkata, 700107, India | Monday to Friday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
Mumbai Visa Application Centre VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. 4th floor, Urmi Axis Building, Behind Famous Studio, Opp. E Moses Road, Mahalaxmi (West), Mumbai – 400 011 | Monday to Friday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
New Delhi Visa Application Centre VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place New Delhi-110001 | Monday to Friday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
Pune Visa Application Centre VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. 93 + 94, 40 401, Lalwani Icon Sakore Nagar, Viman Nagar, Near Hotel Fidalgo Pune, India- 411014 | Monday to Friday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
VISA FEES: VISITOR VISA (TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA)
You must pay the Visa Fee when you submit your application.
It costs CAN$100 (about ₹5,200 INR) to apply for a visitor visa and the biometrics fee is CAN$85 (about ₹4,400 INR).
Application | $CAN |
Visitor visa (including super visa) – per person Single or multiple entry temporary resident visa | $100 |
Visitor visa – per family (1 fee per family of 5 or more people) Single or multiple entry temporary resident visa;maximum fee for a family of 5 or more people applying at the same time and place | $500 |
BIO-METRICS | |
Biometrics fees | CAN |
Biometrics (per person) | 85 |
Biometrics (per family) (2 or more people Maximum fee for a family of 2 or more people applying at the same time and place | 170 |
How to pay the fees for your application
To pay your fees for your application you’ll need:
- a valid email address;
- access to a printer (you’ll need to print the receipt), and
- a credit card or Canadian debit card.
Visit the link below and follow these instructions to pay:
- Go to Online Payment
- Follow the online instructions.
- At the end, click on the button to print the IRCC official receipt with barcode. Print two copies.
- Attach a copy of this receipt to your completed application.
- Keep the second copy of the receipt for your records.
Do not exit without printing the receipt! The printed receipt is your proof of payment!
The only acceptable form of payment is online payment. If you send any other form of payment, IRCC will return your application.
USEFUL LINKS
- Canada Visa Office
- Doing business with Canada
- Invest in Canada
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website
- Come to Canada
- Keep Exploring
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Foreign Credentials Recognition Office (FCRO) for work visa applicants
VISA FEES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What you need depends on:
- the type of travel document you will travel with;
- the country that issued your travel document;
- your nationality; and
- how you will travel to Canada.
If you do not have the proper documents, such as an eTA or visa, you may be delayed or prevented from boarding your flight to Canada.
- you are eligible for a fee-exemption and the purpose of your entry to Canada is limited (such as, for an official visit by a foreign national)
- you are taking part in a one-time special event in Canada
- there are approved country-specific procedures or guidelines in place
In most cases, once you have left Canada, you will need a new visa to enter Canada again.
You won’t need a new visitor visa to return to Canada if you are travelling directly to the United States (including its Territories and Possessions) or St. Pierre and Miquelon.
- An applicant is eligible for a fee-exemption and where the purpose of entry to Canada is limited (e.g., for an official visit by a foreign national)
- An applicant is participating in a one-time special event in Canada (e.g., Pan-American Games); and/or
- Country-specific procedures or guidelines are in place and approved by IRCC.
At the port of entry, the border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. If so, they’ll put the date you need to leave by in your passport. They might also give you a document.
If you don’t get a stamp in your passport, you can stay for 6 months from the day you entered Canada or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
If you need a stamp, you can ask a border services officer for one. If you arrive at an airport that uses primary inspection kiosks, ask the border officer after you finish at the kiosk.
If you want to stay longer than your authorized stay, you should apply for an extension at least 30 days before the authorized end of your stay.
When you arrive at the point of entry in Canada, a border services officer will make sure you meet the requirements to
enter Canada.
The officer will authorize your stay by stamping your passport and/or issuing another document.
If there is no stamp, handwritten date or document in your passport, your temporary resident status will expire six
months from the day you arrived in Canada.
If you received a visitor record, student or work permit, the expiry date is marked on it.
and an eTA?
No. If you plan to travel to Canada, you need a valid visitor visa OR a valid eTA.
The one you need depends on:
- the type of travel document you will travel with
- the country that issued your travel document.
- your nationality; and
- how you will travel to Canada.
If you are on a cruise ship that departs from Canada or the continental United States and enters international waters
and you are not in possession of a valid multiple-entry visa, you will need to obtain a new temporary resident visa in
order to re-enter Canada.
The document you need to transit through Canada depends on a few factors, including if you plan to visit Canada.
You can answer a few questions to find the document you need to transit through Canada.
You’re considered a visa-required traveller if you’re from a visa-required country.
You need a visitor visa if:
- you visit Canada (even if you’re travelling by air and it’s for less than 48 hours)
- stay in Canada more than 48 hours while transiting, or
- you’re crossing the border by:bus
car
train
boat
cruise ship
You need a transit visa if:
- your international flight stops at a Canadian airport on its way to another country
- you’ll be connecting between 2 international flights at a Canadian airport
- you’ll transit through Canada in 48 hours or less, and
- you don’t have a valid visitor visa
You’re considered a visa-exempt traveller if you’re from an eTA-required country.
You need an eTA to transit through Canada by air if you’re from an eTA-required country.
You don’t need an eTA if you’re transiting through Canada and you enter by train, bus, boat or cruise ship. You do need
to bring the right travel documents.
You can apply for a transit visa by filling out the application for a Temporary Resident Visa and selecting transit visa
from the list of options on the form.
You may not need a transit visa if you are travelling to or from the United States. The Transit Without Visa program
(TWOV) and the China Transit Program (CTP) allow certain foreign nationals to transit through Canada on their way to and
from the United States without a Canadian transit visa, if they meet certain requirements.
Anyone who plans to visit Canada must apply from outside of Canada before they travel.
What your friend or family member needs depends on:
- the type of travel document they will travel with;
- the country that issued their travel document;
- their nationality; and
- how they will travel to Canada.
Before applying, find out what document(s) they need.
If they need a visitor visa, you may provide your family member or friend with a letter of invitation in support of
their visa application. A letter of invitation can help, but it does not guarantee the person will get a visa.
There is no formal appeal process if your application for a temporary resident visa is refused.
Should you wish to re-apply, you should do so only if your situation has changed substantively or you have significant
new information to submit.
Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. You should get health insurance to cover any medical costs before you come to Canada.
No. Each person must complete and sign the Application for Temporary Resident Visa (IMM 5257), as well as any other
forms needed. Each applicant aged 18 or over must also complete the Family Information form (IMM 5645).
You can submit all family member applications in the same envelope with one payment receipt for the total fee for all of your applications.
Parents or guardians can help children fill out their forms. Parents or guardians must sign the forms for any children under the age of 18.
As a U.S. Green Card holder, you do not need a visitor visa to travel to Canada. However, you are expected to have an eTA if you plan to fly to or transit through Canada.
When flying to Canada, you will need to present:
- proof of status in the U.S. (such as a valid Green Card), and
- your valid passport that you used to apply for your eTA.
The border services officer will verify your eTA when you arrive in Canada.
When travelling by land or sea directly from the U.S., you will only need to provide proof of your U.S. lawful permanent resident status (such as your Green Card).
No. Simply apply for a visitor visa online or on paper.
For paper applications, check the document checklist for full details of what you need to submit with your application.
Please note:
- Visa application centres
are not involved in the visa decision-making process and can’t provide advice to applicants. - All decisions on applications are made by visa officers at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada visa
offices. - Applications that meet the criteria will also be processed faster.
Visa application centres will screen all applications for CAN+ eligibility. Applications that show that the applicant travelled to Canada in the last 10 years or holds a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa will be sent to the visa office for expedited processing.
Check the document checklist for full details of what you need to submit with your application.
No. If your application was refused, applying again with the same information, even with an immigration or travel agent,
will not change this decision.
Your application may be refused because:
- the official deciding your case has reason to believe you’ll stay in Canada beyond your authorized stay
- you’re inadmissible to Canada
Applying a second time will not change this decision. It will only cost you more money and increase processing times for
other applicants. However, if your situation changes, you may apply again with your new information.
Examples of your situation changing include:
- you’ve applied for criminal rehabilitation and were approved
- you’re eligible for deemed rehabilitation
- you’re inadmissible but are applying for a temporary resident permit
- you were inadmissible for medical reasons, but those reasons have since changed
Hiring an immigration representative also won’t change any previous decision on your application.
If anyone tells you you’ll have a better chance on your second application because they’re representing you, they’re not
being truthful and are likely looking to take your money.
If you are applying on paper we recommend that you apply for a visa from your home country. However, if you are legally
admitted to the country you are currently in, you can apply at your nearest visa application centre (VAC). The VAC can
help make sure your application is complete and that all proper documentation is included. You must state clearly on
your application why you have not applied in your normal country of residence.
A visitor visa (also known as a temporary resident visa) is an official document citizens from visa-required countries need to get to travel to and enter Canada as a visitor for up to 6 months.
- We stick the visitor visa in your passport.
- It shows that you meet the requirements to enter Canada.
- It includes the date by which you must arrive in Canada.
- The date is not an expiry date for your stay in Canada.
- If you apply for a study or work permit for the first time, you’ll automatically get a visitor visa when we approve your application.
A visitor record is a document that a border services officer may issue to you to extend or restrict your stay in Canada. If you want to stay in Canada for more than 6 months, you have to tell the border services officer.
You may also get a visitor record after we approve your application to extend your stay or restore your status. A visitor record is issued either by the Canada Border Services Agency or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
- You need to apply for a visitor record when.
- you first arrive at the port of entry and you know you want to stay longer than 6 months; or
- you’re in Canada and decide you want to stay longer
- You must apply at least 30 days before your authorized stay in Canada expires.
- It’s an independent document (not placed in your passport)
- It includes an expiry date for your stay in Canada.
- That’s the date by which you must leave Canada.
You may travel to Canada as a tourist before you get your permanent resident visa. However, we strongly advise against making any definitive arrangements for your stay in Canada until you have received your permanent resident visa.
You will need to apply for a visitor visa to travel to Canada as a tourist.
Please note that having a valid visitor visa does not guarantee your entry into Canada. A border services officer will decide if you can enter Canada and how long you can stay
Holders of diplomatic, official and service passports from visa-required countries do need a visa to visit Canada. However, they may be exempt from paying the processing fee if they are travelling on official business.
Yes, most travellers need a visitor visa or an eTA to travel to, or transit through, Canada.
What you need depends on:
- the type of travel document you will travel with;
- the country that issued your travel document;
- your nationality; and
- how you will travel to Canada.
Currently, most visitors to Canada may visit for up to six months when they first enter Canada. Visitors who wish to stay longer must apply for an extension, and pay a new fee.
With the parent and grandparent super visa, eligible parents and grandparents can visit family in Canada for up to two years without the need to renew their status.
The Super Visa is a multi-entry visa that provides multiple entries for a period up to 10 years. The key difference is that the Super Visa allows an individual to stay for up to two years at a time in Canada, while a 10-year multiple entry visa would only have a status period for each entry of six months only.
Yes, the super visa is a multi-entry visa. It allows multiple entries for up to 10 years
The key difference is that the super visa allows multiple entry periods lasting up to 2 years. Those travelling on a 10-year multiple-entry visa can only stay for up to six months per entry.
single-entry super visa is also available. This remains at the discretion of a visa officer
To be eligible for a super visa, you must:
- be the parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents and
- meet other eligibility requirements.
Your dependants are not eligible for a super visa. They can still apply to visit Canada for up to 6 months with the right travel document. Find out what kind of travel document they need.
When you apply for a parent and grandparent super visa, include the following people when calculating family size:
- the child or grandchild inviting you;
- the spouse of the child or grandchild inviting you;
- the dependants of the child or grandchild inviting you;
- any dependants travelling with you;
- any other person whom the child or grandchild inviting you is currently sponsoring or co-signing and yourself;
Here are some examples.
- The child or grandchild in Canada that is inviting you is not married and has no children. He or she has invited one parent to visit Canada for a two-year stay. The family size is two.
- The family in Canada inviting you is a family of four (the inviting child or grandchild, the spouse and two dependent children). They plan to host two visiting parents. The family size is six.
- The family in Canada inviting you is a family of three (child or grandchild who is inviting you, the spouse and one dependent child). The child or grandchild inviting you previously co-signed the sponsorship of the spouse’s parents (two persons). That sponsorship is still in effect. Now, they are inviting you and your spouse for a long-term visit on a parent and grandparent super visa. The family size is seven.
The family in Canada inviting you is a family of three (the inviting child or grandchild, the spouse and one dependent child). They plan to host you and your dependent child. The family size is five.
Yes, you can withdraw your sponsorship application at any time. You can still apply for a super visa.
In addition to the required documents for a visitor visa, you must include the following documents:
- A copy of the child’s birth certificate
- A letter of authorization, preferably in English or French, signed by their parent(s) or legal guardian.
The letter of authorization should include:
- the parents’, or legal guardian’s, address(es) and telephone number(s), and
- the name, address and telephone number of the custodian (the adult who will be responsible for the child while in Canada).
You must present the following documents:
- A copy of the child’s birth certificate
- A letter of authorization signed by the parent who is not travelling, containing their address and telephone number, in English or French if possible, and
- A photocopy of the non-accompanying parent’s signed passport or national identity card
The letter of authorization should include:
- the parents’, or legal guardian’s, address(es) and telephone number(s), and
- the name, address and telephone number of the custodian (the adult who will be responsible for the child while in Canada).
If the parents are separated or divorced, and share custody of the child, the parent travelling with the child should carry copies of the legal custody documents.
If the parents are separated or divorced and one of them has sole custody of the child, the letter of authorization may be signed by that parent only and they should bring a copy of the custody papers.
If one of the child’s parents is deceased, the travelling parent should bring a copy of the death certificate.