If you plan to travel to Canada, you will likely need a Visa to enter the country. In this article we explain the requirements you need to apply for one.
Is a visa required to travel to Canada?
Yes, most travelers wishing to visit the country as tourists need a Visa. For some nationalities, it is only necessary to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization or ETA.
You can check on the official Canadian government website if you are eligible for a Visa or ETA.
The visa is valid for 10 years or up to one month before the passport with which you applied for the visa expires. During this time you can visit the country as many times as you want, but without exceeding a stay of 6 months per visit.
Requirements to Obtain a Canadian Visa
In order to process the Visa, some essential documents must be presented:
- Valid passport – You must present a passport that has not expired, does not have any torn or illegible pages; it is important that your name, ID and other personal information are visible. This is important because it is not an electronic visa, it will be attached to the passport.
- Photograph – You must attach two color passport photographs taken within the last three months to your application. This photograph must meet the traditional requirements for a passport-style photograph.
- Financial solvency – You must prove that you have sufficient financial solvency to cover your stay and your return to your country.
- Personal or professional ties – You must show that you have personal or professional ties in your country. These may be a family, studies or a stable job.
- Legal Issues – You must not have any criminal record or have violated any immigration or visa laws.
- Health Issues – You must be sure that you do not have any serious communicable diseases that pose a risk to public health in Canada.
- Email – It is important that applicants provide their email so that we can contact them if there is a problem with the application or if there are further requirements for the process.
- Payment Method – You can pay for applications online using a credit or debit card.
Biometric data required to apply for a Canadian visa
It is important to note that applicants for this type of visa who must submit their biometric data at an application center are those who have not submitted this information in the last 10 years.
The biometric data required by Canada are the taking of fingerprints and a digital photograph so that all this information can be uploaded to the system. This allows any immigration agent to have your data when you arrive in the country.
Do I need a visa to stopover in Canada?
It doesn’t matter if your stay is less than 48 hours, you will always need a transit visa or an ETA if you are eligible. You can apply online or go to the nearest embassy and present the requested documents.
Cost of visa for Canada
The cost always depends on the country of origin and the service fee charged by the company with whom you are performing the procedure.
The price of a tourist visa for Canada is approximately 100 USD.
Is a letter required to apply for a Canadian tourist visa?
Yes, this document is key to the process of applying for your tourist visa for Canada. It must be written carefully and with great detail. Although there is no exact formula for writing the letter, we recommend that it be structured as follows:
- Date.
- City – Country of origin.
- Case Introduction – Greeting.
- Travel Interest – Purpose.
- Personal presentation.
- Explanation of the trip and how you will pay for it.
- Closing – Acknowledgement.
This structure allows for consistency throughout the letter and makes it easier for immigration agents to read it without any problem.
What is the application process for a Canadian tourist visa?
If you are going to carry out the application process on your own, you should consider the following information:
- You must verify your traveler eligibility.
- You must create an account on the IRCC portal.
- You must complete the required documents to process the Canadian tourist visa.
- You must submit the travel document form.
You must send the requested documents to the nearest consulate or embassy.- You must maintain communication with the consulate or embassy to await the final step.
- Once accepted, you must send your passport to obtain the visa. Then you must wait for the travel document to be returned to you.
Do you need Travel Insurance for Canada?
When planning a trip, it is very important to have travel insurance no matter where you are going. There are different types of health insurance.