What are the different visa types in Canada
Many people want to travel, study or immigrate to Canada but don't know the best way of doing so. There are different types of visas available for you to choose from depending on your purpose to travel to Canada.
If you do not know what type of visa would work best for you, then it could take longer than expected before entering into the country.
This webpage will help you understand which visa suits your needs best because we have broken down all the information about each visa type so that anyone can easily understand them without any confusion or hassle whatsoever! Read on.
What is a Canadian Visa?
A Canadian visa is a stamp on your passport that allows you to travel to the country. It means that the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in your country has decided that you are eligible and fulfill all the requirements to enter the country.
5 Different Canada Visa Types in 2022
The type of visa you would require depends on your status and purpose of visit. You must pick the type of visa that best suits your motive of visiting the country.
Here are the main types of visas available to people looking to visit or immigrate to Canada.
1. The Canadian Visitor Visa
Fees: $185 CAD
The Canada Visitor Visa is also known as the temporary resident visa. You can apply for this visa online or through paper applications at the Canadian Embassy or Consulate. One would require a visitor visa even if you are transiting through a Canadian airport to a final destination.
Visitors with this visa can stay for up to six months in Canada. Temporary visas can be single entry visas or multiple entry visas.
Single entry allows you to enter the country once and will not permit you to get back after exiting the country.
The multiple entry visa will allow you to come in and move out of the country as many times as you like during the validity period.
Here is a list of some of the most common types of Canadian Temporary Visas.
Canadian Visitor Visa Types:
| Type of Temporary Visas | Features |
|---|---|
| Canadian Tourist Visa | This visitor visa allows the holder to enter the country only for tourism purposes. |
| Canada Super Visa | This visa is meant for parents or grandparents of Canadian permanent resident status or Canadian citizens to visit their children or grandchildren. |
| Diplomatic & Official Visa | This visa permits diplomats and officials of foreign countries to visit Canada for official duties. |
| Courtesy Visa | This visa is given to all the people who do not qualify for the Diplomatic & Official Visa. But their visit is considered important due to their rank & position. It includes members of trade missions or diplomats with the intent of tourism. |
| Canada Business Visa | This visa is for individuals or groups wanting to travel to Canada for business purposes. |
| | This visa is allowed for women who are pregnant & want to give birth in Canada. They are however required to fulfill certain criteria. The baby automatically becomes a Canadian citizen when born here. |
| Organ Donors Visa | People travelling to Canada to donate an organ to a Canadian permanent resident or Citizen can avail of this visa. |
| Canada Felicitation Visa | These visas are given to Canadian citizens with dual nationalities. It is for citizens who are not having a Canadian passport. |
| Temporary Work Visa | This visa is for people who are having a job offer in Canada that is less than six months. The applicant, however, will have to present a valid job offer letter from the Canadian employer. |
| Temporary Residence Permit | It is given to people visiting Canada for different purposes and does not qualify for the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). |
| Working Holiday Visa | It is given to young people from 30 countries to travel to Canada for work. The applicants will, however, have to submit the visa application and wait to be randomly selected for this visa. |
| Canada Transit Visa | Immigration rules of the Canadian government specify that all foreign citizens from visa-required countries should obtain a transit visa if their international flight stops at a Canadian airport on its way to another country. And you'll transit through Canada in 48 hours or less if you don't have a valid visitor visa. |
2. Permanent Residence Visas
Fees: $1,365 CAD
The Canadian Permanent Residence Visas permit the holder to live, work and settle in the country. It is also known as an Immigrant Visa and can be of different types.
| Types of Permanent Residence Visas | Features |
|---|---|
| Immigrant Investor Program | This program is for people willing to make investments in the Canadian economy. However, they must have a net worth of at least CAD $800,000. They should invest at least CAD $400,000 and which the Canadian government would return without interest in 5 years’ time. |
| Startup Visa Program | The Startup Visa is for people who would like to individually involve and contribute to the Canadian economy. A net worth of at least CAD $300,000 is expected. The individual must also commit to owning and managing one-third of the Canadian business as well. It is to create and maintain employment within three years of being in the country. |
| Self-Employed Persons Visa | This visa is for people who are having skills in farming, culture, athletics, or business. They can start their own venture in Canada. However, they must demonstrate their skills in particular areas and spell out how they will finance the business. |
| Family Sponsorship Program | This is a key program aimed at family reunification. It allows spouses and dependents of Canadian permanent residents or citizens to permanently immigrate to Canada. Sponsors, however, promise to support the family members for a period of three to ten years. |
| Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP) | It is given to members who are qualified to take care of children, disabled people, or the elderly. They will, however, have to live in private homes in Canada. |
3. Canada Student Visa
Fees: $150 CAD
The Canada Study Permit is a document that allows foreign nationals to study in the Designated Learning Institutions (DLI). International students from India would require a study permit to study in Canada.
The study permit however is not a visa to let you enter Canada. You should apply for a Canada Student Visa. This visa is required if your course of study is more than six months. International students will need a TRV visa if their course of study is less than 6 months.
Documents Required for Canadian Visa
Here is a list of documents required for a Canadian visa application.
- Valid Passport: You will have to provide photocopies of the information page on the passport that includes the passport number, date of issue and expiration. Other information includes name, photo, place of residence, and date of birth.
- Canada Visa Application Form: Fill up the right application package form that is available on the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) website. You will also find an instructional guide there, along with a document checklist. Check if any additional documents are required.
- Proof of Paying the Canada Visa Fees: There are two types of fees you will need to pay. The visa application processing fee and the biometric fees. Attach receipts with the application. Fee prices will vary depending upon your purpose of visit.
- Visa Photos: Provide two passport photos based on Canadian visa requirements. Your application can not be processed if it does not match the requirements set by the immigration department of the Canadian government.
- Proof of Sufficient Funds: You can provide this through bank statements, letter of employment revealing annual income, evidence of receiving financial support from family or friends, or evidence of income of your Canadian host.
- Proof of Returning to Your Home Country: There are many ways you can do this. You can give proof of employment, title deeds or lease agreements of the property you own in the home country, or provide evidence of your responsibilities back home.
- Identity and Civil Status Documents: Attach photocopies of identification and civil status documents to the application. It can include birth certificates, marriage documents, or divorce certificates. Your national id can also be useful.
- Police Clearance: It is to prove that you do not have any previous criminal records. And you are not a danger to Canadian civil society. A police certificate or clearance in your home country should be attached with the application.
- Medical Examination Report: You will have to submit your medical examination report from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) panel approved physician to prove that you are in good health. A medical exam is usually not needed if you are staying for less than six months.
- Letter Explaining the Purpose of Visit: This could be in the form of an invitation letter from your sponsor, the contact information of people supporting your purpose of visit, or any other documents supporting your travel.
- Letter of Support/Invitation to Canada: You will require this letter from someone in Canada. It can be a permanent resident or a person with Canadian citizenship. The letter must include name, birth date, phone number and Canadian address.
4. Canadian Experience Class
Fees: $550 CAD
The Canada Experience Class (CEC) consists of Canadian immigrants who meet all the standards of being important contributors to the economy of the country. Important Canadian Experience Class requirements include – stay in Canada for a designated period, good command of English or French, appropriate skilled worker experience and adaptation to Canadian society.
CEC Canada advantages
For Canadian Experience Class candidates there are three distinct advantages, and one possible disadvantage, under Express Entry.
Advantages:
Canadian Experience Class candidates have built up at least one year of Canadian work experience. This is a highly-valued factor under the CRS, and, as such, gives these applicants access to CRS points for their Canadian experience.
Because the required documentation is minimal, Canadian Experience Class applications are processed quickly, often within three to four months.
Applicants under the Canadian Experience Class are not required to show proof of settlement funds, as FSWC and FSTC candidates are.
5. Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program
Fees: $550 CAD
The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is one of the three programs contained within Canada’s Express Entry system for processing immigration applications. The FSW program allows candidates with foreign work experience and no connections to Canada to apply for permanent residency.
Canada.ca - official website
Canada.ca is the primary web destination and official government services platform for the Government of Canada. As per government's vision, it is supposed to be the one-stop-shop for all government interactions on the web.
If you want to apply to travel, study, work or immigrate to Canada, apply for citizenship, a permanent resident card or refugee protection, check the status of your application or find a form, Canada.ca is the website which is for you!
FAQs:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/defence-ideas/faq.html
Disclaimer: You can always refer to the above official website for all the visa related concerns in Canada.