Canada Visa For Indians - Everything You Need To Know

Your Canadian visa is your official entry ticket to the country. In a sense, it's like a special passport stamp that Canada issues. It permits you to visit Canada for a specified period of time. There are different visa types for tourists, students, or workers.

The most common Canada visa for Indian passport holders is a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). This visa typically allows you to stay in Canada for up to 6 months. Having a TRV lets you discover beautiful cities, hike stunning landscapes, and enjoy everything Canada has to offer.

The application process for a Canada visa from India requires a few steps. In order to apply, you must first fulfil some prerequisites. The first step is for you to determine what type of visa you need. Canada offers several types of visas, including visitor, work, student, etc. 

Canada Visa Offline Process:

The following steps will guide you through the process of applying for a Canada visa online

• Download an application form.
• Filling out the required information.
• Attach the mandatory documents.
• Paying application fees and biometric charges.
• Biometrics are mandatory at VAC.
• In-person or by mail, you can submit the application to a VAC. 

Canada Visa Online Process:

The Canadian government is in the phase of digitizing records, and as a result, people are required to apply online for the process. The following steps will guide you through the application process for a Canada visa online: 

• Find out if you are eligible for a Canada visa. (Check below for tool link)
• Create an online account.
• Compile the document file.
• Pay the fees.
• Wait for the processing of your Canadian visa.
• Submit your passport and processing fees.

• The Canadian government has a website with a quiz to help you see if you are eligible for a Canada visa. You must need to log in first (Tool link- https://onlineservices-servicesenligne.cic.gc.ca/c2c/eapp)
• This is a first step to see if you qualify before applying.
• The quiz is straightforward - simply answer the questions online.
• Based on your answers, the website will tell you if you can apply for a visa.
• The website will also give you next steps, such as what type of visa to apply for.

Canadian visas can be categorized into Temporary and Permanent Visas. The temporary resident Canada visa types can be mainly classified into the following - 

1. Visitor visa / Temporary resident visa (TRV)  - Anyone who is visiting the country for tourism, family or business-related purposes is granted temporary resident status. These are issued normally for 6 months. They are of two types-
• Canada Tourist Visa - This type is required by an individual whose sole purpose of the visit is tourism. Be it visiting family members/friends, or to explore the country, or any other tourist activities, you require a tourist visa.
• Canada Business Visa - If you are planning to visit Canada to implement or expand a business, to attend business meetings/conferences, to venture possible business plans, as long as your main agenda is professional activities, you require a business visa.
2. Canada Work visa - This is a temporary type that permits an individual to work for 6 months in Canada, after which he will have to return home or apply for an extension.
3. Canada Study visa - For students attending courses in Canada that last more than 6 months, a study visa is issued. 

Usually, these are issued for multiple entries. Meaning, you can go in and out of the country multiple times in the visa period. Also, most temporary visas are issued for 6 months. However, depending on how strong your case is, the visa officer may issue permits valid up to a maximum of 10 years; or until the passport validity date, whichever comes first.

In this table, we summarize the types of Canada visas:

The Canadian government has strict requirements for Canada Visa Photo Specifications, and it is important to ensure that your photos meet these standards before submission.

Since Canadian visa requirements can change at any time, it's advisable to check with the Canadian consulate or embassy for the latest information.

The documents to be submitted for the application depends on the Canada visa types you are aiming for. There are a constant set of documents that are common for all visas and a special set depending on the type. The general documents required for a Canadian visa are as follows,

• A valid passport + old passports, if any. 
• 3 photos as per Canada visa requirements.
• Duly filled and signed application forms.
• NOC from employer/leave sanction from school/college.
• Travel itinerary - confirmed air tickets, proof of accommodation.
• Proof of financial means - bank statements, Form -16, passbook, salary slips, etc.
• Proof that you will return to your home country once the Canadian visa expires.
• Identity and Civil Status Documents.
• Police clearances to show no criminal records (if requested).
• Medical certificate to prove that you have no chronic disease (if requested).
• A cover letter stating your purpose, motive, and duration of the travel.
• Letter of support/invitation to Canada.

India alone submits over 9 lakh applications to Canada each year. It's important to know that tourist visas and business visas can take a fairly long time to process. Canada visa processing time depends on various factors. 

• Visa type (e.g., visitor visa outside Canada: 2-8 months)
• Country of residence
• Completeness of the application (missing documents, wrong form)
• Biometric and interview appointments

For a successful application, In general the Canada visa stamp processing time is around 10-15 days. However, this can go up to more than 30 - 60 days in certain scenarios. It also depends on how early you submit your biometrics as well. It is advised to apply well in advance. 

Canada visa costs are influenced by the country, mode of a, number of entries, length of stay, and urgency of the application. Depending on the type of Canada visa you choose, your Canada visa fee will change.

In addition to the visa processing fee charged by the embassy or consulate, there can be separate charges for:

• Biometric Fee: Separate fee, varies by country. Some VACs bundle it with basic transmission.

Canadian biometric fees for Indians are:

• • • CAD 85 per person
    • CAD 170 for a family of 2 or more applying together

• Service Charges: VAC fees for transmitting applications and optional services like photocopying.

Your Canada visa application can be tracked in two ways depending on where you submitted it:

1. Tracking Through IRCC Portal:

Please note that this applies if you submit your application directly to IRCC, the Canadian government agency responsible for immigration matters. You can track it online by following these steps:

• Website: You can check the status of your application at the IRCC's website
• Login: Although you can track your application without logging in, creating an account allows you to view past applications.
• Enter Details: There are two pieces of information you need to provide:
• Tracking ID Number: The tracking number is on your receipt when you submit your application to IRCC.
• Date of Birth: Make sure you enter your date of birth exactly as it appears on your application.
• Track Status: You can view your application's current status after entering these details.

2. Tracking Through VFS Global:

VFS Global is a third-party service provider employed by IRCC in certain countries to handle visa applications. Here are the steps you need to take if you submitted your application through VFS:

• Website: Visit the VFS Global website tracking page.
• Select Language: From the available options, choose your preferred language.
• Enter Details: Similar to IRCC, you'll need to provide:
• Tracking ID Number: Found on the VFS Global receipt.
• Date of Birth: Be the same as your application date of birth.
• Track Status: Based on your application's status within the VFS processing system, track status will be displayed.

Below is the contact information:

VFS Helpline Number: 18002668858, 022-67866002, 912262018404

Canada Visa Application Centers (CVACs) allow individuals to apply for a visa, provide biometric data, and get information on Canada's visa categories. A CVAC is operated by a service provider authorized by the government.

Check out the Canadian Embassy in India as well  - Canadian Embassy in India

There are a variety of reasons why Canada visa applications are rejected. Canada visa applications are commonly rejected for the following reasons:

• Lack of intention to leave Canada: The visa officer wants to ensure that you will be returning home after your Canada visit. You may be rejected for a visa if you do not have strong ties to your home country, such as a job, family, or property.
• Financial reasons: During your stay in Canada, you must prove that you have enough money to support yourself. In addition to meeting your travel costs, you will also need money to cover your tuition fees (if you intend to apply for a student visa) and living expenses.
• Incomplete or inaccurate application: Make sure you fill out your application form completely and accurately. Don't forget to include all required documentation and make sure there aren't any errors.
• Medical inadmissibility: Your visa application may be rejected if you have medical conditions that risk public health.
• Criminal inadmissibility: Criminal records may prevent you from entering Canada.

In case your visa application is denied and you want to know if it will affect your future visa applications, check here: Visa Refusal Affect Future Visa Applications.