I am from India do I need a Visitor Visa to Canada?
It is no secrete that India appreciates all that Canada has to offer; with over 1.3 million East Indians living in Canada, and Canada’s third official language being Punjabi, India’s roots run deep in the great white north. There are many reasons why someone from India may want to visit Canada; maybe you would like to experience Canada’s beauty and landmarks, visit a relative or friend, or determine if you would like to settle in Canada permanently by visiting first. Whatever the reason, because India is not a visa exempt country, you will first have to obtain a Canadian Visitor Visa before entering Coming.
What is a Visitor Visa?
A Visitor Visa is a document that allows individuals from non-visa exempt countries (such as India) to enter and remain in Canada legally for up to 6 months at a time.
There are 2 kinds of Visitor Visas:
Single Entry:
This allows you to enter and remain in Canada for up to 6 months, on one occasion. Once you leave Canada, even if you have not stayed the full 6-month period (i.e. you visited a family member in Toronto for only 2 weeks), you will need to reapply for another Visitor Visa before you will be allowed to enter Canada again.
Multiple Entry:
This visa allows you to stay in Canada for up to 6 months at a time, on multiple occasions. You will not have to reapply for a new visitor visa during the validity of your visa. Multiple entry visas can be issued for up to 10 years, or 1 month before the expiry date of your passport; therefore it is important to note that if you passport is expiring soon, you should renew it before applying for your Visitor Visa.
As of February 6, 2014 all Visitor Visa applications will automatically be considered for multiple entry, but ultimately the decision is up to the Officer processing your application whether they will approve it for single entry, or multiple entry.
What are the requirements for a Visitor Visa to Canada?
The basic requirements for a Visitor Visa are as follows:
- Valid travel document such as a passport
- Have no prior criminal or immigration related crimes/convictions
- Must be in good health (please note that you may be requested to complete a medical exam before being issued a visitor visa)
- Sufficient funds- you will have to provide proof that you have enough funds to support yourself (and family if applicable) during the duration of your stay in Canada, as well as for your travel expenses home (this amount can vary depending on the length of your stay, family size, where you will be staying, and activities you plan in participating in)
- Letter of invitation- you may need to have a letter from the friend or relative who is inviting you to Canada, especially if you plan to stay with them during your visit (having a strong invitation letter can greatly improve your chances of approval).
In addition to the above requirements, you must also convince the Officer of your strong ties with India. It is crucial to convince the Officer that your ties in India are strong, this way they feel confident that you will return to India before your Visitor Visa expires. Some examples could be:
- Stable employment/ owning a business- If you are employed full time, showing proof of this will demonstrate that you have an obligation to return to your job after your temporary visit, and will also help to highlight your financial ability to support yourself during your stay.
- Owning a home or property- if you own a home, farm, or any other property in India, it is best to provide proof of this. The Officer is less likely to believe you will not return to India if you have assets to return to. If you do not own property but you have leased a property, showing proof of that commitment may help as well.
- Family ties- If you will be visiting Canada without your dependent children, or spouse, it is important to emphasis that you must return home, as you have not only family obligations, but also a community of loved ones to return to.
- Financial assets- Have financial assets, bank accounts, gold, etc. in India will also help to convince the Officer that you are living a good life in India, that you plan to return to before the expiry of your visa. It also helps to satisfy the financial ability requirement, as they know you are financially stable.
- Community ties- If you are involved in your community, part of any boards or committees, partake in any religion events groups, this will also help to establish the commitments you plan to return to after your temporary visit to Canada.
How Can I apply for a Visitor Visa?
There are 2 ways to submit a Visitor Visa application:
In Person:
Fully prepared applications and required documents can be submitted at your nearest Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC) in India.
Online:
Your Visitor Visa application can be applied for online through the My CIC portal. Your passport will be sent to the New Delhi High Commission at the time your passport is requested (if the Visitor Visa is approved), and returned to you by mail. This is the recommended option, as you are able to track the progress of your application, and you receive correspondence from the IRCC directly through your online account. If you do not have an online account, Akrami & Associates can create one for you, or submit your online application on your behalf.
What are my chances of getting a Visitor Visa approved?
A Visitor Visa may seem like a simple application, but there is no guarantee of an approval. Unfortunately, many people have abused the Visitor Visa process by entering Canada, and staying beyond the validity of their status. Due to this, Immigration, Refugee & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has increased the scrutiny on these applications in order to prevent this from happening in the future. Tougher measures mean a higher chance of your application being rejected.
Although you can certainly apply for your Visitor Visa yourself, your best chance of having your Visitor Visa approved is by submitting a strong application prepared by a firm with experience in completing hundred of Visitor Visa applications. Akrami & Associates has a strong understanding of what the Officers are looking for when processing your application, and what to provide in order to fully satisfy the Officer that your visit will be temporary in nature, and that you will return home before the expiry of your visa.
I have already had a Visitor Visa refused
Due to the strict processing guidelines for Visitor Visas, it is not usual for our clients to come to us after having received a refusal for an application they submitted themselves. This is okay! Although it is always best to receive an approval on the first attempt, having a rejection does not mean that you are not eligible to apply again. If you have had a Canadian Visitor Visa application rejected in the past, and would like to try again, contact us today so that we can discuss your situation, as well as the best strategies on how to receive an approval next time. Contact Akrami & Associates today for a consultation, there is always a way!
With Akrami and Associates there is always a way!!