Canada, the second-largest country in the world, has no shortage of stunning scenery and interesting places to be visited by tourists. The nation is home to vibrant and culturally diverse communities from coast to coast, along with stunning natural wonders. Some countries need a visa to visit Canada and, some don't. Let's answer the question, Do I need a visa for Canada, in this article.
Most routes in Western Canada are dominated by the Rocky Mountains and the towns of Vancouver, Victoria, and Calgary, while some of the most popular destinations in Central Canada are Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, and Toronto. The elegance of the National Park of Gros Morne and the towns of Halifax and St. John's have their distinctive character for those who venture out to Canada's Maritime Provinces in the east.
WHAT IS A CANADA VISA?
A visa from Canada is a stamp on your passport that allows you to enter Canada.
It is an authorization for you to fly to the country and be able to remain temporarily or permanently legally. Having a visa to Canada indicates that in your home country, the Canadian Consulate or Embassy has determined that you are eligible and that you meet the entry criteria to visit Canada. However, once you are at the Canadian border and customs, it is up to the border officers to determine if you are fit to enter.
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WHAT IS ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (eTA)
It is now required that visitors traveling to Canada by air will provide an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.
Unless you are otherwise exempted (for example, if you have a valid Canadian visa or a permanent resident card), you will need an eTA to board your flight if you are visiting Canada. You will not be eligible to apply for an eTA if you have dual British-Canadian nationality and you will have to present a valid Canadian passport to board your flight to Canada.
You won't need an eTA when you reach Canada whether you're traveling by land or sea. However, you should travel with appropriate travel documents and identification.
For more information on eTA, you can visit the official Canadian Government Website.
WHO NEEDS A CANADIAN VISA?
To enter the country, people from countries without a visa exemption or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) agreement with Canada will need a visa. More precisely, to visit, work, or immigrate to Canada, individuals from about 148 countries will need a Canada visa.
CANADA VISA APPLICATION FORM AND HOW TO APPLY FOR CANADIAN VISA
Applying for Canadian Visa or ETA Canada through Tourist Visa Online:
If you're applying for an E visa through a tourist visa online then all you have to do is fill up an online application form and upload the required documents. Pay the fees using your Debit/Credit card and submit the form. Once processed, you will receive your visa via your registered Email ID.
Applying for Canadian Visa or ETA Canada through Government website:
Visit the official site and, it will show you a drop-down list of choices when you hover or click on the Immigration tab. The first is My Application, and then there are Visit, Immigrate, Work, Study, and other tabs. The one that corresponds to the visa you want to apply for must be chosen.
You can see more information there after you click on the tab that suits the reason that you want to visit Canada and the visa you want to apply for. One of the links would say Find out if you can apply" or "Find out if you are eligible" regardless of the tab you clicked on. This link must be clicked on. Once you know if you're eligible for the visa you've selected, you can then proceed with the application form.
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CANADA VISA REQUIREMENTS
There are a few Visa Requirements to enter Canada. You need a few documents to upload them with the application form. The required documents are as follows:
- Your passport.
- Appropriate Canada visa application form.
- Proof of paid Canada visa fees.
- Proof of clean criminal record.
- Proof from a medical test of being in good health.
- Photographs following the photo requirements for a Canada visa.
- Proof of financial means.
- Proof that you are going to return to your home country once the Canadian visa expires.
- Identity and Civil Status Documents.
- A cover letter that states the purpose and duration of your travel to Canada.
- Letter of support/invitation to Canada.
NOTE: You can be asked for additional documents also depending on the type of visa you applied for.
TYPES OF CANADIAN VISA
There are six major types of Canadian Visas:
- Visitor or Tourist Visa- The visitor visa or tourist visa enables the holder, for tourism in the country, to enter Canada.
- Business Visa- The Business Visa is granted to those who, as individuals or as a group of business people, travel to Canada for business purposes.
- Student Visa- Those who are accepted to a Canadian university to complete their studies are issued a Canadian student visa. If you go to Canada for less than 6 months to study, you can only get a TRV visa, so you will need a Student Visa for more than 6 months to study.
- Temporary Work Visa- Those individuals who have a job offer in Canada and will work for up to 6 months are issued temporary work visas from Canada. The person must submit a valid job offer letter from an employer to receive this visa and qualify for a temporary visa.
- Working Holiday Visa- Young people from 30 countries are issued the Canada Working Holiday Visa, so they can work in Canada and travel. It is a random selection visa, meaning that applicants can submit their applications and wait for the work permit to be selected and applied for at random.
- Temporary Residence Permit- This permit is for individuals who need to go to Canada for various reasons, but are not otherwise qualified for a temporary resident visa (TRV). This permit is only given for the amount of time that the individual needs to be in Canada, such as 2 weeks for a workshop.
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LIST OF VISA FREE COUNTRIES TO CANADA
For visa-free travel to Canada, the below-mentioned 55 countries are eligible and they should apply for an eTA:
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Papua New Guinea
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
- Vatican City.
NOTE: The United States is also visa-free, but when commuting to Canada, US citizens are not required to apply for an eTA.
Check the entry conditions with the Canadian High Commission if you have a different form of British nationality or wish to travel for a longer time, such as for work or study. As of 31 July 2018, when applying for a study or work permit, or permanent residency, you may need to include your fingerprints and photographs (biometrics) at a visa application center. When you reach Canada, you will have to be able to prove that you have ample funds with you to support yourself during your visit, even if you are staying with friends and family.
TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN
You should carry a letter of consent from the non-traveling parent if you are traveling with children and only one parent is present. To assess if there are any questions regarding child abduction, immigration officers have the right to interview children using simple and acceptable language. To remove future issues, a letter of consent will help.
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CONCLUSION
The above-mentioned articles answer all the queries related to the question, Do I need a visa for Canada and other related topics as well like Canada Visa Requirements, Canada Visa Application form, etc.
