Canada Visa for Indians

What is Canada Visa?

Canada is a highly sought-after tourist destination with snow-capped mountains, the rare aurora borealis, the midnight sun, and abundant wildlife. However, before coming here, most foreigners, including Indians, need a valid visa for Canada.

A Canada visa is an official permit allowing foreign nationals to enter the Canadian border. Even if you need to transit through the international transit areas of Canadian airports or land borders, you must bear the Canada visa price for airport transit.

A Canada visa is issued by the Embassy and Consulates located in India. However, it has also approved VFS Global centres in India for processing Canadian visa applications. Take a look at some of the key highlights of the Canada visa for Indians:

*Values will vary depending on the category of the visa applied

As per Canadian law, Indian students can get a Canada study visa faster if they apply via the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Along with necessary travel documents, every person travelling to Canada should buy travel insurance for Canada before leaving. It protects the insured traveller from any emergencies during their trip to Canada.

Documents Required to Apply for Canada Visa

Every Canada visa application online requires a few documents to be submitted. Take a look at the documents for Canada visa requirements:

• Valid passport with at least two blank pages
• Duly filled application form
• Photocopy of round air ticket or travel itinerary
• Two photographs with your name and date of birth written on the back (Canada visa photo size required: 45mm X 35mm)
• Proof of financial ability to afford the trip. This may include:
  • Photocopy of latest Income Tax Return
  • Letter from the employer mentioning your designation, salary and job description
  • Letter from the accountant stating your annual income (in case of self-employed Canada visa applicants)
  • Document proof of income from other sources, including pension statements, investments, etc.
• Letter of invitation from your business partner residing in Canada (In case of a Business Visitor visa)
• Report of medical examination from an approved medical service provider in New Delhi

Additional Documents for Canada Visa Application

Other than general identification documents and details, different Canada visa types for Indian nationals may require additional supporting documents. These have been briefly mentioned below:

• Documents Required to Apply for Canada Study Permit Visa
  • Letter of acceptance from a post-secondary University/ School in Canada
  • Document proof of fees paid for the first year of study
  • Proof of the applicant's or his sponsor's financial ability to afford the trip. This may include:
    • Photocopy of latest Income Tax Returns
    • Letter by accountant mentioning your annual income (in case of self-employed sponsors)
    • Proof of income from other sources, including pension statements, investments, etc.
  • Guaranteed Investment Certificate or GIC of CAD 10,000 from a bank listed by the Canadian Deposit Insurance Company*
  • Certificat d’acceptation du Québec or CAQ from MIDI or Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (for people who want to study in Quebec)
  • English or French language test score
• *GIC can be obtained from the listed banks on the official website of the Canadian Deposit Insurance Company. It includes ICICI Bank, SBI Canada Bank, HSBC Bank of Canada, Scotiabank, Bank of China, Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and RBC Royal Bank.
• Documents Required to Apply for Canada Super Visa
  • Letter of Invitation from the child or grandchild with permanent residency in Canada. It should promise financial support for the applicant’s stay and mention the number of people staying
  • Proof of relationship between the applicant and their child/ grandchild residing in Canada through a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, etc.
  • Photocopy of Permanent Residency or Canadian Citizenship document of applicant’s child or grandchild
  • Document proof of the child or grandchild's Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). This may include:
    • Recent Notice of Assessment (NOA)
    • Recent T4 or T1
    • Employment insurance stubs or pay stubs
    • Letter of employment mentioning the salary and the date of joining the organisation
    • Bank statements
  • Document proof of valid health insurance or medical insurance from a Canadian insurer with a minimum cover of CAD 100,000
• Canada Visa Application Online for Minor Child
  • Passport of the child
  • Photocopy of birth certificate
  • Letter of authorisation, preferably from both parents or legal guardians, mentioning their contact details along with the person's name, address and contact number who would look after the child in Canada. The letter should be in English or French language
  • All applicants for Canada visas are advised to confirm the list of supporting documents at the time of application.

Canada Visa Types for Indians

Other than an excellent place for vacation, people can study in Canada or pursue brilliant work opportunities. Based on visiting purposes, different types of Canada visas are offered to foreign nationals to transit, reside and travel through Canada. Travellers need to know how to apply for Canada visa based on the purpose of their travel. Take a look at different Canada visa application types:

1. Visitor Visa or Temporary Resident Visa

   Canada Visitor visa or a Temporary Resident visa allows a foreign national to travel and stay in Canada for a short time. This Canada visa type for Indians can be applied for vacations, business trips, or just to meet friends and families staying in Canada. It can be issued for a maximum period of 6 months. A Canada Tourist visa from India can be issued for single and multiple trips. It can also be used to pursue short courses if the course duration is under 6 months.

2. Study Permit/ Canada Student Visa

   A Study Permit is a document issued along with a Canada Visitor visa that allows a foreign national to study in an educational institution in Canada. Although Study Permit is not a visa type, several people consider it a Canada Student visa or Canada Study visa. Indian citizens who want to study in Canada can apply through Student Direct Stream (SDS) to obtain their Study permit within 20 days.

3. Work Permit/ Canada Work Visa

   Non-Canadian citizens can work in an organisation in Canada thanks to a valid Canadian work visa. It is not a visa and thus has to be applied along with your Canada Visitor visa if you want to work there.
   A Canada Work Permit is available in two types: Employer–specific and Open Work permits. If your Canada Work visa application gets approved, the Canadian Embassy or Consulate will send you a letter. This letter will authorise you to get a work visa on arrival in Canada. Moreover, a Canada Work visa can be issued within two weeks if your employer requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment or LMIA letter through the Global Talent Stream under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

4. Canada Super Visa

   This is a special type of Canada visa that can be applied for by people visiting their children and grandchildren in Canada. It is an extension of the Canada Visitor visa and has been exclusively designed for parents and grandparents staying with their children or grandchildren for over six months.
   A Super Visa is a multi-trip visa issued for 5 years with a maximum duration of 10 years after extension. Moreover, all applicants for a Super visa must have medical insurance with a minimum of CAD 100,000, purchased from a Canadian insurance company.

5. Canada Transit Visa

   A Transit visa for Canada is for people transiting through international transit areas of Canadian airports within 48 hours. A transit visa is primarily valid for single or double entries in Canada. People who need more than 48 hours to transit from Canada should apply for a Canada Visitor Visa instead of a transit visa.

Validity for Different Types of Canada Visa

When & How to Apply for a Canada Visa?

People who want a Canada visa should apply for it before departure from India. As there is no Canada visa on arrival for Indians, it can’t be obtained at the international airport in Canada where you arrive.

Similarly, an international travel insurance plan cannot be purchased after arriving in Canada and must be obtained before departure from India. However, due to the heavy number of applications from India, you must apply for a Canadian visa as soon as possible, especially if you’re travelling for short vacations or essential work.

How to Apply for a Canada Visa?

The procedure for applying for a Canada visa is straightforward. You can apply for a Canada visa online or offline. Follow the steps below to file a Canada visa application online:

• Visit the official website of the Government of Canada
• Go to ‘Immigration and Citizenship’
• Select the visa category who want to apply between Visit, Work or Study
• Select the type of visa you wish to apply for and click on ‘How to Apply’
• Select if you are applying from outside Canada and if you are filing an online or offline visa application and click on apply
• Create an account and fill up the Canada visa application form
• Pay your visa fees
• Schedule an appointment for the Visa Application Centre (VAC)
• Arrange all the required document
• Visit the VAC and give your biometrics
• Attend the interview
• Canada visa will be issued to the people who clear the interview

Canada Visa Fees

Every Canada visa application, online or offline, will be processed only after you pay the fees or Canada visa cost. Take a look at different Canada visa fees from India that need to be paid:

Along with the above-mentioned visa fees, a Canada visa applicant must also pay the biometric fee if they provide biometric details at the VAC. Each applicant must pay CAD 85 as the biometric fee for a Canada visa. If a family of two or more people are applying for the visa, a biometric fee of CAD 170 must be paid.

However, applicants for transit visas do not have to pay any biometric fees. Please note that Canada visa fees from India for other visa types will vary depending on the applicant's duration, purpose, and status. 

Travel Insurance for Canada

Canada is the go-to country for people who love exploring different places or want to experience nature at its best. It is also a favourite destination among Indians for conducting business or pursuing higher studies. However, it is a vast country with endless possibilities, good and bad. 

Chances of falling ill due to climate change or losing your passport can cost you dearly. Buying travel insurance for Canada is the only way to maintain yourself and your budget from such unforeseen incidents.

A travel insurance policy is a safety net that protects the insured traveller from any eventualities they may face during their trip to Canada. It covers any emergencies you may incur during your Canada trip, such as losing your bag or being robbed. 

International travel insurance for Canada provides coverage against medical expenses, loss of passport, trip cancellation & curtailment, personal liability, loss or delay of check-in baggage, personal accident, missed connecting flight, flight delay, medical evacuation, and a lot more.

A travel insurance policy can vary in features and coverage depending on the type of policy you choose. Students travelling to Canada can get a Student Travel Insurance, while families travelling together can buy family travel insurance. There are also customised senior citizen travel insurance plans for older adults.

Buying a travel insurance policy, except for a Super visa, is not mandatory to apply for a Canada visa online. To apply for a Super Visa application, you need to get medical insurance or health insurance with a minimum cover of CAD 100,000 from a Canadian insurance provider. However, all Canada visa applicants should obtain a travel insurance policy before their trip.

Canada Visa Processing Time

The processing time varies for different types of Canada visa applications. Refer to the table given below to find out the visa processing time taken by different types of Canada visa applications online:

The Canada visa processing time mentioned in the table above does not include the time different Canada Visa Application Centre in India (VAC) takes to send the application to the Embassy office. Canada visa processing time after biometrics will take longer.

How to Check Canada Visa Status?

You can check the status of your Canada visa application online. Follow the steps given below for Canada visa tracking:

• Visit the official website of the Government of Canada
• Go to ‘Immigration and Citizenship
• Select ‘My Application’ and then ‘Check your application status’
• Enter the type of application
• Log in to your account to check your Canada visa application status

Student Direct Stream

There are plenty of reasons that make Canada perfect for higher studies. Among 14 other nationalities, Indians are given preference when applying for a Canada Study visa or Study Permit for Canada. Canada visa process for students can be fast-tracked and obtained within 20 days if Indian applicants apply through the Student Direct Stream (SDS). SDS is a visa process that allows Indians to receive a Canada Study visa or Study Permit much faster than the rest of the world. Once applied, Canada visa application tracking can be done online using the reference number provided.

However, getting a Canada Study visa faster through SDS is possible only if all the required documents and biometrics are submitted to the Canadian Embassy or Consulates as soon as possible. Plus, it can only be applied for by Indian students filing a Canada visa application outside Canada.

Permanent Resident in Canada

A Permanent Resident (PR) is a non-Canadian citizen who has been granted permanent resident status in Canada. A person with a PR status can live, study and work in any part of Canada. They will be protected like a Canadian citizen under Canada's laws & citizen rights and will be eligible for various social and medical benefits. Moreover, a person with a PR status in Canada can later apply for Canadian Citizenship.

To retain their status, PR status holders must have spent at least 730 days in Canada in the last five years. People staying in Canada temporarily to study or work do not become permanent residents. Refugees can apply for PR status if the Immigration and Refugee Board approves their claim.

Each permanent resident is issued a Permanent Resident or PR card. The card can be used to show your residency status in Canada. It can be used in Canada through public transport, including aeroplanes, trains, buses, ships, etc. However, a person with a Canada PR status cannot vote or contest an election. Such people are also prohibited from taking jobs requiring a high-level security clearance.

Although PR status can be lost upon its expiry, its holder can voluntarily relinquish their permanent residency by following an official procedure.