It’s winter in Canada and many from around the world are planning to visit the North American country to see Niagara Falls in Ontario or Iqaluit.

To make it possible, intended visitors will have to take a small quiz on the official website of the Canadian government. There is also a link which will help you know whether you need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada. Some people may only need their valid passport.

Application form

Intended people need to fill out the visa application form that can be found on the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) website.

The form would be filled out online. Once it’s filled in completely, the form (including barcoded sheets) needs to be printed on white, bond-quality, non-glossy paper, using a laser printer.

But people because of a disability or travelling with an identity or travel document that was issued to a refugee, a stateless person or a non-citizen can apply on paper. There is a guide which should be read in advance.

There is a list of documents which has to be submitted with the application. The documents include (but are not limited to) proof of residence, marriage certificate, passport copy, and proof of financial support.

There is also a consent which has to be filled out and sent with the application form. Moreover, intended candidates would have to apply through the IRCC portal.

Biometrics

After applying for a visa, the next step is biometrics. Please note that anyone who was applying for a visitor visa, or a study or work permit and had given their biometrics before, it might still be valid.

The biometric fee for individual applicants is CAD $85 (Rs37,925) while for families applying at the same time would have to pay CAD $170 (Rs34,850). Moreover, groups of three or more performing artists and their staff who apply for work permits at the same time would have to pay a maximum total fee of $CAD 255 (Rs52,275).

The biometric instruction letter will tell the applicants where they can go.

Fee

The visa application fee can be paid online. The government accepts credit cards and prepaid cards from Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB and UnionPay.

The Canadian government can ask applicants to go to an interview with their officials in their respective countries.

Tracker

Applications could be tracked via a tracker account. Applicants, sponsors, or representatives would have to create an account.

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When approved

If the application is approved, the applicants would get two letters in their IRCC account: a letter with instructions to submit their passport and their decision letter.

“This approval doesn’t mean you can travel to Canada. You need to wait until we put the visa in the passport you submit to us,” according to the government website.

Eligibility

Anybody who has a valid travel document, like a passport, is in good health, has no criminal or immigration-related convictions, convinces an immigration officer that they have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that would take them back to their home country can get a visa.

They would also have to convince an immigration officer that they would leave Canada at the end of their visit and have enough money for their stay. Applicants might also need a medical exam and a letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.