Visa to Canada - types, terms and features of obtaining

Types of visas to Canada

How to find us: contacts

There are visas to Canada:

Non-immigrant (temporary resident visas) . You need this visa if you are going to visit Canada for a short period of time. You can get detailed advice on all types of non-immigrant visas from our agency. The type of visa you choose mainly depends on the purpose of your trip. Below you can read about all types of temporary resident visas.
Immigration (permanent resident visas) . These are visas for those who intend to take permanent residence in Canada. Our agency does not work with this type of visa. We do not deal with immigration to Canada.

Temporary resident visas:

Tourist visa. If you are traveling to Canada for tourism purposes, you will need a tourist visa. The official name of your visa is: Single Entry Temporary Resident (Tourist) Visa.
Visitor visa (visa by invitation) to Canada. You need a visitor visa if you are traveling to Canada at the invitation of friends or relatives. The official name of your visa is: Single-entry temporary resident (visitor) visa. If you plan to make several such trips during the validity period of your visa, then you need a Multiple Entry Temporary Resident (Visitor) visa.
Business visa to Canada. You need a business visa if you are traveling to Canada on a business or official trip. The official name of your visa is: Single Entry Temporary Resident (Business) Visa. If you are planning more than one business trip to Canada during the validity period of your visa, then you need a Multiple Entry Temporary Resident (Business) Visa.
Student (study) visa to Canada. You need a student (study) visa if you are going to study in Canada. Depending on the duration of your studies, the type of visa you need varies. If you are going to study for no longer than six months, then you will need a Single Entry Temporary Resident (study) visa. If the duration of your studies in Canada exceeds six months, then you are interested in a Temporary Resident Visa “Study Permit”.
Work visa to Canada. You need a work visa to Canada if you intend to work temporarily in Canada and have a job offer from a Canadian employer. In this case, the official name of your visa is: Temporary Resident Visa “Work Permit”.
Transit visa to Canada. Needed if you are transferring from one commercial vehicle to another in Canada.
Temporary resident permit. Issued in exceptional cases. For example, if you are married (including common-law) to a Canadian citizen, but cannot obtain citizenship or obtain another type of visa to visit your spouse.

Note: The Study Permit and Work Permit visas include all the benefits of the Multiple Entry Temporary Resident Visa. In addition, if you have a Study Permit, depending on your university and your specialty, you may be able to work in Canada without obtaining an additional Work Permit.

Permanent Resident Visas.

Qualified specialist Federal program. If you are a high-class specialist and have a profession in demand in Canada, you have the opportunity to immigrate to Canada under the Federal Qualified Specialist program (Provincial Candidate). You can become a Provincial Candidate if you are a specialist needed for the economic prosperity of your chosen province. You can choose from the following Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Yukon.
Business Immigrants in the “Business” category can be people who are ready to invest money or start their own business in Canada, and thereby contribute to the prosperity of the Canadian economy. The program is designed for people who already have positive experience in running their own business, farmers, investors, outstanding cultural and sports workers.
Family Class To immigrate under the Family Class, you must have a relative in Canada who is willing to sponsor you. At the same time, more requirements are placed on the sponsor than on you. The sponsor undertakes to provide financial support to immigrating relatives and their family members in meeting their basic needs, namely food, clothing, shelter, and payment of medical bills.
Refugee Canada offers protection to those who are persecuted in their home countries and whose presence outside Canada exposes them to torture, ill-treatment or unusually severe punishment. This may be due to intolerance towards race, gender, religious beliefs; with political beliefs, membership in certain social groups; civil war, armed conflict, violation of human rights; impossibility of integration in the host country.
Adoption (of a child from Russia) If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada and want to adopt a child from Russia, then this information is for you.

Attention! Immigration to the French-speaking province of Quebec is different from immigration to other Canadian provinces.

We wish you good luck in obtaining a visa to Canada!

Visa to Canada: types, required documents, selection criteria

Canada is one of the most difficult countries to obtain a visa.

In Canada, documents are scrupulously checked, so you need to be well prepared. It is necessary to collect a large package of documents and translate them into English. Create a complete travel itinerary, indicating the hotels and excursions you plan to visit. Upload all documents in a certain format and order to the embassy website. Submit your fingerprints for biometrics after receiving the invitation.

Types of Canadian visas:

V-1 Tourist Visa

Suitable for short tourist trips. As a rule, it is issued according to the validity period of the passport. It is possible to stay in the country for up to 180 days.

Required documents translated into English and stamped at the Visa Support Center, copies must be certified by a notary:

— book round-trip air tickets

— confirmation of a hotel reservation in Canada with a detailed description of the route

– the validity of the passport must exceed the validity of the visa by six months

– a copy of all pages of the passport with visas and stamps, a copy of the identity card

— digital photograph on a white background 3.5 x 4.5

- a certificate from the place of employment on company letterhead indicating the position, period of work in this organization and indicating the salary

- order to grant leave

— when traveling with a minor child, a notarized permission for him to travel abroad from the second parent

- a certificate from the bank about the availability of funds, an amount based on $ 100 per day of stay, an account statement for the last six months

— certificate from an educational institution for schoolchildren and students

- copies of marriage and birth certificates

— a copy of the pension certificate for pensioners.

For short-term business trips by invitation - event, meeting, conference. You can get a business visa to Canada with a single or multiple entry. The visa can be issued for a period from 6 months to 10 years.

Required documents translated into English and stamped at the Visa Support Center, copies must be certified by a notary:

- original invitation indicating the passport details of the invitee, his position and place of work, as well as the purpose of the visit to Canada

– the validity of the passport must exceed the validity of the visa by six months

— digital photograph on a white background 3.5 X 4.5

- business trip order

- a certificate from the bank about the availability of funds, an extract indicating the movement of funds in the current account for the last six months

- copies of marriage and birth certificates

Do Russians need a visa to Canada in 2021?

Almost all countries located on the North American mainland have strict requirements for visiting them. Despite the fact that Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, developed Eastern European countries, the flow of the immigrating population remains high. Therefore, you will have to go through a visa process before flying to Canada. Here you can envy your closest neighbors - Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, whose residents go on a Canadian holiday without a visa for 90 calendar days.

Canada is not located close to Russia, so many Russians rarely choose it for tourism and excursion holidays. But there is a number of Russian citizens who need to visit it. For example, relatives live, children study, a business is opened, there is real estate. This category always has a concern - to monitor the news of the Immigration Services.

In 2021, getting an entry visa to Canada is no more difficult than last year, but there are changes. Those who are going for the first time must seriously prepare, it will be difficult. According to statistics, the most visited cities for Russians are Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec.

Visa to Canada for Russians

The process of obtaining a Canadian entry visa is one of the extremely confusing and extremely complex. Some statistics - for every hundred applications by Russian residents for an entry visa to Canada, there are currently 40 refusals, and this, for a second, is 40%.

This circumstance is easily explained - Canadian migration authorities strive to minimize the flow of illegal immigration into the country. In this sense, they, the Canadian authorities, trust someone more and those they trust can enter Canada even without a visa, but others, including citizens and residents of the Russian Federation, will have to prove their trustworthiness every time, and together with her and her own financial viability almost foaming at the mouth.

By the way, of the citizens of the former USSR, such “high trust” was given by the Canadian migration authorities only to holders of national passports of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia; for the rest of the “contingent” the rules are more or less the same, with slight “variations on the theme”.

Refusal to obtain a Canadian visa is guaranteed in the following cases:

the applicant for a Canadian visa is not employed anywhere, that is, he does not have a permanent place of work, and he does not have a “white” (that is, official) salary;
there is no cash flow in the bank account;
the applicant has no experience in other countries;
The foreign passport of the Canadian visa applicant does not contain a US, UK or European Union visa included in the Schengen area.

What visa do Russians need for Canada?

For citizens of the Russian Federation, as well as for foreigners in general (with the above exceptions), a Canadian visa is required to visit Canada. There are several types (categories) of entry visas available. These include a Visitor Visa (also known as a guest or tourist visa), a supervisa, a work visa, a permanent resident visa and others, which will be discussed below.

Types of Canadian visas: what are they?

Current types or categories of Canadian entry visas:

Business visa - intended for investors and entrepreneurs whose main motive when visiting Canada is to establish a new legal entity (in other words, open their own business) in this country. This type of visa gives its applicants certain advantages - for example, obtaining a permanent residence permit in Canada, moreover, quite quickly, without much delay. True, in this case you will need to collect an impressive package of documents and, of course, the future new citizen of Canada must have an untarnished, crystal clear reputation. Not to mention the fact that he will be required to make substantial financial investments in the Canadian economy - up to 800 thousand Canadian dollars.
Work visa (actual work permit) – implying legal employment; This type of Canadian visa can be granted if the applicant has an official invitation to work from an employer in Canada. The maximum validity period of such a visa is 10 years. If an applicant for this type of Canadian visa is applying for a high salary in the country (for example, in the IT field), then he will need confirmation of qualifications or additional licensing at the place of stay or work in Canada, since higher education diplomas and various kinds of certificates originate from the Russian Federation and CIS countries are not taken into account in this country and are not of particular importance.
A study visa (de facto study permit) - as its name implies, is a potential asset for schoolchildren and students. To obtain it, you need an invitation (more precisely, a confirmation letter) from one of the Canadian educational institutions (college or university from the approved list), which, quite naturally, involves a preliminary remote interview with its representatives and the applicant passing exams in absentia for this type of visa. In addition, it should be borne in mind that the “state fee”, including accommodation in boarding houses or university campuses, is not provided for foreigners in Canada, and that all expenses are borne by the applicant, student or student. Moreover, persons in this category (i.e., foreign full-time college and university students) have the right to work part-time.
Guest visa – valid for up to 6 months, provided with an invitation from relatives, friends or even acquaintances who have the status of (permanent) citizens or residents of this country. By the way, in addition to the invitation, you will need copies of passports and income certificates of the host party. This type of visa assumes that all expenses associated with living in Canada and moving around the country are borne by the host, who in this case is also responsible for the personal safety of the guest.

To this list of existing types (categories) of Canadian visas, you should also add the longest, super visa (valid for 2 years) and the shortest transit visa (72 hours), as well as embassy, sports and, finally, permanent resident visa - immigrant visa for family reunification. By the way, the mentioned supervisa is also intended by the Government of Canada for close relatives of citizens or persons who have the status of permanent residents of this country.

Work visa to Canada - how to get it yourself

The first step to obtain a work visa is to find an employer interested in the services of a foreign specialist. Currently, Canada needs specialists from the construction and (less often) service sectors, high-quality welders, agricultural workers, auto mechanics and long-distance drivers (so-called truck drivers). Of course, the Canadian authorities will not refuse highly qualified personnel, such as doctors, programmers, engineers, etc.

Since this year, the country has launched a state program to search and attract foreign labor, allowing Canadian work visa applicants to fill out an application online and indicate their profession in it.

The requirements that the Canadian side places on such applicants during the interview are simple and clear:

no criminal record
and serious illnesses;
long-term work experience in the proposed vacancy in your home country;
fluency in English or French (otherwise there is simply no chance of working in Canada);
availability of funds and (additional) source of income in the country of origin of the applicant.

One of the main requirements (along with knowledge of English or French) is the existence of a contract on the basis of which the applicant intends to enter Canada.
A properly executed employment contract by the receiving party is pre-agreed with the Canadian Ministry of Workforce Development and sent to the embassy of the country of which the applicant is a citizen or resident. Further steps to apply for a work visa are carried out on the website of the Canadian government, including the Express Entry test, filling out a personal profile with uploading scans of two passports (civil and foreign) and a diploma, language test results, a job invitation, a medical certificate, a certificate of no criminal record and personal bank account statements.

In case of a positive verdict, the invitation is submitted to one of the Canadian visa centers.

Tourist visa to Canada - how to get it, deadlines, documents

Here the situation is rather standard and the mechanism for obtaining a tourist visa to Canada will be described (though in the most general terms) somewhat below. The same applies to the established deadlines for its receipt. Documents you will need:

general passport, driver's license, birth certificate;
photographs of the established standard with a resolution of 35×45 mm (international format);
health insurance policy, insurance can be issued online, the system will collect offers from several insurance companies for you, and you can choose the most optimal one;

Bank statement;
documents confirming the social status of the applicant: marriage or divorce certificate, certificates of employment, no criminal record, etc.;
tourist voucher, air tickets, detailed route schedule in English.

Application form for a visa to Canada: sample filling

To obtain a Canadian visa, applicants must fill out a special visa application form. The form depends on the purpose of the visit; you can download the current one from the link. There you will also find detailed instructions on how to fill out a particular form. For a Canada Tourist Visa, you will need Form IMM 5256.

Applying for a Canadian visa yourself: step-by-step instructions

The self-registration process takes several steps:

Determining the purpose of the visit to the country - here the applicant should remember that (deliberately) incorrectly indicating the purpose of the visit may automatically lead to a refusal to issue a visa;
Choosing a place to live, study or work - one way or another, the applicant will need documentary evidence of the availability of such a place in Canada, which should be taken care of in advance;
Purchasing air tickets – purchasing air tickets 3-4 months before the expected departure date will allow you to save significantly; in addition, visa documents will not be considered without return tickets;
Completing an online application is an extremely difficult procedure that requires increased attention, since any unintentional error when filling out also entails a visa refusal;
Payment of established fees - we are talking about payment of a visa fee, and it is necessary to understand that in case of refusal to issue a visa (or visas), this fee is not returned to the applicant, since it is charged for the consideration of the submitted documents;
Formation of a portfolio of documents - this portfolio is individual each time, since it is formed based on the intended purposes of the visit to Canada;
Contacting an accredited visa center - the current list of officially accredited centers is published on the website; a service fee is charged for services;
An interview at the consulate is a rare occurrence, taking place only in cases of lack of information or if the applicant’s candidacy has somehow attracted the interest of consulate staff, and is conducted in English or French;
Obtaining a Canadian visa usually occurs within 10 working days, which complies with the established regulations; however, there have been cases where this process was delayed for a year and a half.

Features of obtaining a visa through a visa center

There are currently several officially accredited Canadian visa centers operating in Russia - in both capitals and in Primorye, in Vladivostok.
When preparing documents for the visa center, you should take into account that in addition to the standard set of such documents, the applicant will be forced to provide his biometric data - fingerprints. This measure, introduced on July 31, 2021, primarily affects persons intending to obtain one of three temporary Canadian visas - work, study or visitor (tourist). Submission of biometric data is available at visa centers without prior appointment by telephone. However, a pre-agreed time for a personal visit will help to significantly reduce time costs and eliminate possible inconveniences for both parties - the applicant himself and the visa center staff. The forms that must be filled out to obtain one of these visas are available for downloading by applicants for temporary resident status in Canada electronically on the official Internet portal of visa centers of this country in Russia. According to the established requirements, after filling them out, these forms should be printed on thick, non-glossy paper, and not anyhow, but on a laser printer.

You will also need to sign a special form of paper in one of the above-mentioned languages, confirming his consent to the processing of his personal data.

A visa application is submitted only after payment of all fees - visa and service, at the rates approved by the Canadian side.

Features of applying for a visa online

To independently apply for a Canadian visa online, the applicant will have to go through several circles of absolute hell. Starting with registration on the official Internet portal of the Canadian government and creating a personal account; You should not try to do this from a domestic IP, nothing will work - here you should and strongly recommend using the capabilities of VPN browsers. Each answer to the questions of the system that determines the type of visa required by the applicant must be documented - in English and by uploading supporting documents in pdf format. Next come questionnaires, photographs of a certain resolution and “weight”, etc., etc.

If a tourist trip to Canada is planned, the applicant will need to write out the intended route almost hourly...

You can learn how to submit documents for a Canadian visa online from the video below:

How much does a visa to Canada cost: price

The cost of applying for a visa on your own consists of several items, namely: consular and service fees, biometrics, and the cost of a health insurance policy.

The non-refundable application fee depends on the type of visa requested. So, for a tourist visa to Canada, Russians must pay a fee of 100 Canadian dollars, paid in rubles for each applicant, with the exception of children under 6 years of age. A full list of Canadian visa fees can be found here.

Medical insurance, its cost is something like 3,000 rubles. A service fee is charged for assistance in preparing documents, courier services, etc. – here the tariffs vary and it is better to check them directly on the website of the visa centers. Those who have not taken biometrics will have to undergo this procedure separately, the cost is 85 Canadian dollars per person.

Registration deadlines

The period established by the regulations for obtaining a Canadian visa is 10 working days. However, depending on the type of visa, the period may vary, more details here.

Documents for a visa to Canada

The package of documents for a visa to Canada in 2021 is not too different from the official papers for a visa to another country in the Schengen area. However, this is only a minimum list of documents, which may not be enough. You will need to demonstrate your reliability as much as possible. European countries have clear requirements, but Canada does not. You can attach various evidence of your financial solvency and connections with this state - in this case you are given complete freedom. Government agencies of Canada provide only examples of various forms, but the list of documentation is not limited. The most important rule is authenticity. Lawyers for the Investor Visa website recommend providing only genuine papers with real information.

Basic list of documents

The basic kit confirms your social and financial status and includes the following:

1. Application form, which is filled out electronically on the consulate’s website, or in paper form.

2. A check confirming payment of the consular fee. You can pay on the same website, for a short-term document it is 100 Canadian dollars, for national-type documentation - 150 Canadian dollars.

3. Two photos, the size of which is 35 by 45 mm.

4. Foreign and national passport in the form of copies of pages. Copies of pages of an old foreign document are required if they contain marks of past American, Canadian and Australian entry permits. Original documents are transferred during a personal visit to the consulate.

5. Certificate from the place of employment with the regulation of wages and vacation period for the trip. A bank account statement will also be a good confirmation of your solvency.

6. Medical insurance, the minimum coverage of which is 30,000 euros.

Additional documents

The visa officer may ask you for a birth certificate, a pension payment certificate, or statutory documents for the organization.

Visitor visa

It will require the following:

1. An invitation document from Canada with contact details of the inviting person (a photocopy is allowed).

2. A photocopy of a Canadian immigration document, a card with permanent resident status, documents of a person with the status of a Canadian citizen (from the inviting person).

3. A photocopy of a document on the financial status of the receiving person.

4. A letter from the employer indicating his position, length of service, and salary.

Tourist visa

It will require a description of the route and confirmation of the booked hotel room. You can get it from a travel agency.

Business visa

An invitation from a Canadian organization will be required. This includes the names of the companies with which you will be meeting, as well as the details of the employee you can call, contact details of the organization, and the purpose of your visit.

Study visa

A letter of acceptance to the chosen university is required. If you plan to study in Quebec, you will need government permission from that province. Responsibility for obtaining this permit will rest with the educational institution.

Work Visa

An invitation is drawn up from the employer, which indicates the name of the organization and the employee’s contact information for communication. Your future position, period of work, salary, information about the benefits provided (for example, assistance with relocation) are also indicated here. A signed employment agreement is another necessary document. If you are visiting the province of Quebec, you will also need a Certificate of Consent to Work on a Temporary Basis.

Documents for children

In addition to the main package of documents, you will need the following:

1. Certificate confirming birth.

2. Photocopies of parents’ national passports.

3. Letter from the sponsor.

4. Agreement from the other parent for the child to cross the state border. If the child is traveling with another person, permission from two parents will be required, indicating information about the accompanying person.

Professional translation of documents into English or French will be required. Translation of passports is not necessary.

What type of visa is needed for Canada?

Traveling abroad begins not with choosing a hotel, but with determining the type of visa that will be needed in your case. A visa to Canada for Russians is divided into several types, depending on the length of stay in the country and the reason for the visit. The article reveals how to choose the right type of entry permit and thereby reduce the risk of refusal of a visa to Canada, successfully extend it or obtain a residence permit.

Types of visas by length of stay

The type of Canadian visa depends on the reason for travel and the time spent in the country. If you are not sure whether a visa to Canada is required for Russians, because you have heard about regular changes in immigration legislation, do not hesitate - a visa is required for everyone, regardless of the purpose.

The duration of the visa must fully cover the period of stay of the migrant in the country. The end date is indicated on the sticker in the passport. This means that you must leave the country before the specified date or strictly on the specified day. It is possible to leave the country a few days later if you are not afraid of a fine or a ban on entry in the future.

Visas to Canada are divided into 2 types based on duration:

The first type of permit is issued if the stay in the country is up to 6 months. The purposes of travel for temporary residence may be as follows:

Tourism;
Visiting relatives who are residents or citizens of Canada;
Visiting friends;
Training at seminars or courses;
Temporary or seasonal employment;
Training and employment for students under the Work&Travel or Work&Study programs;
Visiting children or grandchildren who are residents of the country; a separate subtype of short-term permit is allocated for this purpose.

Persons forced to visit Canada while passing through apply for a transit visa. Traditionally, it is issued for 48 hours. Its registration is mandatory even if the foreigner does not plan to leave the airport in Canada.

The second type of visa is designed for individuals wishing to immigrate to Canada and obtain a permanent residence permit. The residence permit is valid from 6 months to 5 years. Its duration depends on the purpose of the trip and the financial resources of the applicant. For example, does the migrant have enough funds to run a business in Canada for 5 years, can the foreigner’s relatives provide for him during the validity of the visa. If not, then the permit period will not be 5 years, but less. The length of stay in the country will not be determined on an individual basis after submitting all required documents to the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.

A permanent resident visa is issued in the following cases:

To open a business and conduct entrepreneurial activities;
Moving to relatives;
In connection with persecution or hostilities in the homeland;
When adopting foreign children by Canadian families;
For permanent employment in Canada.

Types of visas by purpose of travel

Tourist visa

This entry document allows a foreigner to stay in Canada for a short time, meet friends or relatives, and get acquainted with the sights and local traditions as a tourist. The permit does not provide employment or training rights. To apply for a Visitor Visa, you will need an invitation from relatives who live in Canada and a letter of sponsorship if the immigrant is counting on their financial support. The validity period of the stamp is determined individually.

Super visa

The so-called Super Visa (Parent & Grant Parent Super Visa) is issued to parents, grandparents and/or grandfathers of Canadian citizens or residents (permanent residence holders). A super visa is issued for a period of up to 10 years with the right of continuous stay for up to 2 years (for a regular tourist visa - up to 6 months). As a basis, the birth certificate of the resident is submitted to confirm the relationship between him and the applicant.

Work Visa

A Work Visa is issued for the purpose of employment in Canada if the migrant has a special work permit. The foreigner first looks for an employer willing to cooperate with the migrant, receives permission, and then applies for a work visa. If there is no Canadian employer, it is not possible to obtain a work permit.

Study visa

Relies on pupils and full-time students at universities, colleges and other educational institutions in Canada. To apply for a Study Visa, you will need a certificate from a Canadian university confirming that the applicant is enrolled in a course or is studying with them. The validity of the entry document is 6 months. If necessary, the visa can be extended by presenting a certificate from the educational institution confirming the continuation of studies.

Full-time students have the right to work part-time in Canada without obtaining the appropriate permit.

Those wishing to open a Study Visa for part-time study and employment first receive a work permit, and then apply for a visa. In this case, foreigners also present certificates from the university confirming their enrollment in the course. As a rule, studying for Russian immigrants in Canada is allowed only on a paid basis. A free form is available for gifted students who are ready to undergo a rigorous competitive selection process.

Canada visa for a child

To open an entry document for a minor, you will need a foreign passport issued for the child. Regular foreign passports for parents with data and a photograph of the child are not suitable for obtaining a visa to Canada. For a child visa you will need:

Statement written on behalf of parents or guardians;
A package of documents for the child;
Documents confirming the relationship between the child and the applicant (birth certificate, power of attorney, guardianship certificate).

If a child goes abroad with one of the parents, a notarized consent to leave written by the second parent or a death certificate of the second parent or a court decision on deprivation of his parental rights must be attached.

Important! To obtain a short-term visa, the migrant must convince the Embassy staff that his stay in Canada will be temporary. Evidence may be that the applicant still has a family in his home country, has real estate and a permanent job.

Application for a visa to Canada

You can fill out and submit the visa application form in 2021 on the Government of Canada website https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application.html. Step-by-step instruction

The submission process consists of the following steps.

1. Authorization. On the main page of the site, you must enter the section for creating the applicant’s profile - “Sign in or create an account”, and then “Continue to GCKey”. The application rules allow for the registration of a group profile for the simultaneous opening of several visas, for example, for members of the same family. To further create a personal page, you must click the “Sign Up” button. If a profile already exists, you do not need to create a new one. To enter the “old” personal account, you need to click the “Sign In” button.

The program will then ask:

confirm that you have read the rules of operation on the site;
set login and password;
create a security question that may be required to recover input data.

You will then need to fill out a special account form. It states:

last name and first name, without patronymic;
email address to which the consulate will subsequently send a response on the results of consideration of the application;
select the filling language – French or English;
security questions with answers (the system will request these questions and answers every time you visit your personal account).

After your personal page has been created, proceed to filling out the electronic application for a visa to Canada in 2021.

2. Selecting a visa type. To do this, first of all, you must indicate the applicant’s personal number. To get it, follow the link “I do not have a Personal Reference Code,” which means that you do not have such a number. Then select “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit”.

The program will then ask you to answer several questions related to your trip. As soon as you do this, a list of documents will be automatically generated that will be required to obtain your specific type of visa.

Filling out the Application for Visitor Visa form (IMM 5257)

Page 1. Initial information.

1. UCI. Here you enter the applicant’s individual number, the same one we wrote about earlier. Persons applying for a Canadian visa for the first time do not fill out this field.

2. I want service in. Here you select the language in which the interview will be conducted at the consulate. It can be English or French.

3. Visa requested. At this point, choose the type of visa - transit or temporary resident visa. A temporary resident permit is suitable for travel, guest trips, and business. A transit visa is opened if you plan to cross the territory of Canada in order to travel to another state.

Page 2. Personal information

1. Family name. Please indicate your first and last name exactly as it is written in your passport.

2. Have you ever used any other names. This item is intended for those who have previously changed their first or last name. For example, after registering a marriage. You should enter two options – the one that was before the changes and the one after.

3. Sex. Gender is indicated.

4. Date of birth. Date of Birth.

5. Place of birth. Place of Birth. Only the name of the country and locality should be entered.

6. Citizenship. Citizenship. If you have dual citizenship, indicate the citizenship of the country from which you are applying.

7. Current country of residence. The name of the state in which you are currently located is indicated. Here, describe your legal status in relation to this state (citizen, temporary subject, stateless person, etc.). In the next line, enter the length of stay in the country.

8. Previous country of residence. This field indicates the names of all countries that you have visited over the last 5 years, provided that the duration of your stay in them was six months or more. If you visited a neighboring state for several days or weeks, there is no need to mention this.

9. Country where applying. The name of the state from which you are going to apply for a visa. For example, if you are submitting an application from Russia, but in the next few days you will leave for the Czech Republic and submit the remaining documents from there, accordingly enter the Czech Republic at this point.

10. Marital status. Enter information about your marital status. It is advisable to fill out this column not only for those who are officially married, but also for those living in a marital relationship without registration. The presence of a spouse, including an unofficial one, confirms your connection with your homeland. This connection, in turn, will indicate that you have no intention of illegally immigrating to Canada and staying there forever.

11. Have you been previously married? This section is filled out by those who were previously married and divorced. The surname and first name of the former spouse and the duration of the family relationship are indicated.

Page 3. "Languages"

1. Native language. Please indicate the language you are a native speaker of. On the next line, enter the language of the future interview at the consulate.

Page 4. "Passport"

1. Series and number of the foreign passport.

2. Issued by.

3. Date of issue.

4. Validity period of the document.

Page 5. “Contact information”

1. Current mailing address. This section is dedicated to the address to which the consulate will send correspondence. It is not necessary that this address coincide with your actual place of residence. You can indicate the address of any loved one, friend, relative, etc.

2.Residential address. Here you should indicate the place of your actual residence, and not your registration (registration) address. For example, you are registered in Krasnodar, but work in Moscow, and here you have a place of temporary registration. If in the application you write Krasnodar as your place of residence and your actual location is Moscow, this will lead to misunderstandings when considering your application. Consulate staff may suspect you of dishonesty and refuse to issue a visa. To prevent this from happening, write the address of the place where you actually live.

3. Telephone. This line contains a valid contact phone number.

4. Alternate telephone. Additional phone number. It is used if the consular officer cannot reach you using the first number. Here you can indicate the contact details of a relative or work phone number.

5. Fax. If you have a fax, enter its number. If not, leave the field filled.

6. Email. Specify a working email address. Do not enter addresses that you have previously used when searching for a job in Canada or registering on websites dedicated to immigration to this country. Consulate staff use special search programs to check all email addresses and there is a high probability that your existing data will be identified. The same applies to telephone numbers from the third and fourth paragraphs of this section.

Page 6. “Details of visit to Canada”

1. Purpose of visit. Purpose of departure. It must be described concisely and as clearly as possible. It is necessary that the goal completely coincides with the attached documents.

2. Indicate how long. Duration of the trip. If you are applying for a visitor visa, remember that your travel period should not exceed six months. It is also necessary that the duration coincides with the nature and purpose of the visit.

3. Funds available. Here write how much money you plan to spend on your trip. It should include the costs of purchasing tickets, obtaining a visa, renting housing, etc.

4. Name address and relationship of the person (institution) I will visit. This paragraph is dedicated to persons with whom you plan to stay in Canada. If these are your relatives, please indicate their residential address and contact numbers. If you are traveling as a tourist, enter in the appropriate lines the name of the hotel where you should have a room booked. You will also need to indicate its location and telephone numbers. The same information must be written if you are going to study and planning to live in a university dormitory.

Page 7. "Education"

In this section, you must answer the question about your education (secondary, secondary vocational, higher) by checking the box next to “Yes” or “No.” If the answer is yes, the system will prompt you to enter the following information into the form fields:

existing specialty – field of study;
name of the educational institution you graduated from – school;
the city in which it is located – city;
country name – country;
training time – dates.

Page 8. "Employment"

On this page you must list all your places of work over the previous 10 years, including the organization in which you currently work. When filling out the page, for each place of work you will need to fill out the following items:

name of current and previous position;
the name of your current and previous place of work;
the city in which the organization is located;
the country in which the organization is located;
length of service in each position you hold in the organization.

Page 9. “Background information”

On this page, it is recommended to enter negative answers in each field. Because every positive answer will reduce your chances of visiting Canada in the near future. The only question that must be answered truthfully is the question about refusals of previous visa applications. The consulate should not be deceived if you were previously denied a visa to the USA or Canada. The Canadian consulate has a unified information base, with the help of which it will be easy for its employees to establish the truth of your statement. The presence of previous refusals for visas to countries of the European Union or Africa is not taken into account.

This section contains questions about:

the presence of socially dangerous diseases in you or your relatives (tuberculosis, HIV, mental disorders, etc.);
presence of diseases for which you may require urgent medical assistance while living in Canada;
have you previously applied for a Canadian visa and what was the response to this application;
whether you violated the visa regime during previous trips to Canada or another country, if any;
whether you have previously been under investigation or trial for committing criminal and/or administrative offenses;
whether you are liable for military service;
Do you have experience serving in the army, law enforcement agencies, government agencies, courts, prosecutors, etc.;
whether you have committed crimes against peace and security outside the hostilities.

In most cases, a “daw” is placed next to each of these questions, indicating a negative answer.

How to fill out the Family Information Form (IMM 5707)

The questionnaire contains information about the applicant’s close relatives. Information should be entered as completely as possible, without errors or distortions. By filling out the form in question, you automatically consent to the collection and processing of personal data. So, the questionnaire consists of three main sections:

mother and father;
wife husband;
brothers and sisters;
children.

Lawyers for the “Investor Visa” website advise you to pay attention to the fact that the form for family members must be filled out only when applying for a multiple visa. It is opened by Russian citizens planning to travel to Canada for permanent residence or visit the country several times in a row for a long period of time.

The application form for a visa to Canada is located on the website of the Canadian consulate. Complete and submit electronically. The completed document is saved in PDF format and sent to the consulate by email.

Types of visas to Canada

For Russians, travel to Canada is permitted only with an entry visa. Depending on the type of trip, the procedure, documentation, and amount of payment may differ significantly. So, a work contract has its own rules, while a student invitation has different rules. Visiting relatives and doing business in Canada are also separate topics.

Tourist or visitor visa

A “Visitor visa” is issued for guests - this is a guest or tourist visa, it is issued for a temporary stay of no more than six months. Canadian cities are home to a large number of immigrants from Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. Today there are about 600,000 Russians. To enter for the purpose of tourism, a Visitor visa is also issued for six months, but at passport control they put a stamp according to the dates of the tickets. Thus, the period for tourists is fixed.

Documentation

For registration you will need to send the following documents:

“Temporary Resident Visa” (IMM 5257) – this means filling out a form;
a foreign passport with a validity period of at least 6 months;
a copy of the first page and all affixed visas;
copies of other expired passports;
digital photo 3.5 x 4.5 mm, 2 pieces;
receipt of payment of the consular fee;
a certificate from work indicating the salary on company letterhead;
bank documentation on the availability of funds, also an extract for the last 3 months;
financial solvency is confirmed on a daily basis - CAD $55;
copies or certificates of ownership of movable or immovable property;
invitation from relatives according to the established pattern;
tour package or air tickets with vouchers from the hotel, where the dates of stay are indicated;
on a separate form you need to describe the entire route across Canada with dates, attach hotel and ticket reservations;
a copy of the marriage certificate, birth certificate of children (if available);
for a child traveling with one parent, permission to travel from the other parent will be required;
You need to fill out information about your family and travel history electronically;
additional information upon request of the Consul.

Documentation is provided in English or French.

Price

The consular fee is CAD $100, in rubles at the current exchange rate 4870 rubles. Additionally, they spend CAD $85 on biometric parameters. Postage costs for sending your passport, if approved, will range from $25 or more.

Registration period

The first stage depends on the applicant's preparation. If all scanned copies are uploaded, photos and application are successfully sent to the Embassy, then the processing time will take 2 weeks. It takes 1-2 weeks to receive a passport with a visa stamp. Thus, you need to start processing 2 months before the trip.

Validity

The visa is valid for 6 months, but the specific period of stay in Canada is fixed when crossing the border. Air ticket dates are used as a basis.

Business visa

In Canada, 100 thousand entrepreneurs are registered annually, but only half of them achieve success. It must be said that a large number of people want to try themselves in the role of “self-employed”. This is due to a simplified online company registration system. They usually have 1-2 employees or a little more. Therefore, small businesses are very popular among locals and occupy 50% of the entire business market. The Canadian Government does not restrict foreigners in their actions; they can also become co-founders, buy out a business from a local one, or open a new one.

Documentation

At the beginning, the foreigner receives the status of “business visitor” for the trip:

on investment issues;
business expansion;
to meet with business partners.

To do this, you will need a visa or electronic ETA, which one can be determined by following the link https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp. If the trip does not exceed 6 months, then documents are submitted for a Visitor Visa. The following is added to the list of documents according to the standard:

if by invitation from a business partner, then you need an official letter from them;
indicate the contact information of the inviting party;
confirm availability of funds;
to open a business you will need from $100,000;
a certificate confirming a leadership position for one year.

To submit electronically, documents must be uploaded. In some cases, the Consul invites you for an interview. Additional documentation is also often requested. Each applicant for a business visa is required to provide evidence of sufficient funds.

Price

The total cost will include CAD $100, biometrics CAD $85, payment for express passport delivery services. To obtain an electronic permit, you pay CAD $7.

Registration period

If the applicant is served online, then 30 calendar days are given to collect and upload photos and copies from the date of application. After approval, they usually wait 10-15 days, then a response is sent by e-mail. Another 2 weeks are allotted for sending and receiving a passport with a Canadian business visa.

Validity

The Visitor Visa is valid for 6 months or for the period specified in the invitation. The ETA travel authorization is valid for 5 years. If the plans are to permanently reside in Canada and conduct business here, the entrepreneur submits an application for a permanent residence visa. A businessman receives a super visa for 5 years or a multiple visa for 10 years.

Work Visa

The Canadian Government annually updates the Express Entry list of in-demand professions. There are three categories of specialists that local employers need. The first includes top managers, highly qualified specialists, and technical workers. The second category includes waiters, drivers, and salespeople. The third group includes seasonal workers employed in agriculture or on the farm.

Documentation

To hire a foreigner, employers are required to obtain a special document LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment). It is issued by the Migration Service. This gives the right to formalize the expat and issue him a Work Permit. On its basis, a Russian citizen can leave for Canada. For a work visa you will need:

a foreign passport with a validity period of at least 1 calendar year;
photo, as for a Schengen visa, 3.5 x 4.5 mm, 2 pcs.;
copies of diplomas or educational certificates;
bank statements confirming the availability of funds in the account;
marriage certificate, birth certificate of children (if available);
references and recommendations from previous places of work;
conclusion on passing a medical examination;
receipt of payment of the fee.

Price

The applicant must pay a consular fee of CAD $155 and a biometric fee of CAD $85. You will also need to translate the diploma into English and have it apostilled. If you contact the Visa Center, they will do everything themselves for a fee.

Registration period

The timing depends on the situation; in general, the entire employment process will take from 2 to 3 months. It takes the longest to get approval from the Migration Service; they may give a positive answer, but not always. To do this, the company must try and prove the need for a foreign specialist in its team.

Validity

For the first time, the Work Permit is issued for one year, then it is extended. It is not necessary to travel to Russia or Ukraine - the procedure is carried out locally.

student visa

A study visa is inexpensive, but the education itself costs a lot from $7,500-25,000 per year, since education in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal is considered very prestigious. It is difficult to enter a local university; you need to have good school grades and know English at an intermediate level. To enter a higher institution, you need an IELTS certificate with scores from 5.5 – 9.0. Many students go away for a year for language courses, upon completion they take an exam and move on to the main course.

Documentation

Migration Canada must issue a study permit, but a visitor visa must also be issued. To apply you must provide:

letter of admission to an educational institution;
international passport valid for the entire course;
certificate of passing a medical examination;
confirmation of financial support (parental, sponsorship);
other documents on request.

To take English courses, a special permit is obtained; only after transfer to the main course is a study permit issued.

Price

A student visa will cost $235 (consular fee and price for biometrics). The Translation Bureau or the Visa Center will translate your school diploma and other certificates if necessary. Their services will cost $30.

Registration period

Typically, representatives of educational institutions assist in registration, which reduces the time frame. It may take from 1.5 to 3 months to obtain entry documents. In some cases, even up to six months.

Validity

The passport contains a visa for up to 5 years and a stamp for the period of study. Additionally, the state provides the right to stay in Canada for another 90 calendar days after receiving the diploma. Time is given to pack and leave for your country.

Transit visa

If the tour includes a transfer in Canada or travel through its territory by car, boat, cruise ship, then for citizens of Russia and the CIS countries a Visitor Visa is required.

Documentation

It is done urgently according to the sample above in online or paper format. For registration, you will need to attach a scanned copy of the ticket¸ showing Canadian transit - even if 48 hours, an entry document is needed. Therefore, when purchasing a tour, pay attention to the transfer. Typically, travel companies arrange transit themselves; the traveler only needs documents and money to pay for the service.

Price

“Transit visa” or “Visitor Visa” costs the same – CAD $185, includes the collection of biometric parameters. If you have already been to Canada before, you do not need to submit fingerprints for 10 years.

Registration period

The minimum period for consideration of the application will be from 1 to 2 weeks. The maximum will take up to 1 month, but this happens extremely rarely.

Validity

Transit time can range from 24-96 hours. The guest document is valid for 60 days, but the time of transfer will be recorded at passport control. You cannot stay in the country longer than this period.