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Canada Visitors Visa ? Complete Application procedure
Here is the complete procedure to apply for Visitor Visa to Canada from USA
This procedure is mainly for Indian passport holders in USA on F1 / H1B visas.
1. Eligibility Check
Check if you are eligible to apply online:
Complete the questionnaire at the link below:
- Fill the details accurately.
- Add family members as required (Add all the family members for whom visa needs to be applied together)
- Review your answers
- Submit
After submission, a Personal Reference Code will be assigned. Save this page as this Reference code is required for next steps of application.
NOTE: At this time, you will not be providing any email id. So, the Personal Reference Code must be saved.
2. Create online Account
Once you are eligible for Online application, go to the following link to create an account:
- Click on ?Continue to GC Key?.
- Click on Sign up.
- Fill in the required details.
3. Add Personal Reference Code
- Login to your account and click on Visitor Visa, Study and/or Work Permit.
- When promoted, add your Personal Reference Code
4. Upload Documents
- A checklist would appear, all the necessary documents must be uploaded for all family members.
List of Documents:
- Application Form: Download and fill the application form and click on Validate.
No need to print and sign the application if you are uploading it online. You will do a digital signature after uploading all documents. Submit a digitally completed application form for each applicant.
- Passport:
Scan all pages of passport (first page, last page and all pages that are not blank, including expired visas and visa stamps).
If you have multiple passports, scan all relevant pages.
- Travel History:
Include all stamps, visas in your passports for the past 10 years.
Include I797 (H1B approval or other approvals issued by the US that show the approved duration of your stay in the US)
- Digital Photo
Scan the digital passport photo with the mentioned resolution and upload it.
- Family Information (IMM5645)
Complete the family information form, print it, sign it and then upload the scanned copy.
- Family Member Representative (IMM5713)
Complete this form if you are applying with other family members.
All family members and the applicant must physically sign the document, scan the document and upload it.
- Financial Information
Create one pdf and include paystubs for 3 months, W2 for the past year, Bank statements for past 3 months as necessary.
Combine all these documents to one pdf and upload it.
- Purpose of Travel
Create one pdf document that includes Flight tickets to your destination in Canada and back to your home city, hotel reservations.
OR
Create a detailed itinerary of your trip and places you are visiting if you are travelling by road.
- Marriage Certificate / Other Proof of relationships
Upload a scanned copy of the original marriage certificate if you are applying with you Spouse or other relevant proof of relationships of all applicants.
- Letter explaining the purpose of visit
Write a letter specifying your Name, Occupation, How long you have been working for the company and explain why you are travelling to Canada along with relevant dates.
Upload this document to the Additional client information.
NOTE: Only 1 file with a max size of 4MB could be uploaded for each type. So, ensure that you use some software to create pdf files from multiple files.
5. Digitally sign Application and Pay Fee
- Once all the documents are uploaded, click on Continue and write your name (principle applicant) to digitally sign the application for all family members.
- Pay the required fee of C$100 / applicant using a Credit / Debit Card.
6. Wait for Approval
- You will receive an email to send your passports for further processing and your status when you login to your account would show as Approved. I got the approval on the 3rd business day after submitting the application.
- For each applicant: A letter confirming to send the passport will be available in your account. Download the letter in pdf format for each applicant and take a print.
7. Once Approved ? Send your passports to the nearest VAC (Visa Application Center)
Where to send your Passports -
- Choose either NY location or LA location (whichever is convenient).
NOTE: Passports must be sent to a different address and Money Order for the payable amount must be sent to a different address.
PACKAGE 1: PAYMENT
i. Take a Cashier?s check / Money Order / Bank Drat / Certified Check in the name of ?CSRA Consular Services Inc.?
For US $32.27 / applicant (As of 05/03/2018). Check for this amount at the following link:
For family applications: 1 Cashier?s check / Money Order for the total amount.
For E.g. For family for 3, it would be 3x32.27.
NOTE: Take a photocopy of the Money Order / Cashier?s check before packing.
Send the money order to:
For applications being sent to LA Location: Mail your VAC payments for Visa Application Centre in New York to:
P.O. Box 419557 (CSRA Consular Services Inc)
Boston, MA 02241-9557
OR
Mail your VAC payments for Visa Application Centre in Los Angeles to:
P.O. Box 841908 (CSRA Consular Services Inc)
Dallas, TX 75284-9557
ii. PACKAGE 2: Passport and other contents:
This package should include:
□ Passports of all family applicants
□ Photocopy of the Cashier?s check / Money Order that was sent to the other address.
□ VAC Consent form: 2 per applicant
□ Letter requesting submission of passport (One letter per applicant)
□ Page containing contact details: This should include Name, Address, Email id and Phone Number. Just write these details and print it.
□ Return Envelope with return airway bill from UPS / USPS (FedEx return air way bills are not accepted)
Ask in any USPS to give you 2 envelops (Large and Small)
Pay for the return shipping from Visa Office to your home and stick it to the Small Envelop.
Keep this small envelop inside the large envelop along with other documents. Ship the large envelop to the address below:
NOTE: If you would like the Visa Application Center to send back your passports, you must pay an additional fee for this service.
This return envelope (AWB) can be purchased through the VAC for US $20.21 (As of 05/03/2018).
Include this fee along with your Cashier?s Check / Money Order.
Purchase of 1 AWB for whole family.
Mail in your PACKAGE 2 to:
Visa Application Centre ? New York
290 Madison Ave, 2nd fl.
(41st Street & 40th Street)
New York, NY 10017
Phone Number: (646) 741- 0130
Email Address: [email protected]
OR
Visa Application Centre ? Los Angeles
2120 E Grand Avenue Suite 108A
El Segundo, CA 90245
Phone Number: (646) 741- 0130
Email Address: [email protected]
Link got tracking your application:
My Experience: Indian Citizen on H1B visa staying the US. No Green Card.
May 1 2018: Completed Online Application and Submitted. Paid C$100 fee / applicant.
May 1 2018: Received email confirming the submission.
May 3 2018: Received Email to submit original passports to VAC.
May 4 2018: Shipped via USPS (2 Packages One with Passports and other docs to El Segundo, CA and another with Money Order)
May 7 2018: 1:15pm Delivered by USPS to El Segundo, CA
May 7 2018: 4:45pm Email from CVAC Confirming receipt of the passports along with Tracking Number.
May 7 2018: 4:45pm: Passport Received by CVAC
May 7 2018: 4:55pm: Passport in Transit to the Visa Office
May 8 2018: 10:25am: Passport Received by the Visa Office - Under Consideration
May 10, 2018: 9:00 am: CIC account updated to Approved. Email for this approval was sent a day later.
May 10, 2018: 9:20 am: Status update on CVAC website to Application Processing Completed - In Transit to the VAC
May 11, 2018: 8:20 am: Email from CIC about the update of my application to Approved.
May 11, 2018: 9:40 am: Status update on CVAC website to Application Processing Completed - In Transit to the Applicant from the VAC
May 11, 2018, 11:12 pm: Tracking number from USPS got activated and showed Arrived at USPS Regional Facility LOS ANGELES CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER?
May 14, 2018: Received the passport with stamp. Validity of visa is same as the Passport Expiry.
Here is the complete procedure to apply for Visitor Visa to Canada from USA
This procedure is mainly for Indian passport holders in USA on F1 / H1B visas.
1. Eligibility Check
Check if you are eligible to apply online:
Complete the questionnaire at the link below:
- Fill the details accurately.
- Add family members as required (Add all the family members for whom visa needs to be applied together)
- Review your answers
- Submit
After submission, a Personal Reference Code will be assigned. Save this page as this Reference code is required for next steps of application.
NOTE: At this time, you will not be providing any email id. So, the Personal Reference Code must be saved.
2. Create online Account
Once you are eligible for Online application, go to the following link to create an account:
- Click on ?Continue to GC Key?.
- Click on Sign up.
- Fill in the required details.
3. Add Personal Reference Code
- Login to your account and click on Visitor Visa, Study and/or Work Permit.
- When promoted, add your Personal Reference Code
4. Upload Documents
- A checklist would appear, all the necessary documents must be uploaded for all family members.
List of Documents:
- Application Form: Download and fill the application form and click on Validate.
No need to print and sign the application if you are uploading it online. You will do a digital signature after uploading all documents. Submit a digitally completed application form for each applicant.
- Passport:
Scan all pages of passport (first page, last page and all pages that are not blank, including expired visas and visa stamps).
If you have multiple passports, scan all relevant pages.
- Travel History:
Include all stamps, visas in your passports for the past 10 years.
Include I797 (H1B approval or other approvals issued by the US that show the approved duration of your stay in the US)
- Digital Photo
Scan the digital passport photo with the mentioned resolution and upload it.
- Family Information (IMM5645)
Complete the family information form, print it, sign it and then upload the scanned copy.
- Family Member Representative (IMM5713)
Complete this form if you are applying with other family members.
All family members and the applicant must physically sign the document, scan the document and upload it.
- Financial Information
Create one pdf and include paystubs for 3 months, W2 for the past year, Bank statements for past 3 months as necessary.
Combine all these documents to one pdf and upload it.
- Purpose of Travel
Create one pdf document that includes Flight tickets to your destination in Canada and back to your home city, hotel reservations.
OR
Create a detailed itinerary of your trip and places you are visiting if you are travelling by road.
- Marriage Certificate / Other Proof of relationships
Upload a scanned copy of the original marriage certificate if you are applying with you Spouse or other relevant proof of relationships of all applicants.
- Letter explaining the purpose of visit
Write a letter specifying your Name, Occupation, How long you have been working for the company and explain why you are travelling to Canada along with relevant dates.
Upload this document to the Additional client information.
NOTE: Only 1 file with a max size of 4MB could be uploaded for each type. So, ensure that you use some software to create pdf files from multiple files.
5. Digitally sign Application and Pay Fee
- Once all the documents are uploaded, click on Continue and write your name (principle applicant) to digitally sign the application for all family members.
- Pay the required fee of C$100 / applicant using a Credit / Debit Card.
6. Wait for Approval
- You will receive an email to send your passports for further processing and your status when you login to your account would show as Approved. I got the approval on the 3rd business day after submitting the application.
- For each applicant: A letter confirming to send the passport will be available in your account. Download the letter in pdf format for each applicant and take a print.
7. Once Approved ? Send your passports to the nearest VAC (Visa Application Center)
Where to send your Passports -
- Choose either NY location or LA location (whichever is convenient).
NOTE: Passports must be sent to a different address and Money Order for the payable amount must be sent to a different address.
PACKAGE 1: PAYMENT
i. Take a Cashier?s check / Money Order / Bank Drat / Certified Check in the name of ?CSRA Consular Services Inc.?
For US $32.27 / applicant (As of 05/03/2018). Check for this amount at the following link:
For family applications: 1 Cashier?s check / Money Order for the total amount.
For E.g. For family for 3, it would be 3x32.27.
NOTE: Take a photocopy of the Money Order / Cashier?s check before packing.
Send the money order to:
For applications being sent to LA Location: Mail your VAC payments for Visa Application Centre in New York to:
P.O. Box 419557 (CSRA Consular Services Inc)
Boston, MA 02241-9557
OR
Mail your VAC payments for Visa Application Centre in Los Angeles to:
P.O. Box 841908 (CSRA Consular Services Inc)
Dallas, TX 75284-9557
ii. PACKAGE 2: Passport and other contents:
This package should include:
□ Passports of all family applicants
□ Photocopy of the Cashier?s check / Money Order that was sent to the other address.
□ VAC Consent form: 2 per applicant
□ Letter requesting submission of passport (One letter per applicant)
□ Page containing contact details: This should include Name, Address, Email id and Phone Number. Just write these details and print it.
□ Return Envelope with return airway bill from UPS / USPS (FedEx return air way bills are not accepted)
Ask in any USPS to give you 2 envelops (Large and Small)
Pay for the return shipping from Visa Office to your home and stick it to the Small Envelop.
Keep this small envelop inside the large envelop along with other documents. Ship the large envelop to the address below:
NOTE: If you would like the Visa Application Center to send back your passports, you must pay an additional fee for this service.
This return envelope (AWB) can be purchased through the VAC for US $20.21 (As of 05/03/2018).
Include this fee along with your Cashier?s Check / Money Order.
Purchase of 1 AWB for whole family.
Mail in your PACKAGE 2 to:
Visa Application Centre ? New York
290 Madison Ave, 2nd fl.
(41st Street & 40th Street)
New York, NY 10017
Phone Number: (646) 741- 0130
Email Address: [email protected]
OR
Visa Application Centre ? Los Angeles
2120 E Grand Avenue Suite 108A
El Segundo, CA 90245
Phone Number: (646) 741- 0130
Email Address: [email protected]
Link got tracking your application:
My Experience: Indian Citizen on H1B visa staying the US. No Green Card.
May 1 2018: Completed Online Application and Submitted. Paid C$100 fee / applicant.
May 1 2018: Received email confirming the submission.
May 3 2018: Received Email to submit original passports to VAC.
May 4 2018: Shipped via USPS (2 Packages One with Passports and other docs to El Segundo, CA and another with Money Order)
May 7 2018: 1:15pm Delivered by USPS to El Segundo, CA
May 7 2018: 4:45pm Email from CVAC Confirming receipt of the passports along with Tracking Number.
May 7 2018: 4:45pm: Passport Received by CVAC
May 7 2018: 4:55pm: Passport in Transit to the Visa Office
May 8 2018: 10:25am: Passport Received by the Visa Office - Under Consideration
May 10, 2018: 9:00 am: CIC account updated to Approved. Email for this approval was sent a day later.
May 10, 2018: 9:20 am: Status update on CVAC website to Application Processing Completed - In Transit to the VAC
May 11, 2018: 8:20 am: Email from CIC about the update of my application to Approved.
May 11, 2018: 9:40 am: Status update on CVAC website to Application Processing Completed - In Transit to the Applicant from the VAC
May 11, 2018, 11:12 pm: Tracking number from USPS got activated and showed Arrived at USPS Regional Facility LOS ANGELES CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER?
May 14, 2018: Received the passport with stamp. Validity of visa is same as the Passport Expiry.
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