Tourist Visa for Canada from India open or not?

 Indians who wish to visit Canada can apply for a Canada tourist visa. However, they must hold a passport with validity for up to 6 months. Tourist visas for Canada remain open all year round and the processing of non-essential visitor visas was only suspended during the COVID outbreak. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also suspended some Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) applications as well.  

Applying for a Canada tourist visa is mandatory for Indian nationals as there is no facility for a Visa on Arrival. This visa allows you to explore the best of this country - happening life in cities, visit shimmering lakes, enjoy outdoor activities, meet warm-hearted people, and revel in culture and food. 

 

Types of Canada Tourist Visas

The Canadian government grants two types of tourist visas to visit the country for holidays and meet friends/family. 

• Single Entry Visas

• Multiple Entry Visas 

As the name suggests, a Single Entry Visa for Canada allows you to enter the country only one time. You are eligible for this visa type if you are eligible for fee-exemption and your purposes of visit are limited, you might be taking part in a special event, or there are approved country-specific procedures. And once you exit Canada, you need a new visa to enter again. But you don't need a new visa if you are visiting the USA and then returning to Canada. 

Whereas, a Multiple Entry Visa lets you travel to Canada for 6 months as many times as you like. The visa will be valid for up to 10 years or a month before your passport expires. However, the exact period will be decided by the visa officer issuing it. 

Know more about the eligibility criteria and the steps to apply for a tourist visa in Canada. 

Eligibility Requirements for Canada Tourist Visa from India 

For traveling to Canada from India, here are some requirements you must meet -

• Must have enough funds in your bank account to support yourself and your family during your stay.

• Must not search for jobs in Canada.

• Have zero criminal history and are willing to follow Canadian law. 

• If planning to live with friends or relatives, you must show letters of invitation from the sponsors. 

• If you wish to stop by relatives in Canada, a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is mandatory. 

How to Apply for a Canada Tourist Visa?

Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for Canada tourist Visa from India -  

STEP 1: Fill out the application form  

A tourist visa application for Canada is available online, which you need to fill out. This makes the process less of a hassle as there is no mail delivery involved, which saves time and money. The biometrics fee has to be paid with the application, which is then processed instantly, thus, avoiding further delays. The best part of applying online is that you get updates on your application on account.  

STEP 2: Submit Biometrics 

Once the application is successfully submitted, you will get a request to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) for which you will have 30 days. 

STEP 3: Give Medical Examination 

After you give biometrics, the Canada tourist visa from India application will be processed. If any required document is missing/incomplete, your application will be given back to complete. Meanwhile, an interview with an official in India will be arranged. You have to get your medical examination done at this time. 

After application processing, your passport and the original documents you submitted will be returned to you. If your application gets rejected for any reason, you will get an application. 

Note that a Valid Tourist Visa for Canada and travel documents are not sufficient for entering Canada. Once you are at the Canadian airport, the authorities will recheck your biometrics to make sure you are the same individual who was given permission to enter Canada. If you pass, your passport will be stamped and you will be informed about your duration of stay in the country

Processing Time 

The Canada tourist visa application will be processed in about 8 weeks. That said, the time can vary depending on the location of the center, documentation, and other circumstances.  

Nationwide Visas will guide you through your Canada tourist visa from India application process. Our experienced immigration experts have processed thousands of Canada immigration applications and will help you file your application, documentation, and everything else that guarantees a successful visa. Connect with Nationwide Visas today.

How to Apply for a Canada Tourist Visa from India?

The beautiful scenery, rugged mountains, shimmering lakes, and vast coastline makes Canada one of the top travel destinations in the world. From exploring the nightlife in Toronto to taking a helicopter tour over Niagara Falls, there is so much to see and indulge in for every type of tourist in Canada. The culture, the food, and the warm people are an added bonus. If you wish to explore and experience the best of this country, you have to apply for a Canada tourist visa from India.

Canada tourist visa is mandatory for Indians to enter this vast country. If you are wondering whether or not Indians have a facility of Visa on Arrival for Canada, then NO. Indians don’t have the facility of a Visa on Arrival and must have a valid visa before arriving in Canada.

To know more about the eligibility criteria, documents required, the steps to apply for a tourist visa for Canada, and more, keep reading.

Canada Tourist Visa and its Types 

Before we get into the process, you must know about the Canada tourist visa and its types. It will then get easier for you to decide which one you should apply for. 

A Canada Tourist visa is permitted by the Government of Canada for those who wish to visit the country for holidays or to meet friends, relatives, and family. There are two types of Canada tourist visas namely, 

• Single Entry Visas - As the name suggests, it grants permission to enter Canada only once. 

• Multiple Entry Visas - Similarly, this tourist visa type allows foreign nationals to enter Canada multiple times as long as their visa is valid. 

One thing to note about Multiple Entry Visas is that though it allows the tourist to enter Canada for six months as many times as they want, however, the visa can be valid for up to 10 years. The exact duration is decided by the visa officer issuing it. 

Canada Tourist Visa Eligibility

Here are the Canada tourist visa requirements - 

• The applicant must have enough funds in their bank account to support themselves and their family members during their stay in Canada.

• They must not look for any jobs in Canada. 

• There must be zero criminal records and be willing to follow Canada’s laws. 

• If the applicant plans to stay with their friends or relatives, he/she must have letters of invitation from their sponsors. 

• If the applicant wishes to visit relatives in Canada, then getting a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is necessary.

Learn more: Is getting tourist visa for Canada easy?

Documents required for Canada tourist visa application

Refer to the list of documents required for a Canada tourist visa while applying -

• Original passport with 6 months validity from the arrival date in Canada and any old passports.

• 3 color photographs with 80% face size in white background and matt finish in dimensions 35mm x 45mm.

• A cover letter stating the details about the applicant, travel, and any other member traveling along.

• Proof of accommodation.

• Day-wise itinerary.

• Air tickets.

• Original Leave letter from school/college/employer.

• If employed, then salary slips of the last 6 months. 

• If self-employed, MOA/Shop Act/Deed.

• Last 6 months' personal bank statements (original) updated with sufficient balance. 

• Form 16 or Income Tax returns for 3 years.

• Copy of School/College ID, if student. 

• Retirement proof/pension passbook or slips, if retired. 

• Any financial documents like shares, property papers, PPF, NSC, and FD.

Steps to follow when applying for a Canada tourist visa

It is mandatory that applicants follow these steps to get their Canadian tourist visa on time and hop on that plane in no time. Here are they -

Step 1 - Fill Canada Tourist Visa Application Online 

Filling out an application online makes the process hassle-free as there is no mail delivery time and no courier fees. Also, they are processed instantly, avoiding any delays. The best part is you can get updates on your application status on your account. Remember you have to pay for your biometrics fee with the application.

Step 2 - Provide Biometrics 

After application submission, you will receive a letter stating to provide your fingerprints and photo for which you will be allotted 30 days.

Step 3 - Get a Medical Examination

After biometrics, the processing of your application will begin. If any document is missing or incomplete, the application will be returned. An interview might be arranged with officials in India. Meanwhile, get your medical examination done. After the application has been processed, your passport and original documents will be returned to you. And in case your application is rejected, you will get an application.

Remember that a valid visitor visa and travel documents are not enough to enter Canada. There is a post Visit Visa Process. Once you land at the Canada airport, the officials will again check your fingerprints to ensure you are the same person who was granted permission to visit Canada. If you pass, the officer will stamp your passport and inform you about the duration of your stay in Canada, which is generally up to 6 months. 

Application Processing Time

Canada tourist visa application takes a maximum of 8 weeks to process. However, the time may vary depending on the center’s location, documentation, and individual circumstances. 

An authorized and licensed immigration consultant, Nationwide Visas will guide you through your Canada tourist visa application process. Our experienced immigration experts have processed more than 30,000 applications and will help you file your application, documentation, and everything else that guarantees a successful visa. Choose the best Immigration Consultant for a Canada Tourist Visa and connect with Nationwide Visas today.

Read also:- Documents required for Canada tourist visa from India?