What is a Visitor Visa?
It is a document issued by the Canadian Government granting admission to Canada as a Temporary Resident. It is an indicator that you have met the requirements to enter Canada temporarily either to visit, study, or work. The visa is stamped onto your passport and is required to enter Canada if you are not a permanent resident or citizen of the country.
Millions of visitors enter Canada every single year for various reasons, whether it is to visit family and friends, to tour the vast lands of this country or to explore the many other avenues that this nation has to offer.
How can I obtain a Visitor Visa?
If you are not a citizen of a visa exempt nation, you will need to meet some basic requirements in order to obtain a visitor visa and be able to enter Canada.
You must:
Have a valid passport or travel document
Prove that you have ties to your country of origin such as a job, family, properties to show you will return to your country at the end of your stay
Prove that you have the financial assets to support yourself during your stay
Have no past criminal convictions or are considered rehabilitated
Satisfy the officer that you will leave at the end of your authorized stay
Not intend to work or study unless you are authorized to do so.
How Long Can I Stay?
The maximum length of any single visit given (without the applicant having a study or work permit) is six months from the day the individual enters Canada. You are able to extend your authorized stay while remaining inside Canada but must do so 30 days before the date that is stamped on your passport upon entry.
Can I Extend my Stay Inside Canada?
Yes. Those who wish to remain for an additional time in Canada passed the authorized date stamped on their passport may apply for an extension. You must apply before your six month stay is over or your status is considered expired. If you applied before the date of your expiration of status but have not received a response, do not worry; your under what is called implied status. This means the government will treat you as someone with a valid visa status until a final decision has been made on your extension. If this application is refused or you did not apply in time for an extension, you can apply for something called restoration of status. This can be done within 90 days of the refusal date of the application or within the expiration of your status if you did not apply for an extension.
How Long Does a Visitor Visa Take to Process?
Typically, under normal processing times a Temporary Resident Visa or Visitor Visa may take up to six to eight weeks before a decision has been made and can be delayed further while they await your biometrics result. It is important to prepare the application as best as possible prior to submission to avoid any delays such as an incomplete application or documents that were submitted but not translated. This process can be refined by seeking professional help. Contact us today so that we may expedite your application process by helping you gather the required documents to submit the best application possible to increase your chances of a positive result!