If you are traveling to Canada for any purpose, no doubt you need a visa before you can be eligible to stay in the country no matter how long or short your length of stay is going to be. However, if you are planning to stay in the country for a very short period of time, usually within 6 months or less, you need a special type of visa called the Canada Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
This visa is useful when you are just visiting the country for some purposes such as tourism, family visits, business, etc. But it is important to know that you can not apply for citizenship, get Canadian documents, or access any Canadian benefits with this type of visa.
It is important to also note that you cannot try to study for a long term or work there unless you find a study program that has a duration of 6 months or less. You must have also specified your 6-month study program in your application. You must also prove that you plan to return to your home once your visa expires.
In this post, we will work you through how you can apply for a Canada Temporary Resident Visa.
How to apply for a Canada Temporary Resident Visa
Below is a step-by-step guideline on how you can apply for a Canada Temporary Resident Visa:
Determine your Eligibility
The first step in applying for a Canada TRV is to ensure you are eligible for the visa you are applying for. You must ensure you meet the requirements and eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria depend on certain factors such as the purpose of your visit, citizenship, health and security, and other factors.
However, in general terms, you need to be at least 18 years old to apply as the primary visa applicant. You must have a valid passport with at least one blank page other than the last page of the passport, a clean criminal history, fill out a visa application center consent form, pay the fees and prove your intention to return after your visit. You must also translate and certify documents that are in other languages to English or French.
However, you can confirm your eligibility online by going to the Government of Canada website. You will only be required to honestly answer all questions you are asked and proceed to check your eligibility. You will be given a reference code and a checklist of what you need to do to apply.
Gather the Required Documents
To apply for Canada Temporary Resident Visa, you need to ensure you have certain documents which you will later need to process your visa. Some of these required documents are:
- An accurately and honestly filled out application form, which you can find on the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- A passport-sized photograph that meets the specifications outlined by the Canadian government
- Proof of purpose of visiting, which depends on the nature of your trip such as an invitation letter, detailed itinerary, and proof of accommodation bookings
- Travel history which includes your last travel history and copies of visas from other countries
- Financial documents to showcase that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay in Canada. This could be a bank statement, employment letter, or sponsorship letters
- Other documents you may need to apply for a Canada Temporary Resident Visa are a birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.
Create an Account
The next step is to create an account on the Government of Canada website. You can do this by using the reference code you were given while you were checking your eligibility. You can open the account through either your bank account details or through a login code issued by the Government of Canada website called the GCKey. Once you log in, you can proceed with your application.
The next step is to create an account on the Government of Canada website using the reference code you were given while you were checking your eligibility. You can open the account through either your bank account details or through a login code issued by the Government of Canada website called the GCKey. Once you log in, you can proceed with your application.
Pay the Application fee
Once you have created an account and proceeded with your online application, you will need to pay the required application fees. The fees can vary based on the type of visa you are applying for and your country of residence. It is therefore advisable to check the IRCC website for the most current fee information and payment methods.
Submit the Application
There are various forms through which you can submit your application depending on your residential country. You can submit it online, mail the application to a designated visa office or submit it in person at a visa application center. You can choose the most convenient method suitable for you.
You should however ensure to follow all instructions provided by the Canadian government. You must also ensure to use your reference code to provide answers to the questionnaire and forms you will need to fill out.
Attend an Interview (only if required)
In certain cases, you might be required to attend an interview as part of the visa application process. If this happens, you must make sure that you are fully prepared by reviewing your application, understanding the purpose of your visit, and being ready to provide answers to any questions the officers may ask you.
Await a decision
After submitting your application and attending an interview (where required), you need to wait for a decision to be made by the Canadian government. The processing time may vary; therefore it is necessary to send your application well in advance of your proposed travel dates. You can check the status of your application online or through the appropriate channels provided by the visa office.
Send your passport for stamping
Once your Canada Temporary Resident Visa application is approved, you will receive a notification on your online account or through the Embassy once you complete the interview. Then, you need to submit your passport for stamping and processing.
if you complete all the application procedures online, the embassy will mail you instructions on where to mail your passport. When mailing your passport, you must include the processing fees and also pay for a return envelope. If you are at the Embassy in person, you will pay for the processing fees there and hand over your passport to the Consular officer.
Once you send you passport, the consular will process it, stamp it and return it to you even though it might take a few days.
Conclusion
Applying for a Canada Temporary Resident Visa involves careful preparation and adherence to the requirements set by the Canadian government. It is however important to first of all ensure you are eligible to apply for this visa and provide honest answers to all questions you are asked when filling out your application form and when you attend the interview. You can check your visa application status by checking your account online or at the embassy. Once you send your passport for stamping, you can then start preparing for your trip.
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