Traveling to Canada? Discover the step-by-step process for obtaining a Canadian visa and understand which type is best for your trip.

One of the first steps of those who plan travel to canada is to look for the necessary documents to enter the country. The visa is one of them and the one that generates the most doubts among travelers. After all, there are five different types, each for a different profile. There is one specifically for tourists, another for students, some for work and another for those who have experienced it. canadian visa in the last few years. And to find out which one is best for you, check out this step by step on how to obtain permission to enter Canada🇧🇷

But, before we start talking about the visas themselves, we must point out that it is not possible to travel to the North American country without the document. In addition, it is essential to apply for a Canadian visa at least six weeks before your travel date. However, don’t worry, as the issuance process is generally straightforward and the rejection rate is very low – less than 5% according to consulate data.

Types of Canadian visas

Canada grants a visa for the entry of foreigners depending on the purpose of the trip. In other words, there are different types of permissions and it is essential to know which one is right for you. For example, if your idea is to visit Canada, you must apply for a Canadian tourist visa. If the objective is to study or work there, there are other more specific authorizations. Check:

• Canadian Tourist Visa – Category V1: Indicated for travelers who come to Canada for leisure, transit, business and language study for a maximum of six months.
• AVE – electronic visa: It is an electronic authorization granted only to those who have had a Canadian visa of any category within the last ten years or, even, to those who have a valid American visa. This Canadian visa is intended for tourism, business and transit travel.
• Language study visa for up to six months – Category SX1: This visa is indicated for those who wish to study for up to six months in Canada. To obtain it, it is necessary to have a letter of acceptance which proves the registration in a language course establishment in the country.
• Study visa – Category S1: Also suitable for students, it is valid for those who are going to carry out short and long-term programs.
• Work visa – Category W1: If your idea is to work in Canada, this is the visa for those who have already been hired by a company there.
• Business Visa – Category B1: Intended for those who will be entering Canada solely for business meetings or events. In this case, proof of participation or invitation is required.
• Transit Visa: Specific for those who will make connections and/or stopovers in Canada. However, the traveler cannot leave the airport and must prove his transit with plane tickets.

Step by step to apply for a Canadian visa

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• First step: gather the necessary documentation for the Canadian visa that meets your travel purpose. You can get the list of documents from a Canadian government checklist. The documents common to all applications are:
  • Valid passport;
  • A current photo;
  • Financial proof (full income tax return with delivery receipt, last three payslips and bank statements for the last three months). If you have been in Canada within the past 10 years or have a valid US visa, you do not need financial documents.
  • Travel authorization signed by the father and mother for minors under 18 years old.
• Second step: complete the forms required by the Government of Canada, available at official immigration website🇧🇷 All are in English and must be printed and signed. Are they:
  • Application form IMM5257E – four-page document with your personal and travel information;
  • Family Information Form (IMM5645 or IMM5707) – for all accompanied travellers;
  • Two copies per applicant of the VFS Consent Form – for the use of the Visa Application Center services;
  • Supplementary Information Questionnaire – which can be used by the whole family;
  • Form Annex 1 (IMM5257 – Annex 1) – only for travelers who have or have had links with political parties, military service, civil defense or a relevant position in the judiciary;
  • Declaration of stable union (IMM5409) – required for unions not registered in a notary office.

• Third step: pay the visa fee. The original supporting documents must be presented to the Consulate.
• Fourth step: plan the collection of biometric data in a Canada Visa Application Center in Brazil (CVAC), in the cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Porto Alegre and Recife.

Seen online or in person?

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The application for a Canadian visa can be made at one of the units of the Canada Visa Application Center in Brazil or through the Internet. To apply for a visa through a CVAC, a fee of CAD 35 per person applies. In addition, you must submit all the documents mentioned above. Delivery can be made in person, by a delivery service or by home collection. In the last option, you must schedule collection by email at the CVAC closest to your home, in addition to paying an additional fee.

For the order of consulted on the Internet, you will need to complete a qualification form. If deemed eligible, all materials must be submitted digitally, in high resolution. In this case, the Canadian visa application is made directly to the country’s Department of Citizenship and Immigration and there is no need to pay the CVAC fee.

In both cases, the visa application will be processed by the Consulate of Canada and, in some cases, a criminal record and a medical examination or interview may be required. After approval in the process, you must hand over your passport to the consulate to receive the visa stamp. The processing time for a Canadian visa for tourists is usually around 15 working days, both for applications via CVAC and online.