Here are the details concerning the 10 most common questions by visitors to Canada. The recent updates to the visitor visa requirements for a few Mexican nationals have urged certain foreign nationals seeking to visit Canada with questions regarding their circumstances.
10 most common questions by visitors to Canada
Let us discuss these common questions by visitors to Canada so that they can reflect upon them before they invest their time and energy in entering the country.
What is the stay duration for visitors to Canada?
A majority of cases indicate that visitors coming to Canada can stay here for six months from their day of entry into the country or until the expiry of their passport. However, it will depend upon which event will come first. The date the visitor must depart from Canada will be evident through their passport’s stamp or a document from an officer at the Canada Border Services Agency.
Visitors who seek to reside in Canada for more than their legal stay must apply for an extension.
How can we distinguish between a single and multiple entry visa?
The names single-entry visa and multiple-entry visa speak volumes about the nature of these visas. For instance, a single-entry visa enables the holder to arrive in Canada only once. Conversely, a multiple-entry visa enables the holder to enter Canada several times, provided the visa is still valid.
Generally, all visitor visa candidates become eligible to be acknowledged for a multiple-entry visa. However, IRCC carefully examines each application individually and sends the visitor visa.
In addition, the department makes it clear that single-entry applicants will need a visitor visa to arrive in Canada after their departure. The only exception will be if they plan to travel directly to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon.
On the other hand, multiple-entry visas hold validity for the shorter of the two durations listed below:
- Ten years, or
- One month prior to the visa holder’s passport expiry.
A multiple-entry visa used for each entry into Canada enables the holder to reside in the country for a period of six months at once.
Can my entire family use one application form if we plan to travel together?
All family members must complete their visitor visa application forms separately. However, all the applications and the total fee payment receipt can be put in the same envelope. Essentially, each applicant must sign their visitor visa application. The same rule is applicable to them for any other forms, except for the Family Information Form. Those who are either 18 years or older must complete the application form.
Notably, parents and guardians have a chance to assist their children in filling out the forms. In addition, each visitor visa applicant below 18 years old must get their parents or guardians to sign the documents.
Is it possible to assist a friend or family member arrive in Canada?
Typically, your friends and family members are supposed to complete their visitor visa applications. However, it is possible to assist them through a letter of invitation document. This document can help the individual come to Canada, but it doesn’t guarantee absolute approval of their visitor visa. The letter of invitation will primarily consist of all the details of how the person will assist their family or friends. They might choose to pay for their accommodation.
Will I need to undertake a Medical exam to obtain a visitor visa?
The answer to this lies in the stay duration according to the visitor visa in Canada. In a majority of cases, visitors in the country who are there for six months or less will not need to undertake a medical exam. However, if they seem to be working in a job that necessitates the protection of public health, they will need to take a medical exam.
The above health protection requirement also applies to visitors who are likely to stay in Canada for over six months. Additionally, visitors in Canada for six months or more will need to adhere to the medical exam requirement if they happen to fulfill any one of the two following conditions:
- In the case of an applicant staying in a designated territory or province for six or more months continuously
- In an instance where the applicant is applying for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa.
Common questions by visitors to Canada – Are visitor visas and visitor records the same?
Foreign nationals must present a visitor visa if they seek to travel and arrive in Canada as a visitor. In most cases, the period is up to six months. On the other hand, the CBSA officers must provide a visitor record to extend or limit the holder’s stay in Canada. The CBSA or IRCC might also provide this document to foreign nationals after they receive approval regarding their stay extension or restoration of status in Canada. Therefore, both these documents are different.
What should I do if I hold a new passport but a valid visa in the old passport? Will it be possible to use the visa in the old passport?
According to IRCC’s guidelines, visiting Canada using the old passport’s valid visa is possible. However, individuals must present the following documents when they arrive in Canada:
- A valid visa in the old passport;
- The new passport or travel document with validity.
Those traveling to Canada might need to justify before the CBSA officers about the reason behind their old passport not being valid.
Therefore, IRCC suggests everyone visiting Canada possess a new valid passport and a new visa within it. This will enable them to reduce the chances of processing delays at the Canadian border.
Most common questions by visitors to Canada – What is the process for extending my stay in Canada as a visitor?
One of the 10 most common questions by visitors to Canada is regarding the stay extension. Extending one’s stay in Canada requires the person to submit their biometrics, implying a photo and fingerprints. This specific document permits visitors arriving in Canada to extend their stay based on three options:
- As a visitor;
- As a worker allowed to work in Canada without possessing a work permit.
- Arriving here as a student with complete authority to study in Canada without possessing a study permit.
What is the possibility of filing an appeal in the case of a visitor visa denial?
IRCC’s visitor visa application doesn’t comprise any appeal process. When an applicant is the recipient of a denied visitor visa application, they can re-submit their application. However, IRCC recommends they take such an action only if they witness a change in their circumstance. Also, if they have an update, that could lead to modifying their application’s result positively.
10 most common questions by visitors to Canada – Will I need a visa to travel via Canada while moving to a different country?
An individual’s unique circumstance will determine whether they will need a visa during their transition to Canada. Usually, there are broadly two kinds of travelers, including:
- Visa-required country coming from a visa-required country;
- Visa-exempt travelers coming from countries that demand an ETA.
Specific travelers with visa requirements might need to be visitor visa holders. This applies to the following category of travelers:
- Those visiting Canada, even if they are air travelers or someone in the country for less than 48 hours.
- Putting up in Canada for over 48 hours while traveling to Canada on their way to a different destination.
- Those crossing the Canadian border accessing any of the five transportation systems: bus, train, boat, cruise, or ship.
Similarly, different visa-required travelers might only need a transit visa. This is a condition for the following types of travelers:
- Those with an international flight that halts at the Canadian airport while moving to another country.
- Travelers connecting at the Canadian airport between two international flights.
- Those who are undergoing a transition in Canada within 48 hours.
- Those not holding a valid visitor visa.
Conversely, visa-exempt travelers must hold an eTA to travel to Canada via air. However, those transiting to Canada by bus, train, cruise, ship, or boat will not need to possess an Electronic Travel Authorization. They must not forget to present other essential travel documents.
If you need information on how to begin your visitor visa application process, you can contact our MakeHomeCanada experts at 1-800-979-0509 or drop us an email at [email protected].
