Canada Visa

The Canadian visa, what is it?

The Canadian visa is an essential and crucial document that is attached to the applicant’s passport, indicating that the individual meets the necessary conditions for entry and residence in this country. This document not only grants you permission to enter Canada but also provides the opportunity to stay and work in the country. Therefore, obtaining a Canadian visa is highlighted as a significant step for enhancing one’s lifestyle and taking advantage of job and educational opportunities in Canada.

Types of Canadian Visas

Before examining the conditions for obtaining a Canadian visa, let’s review the various types of visas in this country. This way, you can become familiar with different ways to immigrate to Canada and gain a better understanding of the migration process.

Obtaining a Tourist Visa for Canada

A tourist visa for Canada is one of the types of residence visas issued for travel, tourism, and sightseeing purposes. This visa allows you to enter and stay in the country for a specific period (minimum of 6 months and a maximum of one year). The tourist visa for Canada is divided into two types: single-entry visa and multiple-entry visa.

1. Single-Entry Canada Visa (SINGLE-ENTRY): This type of visa is issued for a single entry into Canada and has a specified validity period. In other words, you are allowed one entry into Canada and must leave the country within the specified time in the visa, which is a model that has been phased out for some time.

2. Multiple-Entry Canada Visa (MULTIPLE-ENTRY): This type of visa allows you to enter and exit Canada multiple times. This visa is usually issued for a period of 5 years, but its validity depends on the expiration date of your passport. During this period, you can travel to Canada several times, but each entry allows a maximum stay of 6 months in the country. This type of visa is among the most common choices for Iranians.

To obtain a tourist visa for Canada, you must meet specific requirements, including:

1. Valid passport with a minimum of 1 year of validity.
2. Certificate of no criminal record.
3. Complete physical and mental health.
4. No intention or willingness to work and employ in Canada.
5. Sufficient financial capability (the amount may vary based on your situation and the presence of an invitation letter).
6. Travel history to other countries (having a good and desirable travel history to foreign countries, including travels to countries such as the Schengen Area, the UK, Australia, the US, Singapore, and Japan).

Finally, with valid documents and providing evidence that you intend to stay in Canada as a tourist for a maximum of 6 months with sufficient reasons for return, you can apply for a tourist visa for Canada.

Canada Student Visa

Obtaining a Canadian visa for education is one of the ways you can travel to this country. The student visa is an official document that allows non-Canadian citizens to study in the country.

This visa is issued for short or long-term study programs. To apply for a student visa, you must demonstrate proficiency in English or French and also have an official invitation and acceptance from the university or institution where you intend to study. The processing time for a student visa is usually between 4 to 6 months.

One of the essential requirements for obtaining a Canadian student visa is having an acceptance letter from reputable educational institutions. This letter should include information such as tuition fees and the start and end dates of the study program. Additionally, individuals planning to study in the province of Quebec must obtain a certificate of acceptance from Quebec, issued by the Quebec Immigration Department (MIDI), in addition to the acceptance letter from reputable educational institutions.

Canada’s education system is divided into two main sections: general education and non-profit education. This classification applies to primary, secondary, and higher education courses.

The requirements for obtaining a Canadian student visa include having an acceptance letter from the educational institution or university of choice. This involves submitting an academic resume to the university and contacting university officials to express the intention to study at that university.

Other requirements for obtaining a student visa include having financial capability for at least one year of living, having a certificate of no criminal record, possessing a passport with a minimum of two years of validity, providing documents demonstrating that you do not intend to permanently reside in Canada after completing your studies, and presenting a detailed study plan. Additionally, the translation of identity documents, language certificates, statement of purpose (SOP), and recommendation letters from professors are also necessary documents for applying for a Canadian student visa.

Allowance for Study Permit in Canada

The Study Permit in Canada, also known as (STUDY PERMIT), is an essential authorization issued by the Immigration Department. It provides international students with the opportunity to pursue their education in the country. Before traveling to Canada, you must prepare and submit all the required documents for this permit.

The Study Permit is usually issued until the end of your academic program in Canada, plus an additional 90 days. These extra 90 days allow you to decide whether to extend your stay or leave Canada after completing your studies.

If you need to attend prerequisite courses for your educational program, the validity of your Study Permit will be extended from the start of these courses, plus an additional year.

If you haven’t completed your studies by the specified end date, you are obligated to extend your stay. Otherwise, you must leave Canada. If you complete your studies before the predetermined end date, your Study Permit is valid for an additional 90 days after the last day of the valid course.

The completion date of your studies is considered when you receive your diploma or academic transcript, which can serve as proof of your graduation.

During your study period in Canada, you may return to your home country, but you must inform the Immigration Department about your presence in the country and your enrollment at your educational institution.

Applying for a Canadian visa through a work request

To obtain a Canadian visa through a work application, there are various pathways available. The Canadian work visa allows non-Canadian individuals to work in the country, addressing the need for skilled labor due to its vast expanse. Canada has implemented different programs for granting work visas.

The primary methods for obtaining a Canadian work visa are outlined below:

1. Express Entry System for Work Visas:
In this method, applicants for Canadian work visas accumulate points based on various criteria such as age, verifiable work experience, education, language proficiency, and having experience and skills in a specific job title. Higher points undoubtedly enhance the chances of visa approval.

2. Business Programs for Work Visas:
Individuals applying through this route must be professionals and experts. Their occupation should be listed in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NAFTA), and they must also have a work invitation from the Canadian immigration authorities.

The key conditions for obtaining a Canadian work visa are as follows:

– Possession of a valid language proficiency certificate.
– Adherence to the maximum age limit of 40 years.
– Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience.
– Holding an undergraduate or higher educational degree.
– Financial capability to support oneself and family in Canada.
– Compliance with specific requirements for each method of obtaining a work visa.

Other methods of obtaining a Canadian visa

In addition to the above, there are other methods for obtaining a Canadian visa, including:

Visa for accompanying study in Canada

An individual intending to obtain a Canadian study visa can apply for an accompanying visa for this country either simultaneously or after receiving their student visa. This type of visa is recognized as a spouse visa, parents of students visa, or an accompanying student visa. In this process, all information and details of family members and companions must be fully entered in the relevant form. This information is considered crucial evidence for the individual in the continuation of their educational and residency path in Canada. Additionally, the applicant must first demonstrate sufficient financial capability and be able to cover all the expenses of their education and life, as well as those of their companions.

In general, there are two main methods for obtaining an accompanying visa for Canada:

1. Canadian Tourist Visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV):
This type of visa is issued for the companions of students – scholars, allowing them to stay in the country for up to six months and make use of this opportunity for visits. Additionally, this visa enables simultaneous application with the main student.

2. Canada Open Work Permit:
Spouses of Canadian students, with a Canadian visa as a companion, can work full-time in the country and even apply for a work permit. To obtain a companion visa, the applicant must provide necessary conditions and documents, including having sufficient financial capability to cover living expenses in the country and proving family ties with the main student. These visas provide the opportunity for family members to stay with the student and support them.

Super Visa for Parents

This type of visa is issued to individuals who want to stay in Canada for more than six months, typically suitable for parents or grandparents of individuals with permanent residence in the country. This visa allows individuals to stay in Canada for up to 10 years, with each visit lasting a maximum of two years, alongside their family. To obtain this visa, the applicant must have an invitation letter and transparently provide financial documents. The visa is issued for ten years (or five years for individuals with Iranian passports).

Canada Transit Visa

A transit visa for Canada is issued to individuals who intend to pass through the country for purposes such as transit or tourism and do not plan to visit or engage in business activities in Canada. This type of visa is mandatory for individuals staying in the country for less than 48 hours, and it is issued free of charge.

Startup Visa (SUV)

The Startup Visa program in Canada is designed to support and attract entrepreneurs, innovators, and inventors. This program allows individuals presenting innovative and entrepreneurial business plans to obtain the SUV visa. To qualify for this visa, the business plan must be innovative, internationally competitive, and registered as a corporation in Canada. Applicants must first have their business plans reviewed by organizations accredited by the Canadian Immigration Department and then proceed to apply for the visa after receiving a support letter.

Canada Artists Visa (FSE)

The Canada Artists Visa is issued to individuals who have worked professionally in the field of arts or sports related to their profession for a minimum of 2 out of the last 5 years. This visa is available for individuals engaged in outstanding and global-level sports and artistic professions such as writing, music, translation, directing, and production. Applicants must demonstrate their exceptional abilities in their artistic or sports field and have the financial capability to cover living expenses in the country. Factors such as age, minimum 5 years of work experience, education, English language proficiency, and specialized knowledge in the artistic field also play a significant role in obtaining this visa.

It is worth mentioning that applicants must provide the necessary conditions and documents for each type of visa and proceed in accordance with the specific requirements of each method.

To obtain a Canadian visa in a few lines

In this writing, we attempted to familiarize you with various methods of obtaining a Canadian visa. By reading the above text, you have likely concluded that there are different ways to immigrate to this country. You can proceed with obtaining each of these visas based on your needs and preferences. However, keep in mind that choosing the best option will significantly increase your chances of a successful migration.

Therefore, we recommend speaking with consultants and specialists in the field of immigration to Canada to make the best decision. The  PIS Group & Immigration Services is recognized as one of the reputable centers for obtaining various Canadian visas, and with the assistance of our consultants, the path of migration and obtaining permanent residence in Canada will be handled in the best possible way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of visas are available for Canada?

There are various types of visas for Canada, including work visas, tourist visas, study visas, dependent visas, permanent residency visas, investment visas, and more.

How can I obtain a work visa for Canada?

Key factors for obtaining a work visa include having a job offer from a Canadian employer and possessing the necessary skills.

What documents are required for a study visa for Canada?

Documents needed for a study visa include a letter of acceptance from the educational institution, proof of financial capability, academic records, and others.

How can I apply for a dependent visa for my family in Canada?

Primarily, families can obtain residency in Canada through tourist visas or study visas for students.