How to Get a Canadian Visa without Travel Agents?

Are you planning on relocating to Canada but do not know how to navigate through the complexities of getting a Canadian Visa?  We have written this comprehensive article just for you! In this article, we will examine how you can get a Canadian visa which will help you relocate to Canada without the help of travel agents.

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Why Choose Canada?

According to the UN News and World Report 2023, Canada ranks as the second-best country globally for immigrants to relocate to. There are so many benefits you stand to enjoy when you choose to relocate to Canada whether permanently, for studies, or work. Some of these benefits include:

• Access to job opportunities for immigrants. According to statistics, the employment rate for immigrants in Canada has seen a steady increase since 2010. So, if you are relocating permanently or you are going there to work, then the country is the perfect fit for you.
• Additionally, when it comes to education, Canada is not slacking as the government prioritizes education in the country. The country is also one of the go-to choices for international students. 
• Canada also has an effective healthcare system. The national health insurance scheme in the country guarantees that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident will be denied access to proper healthcare due to the cost. 
• Furthermore, the country also has a low crime rate when compared to other countries in the world and a lower rate of gunshot violence when compared to the United States. This means that the safety of lives is guaranteed in the country.
• Also, Canada is known to be one of the most economically stable countries in the world. At the end of the fourth quarter of 2021, the country’s economy was bigger than it was before the pandemic. 

Read also: Study & Work With A Postgraduate Diploma In Canada – All You Need To Know

Why do you need a Canadian Visa?

A Canadian visa is simply the stamp on your passport that allows you to enter Canada for a stipulated duration of time. It is like the legal document that allows you entrance into the country to stay either temporarily or permanently. It is usually issued by the Canadian Consulate or Embassy in your country. Answering the BSO’s (Canadian Border Services Officer) question will determine if you will be granted entrance into the country. If you wish to live, work, visit, or study in Canada, then you will need a Canadian visa. However, the steps taken to get the visa differ based on what you are going to be needing it for. 

Types of Canadian Visas

Before you apply for any country’s visa, it is important you know the different types of visas available and the one you need. The different types of visas available in Canada include:

• Visitor visas.
• Student visas.
• Work visas.
• Permanent Residence visas.
• Business Immigrant visas.
• Express Entry Program visas.

Additionally, there are also other types of visas and they are explained below:

Temporary Visas

A temporary Canada visa allows you to stay in the country for a specific duration of time, usually up to six months. It could be a single entry, which allows you to travel to Canada, stay for six months, and then return to your home country. It could also be multiple entries which allows. They include: 

• Canada Tourist Visa: specifically for tourism purposes. 
• Canada Super Visa: allows parents or grandparents of citizens to visit their children in the country.
• Diplomatic and Official Visa: permits diplomatic officials to visit the country.
• Courtesy Visa: given to prominent people who do not qualify for a diplomatic visa.
• Canada Business Visa: given to people with business motives who want to visit Canada. 
• Visa to Give Birth in Canada: given to people who are pregnant and want to give birth in the country. The baby becomes a Canadian citizen.
• Intending Organ Donors Visa: for people who intend to donate an organ to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Canada Facilitation Visa: for Canadian citizens with dual citizenship who do not have a Canadian passport.
• Canada Student Visa: for people who want to study or are studying. Canada.  
• Canada Temporary Work Visa: given to stop who have job description offers and will work for up to 6 months. ft 
• Temporary Residence Permit: issued for other things not associated with a Temporary Residence Visa. 
• Working Holiday Visa: randomly to young people who know including those picked from different countries who submit their application for a work permit. 

Permanent Canada Visas

On the other hand, permanent visas allow their holders to settle in the country. Some of the permanent visa types include:

• Immigrant Investor Program:
• Family-Sponsorship Program
• Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
• Self-employed Persons Visa
• Canadian Experience Class

• Startup Visa Program.
• Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP). 

Read also: Find Out 7 Common Reasons Why Canada Student Visas Get Rejected

Express Entry Visas

This is a program that allows individuals worldwide to apply for immigration to Canada based on their unique skills. Some programs under this include: 

• Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP)

How to Get a Canadian Visa without Travel Agents

People often go through visa agents to get their Canadian visa because they seem to simplify the whole process as it is their job. However, you can also navigate through the possess by yourself. We have carefully compiled a list for you to follow below: 

1. Check your eligibility status

The first step to applying for and getting your Canadian visa is checking your eligibility status. Finding out your eligibility status is easy as all you have to do is to fill out the online questionnaire on the country’s immigration website. The steps to check your eligibility status are listed below:

•  After clicking on the website link above, select the immigration tab and click on it.
• It will bring out a list of options. Things like My Applucation, Immigrate, Visit, and so on. Click on the option that suits the visa you intend to get.
• After doing that a link that says “Find out if you are eligible”  will pop up on your screen, click on it.
• After that, a questionnaire will be shown to you which you must fill out to determine your eligibility status.
• Your results will be shown to you once you have finished filling out the form. 
• Afterwards, your email will be requested and documents which contain the visa you are suitable for will be sent to you. You are to read the documents thoroughly and save the reference code as this is what you will use to start your application. 

2. Start your application

In the documents sent to you earlier, instructions which contain how you can obtain your Canadian visa will you included. You can either start your application online or in person. The steps to start your application are listed below:

• You can start your application by either using your bank login details (endorsed by the Canadian government) or you can create a Government of Canada login (GCKey). 
• .Afterwards, use your reference code and start the application for the visa you are eligible for. 
• A list of documents which you will provide will be shown to you. You must upload and submit all of them before submitting your application.
• Once you have submitted the application and the required documents, you will have to pay the fees and the price will differ according to the type of visa you are applying for.  It ranges from CAD 100 TO CAD 1,500 depending on the type of visa you are applying for
• It will take about 5 working days for your application to reflect on your account. Alternatively, if you are applying in person, you will go to the Canadian Embassy in your country to submit the required documents.

3. Processing your Canadian Visa

Additionally, after the submission of your application, your visa processing will take an additional two to three weeks. In the process, you might be asked to submit more documents and your biometrics. Also, you will be scheduled for an interview and you will have to go in person to the Embassy for your interview. When this is done, the official at the Embassy will determine if you qualify for the visa or not, they will also send you a notification afterward. All the information about your visa will be posted to your account so you must check regularly to be updated. 

Furthermore, if you receive a notification that your application has been successful, you will be required to pay the visa processing fees which differs from the application fees. The price also varies and is dependent on the type of visa you are applying for. You will also be asked to submit your passport and then you will get your visa. 

However, it is important to note that a passport does not necessarily guarantee entrance into the country as you will be required to show your passport and documents on arrival. If the officials at the airport, perceive you to the fraudulent or to not respect your visa restrictions, then you might not be guaranteed entrance into the country. 

Read also: How To Get Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit: Important Things You Need To Know 

Some Frequently asked question

Below are some of the frequently asked questions you might need answers to:

1. How Long Does it Take to Get a Visa to Canada?

The processing time can take as little as two weeks and as much as four weeks or even longer 

The Canada visa processing time varies for each specific case. It can take anywhere between two to four weeks, or even longer than that. The processing comes after your application has been received. 

2. How can I extend my stay in Canada?

Perhaps if you want to stay longer and your visa is about to expire then you will have to apply for an extension. You must do this at least 30 days before your visa expiration date. It is however important that you do this while in the country, once you are out of the country you will not be allowed entry. 

3. What do I do if my Canada Visa application gets denied? 

If your visa was rejected, you can reapply again as long as the rejection letter does not forbid you from reapplying. However, it is important you know why your visa got rejected and work on it to prevent future rejections. 

4. If my Canada Visa Application gets rejected, will I get a refund?

The visa fees are non-refundable. However, in a few cases, you might get a refund if you withdraw your application before processing. You can request a refund through the Government of Canada Immigration and Citizenship website. 

5. Can I Help Someone Get a Canadian Visa?

If you have a relative or friend living abroad who wishes to come to Canada, you can write them a letter of invitation. It must include the following: 

About the person:

• Their full name and date of birth
• The reason they want to come to Canada
• How long do they intend to stay in Canada?
• When will they leave the country?
• Their contact information
• The relationship you share
• Where they will stay
• How they will finance their trip

About you:

• Your full name and date of birth
• Your occupation
• Your residential status in Canada (Canadian citizen or permanent resident)
• Your family details (spouse and dependents)
• How many people live in your household

It is important to note that this does not guarantee a visa. 

Read also: 5 Steps To Apply For International Admission At Schools In US And Canada 

Let’s help you. 

How do you go about your admission processing into schools in the US and Canada? Don’t worry! We’ve got your back! Enrolling in the top universities in the world can increase your chances with employers. Unfortunately, studying abroad can be expensive due to the current economic crisis. But this shouldn’t limit you as there are other options you can explore to enhance your career. 

MPower Finance and Prodigy Finance are some of the best student loan providers for international students. They also do not require any cosigner or collateral before application. At EdXtra Associates, we can help you with your loan application process. We also provide educational consultancy services for international students to help make your journey easier and faster. You can reach out to us, as we’d love to guide you through this journey.