VISA INFORMATION ABOUT

CANADA

Visitor visas for workers and students: How to apply from inside Canada

COVID-19: Changes to biometrics requirement for in-Canada temporary residence applicants

As a temporary measure, if you’re in Canada and applying to work, study or stay temporarily in Canada, you do not need to give your biometrics. Learn more about the exemption.

A work permit or study permit is not a visa.

We won’t automatically issue you a visitor visa if you extend your work or study permit. If you need a new visitor visa, you may need to submit a separate application.

You can apply for a visitor visa from inside Canada if you meet all the conditions below:

  • you’re already in Canada
  • you hold a valid study or work permit
  • you want to leave and return to Canada in the near future
  • your existing visitor visa is expired or was valid for only one entry

You should apply at least 2 months before you plan to leave Canada.

If you applied to extend your work or study permit online

If we approve your application, we send you a message in your online account and mail you your new work or study permit. You can apply for your visitor visa before your work or study permit arrives, but you must provide proof that your application has been approved, such as:

  • a screenshot of your online approval
  • your application number
  • any other document that proves you have a valid and approved study or work permit extension

Venezuelan passport holders

You may need to complete extra steps when you fill out your application.

If the printed expiry date on your Venezuelan passport has passed

If the printed expiry date has passed and you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or to extend your stay as a temporary resident in Canada, follow these steps:

  1. Add 5 years to the printed expiry date shown on your passport and enter it in the expiry date field of the application form.
  2. Include a letter of explanation with your application stating: “I am a Venezuelan national with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years”.

Warning: If your passport is still expired after adding 5 years to the printed expiry date, your passport is considered expired. You’re not eligible to submit an application with that passport.

Apply online for a new visitor visa

To apply online, you need a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and a valid credit or debit card.

Credit cards and prepaid cards

We accept credit cards and prepaid cards from:

  • Visa®
  • MasterCard®
  • American Express®
  • JCB®
  • UnionPay® (for online applications only; debit cards not accepted)

If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay to make refunds easier. Find more on prepaid cards.

We also accept all Visa Debit cards.

The card you use doesn't have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Debit cards

It must:

  • be from a Canadian bank using INTERAC® Online, and
  • be registered for online banking through your bank’s website.

We also accept all Debit MasterCard® and Visa® Debit cards. If your card has the Visa Debit logo on it, alone or with the INTERAC® Online logo, select Visa Debit as your payment method.

The card you use does not have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Get the right application form

You won’t get the right application form, unless you provide these answers in the online tool:

  • For the first question “What would you like to do in Canada?”, select
    • “Study” if you have a valid study permit or
    • “Work” if you have a valid work permit
  • When asked “What is your current country/territory of residence?”, select “Canada.”
  • Answer the questions on the next pages about your work or studies.
  • You may be given the option to extend your current study or work permit or apply for a “Temporary Resident Visa.” Make sure you select “Temporary Resident Visa.”

The application form listed in your document checklist will be called Application for Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) Made Outside of Canada (IMM5257). This is the form you need to fill out, even when you apply from inside Canada.

To apply online, you need an account. Use your account to pay your fees and check your application status.

Create an account or sign in

Apply on paper for a new visitor visa

Get the application package

The package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out.

Read the mailing instructions on this page carefully before you fill out the form.

Download the application package.

Please note the following:

  • You must fill out and sign your own form, even if you are travelling as part of a family. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign your form.
  • We will not refund your processing fee.
  • Even if you send a complete application and all the needed supporting documents, you may not get a visa.

Be sure to send us all documents we asked for. Missing information or documents can delay your application.

Pay your application fees

In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.

You must pay your fees online.

COVID-19: Changes to biometrics requirement for in-Canada temporary residence applicants

As a temporary measure, if you’re in Canada and applying to work, study or stay temporarily in Canada, you do not need to give your biometrics. Learn more about the exemption.

Third-party fees

Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for:

Our instruction guides can help you understand which fees apply to you and show you how to pay them.

Submit your application

When you have filled out the application forms, make sure you:

  • sign and date them, and
  • include all documents and proof you paid the application fee in the envelope

Mailing instructions

  • Buy two prepaid 24 x 32 cm Xpresspost–National envelopes at any Canada Post retail outlet.
  • Put one envelope in the other envelope. We will use the second envelope to return your passport and other documents to you.
  • Add the documents you are sending that support your application.
  • Put your full mailing address in the “Deliver To” field and the Case Processing Centre–Ottawa post office box address in the “Return Address” field.
  • Note the tracking number for each envelope.
  • If you don’t send a second prepaid Xpresspost envelope, we’ll return your passport by regular mail. Our office is not responsible for items lost in the mail.
  • We’ll only return your passport through regular mail or a prepaid Xpresspost envelope. (If you include a prepaid envelope from a private courier company, we won’t use it.)
  • You cannot apply through the CPC-O office if you don’t live in Canada.

Send your package to:

Case Processing Centre–Ottawa Office

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Educli - Global Education Network

WELCOME