Your Complete Guide to a Canada Visa for Indians

Aditya Shrivastava

21.07.23

4 minute read

Canada has become a favored destination among Indians, with immigration tripling in the last ten years. If you are thinking of going to Canada, here is a quick guide for how Indian passport holders can get a Canadian visa.¹

Table of Contents
Types of Canadian visas Canada tourist visa for Indians Canada work visa for Indians Canada student visa for Indians Canada visa requirements for Indian citizens How to apply for a Canadian visa How long does it take to get a Canadian visa? Start your international journey with Wise.

Do Indians need a visa for Canada?

Yes. Indians need a visa for Canada. There are multiple categories of visas and the process requires completing an online application and attending an appointment in person at a visa application center in India. US citizens or permanent residents may not require a visitor visa to enter Canada.

Canadian immigration also has pathways for qualifying applicants to immigrate as skilled workers or temporary residents which can lead to permanent residentship in Canada.²

Types of Canadian visas

Canada offers visas to Indians in multiple categories like work, study, tourism, permanent residency, citizenship, and more. Here are common types of visas to Canada.³

Canada tourist visa for Indians

The Canadian visitor visa is also known as a temporary resident visa which allows tourists to visit Canada. This visa is necessary for traveling the country, visiting friends and family, and may be required for transiting through Canada en route to your final destination. Visitors can stay in the country for up to six months in most cases.⁴

Canada work visa for Indians

The Canadian work permit allows Indians to apply for work in Canada as temporary workers, students, and businesspersons. Foreign workers planning to settle for permanent employment in Canada must have this work permit.⁵

Canada student visa for Indians

Canada accepts international students from around the globe, including India. Indian students must apply for a Canadian student visa, also known as a study permit to pursue higher education in the country. This visa generally allows Indian students to work for 20 hours per week off campus.⁶

Canada visa requirements for Indian citizens

The requirements for individual visa categories can vary depending on the visa type, and immigration officials will require documents supporting your application.

Indian citizens must satisfy the general requirements for a Canadian visa:⁸

Have a valid passport.
Be in good health.
Have no criminal record or immigration-related convictions.
Provide evidence of an intention to return to India after your trip or stay, unless on a pathway for permanent residence.
Have enough money to finance your stay in Canada.

Indians applying for a Canadian visa must pay the visa application fee for their respective visa category.

How to apply for a Canada visa

Indians can start their visa application online on the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal. Once you have completed the application form, you will need to work with VFS Global in India, the Embassy of Canada’s application processing partner, to complete the application process.⁹

Here are the steps to apply for a visa to Canada:

Create an IRCC Secure account.
Choose the type of visa you need: Temporary Resident Visa, Study Permit, Work Permit, Permanent Resident Travel Document
Fill out the application form online. Handwritten forms are not accepted.
Pay your fees online using your debit or credit card.
Print the completed application form on white-bond paper using a laser printer. Make sure that the 2D barcode is printed clearly.
Go through the document checklist and gather the supporting documents.
Fill out the waiver form, sign it, and attach it to your application.
Fill out the VFS Global Consent Form and attach it to the application.
Book an appointment at the VFS Global Visa ApplicationCentre.
Attend your appointment.
Submit the documents, complete the biometrics, and get your unique tracking number.

Once you have successfully submitted your application and documents to the VFS Global Center, you can track your visa application online by the unique tracking number.

You will receive information about your visa decision by email and be provided with a time and date to collect your passport and documents. Alternatively, you can ask for your documents to be couriered by paying an additional fee.

Documents required for a Canada visa

Here are the general documents required for a Canadian visa:¹⁰

A completed application form.
Proof of fee payment.
Photocopy of the relevant pages of your passport.
Two photographs as per Canadian visa specifications.
Photocopy of financial support.
Photocopy of marriage certificate, if required.
Purpose of travel.
Photocopy of current immigration status.

There will be additional documents required by the visa office depending on the visa type:

Tourist Visa: You can be asked to provide a letter of invitation if visiting your family or friends, or provide details of your itinerary and accommodation in the country.
Work Visa: An employment contract or an offer letter from an employer in Canada.
Student Visa: Evidence of admission to a college, school, or university in Canada.

You can access the full document checklist for your visa on the Canadian immigration website.

How long does it take to get a Canada visa?

The temporary resident visa, which includes visitor, work, and student applications, takes around 32 days to process.¹²

Send money to Canada with Wise.

Use Wise to send money abroad with a low transfer fee and the mid-market exchange rate, which is the same as the one you see on Google.

If you are already abroad, take a look at the Wise multi-currency account available for residents living in supported countries. Enjoy an account as worldly as you are and spend just like a local when you travel abroad with a linked debit card, while also paying less in fees.

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Sources used for this article:

Sources verified on 23 June 2023.
Photo by John Lee on Unsplash

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