Temporary Resident / Visitor Visa – Screening Requirements
In order to come to Canada on a visitor visa, you must pass all the screening requirements through Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The requirements are:
Medical
If you are applying for a visitor visa and the length of time you plan to stay in Canada is less than six months, you will probably not have to get a medical examination.
If you are applying for a visitor visa and the length of time you plan to stay in Canada is more than six months, you will be asked to submit the results of a medical examination. The doctor who completes your immigration medical examination has to be authorized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This means that you will not be able to go to your family doctor for this examination. Instead, you must find out where the closest Designated Medical Practitioner is to you and get your examination completed by him or her. A list of Designated Medical Practitioners can be found on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. This information can also be found through the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
Security
Canada works with other countries as partners to screen visa applicants to prevent security threats from getting into North America. This means that if you have a criminal record in your home country, you will likely not be eligible to come to Canada. This can include all kinds of offences, both minor and serious (for example, theft, assault, driving while intoxicated, manslaughter, murder). There may be some exceptions to this: if you committed the crime before the age of 18, if you are deemed rehabilitated, if you applied for and received pardon. These exceptions, however, are not definite and will only be decided when you put in your application.
Letter of Invitation
In some cases, to enter Canada, you may need a letter of invitation from someone already in Canada. You will be told this information when you apply for a visa. This letter has to be written by someone in Canada (a relative or a friend) and sent to you. You will then submit this letter to the Canadian Embassy or Consulate. The letter must include both information about your friend or relative (the person writing the letter) and information about you (the person being invited to Canada). The letter may have to be notarized. This information includes:
Information about you
- Complete name
- Date of birth
- Your address and telephone number
- Your relationship to the person writing the letter
- The purpose of the trip
- How long you intend to stay in Canada
- Details on accommodation and living expenses
- The date you intend to leave Canada
Information about your friend or relative writing the letter
- Complete name
- Date of birth
- Address and telephone number in Canada
- Occupation
- Whether they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- A photocopy of a document proving his or her status in Canada such as a Canadian birth certificate, a Canadian citizenship card, a permanent resident card, or an IMM 1000 proof of landing
Proper Documents
In order to apply for a visitor visa, you must have a valid passport that will be valid for the duration of your stay in Canada. You may need other proof of your identity (for example, your birth certificate) and travel documents (for example, plane tickets). Check the website of the visa office responsible for the region or country where you live for more information.
Interview
Once you arrive in Canada, you will have a short conversation with an immigration official at your port of entry (for example, airport). This officer will make sure you understand the terms of your visa, how long you can stay, and what is expected of you as a visitor to Canada. They may also ask you other questions that you have to answer.
While in Canada, you must obey the Canadian laws. If you do not you could be arrested even though you are a visitor.
You must also remember that on a visitor visa, you are not entitled to any free medical or hospital services and will have to pay for those services should you need them.