Before you plan your visit, you should find out what entry documents you need to enter Canada. Click this link and make the appropriate selections.
This post will cover the requirements and steps on how to apply for a visit visa for Canada for Philippine passport holders.
You can apply for a visit visa online or on paper. If you need help, you can contact the nearest visa application center (VAC). Since I'm from Cebu, it would be located at :
Canada Visa Application Centre — Cebu
VFS Services Phils. Pvt. Inc.
9F Keppel Center Unit 905 Samar Loop cor Cardinal Rosales Ave,
Cebu Business Park
Cebu City 6000
For Manila, it's located at:
Canada Visa Application Centre — Manila
VFS Services Phils. Pvt. Inc.
Mezzanine Floor Ecoplaza Bldg.
Chino Roces Ave Ext.
Makati city 1231
Philippines
Days of Operation:
We are open from Monday to Friday (excluding declared holidays)
Hours of Operation: Manila
Application Submission: 7:00 – 15:00
Application Submission: 7:00 – 15:00
Passport Collection: 15:00 – 16:00
Hours of Operation: Cebu
Application Submission: 7:00 – 14:00
Passport Collection: 14:00 – 15:00
Helpline number: +632 7894900
Helpline number: +632 7894900
Helpline email: info.canman@vfshelpline.com
To chat with our representatives, please click here.
Note : Please do not include any personal information in E-mails, SMS text messages or any other non-secure form of electronic communication.
To apply online, you must have access to a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents for uploading and have a valid credit card for payment.
Determine your eligibility and click here.
Find out if you are eligible to apply
Do you want to work, study, visit, travel through or live permanently in Canada?
Answer a few questions to find out what immigration programs you can apply for. Each immigration program has different application and eligibility requirements. You will need about 10-15 minutes to complete the form.
You may be asked questions about your:
- nationality
- age
- language ability
- family members
- education
- work experience
- income and/or net worth
- details on any job offer
Based on your answers, we will tell you what programs you may be eligible for, so be as accurate as you can.
If you are eligible, we will give you a detailed list of instructions on what to do next.
Answer the next few questions.
Then click next.
It should lead you to the next question.
Click next again.
And next once more.
Click next and it should lead you to this.
Click continue.
Continue again.
Next.
Next.
Once you click next, you will be led to the next page which will be your document checklist. It will also have step by step instructions on what to do next. I have saved the page as a PDF file for your reference. Click here.
As for the things that you need to fill up and gather, I have listed them below. My advice is to scan all your documents, and compile them in Microsoft Word, then save it as a PDF. It will be easier to upload later on.
Application form:
Supporting Documents:
- Proof of Means of Financial Support
- Temporary Residents
If you are visiting Canada, you must prove that you can support yourself and the family members who will be with you while you are in Canada. Provide as many of these documents as you can: - your bank statements for the past four months
- a bank draft in convertible currency
- pay stubs
- an employment letter
- proof of assets or business
- proof of payment of tuition and accommodation fees
- tax reports, declarations or statements
- proof of a student/education loan from a financial institution
- a letter from the person or institution providing you with money
- proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program
- proof of a Canadian bank account in your name if money has been transferred to Canada
- Express Entry – Permanent Residents
If you are applying for permanent residence in Canada, you must provide an official letter issued by your financial institution indicating your financial profile. This must: - list of all your bank (chequing and savings) and investment accounts, the account numbers, dates each account was opened and the balance of each account over the past six months,
- list all outstanding debts, such as credit cards and loans,
- be printed on the letterhead of the financial institution, and include your name and the contact information of the financial institution (address, telephone number and e-mail address).
Passport or travel document:
You must provide a clear, legible copy of your valid passport or travel document.
If using your passport, include a copy of
- the page that shows your birth date, country of origin, etc.
- any pages with stamps, visas or markings
Your travel document must show proof of status (citizenship or residency), as well as photo identification. Your travel document must be issued by a government and include your name, photo, date of birth, document number, and the issue and expiry dates, if applicable. A travel document is used only by individuals who cannot obtain a passport.
Purpose of Travel - Other:
You must submit proof that you are coming to Canada for a temporary visit
Examples of what you can provide as proof:
A scanned copy of:
- Your flight ticket departing Canada,
- Your travel itinerary (e.g. places you will visit or stay, such as hotel booking),
- Proof of a medical appointment.
Family Information Form (IMM5645)
Complete the Family Information form. This form includes information about your spouse or common-law partner, your parents, your children, stepchildren and adopted children, your brothers and sisters (including step-siblings and half-siblings).
This information will become part of your immigration record and may be used to verify your personal information in future applications.
Travel History
You must provide information on your valid visa from the United States as well as previous travel history. This can include copies of
- your previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside your country)
- entry and exit stamps
- study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside of your country
- expired or valid visas
- boarding passes
If you hold a valid visa from the United States, provide a clear, scanned copy of your visa. If you are living outside your country of citizenship, please submit a copy of your immigration status document for the country where you currently reside. This could be a work permit, study permit, visa, or any other document that authorizes you to be in the country where you are living.
Digital Photo
Dimensions:
- The final frame size of the photo must be at least 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8" x 1 ¾").
- The photographs must show the full front view of the head, with the face in the middle of the photograph, and include the top of the shoulders.
- The size of the head, from chin to crown, must be between 31 mm (1 ¼") and 36 mm (1 7/16").
- Digital dimensions are often expressed in pixels or DPI (dots per inch). The physical dimensions in pixels must be at least 420 x 540.
Quality/Resolution:
- If an existing photo is being scanned, the minimum resolution must be 600 pixels per inch.
File Format:
- The file may be submitted in JPEG or JPEG2000 format.
File Size:
- The final size of the image should be ideally 240 kB (kilobytes), but not less than 60 kB.
Colour:
- The image must be in color (24 bits per pixel) in sRGB colour space which is the common output for most digital cameras.
Fees
| Application | Quantity | Price (CAD) per unit | Total (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor (includes SE, ME and EXT) | 1 | $100 | $100 |
The fee shown is an estimate based on the fees in effect on the day that this Personal Reference Code is issued. The actual fees to be paid will be calculated on the date of submission.
All documents must be provided in either English or French. If you have a document in another language, please provide a copy of the document in the original language with an English or French translation.
Again, here are the step by step instructions as provided by the site. Just follow it and all should go through smoothly.
Once you've uploaded and submitted your application, they will send you an email confirming that they have received it.
Now the waiting game starts. I sent in my application on April 6, 2015. They sent me an email requesting for my passport on April 13, 2015.
I printed their request letter, and headed over to the VFS on April 21, 2015.
Canada Visa Application Centre — Cebu
VFS Services Phils. Pvt. Inc.
9F Keppel Center Unit 905 Samar Loop cor Cardinal Rosales Ave,
Cebu Business Park
Cebu City 6000
Philippines
Paid about 853.55 PHP for the SMS Fee, Passport Transmission and VAS-Courier Fee.
Got my visa passport on April 24, 2015 with a multiple entry visa. Yay!
To apply on paper, here are the steps:
1. Get the application package.
- Your package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download the application package.
- Read the guide before you fill out the forms. We will not refund your application fee, so make sure you are eligible for a temporary resident (visitor) visa before you apply.
- Please note that each individual applicant must submit a completed temporary resident visa application form. Applicants under the age of 18 must have this form signed by a parent or a guardian.
2. Pay your application fees
-
In most countries, application fees must be paid in Canadian dollars. More information about this and the payment methods available to you can be found by visiting the pay your fees tool.
- Please note that if you apply on paper at a VAC, you will have to pay the VAC services fees. These fees are not included in your CIC application fees.
3. Submit your application
4. Check processing time
- How long it takes to process your application depends on where you applied. For more information, see application processing times. For the Philippines, it says 7 days.
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