Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa)

Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa)

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New Changes to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Procedures!
Effective December 15, 2012

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2012/ob486.asp

With the global launch of CIC’s Electronic Applications (e-Apps) for Temporary Resident programs, applicants for Temporary Resident Visas, Visitor Extensions, Study Permits and Work Permits, whether they are in Canada or abroad, are now able to submit their applications electronically.  Through the e-Apps system, you will be able to pay online, submit your applications online and upload your supporting documents.  

Note:  The new e-Apps system is not mandatory.  There is still the option of submitting paper applications to a Case Processing Centre, Canadian Visa Office or a Visa Application Centre (VAC).  Applicants for permanent residence, permanent resident travel documents and temporary resident permits, are not eligible to apply online at this time.

Using the E-Application System

Given these changes introduced by CIC in December 2012, the process for completing an online e-App has changed. The steps are as follows:

STEP 1: Complete the Come to Canada Wizard questions.

Based on your answers, the Come to Canada Wizard (C2C) will determine what you are eligible to apply for and will generate a specific document checklist for that application. You will then be asked a series of questions to determine if you are eligible to apply online. If so, you will be provided a Personal Checklist Code (PCC). You will need this code in order to complete your online application. If you are not eligible to apply using the online application, you will be directed to the paper-based forms.

Note: If you are applying from inside Canada, select ‘Canada’ as your current country of residence. Otherwise, you will be treated as an out-of-Canada applicant.

You can access the Come to Canada Wizard at:  www.cic.gc.ca/cometocanada.

STEP 2: Complete the e-App online, using your MyCIC account.

Applicants will complete and upload the application forms and supporting documents to CIC, according to the document checklist which was generated in Step 1 above.

If you are submitting an online application for the first time, you will be directed to register and log in using the secure “GCKey” or "Sign-in Partner", then enroll for a MyCIC account.

Note: If you are applying for an Off-Campus Work Permit, it is essential that you enter your Client Identification Number when you enter your MyCIC account. You must provide your Client ID Number in order to be able to submit a request for an Eligibility Verification Number (EVN) for an Off-Campus Work Permit

STEP 3: Pay the application fee.

Applicants will be required to provide their credit card information to pay the applicable fees to the Receiver General of Canada portal. Applicants will then be automatically directed back to their MyCIC account. Clients who are fee exempt, and can upload proof of why they are fee exempt (i.e., an explanation), will bypass the e-Payment step.

STEP 4: Submit your application.

Once you submit your application, you will receive an instant confirmation of receipt. You will then automatically receive an acknowledgement receipt generated by GCMS (Global Case Management System) which will contain your application number.

NOTE: If you are applying for a Temporary Resident Visa, you will receive further communication from CIC once your application has been processed as to where and how to send your passport so that your visa can be issued.

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Submitting Paper Applications to CIC

CIC is continuing to accept paper applications.

Information and application materials are available on the CIC website for the following permits and visas:

Study Permit extensions: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-extend.asp.

New Study Permit applications: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study.asp

Temporary Resident Visas (from within Canada): http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/cpp-o-apply.asp.

Temporary Resident Visas (from outside of Canada): http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/tourist.asp

Work Permits (including Off-Campus Work Permits, Post-Graduation Work Permits, Co-op Work Permits, and open Work Permits for spouses of international students): http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work.asp.

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Checking Processing Times and the Status of your Application

Current processing times are available online at:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp.asp.

You can check the status of your application by calling the Citizenship and Immigration Canada's Call Centre at the following toll-free telephone number: 1-888-242-2100. Call Centre agents are available Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except for statutory holidays. (You must choose one of the first five recorded options before you can speak to an agent.)

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For More Information and Assistance

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General Information on Applying for a Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa)

A Temporary Resident Visa (also called an Entry or Visitor Visa) gives you the permission to travel to and enter Canada. Depending on your country of citizenship, international students may require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in order to enter Canada, in addition to a Study Permit. For a complete list of countries which require an Temporary Resident Visa, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada's website.

It is recommended that international students apply for a multiple entry TRV which allows you to leave (e.g., for visits home, academic conferences, etc.) and re-enter Canada multiple times until the expiry date of your TRV. Usually, your Temporary Resident Visa is issued with the same expiry date as your Study Permit and/or Work Permit.

Note: When you apply for your initial Study Permit outside of Canada, your TRV (should you require one) will be processed at the same time without any additional application cost.

Your Temporary Resident Visa must be valid on the date you enter Canada, however it may expire once you are in Canada as long as your Study Permit is still valid. Your Study Permit is your main immigration document and must be valid during your stay in Canada as an international student. Although you do not need a valid TRV while inside Canada, it is a good idea to keep a valid one in case of sudden trips abroad so you can re-enter Canada.

When should I apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)?

A TRV application can take anywhere from a few day to a few months to be processed. Students are recommended to apply well in advance of their planned trip to Canada.

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Travelling to the United States and Back in to Canada

International Students who are travelling outside of Canada and are only travelling to the United States are not required to have a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to return to Canada, as long as their Study or Work Permit is still valid. It is recommended that students travel proof of current enrollement status (e.g., Visa Statement Letter from Western).

IMPORTANT: Please note, however, that if you are travelling by air, some airlines may not allow you on the airplane without a valid TRV. Therefore, it is still recommended that you have a valid TRV to avoid any problems.

The policy outlining this is detailed below:

Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, Section 190 (3)(f) states:
(http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/page-70.html#docCont)

(3) A foreign national does not require a temporary resident visa if they are seeking to enter and remain in Canada solely

(f) to re-enter Canada following a visit solely to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon, if they

(i) held a study permit or a work permit that was issued before they left Canada on such a visit or were authorized to enter and remain in Canada as a temporary resident, and

(ii) return to Canada by the end of the period initially authorized for their stay or any extension to it.

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Do You Have Questions?

Contact us by e-mail at iesc@uwo.ca, by telephone at 519-661-2111 ext. 85908, or in person (by dropping by the International and Exchange Student Centre, WSS 2120). You can also book an appointment to meet with an International and Exchange Student Centre's staff member by calling 519-661-3031 or visiting SDC's Reception in WSS 4112.

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Last Updated: April 29, 2013

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All information disclosed by students to IESC will be kept confidential. It will not be shared with family, university staff, course instructors, or others without written permission and will not become part of academic records.

The International and Exchange Student Centre is experienced in working with diverse populations.

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