Visa Application Process
Provided by the Government of Canada
Submission of Applications:
Canada does not have a visa office in every country so it is important that delegates visit the website of the visa office
responsible for processing their visa applications. Information is available on the website on how to submit a visa
application and the documentation required.
Delegates are encouraged to submit their visa applications well in advance of the date of the event at a Visa
Application Centre or on-line E-applications (e-Apps).
e-Apps
This system allows clients to submit applications online.
Delegates that need a visa but require their passport for other travel purposes are strongly encouraged to submit
their visa applications on-line (e-Apps). Delegates that choose to apply on-line will not have to submit their passport
until a decision has been taken on their applications. If required, the visa office will send the applicant instructions
on how and where to send their passports to finalize the visa process.
Visa Application Centres (VACs):
VACs are commercial service providers authorized by Canada to provide specific services to applicants.
VACs provide a number of services including help applicants fill out forms, answer questions and ensure that
applications are complete, thereby reducing unnecessary delays or refusals due to incomplete applications.
Applicants that are required to provide biometrics information as part of the visa application process can do so at a
VAC. Additional information on the biometrics requirements is available at the CIC website.
VACs send applications to Visa Offices and transmit decisions to applicants in a secure and confidential manner.
VACs do not process visa applications and play no role in the decision-making process
Visa Applications Processing Times:
Processing time for visa applications vary depending on the office and the time of the year. Participants should be
encouraged to apply early for their visas, and to submit complete applications including all supporting
documents.
Please visit the CIC website for information on the time it takes to process visa applications at the various visa
offices.
NEW - Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) – Effective as of August 1
st
, 2015
eTA is a new requirement for travellers who were previously able to travel to Canada without prior
authorization. We invite you to consult the CIC website regularly for information updates on eTA.
The Special Events Unit will share the information provided on your event with the Canada Border Services Agency’s
(CBSA) International Events and Conventions Services Program (IECSP). If your event meets their requirements,
the IECSP will issue a Letter of Recognition which facilitates the entry of goods and delegates when they arrive at the
port of entry.
We hope you will find this information useful and look forward to working with you.
Special Events Unit | Unité des évènements spéciaux
NHQ - Operational Management and Coordination | AC - Gestion opérationnelle et coordination
Citizenship and Immigration Canada | Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada
365 Laurier Avenue West Ottawa ON K1A 1L1 | 365, avenue Laurier Ouest Ottawa ON K1A 1L1
Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada
