Canada Visitor Visa —Experience

6 min readFeb 1, 2022

A step-by-step guide for applying Canada Visitor Visa from the USA

(This guide is based on the experience of applying Canada Visitor Visa, for an India Passport Holder living in the USA, with a work visa, although it should be similar for others that need a Visitor Visa to travel)

Step 1 — Complete and Submit Online Application

Start here —https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/steps-apply-visitor-visa.html

Step 1.1 — Create an account in CIC website

Create and Account or Sign In to the CIC website using, and create a new online application. You will be redirected to an application page. Download the application documents that needs to be filled (e.g. IMM5257) — These documents can be opened only using Adobe/Foxit, and not with Mac Preview. Download Adobe, and fill in these applications.

Step 1.2 — Upload all filled applications and documents

Application for visitor visa (imm5257)
Travel History — I provided copies of all stamped pages in passport, visa approvals (i797 or visa letter) from all countries visited.
Passport — All non-blank pages
Use of Family Member Representative (imm5713) — Required when applying as a couple and/or with kids
Proof of Financial Support — I uploaded last 3 months payslip, bank statements, 2 years W2.
Marriage Certificate
Digital Photo — Used ID Photo iOS app to crop photo using specs
Purpose of Travel — I wrote a letter stating my itinerary, in my case was 3 days on an extended weekend, mentioning the cities, places (park, etc.), hotels to stay, mode of transport (drive, flight etc.), along with cost of each hotel, place to visit etc. and request for a visa
Family Information (imm5645) for every applicant
Schedule 1 — application imm5257 — Extension to application
Client information — Uploaded the same letter as travel itinerary

Step 1.3 — Submit application, and pay visa fees

Visa fees is 100CAD per applicant, and 85CAD per applicant for bio-metrics. The bio-metric fee is capped to 170$ per family. So, if you plan to apply visa for extended family, including parents, in-laws etc. this is the time to do it.

Wait for the response… :)

Step 2 — Provide Bio-metrics at VAC/ASC/USCIS

Once you get a letter to request bio-metrics, next step is to schedule an appointment for the same (I got this response in a couple of days)

Start from where to give biometrics…

The best place to give biometrics is one of the Visa Application Centers (VACs) located in Los Angeles or New York. However, if you are not located close to one of these cities, second best is Application Support Center (ASC) — most probably they are the same as USCIS application centers.

I live in Seattle, and I was not able to get an appointment with USCIS Seattle, because the website showed availability, but never allowed me to book.

I ended up booking an appointment in Yakima, WA — which is a 2 hour drive from Seattle. The USCIS office was flexible, and honored the appointment at any time on the same day. The whole process of biometric collection took around 15 minutes.

Wait for the response… :)

Step 3 — Send Passport using VFS Global

I got a response from IRCC 2–3 weeks after biometrics that a decision has been made on my application, along with a passport request letter.

Start from where to submit passport…..

Passport collection services for CA visa is handled by VFX Global. Below data is compiled using Contact Us: Chat Now from the VFS Global Website — None of this is available directly on the website.

At the time of writing this post (Jan 2022), both Visa Application Centers in the United States (Los Angeles and New York) are providing the service for submission of passport upon receipt of Passport Request Letter from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada (online process), via post/courier only. Submission of passport in person at the Center is suspended until further notice, as a health measure.

You need to avail the VFS Two-way courier service (mandatory) - This service includes both the submission of documents and the returning of them.

Step 3.1 — Send an email to VFS Global

Start by sending an email to vfsshippinglabels@vfsglobal.com (for New York VAC) or ShippinglabelsLA@vfsglobal.com (for Los Angeles VAC) with the following information (per applicant — I sent two emails, one of me and one for my wife, using our own email accounts):

First Name(s)
Last name(s)
Complete Address with zip code (Please note that the address that you will be writing is the one that your documents will be sent back once they finish its process. This will be used to generate shipping label with Fedex)
Phone Number
Email Address
Application type (E.g. original passport submission, study permit, work permit, PRTD, PR)
Location in which you would like to submit your documents (New York or Los Angeles)
Place in which you provided biometrics (please specify if it was a USCIS, ASC or VAC office), as well mention if you provided your biometrics for this application or for a different one (if you were exempt of providing biometrics please mention this information)

(This step is neither self-service on website, nor documented on the website, you can get the same information by calling or chatting with VFS Global customer care)

Step 3.2 —Pay the application/courier fees

The VFS shipping labels team will send you a link to make the payment online for the labels, as well as for the applicable Visa Application Center fees, you will be able to pay with your credit or debit card. This was around $90 per applicant. If you provide biometrics in VAC LA or NY, you might get a discount on this fees.

Step 3.3 — Send the invoice payment receipt to VFS

Right after you pay, please forward the invoice payment receipt to vfsshippinglabels@vfsglobal.com (for New York VAC) or ShippinglabelsLA@vfsglobal.com (for Los Angeles VAC). I got an email saying payment is approved, and I exported this email to PDF, and replied to the original thread with VFS.

Step 3.4 — Ship the passport(s)

You will receive the shipping labels (I got Fedex) in your e-mail, you will need to print them and take them with your documents to a nearby FedEx office to make the shipment. The average response time of the VFS shipping labels team is 1 to 3 business days (I got them on the same day). You need to send the following documents (same will be mentioned on the email):

Passport
Passport Request Letter from ORCC
Any additional documents requested by IRCC (Optional)
TT Services Consent Form (2 copies per applicant) — They will provide this over email
Contact information on an extra sheet of paper (complete name, phone, e-mail and desired mailing address within the United States)
Proof of payment of the VAC fees (I printed my email invoice)