What Is a Canada Visa?
A Canada visa is a visa or entry permission issued by the competent Canadian authority to foreign nationals who wish to travel to Canada for purposes such as tourism, family visit, business, study, work, immigration or other suitable purposes.
Depending on the travel purpose, applicants should identify the correct visa or permit type before preparing the application. Choosing the wrong application type may cause the submitted information to not properly reflect the entry purpose, require additional documents or affect the review process.
It should be noted that being granted a visa does not guarantee entry into Canada in every case. Upon arrival, the competent Canadian authority may still check the entry purpose, related documents and entry conditions under applicable regulations.
Common Types of Canada Visas
Canada has various visa and permit categories depending on entry purpose, stay duration and the applicant’s plan. Some common Canada application groups include:
| Application group | Main purpose |
| Canada tourist visa | For applicants traveling to Canada for tourism, sightseeing, vacation or suitable short-term personal activities |
| Canada family visit visa | For applicants visiting relatives, friends or attending suitable family occasions in Canada |
| Canada business visitor visa | For applicants traveling to Canada for meetings, partner visits, market surveys, conferences or suitable short-term business activities |
| Canada study permit/student visa | For students or participants in academic or training programs in Canada |
| Canada work permit | For certain applicants coming to Canada to work if requirements are met |
| Canada transit visa | For certain transit cases through Canada if a visa is required |
| Canada immigration applications | For applicants seeking immigration through family, skilled worker, investment, business or other suitable programs |
Each application type has different requirements, forms, supporting documents and processing timelines. Therefore, applicants should check the correct visa or permit category before preparing the dossier.
What Documents Are Required for a Canada Visa Application?
Canada visa documents vary depending on visa type, travel purpose, personal status, employment, financial capacity, travel history and inviter or sponsor in Canada if any.
For common categories such as tourism, family visit or short-term business, applicants generally need to prepare the following document groups:
Personal Documents
- Passport valid for the intended Canada travel plan;
- Previous passports if they contain relevant visa or travel history;
- Citizen ID card or corresponding identity document;
- Birth certificate, marriage certificate or relevant civil status documents if relationship proof is required;
- Photos meeting requirements if requested;
- Visa application form according to the relevant application type;
- Documents proving residence address or lawful residence status if required.
Employment or Study Documents
Depending on the applicant’s status, documents may include:
- Employment contract;
- Employment confirmation letter;
- Leave approval letter or business trip assignment decision;
- Payslips, salary bank statements or income documents;
- Social insurance or documents proving employment history if required;
- Business registration certificate, business documents or tax records if the applicant owns a business;
- Company bank statements if business activity needs to be demonstrated;
- Student confirmation, student card or school leave confirmation if the applicant is a student;
- Retirement decision, pension card or pension documents if the applicant is retired;
- Documents proving occupation or income source if the applicant is self-employed, a homemaker or freelancer.
Financial and Asset Documents
Financial documents help demonstrate the applicant’s ability to cover the trip and financial situation. Depending on the case, documents may include:
- Bank statements;
- Savings book or balance confirmation if available;
- Property ownership documents if any;
- Vehicle registration, shares, stocks or other valuable assets if relevant;
- Income, business, rental income or other lawful income records;
- Financial documents of the sponsor if the trip is financially sponsored.
A fixed financial amount should not be stated as applicable to all applications, because financial proof requirements depend on visa type, travel purpose, stay duration, cost sponsor and the applicant’s actual situation.
Travel Documents
Depending on the visa purpose, applicants may need to prepare:
- Intended itinerary in Canada;
- Flight information or intended transportation plan;
- Intended accommodation information;
- Invitation letter if visiting family, traveling for business, attending an event or invited by someone in Canada;
- Documents proving relationship with the inviter if visiting family;
- Documents of the inviter or sponsor in Canada if requested;
- Documents proving travel purpose;
- Plan to return to Vietnam after the trip.
Applicants should be cautious about purchasing non-refundable flight tickets or services before obtaining the visa result. In many cases, intended itinerary and accommodation information may be used to explain the travel plan, but purchased tickets or hotel bookings should not be considered a guarantee of visa approval.
Canada Visa Application Process
The Canada visa application process may vary depending on the application type and the applicant’s actual situation. Currently, many Canada visa applications are submitted online through the IRCC system. In some cases, applicants will be required to provide biometrics at a Canada Visa Application Centre.
Step 1: Identify the Suitable Visa or Permit Type
Applicants should identify whether the entry purpose is tourism, family visit, business, study, work, immigration, transit or another purpose to select the correct application type.
Step 2: Prepare the Documents
Documents must be prepared according to the visa or permit category. Information in the passport, identity documents, employment, finances, itinerary, invitation letter and sponsorship documents must be consistent.
Step 3: Submit the Application and Pay Fees
The applicant or support provider completes the form, uploads documents to the system and pays applicable fees according to IRCC guidance. Information declared in the application must be accurate, complete and consistent with attached documents.
Step 4: Receive Biometric Instruction Letter if Required
After submission, the applicant may receive a Biometric Instruction Letter. In that case, the applicant needs to book an appointment and attend a Canada Visa Application Centre to provide fingerprints and a photo.
Not every application requires biometrics again if previous biometrics are still valid. Applicants should check the specific request in their own application.
Step 5: Track the Application and Supplement Documents if Requested
During the review process, IRCC may request additional documents, explanations, health examinations, police certificates or other documents depending on the case.
Step 6: Receive the Visa Result
When the result is available, the applicant receives notification electronically or according to system guidance. If passport submission is requested for visa stamping, the applicant should follow IRCC or Canada Visa Application Centre instructions.
Biometrics for Canada Visa Applications
For many Canada visa applications, applicants need to provide biometrics, including fingerprints and a photo. After submitting the application, if biometrics are required, the applicant will receive a Biometric Instruction Letter from IRCC.
In Vietnam, applicants must book an appointment before attending a Canada Visa Application Centre to provide biometrics. According to VFS Global, a prior appointment is mandatory for biometric enrolment at Canada Visa Application Centres in Vietnam.
Applicants should bring the Biometric Instruction Letter, appointment confirmation, original valid passport and documents required under the instructions at the time of attending the Centre.
Where to Submit a Canada Visa Application?
Currently, many Canada visa applications are submitted online through the IRCC system. Canada Visa Application Centres in Vietnam mainly support steps such as biometric collection, passport submission when requested, related services and result return according to instructions.
In Vietnam, Canada Visa Application Centres are available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Applicants should check the address, working hours, appointment schedule, service fees and required documents through the official system before visiting the Centre, as information may change from time to time.
Commonly mentioned locations include:
- Ho Chi Minh City: Canada Visa Application Centre operated in partnership with IOM (9th Floor, Cienco 4 Tower, 180 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
- Hanoi: Canada Visa Application Centre in Hanoi according to information published on the VFS Global system at the time of application
Applicants should check updated information on the official VFS Global website before booking an appointment or attending the Centre.
Is an Interview Required for a Canada Visa?
Not every Canada visa application requires an interview. In many cases, applications are reviewed based on declared information, attached documents, biometrics and additional requests if any.
However, during processing, the competent authority may request additional information, explanation, health examination, police certificate or an interview if necessary.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that an interview is mandatory for every application, nor should they assume that using a service means an interview will definitely not be required. Whether an interview is required depends on application type, actual information and requirements of the reviewing authority.
How Long Does a Canada Visa Application Take?
Canada visa processing time should not be understood as a fixed period for all applications. IRCC publishes processing times by application type and updates them regularly. Actual processing time may vary depending on visa category, dossier status, biometric requirements, health examination requirements, additional requests, submission timing and workload of the competent authority.
In practice, the total visa timeline may include:
- Consultation and identifying the suitable application type;
- Document preparation time;
- Translation, notarization/certification time if needed;
- Online application completion and submission;
- Waiting time for Biometric Instruction Letter if applicable;
- Appointment booking and biometric collection;
- Document supplementation, health examination or police certificate if required;
- Waiting time for the processing result;
- Passport submission and return if visa stamping is requested.
For urgent, express or fast-track handling needs, Nhị Gia will review dossier status, visa type, biometric appointment availability, document requirements and current regulations to advise on a suitable option. The actual timeline still depends on dossier completeness, submission rules and the processing progress of the competent authority at the relevant time.
Nhị Gia will advise the estimated timeline after reviewing the client’s specific dossier and needs.
Canada Visa Fees
Canada visa costs may include different items depending on visa type, submission method and requirements of each case.
For visitor visas, current IRCC reference fees include:
| Fee type | Reference fee |
| Visitor visa processing fee for one applicant | CAD 100 |
| Visitor visa processing fee for a family of 5 or more if eligible | CAD 500 |
| Biometrics fee for one applicant if biometrics are required | CAD 85 |
| Biometrics fee for a family if eligible | Up to CAD 170 |
In addition to fees paid to IRCC, clients may incur service fees at the Canada Visa Application Centre, courier fees, translation, notarization/certification, health examination, police certificate or consulting service fees if using a support provider.
Actual fees depend on visa type, nationality, submission timing and announcements from the competent authority. Therefore, clients should check the current fee schedule before proceeding.
Factors That May Help a Canada Application Be Better Prepared
Canada visa results depend on the competent authority’s assessment based on the dossier, travel purpose, declared information, travel history and applicable conditions. A single factor should not be understood as a guarantee of visa approval.
However, certain factors may help the application be prepared more clearly and favorably if demonstrated appropriately:
- Clear and reasonable travel purpose;
- Consistent personal, employment, financial and itinerary documents;
- Stable employment, income or study status;
- Clear ties in Vietnam such as employment, family, study or assets;
- Suitable travel history if the dossier needs to demonstrate international travel experience;
- Clear invitation letter, itinerary or documents proving travel purpose if visiting family, traveling for business or attending an event;
- No history of overstay, immigration violations or false declarations;
- Complete, clear and properly prepared dossier.
Nhị Gia has recorded a high approval rate for eligible applications that are fully, truthfully and properly prepared in accordance with the entry purpose. However, visa results remain subject to the decision of the reviewing authority.
Common Mistakes When Applying for a Canada Visa
Common mistakes when preparing Canada visa applications include:
- Choosing the wrong visa or permit type for the travel purpose;
- Declared information is inconsistent with passport or related documents;
- Travel purpose is not clearly explained;
- Employment or financial documents are not suitable;
- Return plan to Vietnam after the trip is not clearly demonstrated;
- Missing documents proving relationship with the inviter or sponsor if visiting family;
- Not tracking biometric, health examination or additional document requests in the system;
- Providing incomplete, unclear or incorrectly formatted documents;
- Preparing the application too close to the intended departure date.
These mistakes may lead to additional requests, longer processing time or affect the travel plan to Canada.
Canada Visa Consulting Service by Nhị Gia
Canada visa applications must be prepared carefully because they involve personal information, employment, finances, travel history, travel purpose, inviter or sponsor if any and possible requirements such as biometrics, health examination, police certificate or additional documents.
With experience in outbound visas, Vietnam visas, work permits, temporary residence cards, entry approvals and legal dossiers for individuals and enterprises, Nhị Gia supports clients in preparing Canada visa applications based on each specific case.
Nhị Gia supports clients with:
- Advising on the suitable Canada visa or permit category based on travel purpose;
- Reviewing personal, employment, financial, travel history and residence status documents;
- Guiding preparation of documents proving entry purpose;
- Guiding preparation of itinerary, accommodation information, invitation letter or sponsorship documents if needed;
- Checking information consistency across the dossier;
- Supporting online application completion based on information provided by the client;
- Guiding biometric appointment booking if requested;
- Guiding application tracking and handling additional requests if any;
- Advising on handling previously refused applications or reapplication if needed;
- Advising on translation, notarization/certification, police certificate or health examination if required;
- Supporting urgent, express or fast-track handling needs where applicable;
- Maintaining confidentiality of personal information and client dossiers.
For urgent, express or fast-track handling needs, Nhị Gia will review the visa type, dossier status, biometric appointment availability, document requirements and current regulations to advise on a suitable handling option. The actual timeline depends on dossier completeness, additional requests if any and the processing progress of the competent authority at the relevant time.
Nhị Gia has recorded a high approval rate for eligible applications that are fully, truthfully and properly prepared in accordance with the entry purpose. However, visa results remain subject to the decision of the competent reviewing authority. Using a consulting service does not replace the authority’s decision, but it can help clients reduce errors, prepare clearer dossiers and be more proactive throughout the procedure.
Nhị Gia Support Process for Canada Visa Applications
The support process at Nhị Gia focuses on reviewing the dossier first, advising on a suitable approach and helping clients prepare information based on each specific case.
Step 1: Information Collection
Nhị Gia collects information about travel purpose, intended travel time, requested visa or permit category, personal status, employment, finances, travel history and inviter or sponsor in Canada if any.
Step 2: Application Category and Dossier Direction Consultation
Nhị Gia advises on the suitable application category, document groups to prepare and key points to note based on the client’s actual profile.
For urgent, express or fast-track handling needs, Nhị Gia will further check document completion capacity, biometric appointment availability, translation/notarization requirements and current regulations to advise on a suitable option.
Step 3: Document Preparation Guidance and Dossier Completion
Nhị Gia guides clients in preparing documents, itinerary, invitation letters, supporting documents and related materials. The dossier is reviewed to reduce errors in information, entry purpose and document requirements.
Step 4: Submission Support and Follow-Up on Additional Requests
Nhị Gia supports clients in carrying out submission steps through the suitable method, tracking system notifications and handling biometric, additional document, health examination, police certificate or other requests if any.
Step 5: Result Delivery and Visa Information Check
After the result is available, Nhị Gia delivers the information according to the service agreement and guides clients in checking visa or result letter details if granted, including full name, passport number, visa type, visa validity, number of entries, stay period and visa conditions if any.
If you need to apply for a Canada visa for tourism, business, family visit, study, work, immigration, transit or another suitable purpose, the suitable visa/permit category, dossier conditions and travel plan should be reviewed before submission.
With experience handling various Canada visa application groups, Nhị Gia supports clients in preparing clear, purpose-consistent and case-appropriate dossiers. For urgent, express or fast-track handling needs, Nhị Gia will review the actual dossier status and advise on a suitable option.
Please contact Hotline 1900 6654 or email info@nhigia.vn for case-specific consultation from Nhị Gia’s specialists.
