Canada Visa from Jamaica – How to Apply for Canada Visitor Visa Application And Requirements Guide

Do you want to go to Canada? Well, you are in for the time of your life! With spectacular scenery, wonderful cities, and friendly people, you’re guaranteed a trip to remember! In this article, learn more about how to apply for a Canada Visitor Visa from Jamaica – online and in person, processing time at the Canadian visa application center, flight itinerary and Canada visitor visa application process.

Applying for a Canada Visitor Visa from Jamaica

If you are planning on going to Canada, you’ll need to apply for a visa, but you can do this easily from Jamaica. You can either:

1. Apply online by going to the website of Immigration, Refugee, Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
2. Apply in person at one of the TT Services offices located in Kingston or Montego Bay

Types of visas for Canada

There are different types of Temporary Resident Visas for Canada and the one you will apply for will depend on why you are going to Canada:

1. Visitor visa – if you are going to Canada for tourism purposes, visiting family/friends or conducting business for up to 6 months
2. Parent and grandparent super visa – if you are visiting your children/grandchildren for up to 2 years
3. Transit visa – if you are connecting between 2 international flights, in less than 48 hours

Further information regarding types of visa can be found on the IRCC website, however, if you are going to Canada as a tourist, you will need to apply for a visitor visa.

Visitor visas are issued as:

1. Single entry – you can enter Canada once before the visa expires
2. Multiple entry – you can enter Canada as many times as you wish before the visa expires

The Canada Visitor Visa Application Process

Processing times vary depending on the country you are applying from. Visa applications from Jamaica take 91 days to process and reach a decision. However, it could take longer due to any of the following reasons:

1. The type of visa you are applying for
2. Whether you need to provide more documents
3. The time it takes you to provide biometric data
4. The time it takes for your application to be sent to the main visa office (if applying at your local visa application center)

It is not the responsibility of the visa office to ensure you apply in time! It is up to you to make sure you submit your application well in advance of your departure date!

How to apply for a Canada visitor visa from Jamaica

As mentioned above, you may apply for a Canada visitor visa online or in-person. Before you decide, consider the benefits if you apply online:

Whether you apply online or in person, there are 4 steps which you must follow:

1. Gather documents
2. Complete the application
3. Pay the fees
4. Submit the application – either electronically (online application) or at the visa office (paper/in-person application)

How to apply for a Canada visitor visa online

Go to the website of IRCC and click on “Menu” – “Immigration and citizenship” – “Visit”:

Under “Services and information”, click on “Apply for a visitor visa”:

Click on “Apply”:

Scroll down to “How do you want to apply” and choose “Online” and click on “Get instructions”:

On the next page, there is a link for the instruction guide which will guide you through the application process. If you are happy to get started, click on “Apply for a visitor visa”:

You will have to create an account:

Then, you can sign in and begin your application:

After you have input your information, you will be asked to pay the fees and upload your documents.

How to apply for a Canada visitor visa in person

To apply in person, you will submit your application to TT Services. First, go to the website and click on “How to Apply”:

Scroll down to “Paper Application” and you will see there are a series of steps to follow:

1. Step 1 – Read about visa requirements
2. Step 2 – Complete the application form
3. Step 3 – Get the required documents
4. Step 4 – Pay the fees
5. Step 5 – Visit the visa application center

Step 1 – Read about visa requirements

The first thing you need to do is to read about the requirements for the visa you are applying for. It’s a good idea to spend a bit of time doing this to familiarize yourself with everything that is needed. You can find this information by going to IRCC’s website and clicking on “Apply”:

Scroll down to “How do you want to apply” and choose “On paper” and click on “Get instructions”:

On the next page, click on “Download the application package”:

Choose “Jamaica as the country/territory and click on “Get documents”:

You will then see all the necessary forms that you need for your application:

You can also get the information by clicking on “Prepare your application” on TT Services’ website:

You will find the relevant links for your application:

Step 2 – Complete the application form

You can complete your application form by:

1. Downloading it – click on the link for the application form and choose IMM 5257 – Application for Temporary Resident Visa. You still need to print the completed form along with 2 copies of the 2D barcode:
2. Apply online and submit the form electronically

Step 3 – Get the required documents

Step 4 – Pay the fees

You will pay for 2 types of fee at the same time:

Step 5 – Visit the visa application center

1. Online – click on the link for scheduling an appointment
2. By telephone – call the helpline number: +1 876 728 7001
3. By email – use the web form
4. By Webchat – click on “Chat now”
5. In-person – you can visit the visa application center in person

On your appointment date, arrive at the visa application center 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time. You need to take your completed and printed application forms, supporting documents, fee receipt, original passport and two copies of the passport bio data page.

Your application and biometrics will be collected, you’ll pay any service charges and obtain a receipt.

If you are NOT REQUIRED to provide biometric data, simply visit the visa application center along with your passport, photographs, completed forms, the fee and all the supporting documents from the document checklists (see above) during business hours.

Tracking your application

Once you have submitted your application, you can track its progress. Please note, you will need the unique tracking number which would have been included on the receipt given to you after you handed over your application. You can track your application in the following ways:

1. On TT Services’ website
2. Email: info.canjm@vfshelpline.com
3. Webchat: Chat now

The visa application decision

1. Documents missing – it is up to you to make sure you have everything that is required for your visa application
2. The visa officer doubts you will return home before the visa expires – it is your responsibility to provide sufficient evidence that you will return home before the visa expires. You can do this by providing documents, such as evidence of property ties, employment details etc
3. Invalid passport – your passport must be valid (see above requirements). If not, you should get a new one before applying for a visa
4. No proof of financial support – you must prove that you can pay for your trip yourself or provide evidence that someone is covering your expenses

Collecting your passport

Once a decision has been made, you can either: