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

Canada is a fantastic country to visit any time of the year! Take advantage of the warm summers and head out into the forests for a chance to spot the local wildlife. Winter is exciting too when you can try your hand at skiing or dog sledding! Whatever you end up doing, you’ll have a lot of fun! In this article, learn more about how to apply for a Canada Visitor Visa from South Africa – online and in-person, processing time at the Canadian visa application center, flight itinerary and Canada visitor visa application process.

Source: SAA

Applying for a Canada Visitor Visa from South Africa

If you live in South Africa, there are 2 ways you can apply for a visa for Canada:

1. Online – the website of website of Immigration, Refugee, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has everything you need to get your visa
2. In-person – apply at VFS Global located in Cape Town and Pretoria

Types of visas for Canada

If you are planning on going to Canada, you will need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa. There are 3 different visas available and the one you will apply for will depend on the purpose and duration of your trip:

1. Visitor visa – for tourism, 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

You can find further information about the types of visas on the IRCC website.

Visas are usually issued as:

1. Single entry – to enter Canada once between the start and end date of the visa
2. Multiple entry – to enter Canada as many times as you wish between the start and end date of the visa

The Canada Visitor Visa Application Process

Applications from South Africa take 652 days to process. This time does not include:

1. The time it takes for your application to be sent to the main visa office (if applying at your local visa application center)
2. The time it takes you to provide biometrics

It also could take longer depending on the type of visa you are applying for, whether you need to provide more information and/or documents and the time it takes you to respond to any requests.

How to apply for a Canada visitor visa from South Africa

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 finished the online application, 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 VFS Global. There are 7 steps to follow:

1. Step 1 – Identify visa type
2. Step 2 – Begin your application
3. Step 3 – Book an appointment
4. Step 4 – Pay the fees
5. Step 5 – Visit the visa application center
6. Step 6 – Track your application
7. Step 7 – Collect your passport

Go to VFS Global’s website and where it says “Apply for a visa” click on “Start now”:

Step 1 – Identify visa type

Step 4 – Pay the fees

You will pay for the visa application processing fee and the biometric fee at the same time. The fees must be paid before you submit your application online or when you attend your appointment at the visa application center. Fees are subject to change at any time and will not be refunded even if your application is rejected.

Biometric fees:

VFS Global has a range of other services such as courier services and photocopying. For further information, check out their website.

Step 5 – Visit the visa application center

On the day you visit the application center, remember the following things:

1. Arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of schedule
2. Take a printed copy of your visa application, 2D barcoded sheets (2 copies), passport bio page (2 copies), as well as a valid passport or travel document with at least 2 pages that are blank on both sides
3. Take the Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) (if you have applied online)

You have to attend the appointment yourself. You cannot send someone else. Here’s what to expect from your visit:

1. You will hand over your application and supporting documents
2. Provide a scan of your fingerprints and have your photo taken (if you are providing biometrics)
3. You will also pay the fees (if you have not done so online) and receive a receipt with a unique number which you can use to track your application.

Take a look at VFS Global’s website to prepare yourself for your appointment!

Step 6 – Track your application

You can track your application in the following ways:

1. On VFS Global’s website
2. Webchat: Chat Now
3. Email: info.cansa@vfshelpline.com
4. Helpline number: 800101007
5. Visit the visa application center in-person

Step 7 – Collect your passport

1. Temporary Resident Visa application form – IMM 5257 – fully completed and signed
   
2. Valid passport for each applicant. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of travel to Canada. The date of the visa cannot go beyond the validity of the passport. If there are not at least 2 blank pages, you will have to obtain a new passport (no additional sheets)
3. Include copies of all cancelled or expired passports as proof of previous trips
4. If you do not reside in your country of citizenship, please provide a copy of your work permit or temporary stay permit
   
5. 2 photos meeting the correct specifications for each applicant (scanned photos are not acceptable). Signed, dated and taken in the past 6 months. If you need to give their biometrics do not need to submit paper photographs
   
6. Travel authorization letter (if the applicant is a minor) including parent (s) passport
7. Visa fee

It is important to note that further documents may be required depending on where you are applying from.

Applicants from South Africa need to submit other specific documents. To find these documents, go to the “Apply online” page and click on “Read the instruction guide”:

Go to the “Gather documents” section and click on “Application for a visitor visa”:

Scroll down to “Select a country/territory” choose South Africa and click on “Get documents”:

You MUST get the documents for the country you are applying from. There are different documents for each country and if you don’t include these, your application may be rejected.

On the next page, click on “Visa office instructions – Visit (IMM 5971)”:

You will then be directed to the relevant visa office instruction document:

Remember! The above document must be used in conjunction with the document checklist IMM 5484 and it needs to be placed on top of your application pack.

You should read the instructions carefully! Additional documents for applications from South Africa include:

1. Consent to verification of documents form
2. Family Information form IMM 5707 – fully completed, dated and signed
3. Schedule 1 form – Application for Temporary Resident Visa – IMM 5257B
   
4. Explain the purpose of your trip – details of your itinerary in Canada, provisional travel arrangements (airline or hotel booking), letter of invitation from the person or business you will visit, registration at a conference, letter from your employer (as applicable)
5. Proof of sufficient funds/financial support – bank statements, payslips or other proof of income. If you are not paying for your own trip, provide a letter signed by the person paying along with their passport and bank statement and proof of relationship
6. Other documents (family, financial, employment, property ties) to prove you will return to your country of residence after your visit
7. A letter from your employer, stating your employment status, length of service, position, salary and allowances, authorization of leave and the date you are expected to return to work. If you are travelling on business, the letter should also state the purpose of your trip, and names and addresses of the companies you will visit. If you are self-employed, please provide evidence of your business
8. Proof of enrolment in school – letter and transcript from the school/university you will be attending
9. Birth and marriage certificate for each family member applying for a visa

If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

1. Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
2.  Submit the travel details and make the payment online
3. Receive flight itinerary in email

In addition to the above documents, provide the following (if applicable):

Visiting family/friends

1. A letter of invitation
2. Host’s passport/proof of residency
3. Proof of relationship

For a business trip

1. Business registration
2. Financial documents such as income tax/bank statements
3. Official invitation with all required information (names, addresses, telephone/fax numbers, purpose and length of trip, and funding arrangements)

For a conference, training or official visit

1. Mission order
2. Letter from your employer confirming your trip stating reason for travel, length of stay, and the position of the traveler
3. Official invitation from your Canadian contacts, including the names of the travelers and their positions
4. Proof of registration for a conference
5. Proof of financial support

For parents/grandparents super visa

1. A letter of invitation stating the arrangements for your care and support and including the number of individuals residing in the inviter’s household
2. Proof of relationship
3. Proof that your child/grand-child meets the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) minimum
4. Proof that you have private medical insurance valid for a minimum of one year from a Canadian insurance company and that covers health care, hospitalization and repatriation for a minimum of $100,000