Planning to travel to Canada to take a tour of the beautiful country or perhaps to visit your loved ones there? If yes, you need to apply for a Canada visa from Dubai. While Canada accepts e-visa from many countries, if you are a South African citizen, you need to apply for an actual visa. This applies to even those who are living in UAE for the time being. If you want to visit Canada, here are the things that you need to know and do.
You can apply for Canadian visit visa as a parent or grandparent, as a tourist and even as a business visitor. If you are planning to travel through Canada without actually staying there, you need to get a transit visa. You can apply for a single entry and a multiple entry visa. With a single entry visa, you can visit Canada only one time. Once you have exited the place you cannot re-enter without applying for a visa again. On the other hand, the multiple entry visa is where you can visit Canada every months for 10 years without the renewing the visa.
Navigating the Visa Application Process
Just like any visa process, you need to fulfill some Canada visit visa application requirements. Canada visa process begins with the application form. You can either download the Canada visa application form or get one from the Embassy. The form should be filled completely and without any mistakes. You must remember that even a small mistake can cause your visa application to be rejected. If you have downloaded an e-form, make sure you print it in a non-glossy, bond quality white paper. Moreover, laser printer should be used for printing it.
Along with the application form, you need to submit some documents. These include a valid passport, two photographs, your flight tickets and itinerary, etc. You also need to provide proof of your accommodation arrangements. You can either submit the proof of your hotel bookings or get a letter from your friend or family in Canada (i.e. Canada Visa letter of invitation). You also need to submit a letter from your company specifying the number of days you have taken leave as well as your rejoining date. This is to convince the Embassy officials that you plan to return to UAE after your visit in Canada. Check with the Embassy to know the different documents that you would require to apply for a Canada visa so that you do not miss anything and avoid Canada visa rejection.
If you are travelling with minors, you need to carry their valid birth certificate. Approval of both parents is required while travelling abroad. Even if the child is accompanied by one parent, the consent of the other parent is necessary.
At the time of submission of the application form, you need to be physically present at the Embassy. Biometrics and medical check-up are done during the same time. You also need to pay the visa fee while submitting the application form. The fee for your visa application process would vary on the type of Canada visa you are applying for. In case of multiple entry visas, the fee would be more than single entry visas. Once you have submitted the form and paid the fee, you would receive a receipt. Make sure to keep it safe as it can help you to track the status of your visa process.
As there are several things to do and many documents to submit, it is best to make a checklist of the things that you need. This would ensure that you do not forget anything. In case your application gets rejected, try to find what went wrong and resubmit your form after rectifying the mistakes. A travel agent can help you with this.
The Canada visa approval for South African passport holders can take several weeks and hence it is best to apply for it much before you are planning to travel to the country.