Guide About the Canada Transit Visa

Canada, a land known for being spectacular in winter, great at hockey, famous personas, and of course the maple syrup. It is a beautiful country boasting incredible beauty of nature and stunning attractions, from the world-famous Niagara Falls to the rugged highs of Canadian Rockies. Canada also has the longest coastline in the world and has more lakes that any other countries. The national parks on the other hand are a true natural wonder. There is everything that one would possibly think of having a perfect getaway.

However, it just not stops here, Canada is a country that is highly developed and one of the largest economies in the world. It provides an excellent environment with top-notch amenities drawing young talents worldwide. And this makes it obvious to obtain a Canada visa.

The Canadian government and immigration authority has issued various Canada visa types depending on your purpose of travel. And these include a Canada transit visa and this article provides you a complete information on how to prepare for Canada travel, the requirements, rules, and procedures for obtaining one.

What is a transit visa?

Before you hop on to the visa process, know about the transit visa. A transit visa or also known as airport visa is a travel document which permits you to travel through the Canadian borders. It is a legal and official travel permit attached along your original passport. This shows that you belong to the visa mandatory country and are eligible to transit through Canada.

What is the difference between a visitor visa and a transit visa?

A Canada visitor visa or Temporary Residence visa is issued to those who want to visit and explore Canada. With a visitor visa you (from visa mandatory country) are permitted to enter and stay in Canada for the duration of six months.

Do I need a Canada transit visa?

You will have to apply for a Canada transit visa if:

• You are transiting through Canada to or from United States of America by plane
• Your international or transiting flight stops at the Canadian airport for a stopover
• You need to change to your connecting international flight at Canadian airport to reach to your destination
• You do not hold a valid visitor visa
• You are foreign national who come from a visa mandatory country
• You will depart from Canadian airport within 24 hours or 48 hours at most

However, your requirement to apply for a Canada transit visa mostly depends on your nationality and the country from where you will be travelling to or came from. But this makes an exception for all the visa-exempt country citizens who will not need a transit visa for Canada to pass through the boarders of Canadian province.

The following are the countries who citizens are exempt from applying for a Canada transit visa

• United States of America
• Mexico
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Japan
• South Korea
• Brazil

Please note that those who are not native citizens of the mentioned countries are required to apply for a transit visa to Canada to passport the Canadian province.

Eligible criteria for a transit visa to Canada

Since you are applying for a Canada transit visa, you must meet the following eligibility criteria

The person travelling from visa mandatory country requires a transit visa for Canada to enter the boarders of the country. This also includes the scenarios where you are exempt from applying for a visitor visa to Canada.

• You must hold a valid passport or a travel document before you enter Canada.
• You are travelling to and from a different country apart from Canada
• You must hold a confirmed onward ticket for travelling your destination.

Your documentation must hold any criminal proceedings or records against you. This will be considered as a security risk to the province of Canada.

Applying for a Canada transit visa

Now that you have checked your visa-exempt nationality status as per the visa policies of Canada, you are required to follow the listed steps:

• Head to the official website of the Canadian government and check the eligibility criteria for your transit visa. Input the necessary details including the information regarding the destination you are travelling to or from and your nationality.
• A valid passport or travel document which is valid for at least six months from the intended date of departure.
• A letter of invitation from a native of the country which you are coming from or travelling to.
• A confirmed air ticket from a third country to which you be travelling to
• A duly signed and filled in Canada transit visa application form. You can complete the form through online or on the paper. Note that all the applications can be processed through the website of the government of Canada. You can easily download your application for the visa from the website. Or you can also get a copy from the Canadian Embassy or consulate in your region for all the offline applications.
• The visa application fee for a Canada visa is fifty dollars (subject to change). You can complete the payment for the visa fee online or offline at the Canadian embassy or consulate. This mostly depends on the type of application you are submitting.
• Submit your visa application and document once you have completed the payment of visa fee.

In specified cases you may have to attend an interview at your nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate. Here, you will be asked question regarding your financial situation, purpose of travel, and details regarding your onward country.

Processing time for Canada transit visa application

Once you are done submitting the application for your transit visa for Canada online or offline, it may be processed in different timelines. This usually range from days to weeks. Therefore, you are advised to plan your application for a transit visa as early as possible.

As your transit visa gets approved, you will receive a visa letter or a stamped visa on your original passport. This shows as a confirmation of an approved transit visa for Canada and will also show your approved dates of travel.