Applying for a Visitor's Visa to Canada

Obtaining a visa to visit Canada can be a very difficult task in some Countries. The rules keep changing from year to year in most countries especially in countries with high populations and many applicants. This article is targeted to applicants from developing countries where it is difficult to speak with the immigration officers and only a fraction of the applicants are successful in obtaining visas. I hope that this article will help you prepare an outstanding application package.

Before applying for a visa, you need to know the process in your particular country. The best way to know this is to go to the Canadian embassy or Consulate in your country. Usually, you will be given some forms and told the procedure. Once this is known, you must then gather documents to show that you have enough money to support yourself in Canada during your stay and that you will return to your country. Since I am from Nigeria, I will use Nigeria as my point of reference for this article and I will expect that readers from other countries will simply adapt the suggestions to fit their particular situations.

1) General Information from the Immigration Website- Please read the information available on this web page for the canadian high commision in Nigeria - Canada Immigration Website reagarding application for visitor visas. The information is for Nigeria. Applicants from other countries should find the specific information for their country from this link - Other countries.

The information on this site is very comprehensive. You can also download the required forms and list of required documents. Remember that the most important thing is to be able to show with documents that you will return to Canada.

2) Follow the Instructions Closely - Once you have read the instructions on the webpage, print out at least 2 copies of the application forms (one copy is a draft copy). The final copy should not have mistakes on it. Fill out the forms and attach all the required documents. Some documents that may be helpful but not listed include: Letters from Organisations that you are tied to in your country in addition to the letter from your employer, Proof of relationship to the person you are visiting, one or two old photographs will do, don't forget to throwing in all documents that will show that you are not about to run away from your country, such as properties, birth certificates of your children if any and so on.

3) Be very Neat and Present a well Packed Application - Arrange your documents so that it is very easy to examine your file. Use blank sheets of paper to group your documents into various categories. Put all financial documents to gether and label the group as -proof of funds; group documents from your friend or relative in canada together and label them appropriately. Make it as easy as possible for the immigration office to confirm that you have all the necessary documents. It is common knowledge that making things easy for the immigration office will make her favourably disposed to you and it will increase your chances of getting the visa. Remember that you will not be there to explain and locate each document, so make sure that it will be impossible for the officer to miss any of your documents.

4) Remember to get Canadian Documents - Do not forget to get the immigration status of your friend or relative in Canada, as well as the letter of invitation.

5) Review your file again - Let a friend or relative help to go over the application forms and your list of documents. I have noticed that a second pair of eyes always notice errors and omissions that one has overlooked.

6) Trust your God to favour you. Good luck.

The Canadian Immigration office in Nigeria is located at
4 Anifowoshe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Email:Lagos.immigration@international.gc.ca
Click here to get full information.