Canada Visa For Indians

Quick answer: Indian citizens need a visitor visa to travel to Canada. At the time of writing, Indians living in India who had visited Canada or the US in the past ten years could apply under the expedited CAN+ programme, with fewer documents and faster processing. Everyone else can still apply with a few additional documents.

Canada is one of the biggest countries in the world, and exploring its enchanting beauty takes time. Luckily, Canada issues long-term tourist visas to Indians, and it introduced an expedited, hassle-free visa process known as CAN+ for Indian, Mexican and Chinese citizens living in their home countries.

Note: visa rules, fees and requirements change often. Always check the latest information on the official Government of Canada (IRCC) website before applying.

What Is the CAN+ Programme?

In 2014, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister, Chris Alexander, announced India’s inclusion in CAN+, alongside Mexico and China, as a country eligible for expedited visa processing.

Under CAN+, an Indian citizen living in India who has visited Canada or the United States at least once in the past ten years qualifies for faster processing. As well as shorter wait times, CAN+ requires fewer documents: no bank statements, flight tickets or hotel bookings.

Documents Needed for a Canada Visa Under CAN+

If you qualify for CAN+, you only need to submit the following documents online or at the VFS office:

• Passport copy
• Two passport-size photos
• Proof of travel to the US or Canada (copy of visa and entry stamp)
• Visa fee of 100 CAD
• Application Form.
• Family Information form.

Canada Visa Application Process for Indians

• Fill in the application form, validate it and submit it online.
• Print the acknowledgement page with the barcode.
• Visit your nearest VFS Centre and submit the barcoded form along with the documents above.
• The VFS agent issues an acknowledgement slip on acceptance, with a tracking ID you can use to follow your application on their website.

Processing normally takes 5 working days, but it can take 2–3 weeks depending on how many applications the embassy is handling.

If You Don’t Qualify for CAN+

If you don’t have a US visa or previous Canadian travel, you can still apply online, but you’ll need to submit a few more documents:

• Flight ticket
• Hotel booking confirmation
• Bank statement
• Travel insurance

Processing for standard applications normally took 15 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for CAN+?

Indian citizens living in India who have visited Canada or the United States at least once in the past ten years.

How long does a Canada visa take for Indians?

Under CAN+, normally 5 working days, sometimes 2–3 weeks. Standard applications normally took 15 business days.

What was the Canada visa fee for Indians?

The visa fee was 100 CAD at the time of writing. Check the official website for current fees.

Conclusion

Getting a Canada visa as an Indian is straightforward, especially if you’ve travelled to the US or Canada before. Gather your documents, apply online, submit them at a VFS centre and you’ll soon be ready to explore Canada.