All About Canada Tourist Visa from Dubai

Planning a holiday in Canada from Dubai? Before booking your tickets, the first step is to check whether you need a visa or are eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). While UAE citizens and residents of select countries are exempt, others must apply for a Canada tourist visa from Dubai.

Eligible applicants can apply for a Canadian visa through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. But what are the eligibility requirements, visa application process and service charges? Let’s get into the details to help you submit a successful visa application.

• About Canada Tourist Visa from Dubai
• Types of Tourist Visas in Canada
• Do UAE Residents Need a Canada Tourist Visa?
• Required Documents
• How to Apply for a Canada Tourist Visa from Dubai
• How to Check a Canada Visitor Visa Application Status
• Key Takeaways
• FAQs

About Canada Tourist Visa from Dubai

A Canadian visit visa, also known as a temporary resident visa, is issued for vacations, family visits and business activities. Under this visa category, eligible UAE residents can apply for single or multiple-entry visitor visas.

This visa permits UAE residents to enter and stay in Canada for up to six months. However, the border services officer at the Canadian airport has the right to limit or extend your visa duration, based on your purpose of visit. Read on to explore all the details about a Canada tourist visa application from Dubai.

Types of Tourist Visas in Canada

Applicants can choose from single or multiple-entry tourist visas, depending on their nationality and travel requirements. Let’s learn about these visa types:

1. Multiple-Entry Visa

This visa allows travellers multiple entries within a 10-year validity period, provided that a single stay must not exceed six months.

2. Single-Entry Visa

This visa permits travellers to enter Canada once for up to six months. It is best for holidays, short-term work or meeting relatives.

Do UAE Residents Need a Canada Tourist Visa?

UAE citizens are eligible for a visa exemption and Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). Additionally, citizens of select other nationalities residing in the UAE are exempt from a tourist visa. All other nationalities need a tourist visa to enter Canada. Let’s learn about these in detail:

1. Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)

Visa-exempt travellers need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to enter Canada. An eTA is linked to the applicant’s passport and serves as proof of permission. Eligible eTA holders can travel and stay in Canada for up to six months at a time. This authorisation is valid for up to five years and must be renewed with passport renewal. 

UAE citizens and the nationals of the following countries are eligible for an eTA:

Note: Please note that certain nationals, such as United States permanent residents, are eligible for an eTA exemption.

2. Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)

Foreign nationals who are not eligible for an eTA must apply for a Canada tourist visa from Dubai. Here is the list:

Note: Citizens of certain countries, such as Argentina and Thailand, may be eligible for eTA, provided they meet some requirements.

Required Documents

Now that you know the Canada tourist visa from Dubai requirements, the next step is to apply. First, you need to arrange some important documents, such as:

• A copy of the UAE residence visa with a minimum of six months’ validity
• An original passport with at least six months of validity and two blank pages
• Three passport-size photographs with a white background
• Applicant’s or sponsor’s last six months’ bank statement
• Medical certificate
• Police certificate
• Marriage certificate (for married individuals)
• Invitation letter from friends or relatives (optional)
• Confirmed return ticket
• Hotel bookings (optional)
• Travel itinerary (optional)

Supporting Documents

Applicants may need supporting documents in the following cases:

If a parent is travelling with a minor child (under 18):

• A letter permitting a minor to travel to Canada
• Other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree (varies by case)

If a minor child is travelling alone:

• Child’s passport
• A parent’s passport
• A copy of the child’s birth certificate
• A letter of authorisation signed by the legal guardians
• Address and telephone number of the caretaker in Canada

If a minor child is travelling with one parent:

• Child’s passport
• A copy of the child’s birth certificate
• A letter of authorisation signed by the parent who is not accompanying the child
• A copy of the other parent’s passport or National Identity Card

Other Cases:

Parents need to submit some other supporting documents in the following cases:

• If the parents are separated or divorced and share the child’s custody.
• If one of the parents is deceased.
• If the child is travelling with a legal guardian or adoptive parents.

How to Apply for a Canada Tourist Visa from Dubai

Applicants can submit an online application to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal. In some cases, applicants may submit a paper application to the Visa Application Centre. Here is how to get a Canada visit visa from Dubai:

1. Submit an Online or Paper Application

You can submit a Canada visa application online or in person, depending on your case. Here’s how to submit a visa application:

Online Application

Follow these steps to apply for a Canada visitor visa online using the IRCC portal:

• Visit the IRCC portal.
• Sign up on the website.
• Select ‘Visitor Visa’.
• Fill out the online application form.
• Attach the required documents.
• Apply.

Paper Application

VFS Global is the official visa service provider of the Canadian Government in Dubai. The following applicants are eligible for a paper application to the Visa Application Centre in Dubai:

• People of Determination (PoD)
• Refugees or stateless persons

Here’s how to submit a paper application at VFS Global:

• Download the application package from the IRCC website.
• Fill out the application form electronically and print it.
• Attach the required documents and a consent form.
• Mail the completed application package and original passport to VFS Global or apply in person.

Details of VFS Global

Here are the details of VFS Global:

• Address: Unit Number 586-594, First Floor, Wafi Mall, Phase 5, Dubai, UAE
• Working Hours:
  • Monday to Thursday: 08:00 am to 04:00 pm
  • Friday: 08:00 am to 01:00 pm and 02:30 pm to 04:00 pm
• Contact Information: +971-4-205-5881

2. Book a Biometrics Appointment

Next, book a biometrics appointment online or in person at your local Visa Application Centre (VFS Global in Dubai). This is a mandatory requirement for photograph and fingerprint verification. Here are the different ways to book an appointment:

• Schedule an appointment online using VFS Global’s website.
• Call +971-4-205-5881 to book an appointment via phone.
• Book an appointment in person at the Canada Visa Application Centre.

Applicants will receive an email or SMS notification 24 hours before the appointment. Arrive at the centre 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment time.

3. Pay Fees

Once you have completed the visa and biometric application, the next step is to pay the Government of Canada visa fee and biometric fee. Here are the fees that you need to pay:

• Visitor Visa Fee: $CAD 100 (AED 270)
• Biometric fee (only for first-time applicants): $CAD 85 (AED 229)

Applicants can pay the visitor visa fee online using a debit or credit card when applying for the visa. The biometric fee can be submitted online or in person at the Visa Application Centre.

4. Application Processing

After the biometrics collection, the immigration officers will review and verify all the documents. During this process, they may schedule an interview with the applicant. In other cases, applicants may be asked to submit additional information and documents. If the application is incomplete, the visa officers may reject it and notify the applicant.

5. Application Approval and Passport Submission

If the application is approved, the applicant will receive a decision letter and a passport submission letter in their IRCC account. After receiving the passport request letter, the applicant can submit the passport in person or via courier. Attach the passport request letter and the Visa Application Centre consent form with the passport.

Additionally, those who submitted a paper application will receive their original passport stamped with a Canadian visa.

6. Entering Canada

The processing time for a Canadian tourist visa is 55 days. Once the application is approved, IRCC will mail the passport to the recipient’s address. For paper applications, VFS Global will notify the applicant to collect the passport. Simply, bring a valid ID and the receipt issued by VFS Global at the time of submission.

Once you have the visa, you can travel to Canada before its expiry date. At the Canadian airport, a border services officer will verify your identity and determine the exact time you can stay in Canada. Typically, it is six months; however, the officer can limit or extend this time.

How to Check a Canada Visitor Visa Application Status

Checking the status of a Canada tourist visa from Dubai is quick using the online portals. Here are the different ways to check the status, depending on how you applied:

• IRCC portal: Log in to the portal and access visa status updates.
• Paper application: Link it to the IRCC secure account to view real-time updates.

Key Takeaways

• A Canada tourist visa from Dubai is a legal requirement to enter the country.
• UAE citizens and nationals of select countries are eligible for a visa exemption and Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
• You can apply for a Canada visitor visa online using the IRCC portal.
• The processing time for a tourist visa for Canada from Dubai can take up to 55 days.

FAQs

That was all about applying for a Canada tourist visa from Dubai. Gather the documents, apply online and follow the guidelines for a successful visa application. Once you have the visa, pack your bags and enjoy your dream vacation!

If you’re planning a holiday, you can consider these visa-free countries for UAE residents. Skip the hassle and travel without a visa.

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