Canada’s passport is said to be one of the most powerful ones in the world. Its residents can now go to 184 nations without the requirement of a visa. The US is included among these nations too. Canadians are the only citizens who don’t require a tourist visa to go to the United States for nonimmigrant purposes.
However, Canadian residents who are prohibited from the US under immigration law or have formerly breached the rules and conditions of their immigration status in the US need to search on the CBP website regarding ineligibilities. Also, Canadian residents with ineligibilities have the choice of applying for a waiver and a visa at the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in case it is easier for them.
Read more about: Requirements for US Tourist Visa for Bangladeshi Citizens
When Does a Canadian Citizen Need a US Visa?
There are certain cases when a Canadian citizen needs a US visa, as mentioned below:
- Treaty traders – E-1
- Employees and officials of international organizations (G), foreign government officials (A), and NATO representatives, officials, and employees assigned to the US
- Child or Spouse of an Australian Treaty Alien arriving to the US exclusively to give Services in a Specialty Occupation – E-3D
- Treaty investors – E-2
- Fiancé(e)s – K-1
- Spouse of a US resident coming to the US to finish the immigration procedure – K-3
- Kids of fiancé(e)s – K-2
- Kids of a foreign national spouse – K-4
- Informant providing vital information about terrorism – S-6
- Informant providing vital information about a criminal organization – S-5
- Qualified family individuals (S-7) of an S-6 or S-5 visa holder
The Process of Application for a US Visa From Canada
The application procedure for Canadian citizens to apply for a US Visa comprises various steps you must follow appropriately.
1- Determine What Kind of US Visa You Require
The United States has a diverse range of visas. That’s why, the 1st thing you need to do is to determine the kind of visa you require to go from Canada to the US. The application fees, process, and mandatory documents rely upon the type of visa you are applying for.
2- Search Where You Have to Apply
While applying for a tourist US Visa, people will have to submit their application at the right visa center, which the embassy of the United States has contracted out visa submission for inhabitants of Canada.
Conversely, for people who want to apply from Canada for a US immigrant visa, their US sponsor must submit their visa application at the National Visa Center.
3- Fill Out the Online Application Form
Fill out the accurate online visa application form contingent upon your visa type. Remember that your application form varies according to your type of visa.
This application form comprises inquiries about personal information such as your marital status, full name, birth details, address, passport details, contact number and email, family data, work information, education, etc.
4- Pay the US Visa Charges Online
After filling out the form, pay the charges for a US visa and set up a time for an interview. People can pay their charges in the following forms in Canada:
- Online Banking – Transfer at your own bank
- Online payment with Debit /Credit Card
- Cash
5- Gather the Mandatory Documents
The major part of each application for a US visa in Canada is collecting all mandatory documents. Identify which documents you need to submit relying upon your nationality and US visa type.
Remember that the complete application process depends on your documents. The interview is a determining element in whether you will receive a visa or not.
The mandatory documents for a US visa are as follows:
- Appointment confirmation page.
- A valid Passport for a minimum of 6 months beyond your planned stay date in the United States. Remember that the passport should have at least 1 blank page to attach a visa.
- Confirmation page that applicants have filled out the DS-160 application form, which they will get in their email after filling out the form.
- Past US visas, if any – if tourists have ever gone to the United States, they should give evidence by showing the visas. If those visas are attached to a previous passport, don’t forget to take that passport to the appointment center with you.
- 2 similar US visa pictures of 5 x 5 centimeters in size and color, clicked within the past six months. For those who have already uploaded a photo to the application form DS-160, they are not required to take an extra picture.
- ACRO, which is a police certificate that applicant gets from the authorities in their nation that shows if they have ever been warned, arrested, or convicted.
- For B-2 visa applicants – Letter of invitation
- A letter from an official doctor is mandatory if you have a medical illness that can impact your visa eligibility. Those applying for a green card must submit the outcomes of a medical inspection.
6- Schedule a US Visa Appointment
Applicants below 14 or more than 79 years will not have to come for an interview. Other people between 14 – 79 years old have to come physically to the US consulate or embassy for the visa interview. Furthermore, candidates below 14 and above 79 years are eligible to apply for a visa by courier.
You can come for your US visa interview at the US Embassy at one of the below-mentioned consulates in Canada:
- US Consulate General in Halifax
- US Consulate General in Calgary
- US Consulate General in Quebec
- US Consulate General in Toronto
- US Consulate in Winnipeg
- US Consulate General in Montreal
- US Consulate General in Vancouver
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The government of the United States issues visas in Canada from its Embassy and consulates situated throughout the nation. Canadian citizens usually do not need visas to go to the US, but there are a few exclusions. The aim of your travel and other elements will decide what kind of visa is mandatory under US immigration law. I hope that the above-mentioned info will be helpful for you.
