TravelSmart: Applying for a Canadian Visa from San Francisco

Straying away from the topic of hot technology, I thought I'd share some valuable information surrounding visa applications similar to an older post about applying for a UK visitor visa.

San Francisco residents are faced with a lot of consulates operating out of LA or Seattle, making the application process and timelines a little tricky. I'm here to help!

If you're already here, you just want the details so I'm going to get right down to it.

You need to apply for a canadian tourist visa (TRV – temporary resident visa).

Type up a letter that lists of all the documents required for an applicant who is currently a US resident with H1b status (or whatever status you are in --this will slightly affect the documents required to prove residency in the US).

Here are the links that I found very helpful:

· Comprehensive visa guide: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5256ETOC.asp

· Photo specifications. I was able to take and print the picture for the US visa myself but the Canadian consulate has more stringent requirements. On some parts of their website they have even asked it to be taken by a professional photographer:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5256EB.asp

· Fee schedule. Single entry visa will be given for period of trip and multiple entry visa will be given for two years. Cannot make payment online. Must be (drawn in US dollars) a money order/cashier’s check or bank draft payable to “Canadian Consulate General”http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5256E5.asp

· Application by mail. If you cannot make it to the Seattle or Los Angeles consulate for same day service (apply 9am, receive visa by 3pm – keep in mind arriving at the consulate after 11am will classify your application as apply by mail and will not have same day service), you can apply by mail. Use USPS Express Mail – most convenient for you and the Canadian consulate. Add a paid self addressed express mail envelope in your package that you will be sending to the consulate. Once you get the visa the consulate will send back your passport and requested documents in the self addressed express mail envelope. As for costs, this ran me about $40 including tracking (delivery confirmation) and signature service. Express mail is fast – overnight service.

· Timing. Technically it takes 14 business days for a mail application to process (additional days are added if you have a passport from this list of countries http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/los_angeles/imm/visa_temp.aspx?lang=eng#MANDATORY). The real timing for me was 3 business days. I sent out the package on Thursday evening and I received the USPS express mail by the following week Wednesday morning 9am.

Source(s): my experience

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