Traveling today is pretty complicated due to the coronavirus situation all around the world. Almost every country affected by the virus have special visitors’ conditions, so they can lower the risk of increasing the number of infected people.
Most of these countries require special permission if someone needs to enter, but also they have strict rules for leaving. Some will require visas and allowance to stay, together with two negative coronavirus tests. Let’s be real, the COVID-19 crisis changed so many things, and now the countries are more careful with their border controls and regular check-ups of those who arrive.
People from India who need to travel to Canada should be aware that now is not that smart to leave the country, especially not for touristic purposes. But, some of them need to travel for work, education, or medical treatments that are not available in their country. For Indian citizens, Canadians require a visa as a visiting permit.
Here are some things that Indians must know when they travel to Canada:
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1. You need a visa and travel permission from the authorities
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Indians can apply for a few types of Canadian visa, through the Canada Visa Applications Centers in their country. But, due to coronavirus unpleasant situations all around the world, it’s better to apply through online services like visa-canada.info, so they can avoid queues in the local offices.
They can choose between temporary visas, for tourism, study, work, or visiting friends or family. When they need to move to Canada, they should apply for an immigrant visa. The tourist visa can be a single entry and multiple entries, depending on the needs.
The candidate needs to fill up the form available online and submit the identity information. After the authorities check the application, they will approve it, deny it, or ask for more relevant information about the person who applies. If they decide to visit the Canada Visa Application Centre, they need to bring all the required documents together with the passport and personal ID, so they can confirm the identity and the nature of traveling.
2. They need proofs for finances and personal background
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Canada’s authorities have strict rules about who they let in the country. When Indians apply for a Canadian visa, they need to prove they are financially powerful to cover their touristic expenses and to ensure the officers they will not seek a job there and have an illegal stay.
People who travel to this country need to have a clear criminal record. So, if you are Indian and you have something in your record, even the lowest possible crime, you may need to think twice before you apply. Then, you will need to sign an agreement that asks you to respect the Canadian laws, because while you are there, local laws apply to every action you take.
When you apply for a Canadian visa, you should know that your photo and fingerprints are required so your ID can be confirmed.
3. How is student visa different than any other?
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Student visas usually last longer than touristic ones. Students from India who need to stay over six months if they have a valid student permit from the college. Those who need less than six months don’t need a student permit, and an ordinary visitor document will be enough for them. Study permits let the students stay as long as they need for the semester or academic year, plus 90 days.
When Indian applies for a study permit and visa, they need to prove that they will leave the country right on time and that they will follow the rules and laws in Canada. Also, they need to show the studying funds, so they can prove they are able to cover the expenses there. Also, the Canadian embassy will ask for the acceptance letter, so they can have a proof the candidate is really a student who needs to stay in Canada during the academic year.
Note: Apply for a student permit as earlier as you can, because the visa process can be pretty long, and you don’t want to miss your first days at the Canadian college.
4. What documents does an Indian citizen need for a Canadian tourist visa?
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All the applicants, of course, should have a valid passport. They need to fill up the application forms, bring three color photographs (with white background and the whole face clearly visible), proof of hotel bookings, and an outline of the plan they have for the stay.
They also need to have a valid leave letter from the employees, salary slips for the last six months, personal bank statements, and proof of plane reservation tickets.
5. Travel insurance is recommended
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Even for one-day trips to a neighbor country, travel insurance is highly recommended. When you apply for a visa, the authorities in the office can explain which insurance plan is the best, according to the nature of your trip. Very often we don’t even use that document, but it’s a huge distance between India and Canada and some health issues can happen due to the jet-lag and climate adaptation.
When people are far away from home, they still need to feel safe and secure. Travel insurance will cover some medical expenses and travel emergencies. You can choose a plan that will cover luggage loss, medical help, and flight delays. It’s on you and what you plan to do there.
If you have questions, it’s always better to ask the people who work at Canada Visa Applications Centers in India, so you can have the exact information you need. If you ask your friends or people who traveled there in the past, they may give you different answers and confuse you.
Traveling during the pandemic is not recommended, so if you must leave India, you need to have a lot of special permission to do that and be respectful of the rules and policies in both of the countries. If it’s possible, it’s always better to postpone the trip, because you will need to transit through risky countries where the risk of getting infected is pretty high right now. But, if the travel is highly needed, you need to take every protection step, until you arrive.