This post is from my experience doing Canada VISA. The procedure to do the Canada VISA as a Malaysian is quite a broken process but once you know how to do it then it will be easier the next time round. It is specifically for Malaysians as the procedures will be different for other countries.
A VISA is a conditional authorization granted by a country to a foreigner. Having just a passport isn't going to cut it. Canada is one of the countries where Malaysians need to apply for VISA. Every countries visa application procedures are different but this post is more about explaining about Canada VISA. Malaysians also do not contribute much to Canada's tourism industry so it kind of explains why there is a VISA requirement.
A VISA is a conditional authorization granted by a country to a foreigner. Having just a passport isn't going to cut it. Canada is one of the countries where Malaysians need to apply for VISA. Every countries visa application procedures are different but this post is more about explaining about Canada VISA. Malaysians also do not contribute much to Canada's tourism industry so it kind of explains why there is a VISA requirement.
The steps required are quite tedious so this is what I experienced when applying for Canada VISA. The VISA approval can take some time also it is best done 2 months ahead before going to Canada. The reason why it takes some time is because there is no Canada embassy in Malaysia, the VISA application needs to be couriered to the Canada embassy in Singapore.
0) Get sponsor/invite letter from person (to visit) in Canada
Yes, you cannot just go backpacking yourself to Canada without an invite letter. This rule also applies to parents visiting their children, your child needs to invite you to visit them otherwise it is considered trespassing. Just ask the person you are visiting to write an email to invite you to visit them. The details required inside are the date visiting, purpose you are being invited.
Some people say to apply your visa 1st before buying plane tickets. So far I've bought all my tickets and then get my visa approved. The former method is a safer method because if your visa application gets rejected, you don't waste your plane tickets.
1) Fill up form IMM5257E (Application for Temporary Resident VISA) from Canada government website here
This form is a special PDF document form which contains all the fields for filling up. Once filled up, there is a button in the form to digitally sign the form. This form will then be submitted online after the submit button is done.
Once filled up, save and print out the form.
Note : the PDF form document has some unique features which cannot be opened in web browsers (eg Google Chrome, Internet Explorer). You need to download the whole PDF document into your PC and open it manually (using Adobe Reader).
2) Proceed with visa application payment.
Open web browser and browse to https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/epay/
Select temporary residence use credit card pay CAD100
(You need to register an account also)
After payment is made there will be a receipt, print it out as evidence
After payment is made there will be a receipt, print it out as evidence
3) Print out form IMM5257E and go VFS Global - 19th floor, Wisma MCA, 163, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - opens late at 10AM
4) Pay processing fees to VHS Global, surrender passport
5) VISA application will be sent to Canada Embassy in Singapore
6) Wait and will be informed (They will inform via email and SMS)
7) Go VHS Global collect back VISA
8) Buy plane tickets (if not yet done so)
9) Get travel insurance ready
Notes :
VFS Global is a Visa outsourcing company appointed by Canada government to handle all the Visa submission. The Visa approval still will be to be vetted at the Canada embassy in Singapore.
Points to take note :
- Make sure the printout of IMM5257E is clear. VFS Global will charge to reprint if the printout is not clear.
- Apply early, the wait for visa approval is very long (4 weeks)
- Go in the morning to VFS Global offices and avoid Fridays.
- For Chinese descent with Chinese name, fill up full name in the family name, ignore the given name column
- Bring birth cert
- Make photograph 2x - White background, face square to camera, neither frowning, smiling, no tinted glasses, neutral expression, no shadow, glass frame covering eyes, hands in picture, hair blocking , mouth must be closed. Just tell the Photoshop guys that you want Canada visa and they will know what to do.
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| Photograph specification for Canada VISA - White background |
Name of Place in Canada, Date
To the Canadian Embassy in (Country Name)
(Embassy Address)
(Embassy Phone Number)
Subject: Invitation Letter for Mr./Miss (Applicant’s Name)
Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is (Inviting Person’s Name), I was born on (date of birth), and I am from (location in Canada). I am a (status in Canada – citizen or permanent resident) and I live in (address in Canada). My household has (number of people living in the household) and I work (job title, company, and location), earning (monthly or annual salary).
Through this letter, I am inviting (Applicant’s Name), born on (date of birth) and currently living in (address in Foreign Country) to Canada for a short stay. (Applicant’s Name) will be staying in (location and address in Canada such as a hotel or your house) from (date of entry) until (date of departure). I am (Applicant’s Name), (State relationship such as brother, sister, friend, etc), and we will be visiting and touring around Canada for (duration in days or months) in different locations.
(Applicant’s Name) currently works (enter job title and location), earning (monthly or annual salary) with which they will be able to afford the stay in Canada. (Applicant’s Name) is a genuine visitor who will not overstay their visa. Their work obligations in (Name of foreign country) extend and (Applicant’s Name) is needed back to work as soon as they return from Canada.
Please see attached a certified copy of my (Document proving status in Canada such as passport, birth certificate, or PR card) and my bank report for the past 6 months.
Feel free to contact me should you have any further questions regarding myself or (Applicant’s Name).
I look forward to having (Applicant’s Name) visit me in Canada so we can spend time together and visit Canada.
Kind regards,
(Inviting Person’s Name)
(Address)
(Phone number)
(email) Signature
Note : 1 bonus tip before going to Canada from Malaysia, make sure you change Canadian dollar money early as a lot of money changers do not hold a lot of Canadian dollars, some money changes don't even carry Canadian dollars. Those money changes that do have Canadian dollars normally only have less than 1,000 Canadian dollars (CAD). Money changers that I know having Canadian dollars are the ones at Midvalley Megamall, Pavillion and Sungai Wang Plaza.