One of the most common alternatives that immigrants in the United States prefer to get their H-1B visa stamped is to go to one of the neighboring country to the United States,  instead of getting the visa stamped at their home country. One of the most common country immigrants go to for H-1B visa stamping is Canada.

Check out our previous post on H1-B Interview in Canada – Step by Step Guide

This topic focuses on the step by step process how to get your temporary resident visa to Canada without going through any third party service. The Application process remains the same if you are applying from your home country or from the United States.

Step 1: Fill IMM-5257: Application for Temporary Resident Visa

Fill up IMM-5257. This is the application requesting for a temporary visa to visit Canada. Make sure you select “Multiple Entry Visa” under the visa requested tab. The application is available for download here.

Step 2: Fill IMM-5484: Document Checklist

Fill up IMM-5484. This is the document checklist which needs to be filled in by the applicant, mentioning which all documents are enclosed along with the application. This can be downloaded here.

Step 3: Fill IMM-5465: Family Information

You also need to fill up IMM-5465. This form asks for your family information. Do not forget to check “Visitor” under type of application. The family information form is available for download here.

Step 4: Take Photographs

The photographs need to be taken as per Canadian visa requirements. Two passport size photos are required and should be of (35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″)) dimensions. The photo requirements are clearly specified at here.

Step 5: Prepare supporting documents

You need to prepare copies of your offer letter, proof of employment, Original H-1B Approval (I-797), recent pay stubs, bank statements comprising funds supporting your travel, and driver’s license.  

Step 6: Pay Processing Fee

The Processing fee must be paid when the application is submitted. The payment or the receipt must be attached to the application form. As per the current fee schedule, you need to pay 150 USD for multiple entry visa. Fee can be paid in US dollar, payable to CANADIAN CONSULATE GENERAL via cashier check, bank draft or money order and also as exact cash when paying in person.

More information on the fee schedule and how to pay is present at here. You can pay the processing fee also at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/fees/index.asp

Step 7: Send documents along with Passport to Canadian Consulate

You can submit your application with all the supporting documents along with your passport and payment by mailing them or you could submit the application in person at one of the Canadian consulates available near you. You could find where you want to submit your application by locating the Canadian consulates. Visitor visa applications can be submitted at Detroit, Los Angeles, New York or Seattle in the United States.

More clear and detailed instructions on how and where to submit your application can be found here.

Step 8: Receive your Passport along with the decision

You should receive your passport delivered to the address you specified according to the processing time specified. The processing times are subject to change and can be verified here.

The above procedure gives you a walk through on the process to get your visa to Canada. Also go through the Application Process here for further details. Please submit your experiences, questions, suggestions and feedback by writing  to us at [email protected].