Applying for a Canadian Visa

Applying for a Canadian Visa

Do I need a visa to go to Canada?

Visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website: Countries and Territories Requiring Visas, to see if you need a visa.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you need a visa to visit Canada, it is strongly suggested that you apply as early as possible. The Consulate General of Canada in New York can take up to 2 months to process tourist visas.

What type of visa do I need to visit Canada?

Canadian visitor visas are called Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs); this is the type of visa you will need to visit Canada for tourism.

There are two types of TRVs:

Single-Entry

A single-entry TRV allows you to travel between the United States and Canada for six months after you first use the visa, but before its written expiration date.  If you wish to enter from a country other than the US you may only use this visa once. 
 

Multiple-Entry

A mulitple-entry TRV allows you to enter Canada many times, from any country for the duration of the visa (usually twelve (12) months).

The choice of visitor visa is entirely your own. From practice, we know that multiple-entry visas are valid for a longer period of time and they not misunderstood by U.S. Border Patrol.

How much does it cost?

Please visit the following link for TRV fee information:

Canadian Immigration Fee Schedule in US Dollars

Please pay only the exact amount listed on the fee schedule. You MUST pay with a money order. Personal checks, cashier's checks, or other methods of payment will not be accepted.

What are the required documents?

• Personal letter explaining your reason for visiting Canada. Download a sample letter.
   
• Completed Form IMM 5257 - Application for Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of Canada          
  • Check out this example of a completed application: Form IMM 5257 (Example) 
  • Make sure that you Validate your application by clicking the "Validate" button on the PDF
  • You should have at least five (5) pages after clicking the "Validate button"
     
• Money order for either single-entry or multiple-entry TRV (See link above for correct amount)
   
• Original valid passport
   
• Form I-20 or DS-2019 
   
• F-1 Visa or J-1 Visa
   
• Two passport photos
   
• Original Bank Statement (Show at least 500 USD for a single-entry visa, show at least 1000 USD for a multiple-entry visa.)
   
• Official SUNY Plattsburgh transcripts
   
• Enrollment verification letter (This will be given to you by GEO, when your application is reviewed.)

If you have do not know how to complete the Form IMM 5257 please read the instructions listed on the Applying for a Temporary Resident Visa Outside Canada (IMM 5256) website.

Will GEO review my application before I send it?

Yes, once you have collected all of the required  documents you should schedule an appointment with the International Student Advisor to have your application reviewed.  At this appointment the International Student Advisor will produce an Enrollment Verification Letter.

How should I send the application?

Since you will send your passport, we recommend that you include a self-addressed Express Mail envelope with your application.

Buy two Express Mail envelopes from the United States Post Office (USPS), which is located at 10 Miller St.

In one envelope, you will send your application, the second envelope you will place inside the first envelope with your application.  This will guarantee that the Canadian Consulate General will send back your passport by Express Mail.

Be sure to write down the tracking number for EACH Express Mail envelope.

The cost for each envelope will be about 20 USD.

Where do I mail the application?

Send your application to the following address:

Consulate General of Canada
Immigration Section
1251 Avenue of the Americas
Concourse Level
New York, New York
10020-1175, USA

When will I get my Temporary Resident Visa?

The average processing time for the Consulate General of Canada in New York is 2 months. Please factor the Consulate's processing times into your Canadian visa planning.

If anything is missing from your application, the Canadian Consulate will return your documents without a visa with a request that you re-submit the application with all the required documents.

Questions, Comments, Suggestions?

If you have any questions about international admission or financial aid at SUNY-Plattsburgh, please contact:

Global Education Office
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
Kehoe Administration Building, Room 210
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, New York 12901 USA

Phone: (518) 564-3287
Fax: (518) 564-3292
Email: geo@plattsburgh.edu