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Frequently Asked Questions
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Information
on where to submit your application in China
The Beijing Office is responsible for
immigrant and visitor applications for Citizens of the
People's Republic of China, the Democratic People's Republic
of Korea and Mongolia as well as other passport holders
from other Countries and Territories whose citizens require
visas in order to enter Canada and who have been legally
admitted to China. For more information please http://www.vfs-canada.com.cn/applicationcenter.aspx
The Hong Kong Office provides a full range of Visa and
Immigration services for all persons residing in People's
Republic of China, Hong Kong and Macao, however applicants
must be able to attend an interview at the office in Hong
Kong if required.
The Canadian Consulate in Shanghai only processes temporary
resident visas, work permits, and travel document applications
from residents of Shanghai municipality, Jiangsu, Anhui
and Zhejiang provinces. In addition, the Shanghai office
ONLY accepts applications submitted IN PERSON; if you
wish to apply by mail please submit your application to
Beijing or Hong Kong.
The department of Citizenship & Immigration Canada
(CIC) has determined that all sponsorships for members
of the Family Class must be submitted to the Case Processing
Centre in Mississauga. Please go to the Citizenship and
Immigration Canada web site at www.cic.gc.ca
to learn about Family Class Immigration.
The Canadian Consulates in Chongqing and Guangzhou do
not have a Visa Section.
You are required to use to application kit specific to
the visa office to which you are applying. Failure to
do so may mean that you don't provide all of the necessary
information which could lead to your application being
refused. |
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How
do I complete the application forms?
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Complete the form electronically on a computer.
The Application for a Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of Canada [IMM 5257] form is supported by Adobe Reader 8.1 or higher, and can be completed and saved on a computer.
When you have completed all of the questions on the form:
- Click on the “Validate” button at the top or bottom of the form.
- A fifth page with barcodes and a signature line will automatically be created.
- Print, sign and date the form.
Printing Tips
- Print on white, bond-quality and non-glossy paper
- Use of a laser printer is recommended
- You must answer all questions. If you leave sections blank, you will be reminded to complete them when you press "Validate". If a question does not apply to you and is required, write "N/A."
- If you have printed out the form but wish to make changes at the Visa Application Centre, you should make the changes clearly in blue or black pen on the form and initial the changes.
- If your application is accepted and information you provide on the forms changes before you arrive in Canada, you must inform the visa office to which you applied in writing. You must do this even if your visa has already been issued.
WARNING! It is a serious offence to give false or misleading information on this form. We may check to verify your responses. Misrepresentation will result in a two-year ban from entering Canada.
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Can
I contact the Visa Section if I have questions about what documents
to prepare?
Our Application
Kits list which documents are required. The applicant
should complete all parts of the application and provide
all requested documents.
Due to the volume of requests, our office is unable to
provide individual assistance in completing application
forms. Applicants should respond to all questions to the
best of their ability and provide a separate explanation
where appropriate.
Applications which are not fully completed or do not enclose
required documents will normally be refused. *Always use
the application kit from the office where you will submit
your application. |
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Is
there an express service?
| No, our office does not offer an express
service; it is the responsibility of the applicant to
verify our processing times prior to application. Please
check the processing time for the category under which
you plan to apply. To choose a category go back to our
home page. |
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How should I submit the application by mail or in person?
| The applications can be submitted by
person only. You may submit the application yourself or authorize the third party to submit it for you. |
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How
will you return my passport?
| The applicants can collect by applicants,
or we normally use EMS to return your passport to you. |
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What
should I do if I have lost a document?
If you have lost one of the following
documents: Passport with valid visa, Permanent Resident
Card (Maple Leaf Card), Study Permit, Work Permit, or
other document issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Please send an email to our office with the following
information:
- Full name as appears on the passport
- Passport number (if applicable)
- Date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
- Any numbers from the lost document (i.e. Permanent Resident
Card number, Study Permit Number)
- Former file number when application was processed (starts
with letter + 9 numbers)
- Which mission processed the application (e.g. Hong Kong,
Beijing etc.)
- A list of all documents that were lost
- Please explain the details of the loss. If documents
were stolen, please provide a copy of the police report.
Most importantly please provide clear contact information:
telephone, fax and email address. |
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Can
I get a visa at the border or at the airport?
| No. A visa must be obtained from a Canadian
Embassy or Consulate before you can board your flight.
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Who
can translate my documents?
| The translation of a document into English
or Chinese must be accurate. The document(s) may be translated
by yourself or another individual. Translation by a professional
agency is not required. Please know that all translations
must accompany the original document(s) or notarized copies.
Submitting only the translation is not acceptable. |
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Can
someone else submit my application or collect my application
results?
At the VAC, authorized representatives may submit an application or collect the visa result on behalf of someone else. Please read the following information carefully if you wish to have a third party submit an application or pick up results. The VAC will not release any information to persons who do not have the correct authorization:
At the VAC, a third party may submit, collect results, supporting documents, withdraw the application or inquire about case status ONLY on presentation of ALL of the following 3 required documents:
1- A copy of applicant's identity card
2- Original identity card of the party who comes to the embassy on applicant's behalf, and a copy of this ID card to submit to our office.
3- A completed Use of a Representative Form IMM5476E (Attention:
as of May 1st 2006 this IMM5476 form is mandatory, there
is no substitute for this form): click here to download:
Form IMM 5476E.
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If
my application is refused do I have to wait before I apply again?
No, applicants are welcome to submit
a new application at any time, providing any new or additional
information or documentation they wish to be considered.
Applicants who have been refused may submit new applications
at any time, but should be advised to do so only if they
can provide new or additional information or documentation
not already submitted in the previous application. |
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What
if I become sick or injured while in Canada?
| You are responsible for any medical expenses
you incur. Buy travellers' health insurance just in case.
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Can
I apply for a new Temporary Resident Visitor Visa once I am
in Canada?
| No. You must make an application at a
visa office outside Canada for a new Temporary Resident
Visitor Visa. |
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What
can I do to support the application of my friend, relative,
or business associate who was refused? Can I find out what the
reasons were?
If your friend, relative or business contact decides to make a new application, you may provide documentation in support of that application directly to the applicant to submit with his or her application. However, although you may provide such support, the decision of the visa officer is ultimately based on the applicant’s circumstances, and not on any personal or financial guarantees that you or others may be prepared to offer on his or her behalf.
As a federal government department, CIC is bound by the Privacy Act not to discuss the details of any case with anyone except the applicant and certain authorized people. Before the visa office can release information to you, the applicant must provide it with specific written permission. In many cases, because of the volume of work (CIC considers nearly one million applications a year), even if you are informed of the reason for the refusal, the information given to you may be quite brief. For instance, you might be told that "based on the information available, the visa officer was not satisfied that the applicant was a genuine visitor who would leave Canada when required to."
Applicants should use the “Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual” form (IMM 5475) to give written permission to the visa office for the release of personal information to a third party. The form is available on line at www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/release-info.asp.
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My application was refused. What can I do about it?
Written reasons for refusal are given
to unsuccessful visa applicants. Once you are in possession
of the written reasons, there are limited avenues of appeal.
Sponsors of members of the family class and permanent
residents requiring a facilitation travel document to
return to Canada may choose to appeal refusals to the
Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) of the Immigration
and Refugee Board (IRB). Instructions are provided
with a copy of the refusal letter. The appeal can be based
on facts, law or equity.
The IRB cannot consider appeals of visa refusals of skilled
worker or business immigrants or of temporary residents
(visitors, students, or workers). Refused applicants in
these categories are advised to make new applications
only if their circumstances have changed.
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