How To Apply For A Canadian Tourist Visa Online From Kenya

The Canadian Tourist Visa which is a temporary Canadian immigration option that allows Kenyans to visit Canada for the purpose of tourism and leisure, is divided into two types which are the Single Entry Visa and the Multiple Entry Visa.

Single Entry Visa

A Single Entry Visa allows you to travel to Canada only once. With this visa in most cases, once you have left Canada, you will need a new visa to enter Canada again.

A Single Entry Visa applies in special scenarios like if:

1. The purpose of your entry into Canada is limited i.e if it is an official visit and you are eligible for a fee-exemption.
2. You are taking part in a one-time special event that is happening in Canada.
3. The country-specific procedures or guidelines in place have all been approved.

Multiple Entry Visa

A Multiple Entry Visa allows you to travel to Canada as many times as you want, for six (6) months at a time. A Multiple Entry Visa will be valid for up to 10 years or one month before your passport expires, depending on which is shorter.

Requirements For A Canadian Tourist Visa

Before applying for a Canadian Tourist Visa, ensure that you have:

1. Two photographs for each visa applicant, that meet the photograph specifications. Please note that scanned photos are not acceptable. The photographs must have been taken in the past six (6) months and be signed and dated. Applicants who need to give their biometrics do not need to submit paper photographs.
2. Consent to verification of documents form
3. A fully completed Family Information Form IMM 5645, that is dated and signed.
4. A Schedule 1 form which is an application for Temporary Resident Visa – IMM 5257B), that has been completed and signed.
5. A Valid passport for each visa applicant. Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months from your proposed date of travel to Canada. This is because the validity of your Canadian visa cannot go beyond the validity of your passport. If you do not have at least 2 blank pages on your passport, you will need to obtain a new one. You should also include your cancelled or expired passports as proof of previous trips.
6. Explained the purpose of your trip with the details of your itinerary in Canada, as well as travel arrangements like your airline or hotel booking, a letter of invitation from the person or business you will be visiting, registration at a conference or a letter from your would be employer (where applicable).
7. Proof of sufficient funds to cover expenses for the duration of your visit. If you have however travelled to Canada in the last ten (10) years or if you currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa and can provide proof (your entry stamps in the passport, proof of the valid visa), you will not need to provide any proof of financial support.

If you will not be paying for your own trip kindly:

• Provide a letter signed by the party who would be paying as well as a photocopy of their passport or other official identification with a photograph and a bank certificate proving that they have sufficient funds. The documents must be dated within three months of the date on which your application is made.
• Describe your relationship with the said party. If they are a relative or otherwise.

8. If you are planning to visit a friend or relative, please provide a letter of invitation. In addition, your host in Canada may, if they wish, submit documents to support your application, including the following:

• The immigration status of the host in Canada, such as the photocopy of the host’s Canadian permanent resident card, passport, or citizenship card.

How To Apply For A Canadian Tourist Visa Online From Kenya

To apply for a Canadian Tourist Visa Online from Kenya after reviewing all the necessary Visa requirements, simply:

1. Download the appropriate application form from this link application form .
2. Fill out the downloaded application as well as other relevant documents and proceed to print them.

Forms which include the barcoded sheets must be printed on a white, bond quality, non-glossy paper, using a laser printer.

3. Next, read the privacy policy, as you fill out the Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC) Consent Form and attach it to your application form.

Please note that if a completed and signed the Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC) Consent Form is not included with the application, your application will be considered to be incomplete and will be returned to you.

4. Once done, Courier your completed and signed application forms, along with the supporting documents, and checklists, and the Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC) consent form, your original passport, photographs, proof of visa and service fee paid in a sealed envelope to:

Canada Visa Application Centre

Parkfield Building, 5th Floor,

Muthangari Drive, Off Waiyaki Way

Opposite Safaricom House, Westlands.

P.O. Box 25180 00100

Nairobi, Kenya.

Once done, proceed to pay the required Visa Service Charges and any fees for additional services.

Tourist Visas go for 100 Canadian Dollars (7,745 Kenyan Shillings), per person and 500 Canadian Dollars (38,720 Kenyan Shillings) for a family of 5 or more.

Please note that for families of 5 or more to be eligible to pay the maximum fee of 500 Canadian Dollars, family members must all apply at the same time and in the same place. Children in the family, must also qualify as dependants. The current age limit for dependants is 22 years.

The payment for applications that mailed in from outside Kenya, must be via a swift transfer of funds to The Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC) account details below

Payer: (Name, date of birth, passport number, contact number, address), indicate the Type of visa, service charge, and any optional service fee.

Please ensure that all fees are paid per applicant.

Arrange your forms and documents according to the IRCC checklist. Make sure you complete and sign the Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC) Mail-in Application Checklist as well.

5. Once you have mailed your application, proceed to forward the courier details along with Air way bill number, courier company name and date of courier to info.canken@vfshelpline.com

You will receive the email notification from Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC), which will provide you with your application tracking ID or an email notification highlighting any deficiencies in the application in the case where your application is not complete or where it has errors.

Expect to receive this tracking email ID within 2 working days from the date of your application. Once received, you can track your application via this link: https://www.vfsvisaonline.com/Global-Passporttracking/Track/Index?q=shSA0YnE4pLF9Xzwon/x/CQ1P0LBKn66dLdNUfueK+x5Jm6tzXVYO1LI1YKJNaGnZZ0LRKo8CipkD7ggiWTuYw==

Regarding how you want your documents to be returned to you, you can choose between personal Document collection or delivery after processing of your application by the Canadian Visa Office in Nairobi.

If you choose to collect your documents in person or through an authorized representative, you will receive an email notification informing you to collect your documents from the Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC).

If you however choose to have your documents delivered to you via a courier or via a self-addressed prepaid envelope, the CVAC shall courier the documents upon receipt from the Canadian Visa Office.

Please note that if you are however unable to provide all of the supporting documents as mentioned in the official IRCC document checklist, you are required to fill out and sign a waiver form which you must attach to your application form.

Failure to provide a completed and signed waiver form, could result in additional delays or rejection of your application for a visa.