1. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT CANADA VISA
(Reference: Manila Visa)
Canada Visitor Visa
Individuals planning to have a short visit with their families and or travel within Canada must
secure a temporary resident visa.
Single and multiple entry visas
The temporary resident visa can be a single or a multiple entry visa. The single entry visa allows
its holders to enter Canada once. On the other hand, a multiple-entry visa holder may enter
Canada for several times as long as the visa has not yet expired.
Visa validity
In general, this particular visa is valid for up to a maximum of six (6) months or shorter.
Consular officers determine the visa’s validity. Extension applications are also permitted.
But this should be performed a month before the visa’s expiration.
Basic requirements
For the temporary resident visa, the following documents should be prepared:
 Valid passport
 Passport photo
 Proof of a stable financial resources
 Proof of strong ties in the Philippines
 Proof of sufficient accommodation
 Invitation letter, if applicable
The invitation letter
Family members or relatives in Canada can prepare an invitation letter for the potential
applicant. It should explain the visitor’s travel purpose in entering Canada. If possible, a
detailed itinerary should be included as well. To top it all, the letter should guarantee that the
inviting party shall take responsibility for all the actions of the visitor.
Processing times

2. Depending on the volume of applicants, applications are usually processed within fourteen (14)
days.
Denials
Appeals are considered if an application is denied. Should the applicant wish to re-apply, the
latter should present new information to ensure their approval. A significant change in one’s
personal circumstances should be considered prior to submitting a new application.
Canada Student Visa
To study in Canada, an individual needs to apply for a temporary resident visa then request for a
study permit. But it should be noted that the study permit applies only to those who want to take
full academic degrees in the country. For those who are enrolling in short courses, the permit is
no longer required.
Visa eligibility
An applicant is eligible to apply only if the following conditions are met:
 Applicant has been accepted in their chosen or preferred universities
 Applicant has a clean record
 Applicant is free from contagious disease
 Applicant guarantees that he or she shall return to the Philippines after studying
Basic requirements
 Valid passport
 Passport photo
 Proof of enrollment or university acceptance
 Proof of stable financial resources
 Proof of sufficient accommodation
 Scholastic records
Consular officers have the right to ask for additional papers and documents
Dual intent
The dual intent or the plan to stay permanently in Canada and seek for employment cannot be
used as grounds for disapproval. But it is the applicant’s duty and responsibility to
demonstrate that studying is his or her main intention for entering the country.
Working

3. Students are allowed to work. Proper permits should be secured prior to engaging into
employment-related activities. Visa holders must also maintain and sustain the scholastic
requirements of their university in order for them to work, study and remain in Canada.
Student permit renewal
International students should be wary about their study permits. Renewals should be sought
before it expires. The failure to do so leaves them with no choice but to exit Canada. If the
permit expires, they may file for a restoration of status. They must wait until their status is
restored before they can continue their studies in the country.
Canada Spouse Visa
A Filipina or Filipino that is legally married to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can be
petitioned via the Canadian spouse visa.
The Canadian spouse visa is no different from the visa issued to common-law partners. The
requirements are the same, except that a valid marriage binds the two individuals.
Basic requirements
As mentioned, the requirements do not change for spouse visa applicants. Yet, what is listed
below are simply the basic documents that should be prepared. Consular officers may ask for
additional papers or forms. The more evidence that the applicants show, the higher is the
possibility of being approved.
 Valid passport
 Passport photos
 Proof of the applicant’s identity and nationality
 Proof of the Canadian partner’s identity and nationality
 Proof of common-law partnership
 Proof of sufficient financial and accommodation support
 Proof of valid marriage
Valid marriage and ensuring approval
The main ingredient in securing an approval for this particular visa is to demonstrate the
commitment of living together as husband and wife. Couples can show this via presenting their
pictures, communication activities or properties that they have acquired.
A marriage certificate is a strong evidence. But this should be reinforced by other supporting
papers.

4. Due to the number of fixed or forced marriages, Canadian authorities observe strict protocols and
rigid assessments before they issue an approval.
Income requirements
There are no income requirements for the Canadian petitioner. What is important is for the latter
to guarantee that the foreign spouse shall not depend or consume public funds to sustain their
basic living costs.
Marriage breakdown
In the unfortunate event where the marriage ended, the foreign spouse must immediately report
to Canadian immigration authorities. This will determine whether they are still allowed to stay
permanently in Canada or not.
Canada Business Visa
The Canadian temporary resident visa does not only cover tourists and those who are visiting
their family members. Individuals who plan to enter Canada for business-related activities such
as short business trips, seminars, conferences and site visits are also covered by the said visa.
Basic requirements
Except for the fact that business visitors have to demonstrate that their main source of income is
based outside Canada, no special documents are required from them. Again, here are the papers
that they should present during the application
 Valid passport
 Passport photo
 Proof of a stable financial resources
 Proof of strong ties in the Philippines
 Proof of sufficient accommodation
 Invitation letter, if applicable
Visa validity
A business visitor can stay for up to six (6) months only. They can enter Canada once, if they
hold a single-entry visa or several times, if they have been issued with a multiple entry visa.
Working
Working is strictly prohibited. While this type of visit is indeed for performing work-related
duties, this does not give the visa holder to participate in Canada’s labor market. In other words,

5. all their income and financial support, most especially if the visit is sponsored by their
companies, should come from outside the country.
In the meantime, if the true intention of the visa applicant is to gain employment in the said
country, he or she must secure a working permit. But this can be only performed if a working
visa is applied.
Processing times
Visa applications of business visitors are processed within fourteen (14) working days.
Visa violations
In the event where the visa holder violated his or her visa provisions—committing overstaying
for example, the individual shall be banned from entering Canada for two (2) years.
Canada Fiance Visa
Canada has no visa options for individuals who plan to enter the country in order to marry their
Canadian partner. In other words, a fiancé visa is non-existent. But the good thing is, de facto
partners or cohabiting couples who have been together for a year may enter and settle in Canada
permanently.
What is a common-law partner?
Common-law partners are couples who have been living together as husband and wife although
they are not married. Marrying in Canada once the foreign partner has entered the country is
purely optional.
Basic requirements
To qualify for this visa, the following documents should be prepared:
 Valid passport
 Passport photos
 Proof of the applicant’s identity and nationality
 Proof of the Canadian partner’s identity and nationality
 Proof of common-law partnership
 Proof of sufficient financial and accommodation support
 Proof of marriage eligibility
 Annulment and divorce papers, if applicable
Marriage eligibility

6. While it is true that marriage is purely optional, the common-law partner visa does not tolerate
polygamous marriages. In other words, the transnational couple must demonstrate that they are
free to marry. For those who have a previous marriage, such marriage should be terminated or
dissolved prior to lodging the application. But since there is no divorce in the Philippines, the
applicant needs to secure his or her annulment papers.
Other important conditions
If the couple has been together for less than a year, this makes them totally ineligible for the visa.
The 1-year requirement should be satisfied to ensure approval.
The Canadian partner must also demonstrate that he or she can support the foreign partner’s
expenses during her stay in the country. This usually lasts for three (3) years. The couple cannot
resort to public funds for any assistance.
Canada Work Visa
Canada is one of those countries known for attracting foreign workers. This is why many
Filipinos are doing their best to enter its labor market. Certain foreign workers need to apply for
a work permit. But there are others who are no longer required to get one.
Visa eligibility
Applying for a Canadian working visa is a complicated process. Unless all the requirements are
met, only then can they proceed with the application. The conditions that should be met are:
 Proof of employment
 Evidence of meeting the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Immigration and
Refugee Protection Regulations
 Confirmation from Canada’s Human Resources and Skills
 Proof that they shall leave Canada upon the expiration of the work permit
 Proof of having sufficient financial means and accommodation
 Clean criminal record
 Proof that the applicant is not a security threat
 Proof of good physical and mental condition
Work permit exemption
The following workers are no longer required to obtain a work permit:
 Crew members

7.  Religious workers
 Business visitors
 Convention organizers
 Examiners and evaluators
 Witness or investigators
 Immediate relatives of foreign representatives
 Foreign representatives
 Judges and referees
 Military personnel
 Health care students
 Artists
 Conference speakers
 Students working inside the campus
 Those who are not under the said categories, obviously, need a work permit.
Basic requirements
Since different kinds of foreign workers may enter Canada, the specific requirements may vary.
But in general, the following should be prepared:
 Valid passport
 Passport photos
 Medical certificate
 Scholastic records, if applicable
 Employment contract
Application processing
Provided that all the conditions are satisfied and the requirements are completed, it will only take
fifteen (15) working days to process the application.
Please go to Manila Visa for more info on VISA and Immigration