Applying for a Canada Visa in the US: Guide to Materials Preparation and Fee Payment Pitfalls

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When applying for a Canada visa in the US, you need to prepare several core fees. This includes approximately $73 for the application fee and $62 for the biometrics fee, plus a service fee from the Visa Application Center (VAC). The key to successful application lies in preparing complete documents, such as your valid passport, proof of legal status in the US (such as I-20 form or I-797 approval notice), and sufficient proof of funds.

Official data shows that current processing time for submissions from the US is about 23 days. But considering the time needed for biometrics appointment and passport mailing, it is strongly recommended to start planning the entire US application for Canada tourist visa process at least 2 months in advance to ensure your trip goes smoothly.

Key Takeaways

• Start applying for a Canada visa at least two months in advance, as the entire process takes time.
• Prepare all important documents, such as passport, US status proof, and bank statements, ensuring information is accurate.
• Pay the Canadian government application and biometrics fees online, then pay the VAC service fee with a money order.
• It’s best to have about 7300 USD in your bank account to prove you have enough money for travel expenses.
• No need to book flights and hotels in advance; just provide a simple travel plan.

Application Materials Checklist and Pitfall Details

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Preparing complete and compliant application materials is the cornerstone of your successful application. Any missing or erroneous document may lead to delays or even rejection. Below, we will detail each category of required documents for you and point out common pitfalls.

Core Identity and US Legal Status Documents

These two categories of documents jointly prove “who you are” and “your legal stay in the US.”

First, you need to prepare your valid passport.

• Validity Requirement: Ensure your passport validity covers the entire planned stay in Canada.
• Scanned Pages: You need to scan the personal information page (with photo and signature) and all pages with visas, stamps, or marks. Do not miss any page.

Second, you need to provide documents proving your legal status in the US. Depending on your visa type, the required documents differ:

• F-1 Student Visa Holders: Provide valid I-20 form and F-1 student visa page.
• H-1B Work Visa Holders: Provide I-797 Approval Notice.
• J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa Holders: Provide valid DS-2019 form and J-1 exchange visitor visa page.
• L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa Holders: Provide I-797 Approval Notice and L-1 intracompany transferee visa page.

Pitfall Tip: Obtain the Latest I-94 Arrival/Departure Record Regardless of your visa type, you must provide the latest I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. You can visit the official I-94 website of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), enter your name, birthday, and passport information, then click “Get Most Recent I-94” to obtain and print it. This document is key to proving your current legal stay status in the US.

For H1B visa holders, in addition to the I-797 Approval Notice, you usually need to provide the following supplementary documents to strengthen your application:

• Copy of current H-1B visa.
• Proof of residence in the US, such as recent utility bills or tax returns.

IRCC Application Form Filling Guide

During the online application process, you need to download and fill several key PDF forms, with the most core being IMM 5257 form (main application form) and IMM 5645/5707 (family information form).

Technical Pitfall: Correctly Open PDF Forms IRCC’s official forms are dynamic PDFs; you cannot directly open and fill them in the browser, otherwise you cannot save or generate barcodes. Be sure to download the forms to your computer first, then open and fill them using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (free software).

IMM 5257 Form - Visitor Visa Application This form is the core of the application; you need to accurately fill in personal information, travel purpose, etc. Pay special attention to the following points:

IMM 5645 / IMM 5707 Form - Family Information This form requires you to provide information on all immediate family members, whether they accompany you or not.

• Family Members to Declare Include:
  • Applicant themselves
  • Spouse or common-law partner
  • Parents (father and mother)
  • All children (including adult, married, adopted children)
• Filling Requirements: All information must be filled in English. For deceased relatives, note “Deceased” after the name and fill in the city and date of death. All fields must be filled; if not applicable, fill “N/A”.

After filling all information, be sure to click the “Validate” button at the top or bottom of the IMM 5257 form. Upon success, the last page of the form will automatically generate several pages of barcodes. When uploading, you need to upload the complete PDF file with barcodes.

Proof of Funds and Travel Supporting Documents

These two documents aim to prove to the visa officer: you have sufficient financial ability to pay travel expenses and you will return to the US on time after the trip, without immigration intent.

1. Proof of Funds Bank statements are the most direct and effective proof of funds.

• Time Range: Usually need to provide recent 3 months bank statements. Ensure the statements have your name, address, and complete account information.
• Balance Suggestion: Although no hard rule, it is suggested that individual applicants’ account balance continuously maintain around $7,300 USD. This amount is sufficient to prove to the visa officer that you can cover flights, accommodation, and daily expenses.
• Pitfall Points: Avoid suddenly depositing a large amount before application. If necessary, prepare proof explaining the source of funds, such as pay stubs or transfer records.

2. Travel Plan A concise and clear travel plan can make your travel purpose more credible.

• No Need for Advance Booking: You do not need to purchase non-refundable flights or book hotels before obtaining the visa. Providing a planned itinerary is sufficient.
• How to Write: You can use a simple document listing planned cities and attractions by day. For example:
  • Day 1: Arrive in Toronto, check into hotel.
  • Day 2: Visit CN Tower and Ripley's Aquarium.
  • Day 3: Day trip to Niagara Falls.

This simple plan is sufficient to show your US application for Canada tourist visa purpose is clear and genuine.

File Upload Format and Naming Conventions

All prepared documents need to be scanned and uploaded electronically to the IRCC website. Following official specifications can avoid supplements or delays due to technical issues.

File Format and Size

• Recommended Format: PDF is the best choice because it maintains file format unchanged. JPG, PNG, DOC, DOCX formats are also acceptable.
• File Size: Each file upload size limit is 5MB. If your file is too large, compress it.
• Scan Quality: Recommended to scan at 300 DPI resolution to ensure all text and images are clear and readable.

File Naming Conventions Clear file names facilitate quick identification by visa officers. Suggested to use unified naming format: Last Name - First Name - Document Type.pdf

For example, your passport file can be named Wang-John-Passport.pdf, bank statements Wang-John-Bank Statements.pdf. Good naming habits make your application materials look more professional and organized.

Fee Structure and Payment Method Guide

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Clearly understanding the fee structure and choosing the correct payment method is key to ensuring a smooth application process. Incorrect payment amount or method may lead to delayed processing of your application. This section will detail all fees for you and provide pitfall guides during payment.

Visa Fee Breakdown Overview

In the process of US application for Canada tourist visa, the fees you need to pay are mainly divided into three parts: fees charged by the Canadian government, service fees charged by the Visa Application Center (VAC), and optional courier fees.

• Canadian Government Fees (Online Payment): This part is paid online when submitting the application on the IRCC website, settled in CAD.
  • Application Fee: Per person $100 CAD (about $73 USD).
  • Biometrics Fee: Per person $85 CAD (about $62 USD).
• VAC Service Fee (Offline Payment): This fee is paid to VFS Global when mailing your passport, settled in USD.
  • Service Fee (Package Transmission Fee): Per applicant $44.60 USD.
• Optional Fees:
  • Passport Courier Fee: If you choose to have the VAC mail your passport back, you need to pay additional courier fees.

To give you a clearer understanding of overall costs, refer to the table below:

Note: CAD to USD exchange rate fluctuates; the above USD amounts are for reference only. Your credit card statement will be settled at the bank’s actual exchange rate.

Online and Offline Payment Methods Explained

The payment process is divided into online and offline steps, corresponding to different payees and payment methods.

1. Online Payment (IRCC Website)

In the last step of submitting the application on the IRCC website, you need to pay the application fee and biometrics fee online.

• Accepted Payment Methods: The IRCC website accepts multiple credit and debit cards.
  • Visa®
  • MasterCard®
  • American Express®
  • JCB®
  • UnionPay®

Payment Pitfall Tip: How to Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees? Since IRCC’s collection currency is CAD, using most US local bank-issued credit cards will incur a Foreign Transaction Fee. To save this expense, consider the following two options:

1. Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, such as Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture.
2. Consider using services like Biyapay for virtual cards. You can preload USD, then use the generated virtual card for CAD payment, helping you better manage exchange costs.

2. Offline Payment (VFS Global)

After receiving the passport mailing notification, you need to pay the service fee to the VAC. This fee must be paid via money order.

• Purchase Location: You can buy money orders at any US Post Office or some convenience stores and supermarkets.
• Filling Method:
  • Payee: Accurately fill VFS Services (USA) Inc..
  • Payer: Fill your name and address.
  • Amount: Fill the accurate USD amount.
  • Be sure to keep your purchase receipt as payment proof.

Multiple and Family Application Fee Calculation

If you apply with family, fee calculation is slightly different, especially with discounts on biometrics fees.

• Application Fee: Calculated per person. For example, a family of four needs to pay $100 CAD * 4 = $400 CAD. If a family has 5 or more members applying simultaneously, the application fee has a cap of $500 CAD.
• Biometrics Fee: Calculated per person but with family cap. For a family (2 or more) applying simultaneously, biometrics fee cap is $170 CAD (about $124 USD). This means whether 2 or 4 people apply together, total biometrics fee is $170 CAD.
• VAC Service Fee: Strictly per person, no family cap. According to VFS Global regulations, service fee is charged per application.

Example: Total Fee Calculation for a Family of Four (Couple + Two Children)

1. Online Payment (CAD):
   • Application Fee: $100 CAD * 4 = $400 CAD
   • Biometrics Fee: $170 CAD (reached family cap)
   • Online Payment Total: $570 CAD (about $416 USD)
2. Offline Payment (USD):
   • VAC Service Fee: $44.60 USD * 4 = $178.40 USD
   • Offline Payment Total: $178.40 USD

Therefore, total cost for this family of four applying for Canada visa is approximately $594.40 USD, plus optional passport courier fees.

US Application for Canada Tourist Visa: Complete Four-Step Process

After completing materials and fee preparation, you enter the actual operation phase. The entire US application for Canada tourist visa process can be clearly divided into four steps. Please follow the guide below to ensure each step is accurate.

Step 1: IRCC Website Online Application and Payment

First, you need to create a secure account on the IRCC website.

1. Visit the IRCC website, select “Register Account”.
2. Recommended to select “Register with GCKey username and password” and create a new GCKey.
3. Set your username, password, and security questions, and keep this information safe.

After successful account creation, you can start the online application. You need to answer a series of questions; the system will generate a document upload checklist based on your answers. Then, simply upload all previously prepared PDF files and pay the application and biometrics fees in the last step.

Step 2: Schedule and Complete Biometrics

After payment, you will receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) in your IRCC account within a few business days.

Important Tip: In the US, you cannot schedule biometrics yourself. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will schedule an appointment for you when processing your application and send you an Appointment Notice (Form I-797C) via mail.

After receiving the appointment letter, you need to bring the following documents to the designated Application Support Center (ASC) on time:

• Your Appointment Notice (Form I-797C)
• Your valid passport
• Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL)

Step 3: Mail Passport Original as Required

After completing biometrics, you need to patiently wait for IRCC processing results. Once your application is approved, you will receive a letter requiring you to mail your passport original (Passport Request Letter).

At this time, you need to mail the following materials via courier to the designated VFS Visa Application Center:

• Passport original
• IRCC Passport Request Letter
• Correctly filled VFS service fee money order
• VFS Consent Form

Please note, each package can only contain one application, and the return address must match the address filled on your application form.

Step 4: Track Status and Receive Passport

After mailing the passport, you can use the tracking function on the VFS website to check passport status. After processing, VFS will mail your passport with the visa back to you. After receiving the passport, immediately check the visa page for personal information, validity period, etc., to ensure accuracy. At this point, your US application for Canada tourist visa journey is successfully completed.

The key to successfully applying for a Canada visa lies in your preparation work. You must ensure all documents are complete, accurate, and compliant, as incomplete applications are the main cause of delays. At the same time, be sure to distinguish online payment and money order methods; incorrect payment details can also slow down your application progress.

Given the current high application volume and processing time needed, we strongly recommend early planning. Leaving sufficient time is the best strategy to ensure your trip goes smoothly.

Common Questions

How much balance is needed in the bank account for application?

Your bank account should preferably continuously hold about $7,300 USD balance. This amount indicates to the visa officer that you have sufficient ability to pay all expenses during the trip. Please avoid suddenly depositing large funds before application, as this may raise unnecessary questions.

How far in advance should I start applying?

Official processing time is about 23 days. But you need to consider time for biometrics appointment and passport mailing. We strongly recommend starting preparation and submission at least 2 months in advance, leaving sufficient time for all processes to ensure your trip is unaffected.

Do I need to book flights and hotels before applying?

You do not need to purchase any non-refundable flights or book hotels before obtaining the visa. You only need to provide a clear Travel Plan listing planned cities and attractions. This is sufficient to prove your travel purpose is genuine and credible.

How are fees calculated for family applications?

For family applications, fee calculation is different.

Application Fee is per person, about $73 USD each. Biometrics Fee has a family cap; total for a family (2 or more) is capped at about $124 USD. VAC Service Fee is strictly per person, no discount.