Visa to Canada in 2021 for Russians: work and tourist visas

Every year Canada attracts many tourists and migrants from different countries. It has a good mild climate for relaxation and favorable conditions for moving. Russians need a visa to enter Canada.

It is required regardless of what purpose of travel the applicant sets for himself.

General information

Having a visa to Canada for Russians in 2021 requires visiting only this country. Obtaining it differs from obtaining a permit to enter other countries.

In addition, having a US visa does not give you the right to visit Canada for any purpose and vice versa.

Canada has a loyal attitude towards visa applicants, and the probability of receiving one is about 50%

Despite this, if you do not know the rules for submitting documents, registration may take months. The reason for this is the large list of additional documents. In addition, the collection of required documents must be carried out scrupulously.

Algorithm of actions for a candidate for a work visa:

Preparation of a competent competitive resume . The success of obtaining a work permit in Canada depends on how well this questionnaire is compiled.
Passing an interview with the employer. The employer first contacts the ministry, explaining the need to hire a foreign worker. Having received a request, the ministry analyzes whether the specified candidate is suitable for performing job duties and whether he complies with the stated labor standards.
Waiting for an official response. As soon as the ministry approves the submitted candidacy, the employer is obliged to forward the supporting documentation to the Canadian Embassy in Russia. Today, the only embassy in the Russian Federation is open in Moscow, located at 23 Starokonyushenny Lane. Along with it, there are three visa centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg.

Get permission before working. Photo: pixabay.com

Sent papers include:

a brief description of the position (required competencies, number of working hours, job responsibilities, etc.);
information about salary and possible benefits (if incorrectly completed, they will not be accepted by the immigration service).

Main types of visas

Before you get any visa to Canada, you need to know what types there are:

Temporary resident. Allows entry for up to 6 months. Can be suitable for any purpose - tourist, business and business visits.
Transit
In addition, student visa
Also, there is a work visa
Visiting close relatives (grandparents, parents, children). It is also called supervisa. Those who have relatives living in Canada receive it. In addition, it is issued once without the right to extend the period with the right of entry for up to two years.

There are also family reunion and sports visas. The latter is issued to athletes to take part in sporting events.

Work visa to Canada

This is the most frequently requested type of entry permit. A temporary work visa to Canada in 2021 is issued to Russian residents. But a prerequisite is the existence of a contract with the employer.

In addition, the permit may be valid for up to three years with the right to extension. A visa applicant does not have the right to resign before the deadline specified in the contract.

The search for work and vacancies can be carried out in any available way

This is the Internet, through recommendations from friends. Since Russian professional documents are not listed in Canada, proof of specialty may be required. Additionally, additional licensing may be required.

Tourist visa to Canada

It can be in the form of a regular or multiple visa. The period for receiving it is 10 days. But in reality, the wait can last up to a month. In addition, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months. The countdown starts from the day you return to cross the border.

May be issued for the duration of the intended trip, but always at the discretion of the officer

This document allows you to visit Canada, but you cannot enter the United States with it. In addition, a Canada tourist visa does not imply any mode of immigration.

To consider a permit, you must submit the following documents:

Original passport
In addition, 2 photos
Confirmation of the purpose of travel (confirmation of booked hotels, invitation to a clinic, etc. are suitable)
Copies of plane tickets
Confirmation of solvency. A certificate from your place of work will do. Also documents proving that a person has his own business
Medical insurance.

In addition, you additionally need to pay a consular fee.

Student visa to Canada

It is a must-have for those who want to study in North America. A student visa to Canada can only be obtained from an official registered educational institution. It also allows you to undergo training in schools, colleges, and participate in seminars.

If the period of study is no more than six months, then the same documents are submitted as for a tourist visa

Transit

The requirements for transit crossing the country in 2021 have not changed. If you are making a transfer at a Canadian airport when flying from Russia, you will need to obtain a visa. This requirement applies if the tourist stays at a Canadian airport for less than two days.

If your stay is longer than the specified period, you must obtain a visa for tourism purposes. With this type of visa you cannot leave the airport building

Such a document can be issued one-time or for several visits. A transit visa to Canada for Russians as of 2021 is issued free of charge. To receive it you need to provide:

International passport.
2 photos.
Valid health insurance.
Documents confirming the purpose of the trip.

Work visa - main stages of obtaining

The main steps when applying for a visa through the website:

Passing the Express Entry test, based on the results of which the system will offer suitable migration programs. The test questions relate to nationality, age, language skills, marital status, education, etc.;
Filling out a personal page on the government website in the immigration section. You will need to upload civil and foreign passport data, language test results, a job offer, and an education diploma;
Upload additional documents to your profile (no criminal record certificate, medical certificate, bank account statement);
Expect an invitation to permanent residence as a foreign specialist.

An invitation will be sent to citizens who score the most points in the system. A low score may be due to the lack of an invitation to work, a low level of knowledge of English and French. If you are excluded from the system, you can reapply and update your profile information. If the decision is positive, the printed invitation is submitted to the Visa Center.

Documents can be submitted in person or with the help of a person with a notarized power of attorney to the nearest Canada visa center.

Canadian Embassy in Moscow

Address:	119002, Moscow, Starokonyushenny lane, 23
Schedule:	Monday - Friday from 08:30 to 17:00
Website:	www.canadainternational.gc.ca
Telephone:	+7
Email:	[email protected]
Fax machine:	+7 (495) 925-6025

Canada Visa Application Center in Moscow

Address:	127018, Moscow, st. Sushchevsky Val, 31, building 2
Schedule:	Monday - Friday from 09:00 to 16:00 - submission and receipt of documents
Official site:	www.vfsglobal.ca
Telephone:	+7;+7.
Email:	[email protected]

Canada Visa Application Center in St. Petersburg

Address:	197110, St. Petersburg, st. Bolshaya Raznochinnaya, 16 A (entrance from Chkalovsky Ave. 7), 2nd floor
Official site:	www.bulgariavac.ru
Telephone:	+7;+7.
Email:	[email protected]

A work visa is usually valid only for the period of performance of one’s work duties. It allows you to work in the state, and after three years the candidate can even apply for citizenship. In order to receive it you will have to do the following:

Pass an English language test with a score of at least six and a half points out of nine and receive an international IELTS certificate. It is advisable to prepare in advance for the exam;
Have an invitation from the employer in hand;
Have at least one year of work experience;
Have recommendations from previous places of work;
Undergo a medical examination of your health status by a specialized commission.

Obtaining a visa is quite lengthy and painstaking work. You will have to fill out a lot of documents and draw up an application for the Consulate. All documents must be notarized in English or French, in accordance with Canadian laws. To the package of documents you collect, you must attach as many different additional documents as possible - about yourself and your financial capabilities. This will significantly shorten the process of obtaining a work visa.

An example of a contract concluded upon hiring

The following must be attached to the application for a permit:

Signed employment agreement;
All diplomas of advanced training, mastering other specialties, confirmation of completion of additional courses;
Recommendations from other places of work;
Certificate of the right to work (for the province of Quebec), but this is provided that the place of employment itself is located in this province;
Existing conclusion on passing a medical examination.

If we talk about documents, you will need an employment contract, certificates or diplomas of advanced training, recommendations from employers. If you are going to the province of Quebec, then you will need a certificate giving the right

ATTENTION! Effective November 21, 2021, forms IMM5802 “ Offer of Employment to a Foreign National Exempt from LMIA ” . If you have already received a completed copy of this form from your employer, you will need to ask your employer to resubmit the offer of employment online through the Employer Portal to work at their location.

After receiving a work permit, you must collect additional documents for the Embassy and undergo a mandatory medical examination. Additionally, you may need to undergo an interview at the Canadian embassy. After this, you can already wait for a decision from the Canal Embassy. Don’t forget about the amount of visa fee that you must pay. It is 150 Canadian dollars.

Applying for a Canadian visa yourself

If a Russian citizen decides to submit documents on his own, he needs to study all the nuances. Information can be collected online on the embassy website. You can also search for information on various forums.

You can also read reviews from other people. Submission can be either independently or through a representative by proxy.

Collection at the visa center

Such centers are located in several cities:

Moscow.
Novosibirsk
Saint Petersburg.
Rostov-on-Don.

Detailed instructions for self-submission look like this:

It is necessary to download and print all specified forms and applications. All samples are posted on the Embassy website.
Filling out must be done in English or French.
Pay the cost of center services and fees. The price depends on the type of visa.
Apply in person.

Registration online

It is now possible to obtain a visa online. To do this, the first step is to fill out an application to determine your visa type. Next you need to fill out a special form.

Before this, you need to get a key for her. All documents must be uploaded to the site within 60 days from the date of registration on the site.

List of required documents

To obtain a visa to Canada for Russians in 2021, there is a regulated list of basic and additional documents. The documents listed below will be required.

Application form according to the established IMM5257E template, filled out and signed; if the form is filled out using a computer, then at the beginning of each page you need to leave a space for the bar code;
CompletedSchedule 1 for IMM;
Family Information Form IMM 5645, if required;
Completed forms IMM5409E and IMM 5476, if required (a description of the need to fill out these forms can be found on the Embassy website);
A valid original passport with at least one blank page;
Two good quality photographs. Requirements for the photo: the face must be turned towards the camera and express neutral emotions, the photo must be fresh, on a light background, without hats and glasses (a wig and makeup are allowed, if this does not distort the appearance), size 35 by 45 mm;
Digital photographs cannot be enhanced using special software.
Receipt of payment of the visa fee;
Photocopy of the relevant permit (work, study), if required;
Evidence (confirmation) of your financial solvency;
You need to submit as complete a package of documents as possible - a certificate of employment from your enterprise (with position and salary), a bank certificate of the existence of an account, certificates of ownership of real estate, other property, and so on.
A copy (or photocopy) of a valid return air ticket (you can show an electronic ticket);
Children traveling alone or with one parent will need permission to travel from one or both (if the child is traveling accompanied by others). The document must first be notarized;
Additional documents may be requested by the visa officer.

For parents and grandparents

Relatives who want to come to visit their children and grandchildren are additionally requested to:

Letter of invitation from a child (grandson);
One of the documents to choose from, which confirms that the child (grandchild) has sufficient income and is willing to bear expenses for his relatives;
Evidence of relationship;
Health insurance valid in Canada for at least one year.

For a tourist visa to Canada

In addition to the main documents, you must provide:

Details of your route;
Hotel and air ticket reservations.

For a private visit

An invitation from a Canadian citizen (or a person legally present in its territory) will be required.

For short-term courses

You may also need to provide an invitation from a Canadian educational institution.

For a business visit

An invitation letter from the interested party will be required.

Those applicants who are obtaining a visa to Canada in 2021 on their own should remember that the application must be completed in English or French.

How to fill out an application

One of the most common reasons for refusal is incorrectly completed documents. Therefore, first you should practice and fill out a draft, and then the original. The questionnaire contains a list of questions that must be answered:

Purpose of the visit.
Personal data (full name, date and place of birth, gender).
Residence address, contact phone number and status.
Education.
List of countries in which the applicant has lived for the last 5 years.
Language skills.
Passport details.
Planned duration of stay in Canada.
Places of work over the past 10 years.
Presence of diseases.

Advantages of having permanent residence in Canada

Choosing Your Place of Residence As a permanent resident, you will have the right to live and work anywhere in the country without being tied to a specific employer, province or territory.

Family Immigration You will be able to apply to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, dependent children and other relatives to move to Canada.

Quality education Permanent residents of Canada study in secondary educational institutions for free, in higher educational institutions - at a reduced cost provided for citizens of the country.

Medical care Having a permanent residence permit will allow you to apply for state health insurance and use health care services with partial payment or free of charge.

Possibility of obtaining a passport You can apply for Canadian citizenship if, at the time of application, the total period of stay in Canada as a permanent resident is 3 years in the last 5 years.

Favorable banking services For permanent residents and citizens of the state, there are affordable interest rates in Canadian banks for mortgages and other loans, including for education.

Secure your permanent resident status in Canada

Photo requirements

To review documents by the Embassy, you must attach a photo of the required format. The requirements for such photos do not differ from the requirements of other countries.

It is prohibited to wear objects that cover the face in the photo.

In addition, you cannot smile or look away from the camera. The photograph must be in color on a white background. The face on it should occupy at least 70% of the area. The top of the shoulders should also be visible in the photo.

The photograph can be taken at any photo studio. Also, some visa centers have booths that take instant photographs.

Registration of insurance

If you are going to travel to Canada, you need to get a medical insurance policy. It can be obtained from insurers. The insured amount of coverage can be in the amount of 30, 35, 40, 50, 100 thousand dollars.

Due to expensive healthcare, experienced travelers advise buying insurance with coverage of at least 50 thousand.

Insurance covers almost all common insurance events. The policy does not compensate for damage due to an accident if traffic rules were violated.

Description of common errors

The most common mistake an applicant makes is careless filing. Many people think that getting a Canadian visa is easy. Before submitting, be sure to double-check that all fields are filled out. In addition, check whether all documents are attached.

Be sure to indicate a clear purpose of the trip. During the interview you need to behave calmly and try not to be nervous.

You should also know that having a Schengen visa does not give you the right to enter Canada. The biometric passport of Ukrainians also does not allow this. In addition, a blank passport without visas may result in refusal to obtain an entry document.

Types of official work permits in Canada

Open Permit – Grants the right to a foreign national to work for any Canadian employer for a specified period of time. Some open permits may restrict the type of work or location where a foreign national can be employed. A candidate can apply within Canada, outside the country or while crossing the country's border.

Permission from the employer - issued based on the presence of a letter with a job offer or an agreement indicating the position, salary and conditions. Generally, a Canadian employer must first obtain a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Human Resources and Social Development Canada in order to hire a temporary foreign worker.

Cost of a visa to Canada

The fee depends on the type of visa. Only a transit visa is issued free of charge. For other types of visas you will have to pay. So, a tourist ticket with single or multiple entries will cost 100 Canadian dollars. And student - 150, work - 155.

It costs $200 to apply for temporary resident status.

The standard period for reviewing documents is 10 days. But in some cases it can drag on for several months. In addition, an urgent visa can be issued within 72 hours if there are compelling reasons.