Canada Visa From Pakistan Requirements

How to Apply for a Canadian Visa From Pakistan

“Canada visa from Pakistan” is one of the most searched online queries, and for good reason. Located in North America, Canada is the world’s second largest country. It is the land of prosperity, natural beauty and hospitable people. From classic food items to historical structures to beautiful lakes, Canada has a whole lot to offer. It is also home to culturally rich and vibrant cities.

Since the country is extremely versatile, it has become one of the most preferred vacation destinations. While some people visit Canada for their vacations, others go for study or work purposes.

No matter why you are visiting, you will need a visa for it. To help you go about the process, we have written this guide. It covers different visa categories and their requirements.

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Categories of Canada Visa From Pakistan

Following are the main types of visa categories:

Visit
Study
Work

Requirements for Canada Visit Visa From Pakistan

Pakistanis who want to visit Canada for the purposes of tourism should apply for a visit visa. Following are the requirements:

A valid passport
Visa application form
Photographs that meet Canadian government requirements
The applicant must be in good health
The applicant must not have a criminal record
The applicant has to convince the immigration officer that he/she has inseverable ties with Pakistan which is why he/she will return to Pakistan after visiting Canada
The applicant has to convince the immigration officer that they will leave Canada once their stay ends
The applicant should have enough money to stay in Canada
Proof of vaccination (certificate)
ArriveCAN receipt (You have to use the app before checking in or crossing the border)
A completed IMM 5645 form
If a family member or any third party is applying on your behalf, they have to fill in the IMM 5476 form

Following are some optional documents that you can submit:

Bank account statement
Your itinerary
Your travel history

Note: You may also be required to pass a medical exam and submit a letter of invitation.

What Is the Validity of a Canadian Visit Visa?

The validity of your visit visa is decided by the Canadian Consulate and it varies from case to case. Sometimes you get a visa for a limited time period, while other times you get it till your passport expires.

No matter what is the validity of your visa, you cannot stay for more than 6 months in a go.

Requirements of Study Visa for Canada From Pakistan

To study in Canada, you will need a visit visa as well as a study permit since the visit alone does not allow you to study in the country. However, if your study program is less than 6 months, you won’t need a study permit.

Following are the requirements to get a study permit:

A valid passport
Passport photos according to the Canadian government’s requirements
An acceptance letter on the letterhead of a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

The letter should include:

The program and degree that are getting enrolled in
The amount of tuition fee you will be paying
The start and end dates of the program

The applicant should be at least 18 years of age to apply for this category of visa
The applicant should be fully vaccinated
Proof that you have paid housing and tuition fee
A police certificate (if required)
Clean criminal history
Must be in good health and give a medical exam (if required)
The applicant has to prove to the officer that he/she will return to Pakistan once the studies are completed
Current education or employment status
A Declaration Letter from the applicant to the Government of Canada explaining why he/she should be given the visa
Prove that the applicant can cover the expenses of his/her study through one of the following:

Proof of a Canadian Bank account that is in his/her name
Poof that he/she has taken student loan from a bank
Proof that he/she has paid the tuition and housing fee
Bank statement of past 4 months
Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution
A letter from the person or institution who is giving him/her money
A bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars

If you are applying for Quebec, you will need to submit a Certificat d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) which is issued by the Quebec government. You can get all the information about this from the school you are applying to.

Note: If you are transitioning between different levels of study, like primary, secondary and post-secondary, you do not have to apply for a new study permit. Make sure you apply for its extension before it expires.

What Is the Validity of a Canadian Student Visa?

A student visa is valid only when you are studying in Canada and an additional 90 days. These additional 90 days give you time to prepare for leaving.

Requirements of Work Visa for Canada From Pakistan

According to the official website of the Government of Canada, there are two kinds of work permits:

Employer specific work permit – you can work with a specific employer
Open work permit – you can work with any employer in Canada except for any who is listed ineligible

If you want to work in Canada, you will need a work visa. Following are the requirements for it:

You have to submit a few applications forms

These forms include:

IMM 1295
Schedule 1- Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada
Family Information Form IMM 5645
Statutory Declaration Form IMM 5609 (If applicable)
Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union IMM 5409 (If applicable)
IMM 5476- Use of Representative Form
IMM 5475- Authority to Release Personal Information (If applicable)

A valid passport for at least six months
A photocopy of your passport and all its pages
Two photos as per the Government of Canada’s requirements
Copy of your birth and marriage certificate (if required)
If your country of residence is different from the country of your citizenship, you will need a proof of your current immigration status
Your resume
Proof that you have enough funds to finance you and your family’s stay in Canada
Your education certificates and diplomas
Police certificates to show clean criminal history
Valid job offer from your employer
The Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) document
If you will be working in Quebec, you need a Certificate d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ)
You may also be required to go through a medical exam

What Is the Validity of a Canadian Work Visa?

The Canadian work visa is valid for a period of 6 months. After that you either have to apply for an extension or go back to Pakistan.

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Canada Visa Fee For Pakistanis

To apply for a Canadian visa, Pakistanis have to pay the required fee with their visa application. The fee varies depending on the purpose of travel.

Paying the visa fee is divided into two categories:

Visa processing fee
Biometric fee

Visa Processing

When you apply for a Canadian visa, you have to pay an application fee which is necessary for the processing of your visa application. Also known as the Embassy Fee for Canada, the amount of the processing fee depends on the kind of visa you want to apply for.

Biometric Fee

If the embassy asks you to submit your biometrics, you will have to pay for it as well. The fee that you will pay will cover the cost of the collection of your fingerprints as well as a digital photo.

If you have applied through a Visa Application Center (VAC), the amount will also include the cost of core services provided by the VAC. These services include:

Checking if your application is complete or not
Sending your application to the visa office
Moving your documents to and from the visa office
Tracking online application

How Much Does a Canadian Visit Visa Cost?

According to the official website of the Government of Canada, both single and multiple entry visit visas cost CAD $100.

Based on your application, the embassy decides which one will be given to you. If you want to extend your stay, you will have to pay an additional CAD $100.

How Much Does a Canadian Study Visa Cost?

According to the official website of the Government of Canada, If you are applying for a study permit, you will have to pay CAD $150.

How Much Does a Canadian Work Visa Cost?

According to the official website of the Government of Canada, you have to pay CAD $155 for a work permit.

Can You Work in Canada While on a Tourist Visa?

No. But you can look for a job and once you get one, you can apply for a work permit without having to leave Canada. Previously, tourists with job offers had to leave Canada to obtain a work permit. Now, the Canadian government has extended this facility till February 28, 2025.