HOW TO APPLY
Submit Your Application In-Person
Important Note:
Effective 03 November 2018, prior appointment is mandatory for Biometric Enrolment at the Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC) in Sri Lanka. Depending on your nationality, you may already need to give biometrics.
Since July 31, 2018 – applicants from Europe, Middle East and Africa
Starting December 31, 2018 – applicants from Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas
To find out if you need to give biometrics, please visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/biometrics.asp
Please note that appointments are mandatory in order to enroll biometrics at the Visa Application Centre. A planned visit with a preferred time slot at the Visa Application Centre guarantees prompt service thus eliminating longer waiting time resulting in inconvenience.
Please note, for the sole purpose of scheduling appointment VFS Global will collect Personal Information from the applicant. A consent form to this regard will be required from the applicant.
- Applicants requesting emergency appointments for the purpose of biometric collection may do so provided suitable proof of the emergency is presented at the time of the appointment. Suitable proof may include a note or other documentation from an official. Please note that this proof only needs to be presented and will not be collected by the VAC, and that this will provide an emergency biometric appointment but not affect IRCC’s processing time for the application. For any further information or questions, the Contact Centre is able to assist with any inquiries.
- Please click here to Schedule an Appointment
Temporary resident visa, study and work permit applicants only need to give biometrics once every 10 years
- However, permanent residence applicants will need to give biometrics with each application. Your additional documents and/or passport, along with the request letter issued by the IRCC Office may be submitted through the Canada Visa Application Centre of your choice.
- If you have applied for a temporary resident visa, study or work permit in the past and are unsure if the biometrics have been provided, please refer to the IRCC website (Canada.gc.ca/biometrics), and “Find out if your biometrics are still valid”
- Refer to the IRCC website for a list of countries that require a visa for temporary residents: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/entry-requirements-country.html
- For the purposes of biometric collection, nationality is based on the nationality you have declared in question number 6 (*Citizenship) on the IRCC application form.
- How to Prepare for your Biometrics
- Applicants scheduling an appointment for biometric enrolment are advised to consider the below mentioned points before their appointment:
- It is advised that you keep your hands henna-free at the time of your biometric appointment to ensure an unimpeded biometric enrollment. Henna may affect the quality of fingerprints and applicants may need to re-enroll their biometrics at a later date if the VAC staff member is unable to obtain high quality prints.
- Applicants with temporary injuries, cuts, cracks, and/or bandages on their fingers are advised to wait until after they have recovered before giving their biometrics. Temporary injuries may affect the quality of fingerprints and applicants may need to re-enroll their biometrics at a later date if the VAC staff member is unable to obtain high quality prints.
- Applicants should avoid wearing light color clothing or head gear (head gear is allowed for religious purposes only) in order for their picture to be captured effectively. Wearing bright colours is recommended.
- Male/female applicants wearing head gear for religious purpose should ensure that as much of their face, forehead and ears as possible is visible.
Accompanying parties are not allowed inside the Visa Application Centre unless they are accompanying a child less than 18 years of age or a person who requires assistance (e.g. the elderly, medical infirm or disabled applicants). In all other cases, only the applicant should visit the Visa Application Centre.
Two ways of submitting visa application to Canada
Paper Application
Step 1 :
Read complete information on the visa/permit requirements on the IRCC website and download the appropriate application forms and checklist relevant to the purpose of your visit.
As of 11 December 2013, Sri Lankan citizens between the ages of 14 and 79 must give their biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) when applying for a visitor visa, study permit or work permit. This new requirement affects citizens of 29 countries and 1 territory. Find out if you need to give your biometrics.
Step 2 :
Fill out the application form and other relevant documents electronically and print.
Forms (including the barcoded sheets) are to be printed on a white, bond quality, non-glossy paper, using a laser printer.
If you are unable to provide all the supporting documents as mentioned in the official IRCC document checklist, you are required to fill out and sign the waiver form and attach it with your application form.
Failure to provide a completed and signed waiver form may result in additional delays or refusal of your application for a visa, permit or travel document.
Step 3 :
Read the privacy policy, fill out the VFS Global consent form and attach it with your application form.
IMPORTANT: If a completed and signed VFS Global consent form is not included with the application, we will NOT be able to assist you, and will be obligated to return the application to you.
- Note:- Kindly remove all the stapler pins from your documents, before you submit your application at the visa application centre.
Step 4 :
Pay visa fees and biometric fees, if required, as per instructions in the IRCC Canadian Visa Office website.
Please note that when submitting application via the Canada Visa Application Centre, in person or by mail, visa fees must be paid in addition to Canada Visa Application Centre service charge.
Step 5 :
Visit your local Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC), make sure you bring your passport, photographs, completed forms and all supporting documents as per checklist and IRCC fee instrument and payment instructions. Applicable service charges will be levied. Please ensure you bring an accepted method of payment.
Important Note: If you need to give your biometrics, the Canada Visa Application Centre will collect your biometrics at the same time you submit your application. DO NOT submit your application by mail to this Canada Visa Application Centre
Step 6 :
Once you are at Canada Visa Application Centre, pay the service charges, hand your complete application and obtain a receipt. This receipt contains your unique tracking number which you will need to track the progress of your application online.
Important Note: If you need to provide biometrics, your $85 CAD biometric fee covers the Canada Visa Application Centre service charge for application handling.
E-Application
Effective 03 November 2018, prior appointment is mandatory for Biometric Enrolment at the Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC) in Sri Lanka. Depending on your nationality, you may already need to give biometrics.
Since July 31, 2018 – applicants from Europe, Middle East and Africa
Starting December 31, 2018 – applicants from Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas
To find out if you need to give biometrics, please visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/biometrics.asp
Please note that appointments are mandatory in order to enroll biometrics at the Visa Application Centre. A planned visit with a preferred time slot at the Visa Application Centre guarantees prompt service thus eliminating longer waiting time resulting in inconvenience.
- Applicants requesting emergency appointments for the purpose of biometric collection may do so provided suitable proof of the emergency is presented at the time of the appointment. Suitable proof may include a note or other documentation from an official. Please note that this proof only needs to be presented and will not be collected by the VAC, and that this will provide an emergency biometric appointment but not affect IRCC’s processing time for the application. For any further information or questions, the Contact Centre is able to assist with any inquiries.
- Please click here to Schedule an Appointment
- How to Prepare for your Biometrics
- Applicants scheduling an appointment for biometric enrolment are advised to consider the below mentioned points before their appointment:
- It is advised that you keep your hands henna-free at the time of your biometric appointment to ensure an unimpeded biometric enrollment. Henna may affect the quality of fingerprints and applicants may need to re-enroll their biometrics at a later date if the VAC staff member is unable to obtain high quality prints.
- Applicants with temporary injuries, cuts, cracks, and/or bandages on their fingers are advised to wait until after they have recovered before giving their biometrics. Temporary injuries may affect the quality of fingerprints and applicants may need to re-enroll their biometrics at a later date if the VAC staff member is unable to obtain high quality prints.
- Applicants should avoid wearing light color clothing or head gear (head gear is allowed for religious purposes only) in order for their picture to be captured effectively. Wearing bright colours is recommended.
- Male/female applicants wearing head gear for religious purpose should ensure that as much of their face, forehead and ears as possible is visible.
- Accompanying parties are not allowed inside the Visa Application Centre unless they are accompanying a child less than 18 years of age or a person who requires assistance (e.g. the elderly, medical infirm or disabled applicants). In all other cases, only the applicant should visit the Visa Application Centre.
Step 1 :
Complete instructions on how to submit a visa application via E-Application can be found on the IRCC website “Apply Online”.
Applicants who are REQUIRED to submit biometrics after successfully submitting an E-Application will receive a notification in a form of a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL). Upon receipt of the BIL, you will be required to visit the Visa Application Centre to submit biometrics.
Step 2 :
If you are REQUIRED to submit biometrics, prior appointment is mandatory for biometric enrolment.
Once an appointment is scheduled, an appointment letter will be generated along with a reference number.
The appointment letter will provide details of the date, time and location of the appointment, along with other relevant information regarding security at the centre, additional services, etc.
If you are NOT REQUIRED to submit biometrics, please wait for the decision of your application and check your MyCIC account for further instructions.
Step 3 :
On the date of your appointment (if applicable) please arrive at the centre 15 minutes prior to your appointed time.
Please bring your original passport, appointment letter, and Biometric Instruction Letter.
Upon completion of biometric enrolment, you will be provided a receipt confirming that your biometric has been collected at the Canada Visa Application Centre.
Step 4 :
Once a decision has been taken on your visa application, you will be notified via email to submit your passport through a Passport Request Letter. If you are unsure of emails from IRCC getting delivered to you, please check your my CIC account periodically for updates.
Upon receipt of the Passport Request Letter, please submit your original passport, along with the Passport Request Letter, at the Visa Application Centre.
For complete guidance on how to submit passport and Other Documents, please click here
Mail Your Application
Effective 03 November 2018, prior appointment is mandatory for Biometric Enrolment at the Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC) in Sri Lanka. Depending on your nationality, you may already need to give biometrics.
Since July 31, 2018 – applicants from Europe, Middle East and Africa
Starting December 31, 2018 – applicants from Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas
To find out if you need to give biometrics, please visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/biometrics.asp
Please note that appointments are mandatory in order to enroll biometrics at the Visa Application Centre. A planned visit with a preferred time slot at the Visa Application Centre guarantees prompt service thus eliminating longer waiting time resulting in inconvenience.
If you opt to Mail-In your application, please ensure that the Application package includes:
- Completed applicable forms
- Checklist
- Supporting documents and a copy of the passport bio data page
- Proof of payment for Government of Canada Fee and biometric fee (if required)
- It is advised that you keep your hands henna-free at the time of your Biometric Appointment to ensure unimpeded biometric enrollment. Non-compliant applicants will be asked to visit the Visa Application Centre with a fresh appointment after 30 calendar days. Kindly adhere to this requirement to avoid delays and multiple visits to the centre.
- If you are mailing in your application package to a Visa Application Centre, please use the biometric validity tool to check if you are required to enroll biometrics at a VAC (Click here).
- Once you receive a notification to enroll biometrics, please ensure you schedule and appear for an appointment within 10 working days at the same VAC where you have mailed your application
Applications may also be submitted to IRCC by using IRCC’s online application system (E-Apps).
Submit Passport and Other Documents
If you have received notification from the Government of Canada requesting your passport, your passport along with the request letter may be submitted through this Canada Visa Application Centre.
Please note that there will be a Service Charge for the above services. Courier charges where applicable are separate from the Service Charge applicable for Passport Transmission Services.
http://www.vfsglobal.ca/Canada/srilanka/Service_and_Service_Charge.html
How to submit your passport:
Once you receive notification from the Government of Canada requesting your passport, you can submit the passport and that request letter in person/ through an authorized representative at the Canada Visa Application Centre.
With your passport(s), make sure you include:
- The passport request letter you received from IRCC
- Any applicable visa application centre (VAC) fees, such as passport transmission fees, courier fees etc.
- Your contact information, including your email, phone number and return address
- The Visa Application Centre consent form
To retrieve your passport, you have the choice of;
- Picking up the passport in person or through an authorized representative at the Canada Visa Application Centre or;
- Requesting return of passport by courier
The Passport Transmission Services offered by the Canada Visa Application Centre will enable you to;
- Get your passport delivered to the CVO (Canadian Visa Office) in a timely and safe manner.
- Track the status of your passport by using the Tracking tool on the Canada Visa Application Centre website