As with most countries, the Government of Canada has a visa for diplomats and officials from foreign countries who want to go to Canada on official duties. That is the Diplomatic and Official Visa.
However, some people do not necessarily qualify for the positions allowed to get Diplomatic and Official Visas but hold an essential role in their Government and have official duties in Canada. To serve these people, the Canadian Government has created the Courtesy Visa.
The courtesy visa definition that it has the same rules as Diplomatic and Official Visas. Once a person has it, they are allowed to go to Canada for a specific period only if they have official duties in the country.
They are not allowed to overstay their visa or try to claim Canadian citizenship. They are also not allowed to try and obtain Canadian-issued documents or apply for Canadian benefits such as health coverage. If they do not have official duties in Canada but want to visit the country, they must apply for the Visitor Visa instead of the Courtesy Visa.
Requirements for the Courtesy Visa
To get the Courtesy Visa, the applicant must fulfill various requirements that make them eligible. They must justify why the Canadian Government should give them a visa that is equivalent to the Diplomatic Visa without them having the position for it.
You must fulfill the eligibility to qualify for the Courtesy Visa to Canada, and you must satisfy the eligibility criteria for the Temporary Resident Visas as well as the following criteria:
- It would be best if you had a valid passport issued by your Government with validity for more than the time you will spend in Canada.
- It would be best if you held an important diplomatic or official position different from those you need to qualify for the Diplomatic and Official visa.
- You must have an official invitation from a Canadian governmental or international institution to come to Canada.
- It would be best if you had official duties in Canada.
If you do not meet these criteria, the Canadian Consulate will require further proof for you to make your case and convince them why they should give you this visa. However, your application will be rejected immediately if you cannot prove eligible. The only solution after that is to apply for a different type of Canada Visas.
How to Apply for the Courtesy
The application process for the Canada Courtesy Visa is different from other Temporary Visa applications but similar to the Diplomatic and Offical Visa. Suppose you fulfill the requirements above and must go to Canada as part of your official duties. Then, you may submit a direct visa application to the Canadian Consulate or Embassy in your home country.
1) Collect the documents file
In addition to what is commonly required for any Canada visa application, you must also submit the following supporting documents:
- Your bank or another financial statement to prove you have enough funds for the trip to Canada.
- Your valid government-issued passport
- One of the following statements:
- A written from a diplomatic mission or consular post of your Government.
- A written request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the state to which the head of mission or post is accredited or for which the diplomatic mission or consular post has jurisdiction in visa matters.
- A letter from the Secretariat of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for which the diplomat or official will work, signed by or on behalf of the Secretary-General.
- Other official invitations from a governmental or international agency or institution in Canada.
- An itinerary of what your official duties in Canada will be for the time you are there.
- Two Canada visa photos that meet the photo guidelines
- A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you the Courtesy Visa.
2) Attend the interview at the Canadian Embassy
With these documents, you must also pay the application fees. When you present these documents, the official at the Canadian Embassy might ask you a few questions about the intention of your visit to Canada and your official duties.
If that happens, you must submit your fingerprints and photos at your interview appointment, submit the medical form to a licensed doctor, and complete the necessary tests. You must then hand the results to the Canadian Consulate with the abovementioned documents.
3) Wait for the processing of the Courtesy Visa
Depending on their workload, the Consulate might take a few days or weeks to process the application, or they will instantly reply to your visa application.
Keep in mind that the Courtesy Visa is given on a case-by-case basis, and it is not a usual visa that the Canadian Consulate approves. That is why you must have a strong chance for them to support your access.
Courtesy Visa Fees
The application fee for all Temporary Resident visas is 100 Canadian dollars, and you must also pay that fee for the Courtesy visa. Since you are not a diplomat or an official, your biometric information is.
To have your passport processed, you must also pay the processing fee of around 45 Canadian dollars.
Duration of Courtesy Visa Processing
It can take from 1 week up to 2 months for the Courtesy visa to be processed by the officials and for them to inform you of their decision. However, the processing time for the Courtesy Visa depends on the workload of the Canadian Consulate.
Can I Bring my Dependents With Me With a Courtesy Visa?
Since the Courtesy Visa is similar to the Diplomatic and Official Visa, you can bring your dependents to Canada for your trip. Dependents, in this case, are your spouse or common-law partner and children under 22 years old.
If you have children over 22 years old, they may accompany you only if they are full-time students. However, if you have children over 25 years old, they cannot accompany you with the Courtesy Visa but must apply for a Visitor Visa.
In addition to your family members, some service staff is also allowed to accompany you if they belong to any of these categories:
- Private Servants.
- Live-in Caregivers.
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Dembo Jarra
January 7, 2023 at 12:15 am
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