What do I need to apply for a Canadian visa?

Dear Miss Powell,

I would like to visit Canada in the summer. Can you tell me what documents I will need to apply for a visitor's visa?

- KN

Dear KN,

An application for a visitor's visa to Canada is also called an 'application for temporary resident visa'. If you make your application now, you will avoid the additional cost to submit bio-metrics data. This new fingerprinting rule comes into effect September 2013.

You should submit the following completed forms:

1. Checklist;

2. Application for temporary resident form;

3. Family information form;

4. Schedule 1.

These forms are available free of cost from the a Canadian High Commission or may be downloaded from the Internet.

The documents that you should submit are the following:

1. Valid passport, which should not expire within the next 12 months. If you have an old passport with a Canadian visa or proof of previous travel, submit that passport as well.

2. Birth certificate.

3. Two recent passport photographs. These should be signed and dated by a justice of the peace or lawyer.

4. Letter of employment.

5. Proof of funds to cover the cost of the airfare, medical insurance, and activities while in Canada. (bank statements, investments, pay slips).

6. Proof of assets in Jamaica such as land and vehicle title or registration.

7. Letter of invitation from your friend or relative you will be visiting.

8. Details about the purpose of your trip. You may include your travel itinerary, tickets or passes to events that you plan to attend.

9. Any other information which will prove your ability to afford the trip and show social, financial, and family ties to Jamaica.

If you are under 18 years old, you should also submit the following:

1. Financial information for parents.

2. A copy of your transcript and a letter from the school that you attend, or you will be attending in September, to show that you intend to return to Jamaica at the end of the summer to continue with school.

3. Consent letter from both of your parents if you will be travelling alone, or from the parent who will not be travelling with you. This letter should be signed in the presence of a lawyer or a justice of the peace. You may also submit a court order which shows that one parent has full custody.

You will be required to pay your fees at any Bank of Nova Scotia. This includes processing fee and visa fee based on the type of visa that you would like ( single or multiple-entry visa).

You may submit your application:

1. In person, at the Canadian High Commission by using the drop box: 3 West Kings House Road, Waterloo Road Entrance  or  14 Sunset Boulevard, Montego Bay, St. James.

2. Via mail to Canadian High Commission, P.O. Box 1,500, Kingston 10.

Ensure that you enclose a prepaid envelope from one of the major couriers in Jamaica (DHL, TARA, FEDEX, and AirPak) with your return address on it.

3. Via Citizenship and Immigration Canada website (online application). ( (jamaica.gc.ca)

If you have additional issues or concerns consult with a lawyer or travel agent to assist you.

Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator and Notary Public who is a member of the Jamaican and Ontario, Canada bars, with main office located in Ottawa, Ontario. Her areas of practice are in Immigration, Real Estate, Commercial, Personal Injury, Family and Administration of Estates. She is on the roster of Mediators for Ottawa, Toronto and the Dispute Resolution Foundation of Jamaica.

Submit your questions or comments via Email: info@deidrepowell.com . Subject: Immigration or fax 613.695.8778.

Published: Tuesday | May 14, 2013 in the Jamaica Gleaner: http://mobile.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130514/news/news1.php