Canada welcomes over one million tourists every year from all around the world, so if you’re planning to visit Canada, applying for a Canada visa from Belgium will allow you to start planning your trip as soon as possible. If you’re new to this process, however, it can be confusing and intimidating – but we’re here to help! In this guide, we’ll go over the basics of applying for a Canada Visa from Belgium and other relevant information that will help you make this process as smooth as possible.
Canada eTA
Travelers who have purchased an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) as part of their Canada visa application process may be eligible to board their flight. This means they can skip checking in at the airport and head straight through security, saving themselves valuable time. However, before being allowed to travel with an eTA, travelers must go through screening at check-in. Because of this extra step, Canadian citizens who purchase a paper visa may get through faster than those who purchased an eTA. To avoid any confusion at check-in and make sure travelers are headed out on time, border agents need confirmation that all passengers have gone through both stages of screening: first, when applying for their Canada visa from Belgium; second, when purchasing an eTA as part of their application process.
How Long does it take to process?
The best way to figure out how long your application will take is by going online and getting an estimate. This can be done by creating an account on Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) website. The website allows you to create an Account of Interest, which allows you to submit your application electronically and track its progress online. Once your account is created, you should receive processing times based on how you applied, how busy they are, etc. It’s important that you do not submit your application until all of your supporting documents have been verified; otherwise, it may cause unnecessary delays in processing times.
What Documents do I need?
Before you apply, make sure you have everything you need. The documents required vary depending on your situation, but here are some of them: Birth Certificate: You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate issued by an authorized government agency in Canada. For example, you could use a birth certificate issued by one of Canada’s provinces or territories. If it is not in English or French, then it must be accompanied by an official translation into either language.
How much will it cost?
The total cost of applying will depend on several factors. For instance, if you plan on staying in Canada for more than one year, you’ll need to apply for an immigration medical exam ($150) and obtain police certificates that reflect your entire life history (an additional $120). In total, expect to pay approximately $570 CAD. If you’re planning on traveling back and forth, renewing your visa while still in Canada costs between $550-$750 CAD (depending on how long you have been there), so figure that into your overall budget as well. Your passport: This is one of those items no one thinks about but is essential – without it, there’s not much you can do!
What else do I need to know?
The Canada visa application process can be intimidating for newcomers, but that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. To help make things easier, we put together a quick guide with everything you need to know before starting your Canada Visa Application Process. What is my first step?: Your first step will be deciding which type of visa is right for you and your situation. For example, if you are planning on studying in Canada, and International Student (Student) Visa would apply to you. If you plan on immigrating to Canada permanently or working there temporarily. An Economic Class (Worker/Business) Visa would apply to your situation. Other types of visas include Family Class (Family). Refugee Class (Refugee), and others based on specific situations or statuses (for example: Humanitarian and Compassionate). Once you have decided which type of visa applies to your situation, check out our complete list of Canadian immigration categories. From there, follow these steps: