In Canada, as in every country, there is a specific procedure for obtaining a visa. The first step is to determine your reason for requesting a Canada visa.  There are several types of Canada visas available. The categories include ‘Skilled Worker’, ‘Family Sponsorship’, ‘Business’ and the ‘Provincial Nomination Program’, which is used solely for the Province of Quebec. The skilled worker category is a general visa where you intend to work in Canada.  Family sponsorship requires that a family member, already living in Canada sponsor you. The business category requires that you are the owner of or are able to own a business. The provincial nomination program is for use only when requesting residence in Quebec and has some additional requirements.

In all cases, obtaining Canada visas begins with submitting the application, which should be done through your own country. Along with the application you will need to submit documentation specific to the type of visa you seek. You will need evidence of your civil status, employment and education records and language ability. For the ‘family sponsorship’ visa, you’ll need to prove the family relationship between the parties concerned. For ‘business’ visas you’ll need to prove your assets, along with your business management history. All types of Canada visas require a ‘Police Clearance Certificate’, from your country of residence. Before submitting your visa application it is important to visit the Canada visa website in order to get a list of the latest regulations and procedures. The application process may take many months and varies; depending on the exact type of visa you are seeking.