Smart Strategies for Visa Applicants: Canada’s Campaign in India
From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
News Release Overview
The Canadian government has initiated an information campaign in India aimed at helping temporary resident visa applicants streamline their process. The campaign focuses on saving time and money, avoiding scams, and choosing the best application method for a Canadian visa.
Unveiling Canada’s Visa Information Campaign in India
June 17, 2019 – Ottawa – Canada has rolled out an information drive in India to assist temporary resident visa applicants. This initiative highlights ways to conserve time and resources, dodge fraud, and identify the most efficient application channel.
In the previous year, Canada welcomed 297,000 visitors from India. As this number rises, ensuring applicants have accurate visa application information is crucial.
Key Campaign Messages
The campaign aims to inform applicants of essential points:
Benefits of Applying Online:
- Applying online eliminates the need for additional expenses on immigration consultants.
- Applicants can complete the process from home, avoiding unnecessary trips to visa centers.
- They can independently apply or seek assistance from trusted friends or family.
- The cost for a visitor visa application is $100 CAD, significantly less than using a consultant.
- Online applications are assessed by the same officers as paper applications, offering no advantage to paper submissions.
Avoid Unauthorized Consultants:
- Many posing as consultants lack authorization and exploit applicants with high fees.
- Applicants should verify consultants’ authorization on the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council.
- No consultant can promise a Canadian visa; claims to the contrary are deceitful.
- Be vigilant against fraudulent consultants and common scams.
Considerations for Reapplying:
- Applicants should reconsider reapplying if their visa was previously denied.
- They should only reapply if they can address the refusal reasons and present changed circumstances.
- Repeated applications with unchanged information will likely result in further refusals and additional costs.
The campaign will be featured across newspapers, radio, Facebook, and Google, with ads in English, French, Punjabi, and Hindi throughout June 2019.
For more details on assisting Indian friends or family with visa applications, finding authorized consultants, and avoiding fraud, visit canada.ca/india-visa.
Insights from Officials
“Canada continues to welcome visitors from India. This campaign will help applicants in India and their friends and family members here in Canada better understand and navigate the visa application system”.
– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Important Facts
- In 2018, IRCC received 975,000 temporary resident applications, a 60% increase from 2017.
- A significant number of these were submitted by unauthorized consultants, contributing to higher refusal rates from India.
- Consultants offering immigration advice must be registered and in good standing with a regulatory body.
- Submitting false or misleading information can lead to a 5-year ban from entering Canada.
Related Resources
Contact Information
Contacts for Media Only
Mathieu Genest
Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I apply for a Canadian visa online?
Applying online saves time and money, and you can complete the process from home without visiting a visa center.
How can I verify if a consultant is authorized?
Check if the consultant is registered with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council.
What should I do if my visa application is denied?
Consider reapplying only if you can address the reasons for refusal and demonstrate changed circumstances.
Is there an advantage to using a paper form for my visa application?
No, both online and paper applications are assessed by the same immigration officers.
What happens if I submit false information in my application?
You risk a 5-year ban from applying to enter Canada.
