Hi. My parents (who live in India) want to visit me here in Ontario. I am in the process of getting their paperwork together but a little confused about the process I should be following.
The situation: They will fly into the US to visit a cousin who is getting married, attend the wedding and then fly into Toronto to see me.
My question: Should they apply for the visitor visa in India or the US? They will be in the US for a couple of weeks at most so I'd much rather they did this in India.
If they apply in India, do they need a US visa first? Their itinerary will obviously be to the US so it would look a little bizarre if they applied for a Canadian visitor visa with that so...any suggestions?
If they don't enclose an itinerary, and apply for the Canadian visitor visa, will Canada just issue a visa that needs to be used within a short period of time (say a month)? I haven't done this in a long long time so I am not sure if there is a 'use by' date on visas when they are first issued. My concern is that we need time for them to attend the American wedding/do their social visits etc.
Thanks.
Avani
Location: Western Hemisphere
Posted on: 28-11-11 16:34:15
Canada issues visa for a certain period of time. The visitor can enter Canada on or before the expiry of the validaity of the visa. In other words, the visitor can stay beyond the expiry of the visa validity since the duration of stay is determined at the port of entry.
Your parents can apply for a Cdn visa at a consulate in the US (text edited). Many have done successfully. They most likely be asked more questions since they are applying from non-home country. No appointments are required and decisions are made within few hours on a first come, first-serve basis.
Normally, itinerary is not required since the prevailing assumption is no one would make concrete travel bookings until after obtaining the visa.
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Dimple2001
Dimple, Did you mean 'Your parents can apply for a Cdn visa at a consulate in the *US*'? Thanks for your response.
Has anyone here done this recently? I'd hate for them to come all the way to the US and then not visit me because there was some mix up at the consulate in the US.
Avani.
Location: Western Hemisphere
Posted on: 28-11-11 17:35:37
Yes, sorry for the typo. I have changed it.
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Dimple2001
