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Can I visit Canada with U.S visa: Can my US visa take me to Canada without Visa or eTA?

by with No Comment Visa

Can I visit Canada with US visa or do I need a new visa? This is a popular question among travelers who only have a US visa but have the desire to travel to Canada. 

In case you are asking this question for a long time with no answer, then continue reading as I will be revealing to you.

I will tell you whether your US visa can take you to Canada without bringing troubles to your journey. Transiting between the two countries can be possible if you are a citizen of the United States visiting Canada. However, you need a visa if your nationality is not part of the Canadian visa exempt countries. So, asking Can I visit Canada with a US visas is not the right question in some cases. 

US residents can visit Canada but just like every other traveling preparation, you must meet up with certain requirements which are normal. B1 and B2 visa holders are eligible to cross-border and visit Canada from the United States, but just for one month. 

Categories of persons that can visit Canada with US visa 

  • Are you a Canadian citizens or dual citizenship holders? Then you don’t have to get a visa or eTA before you can enter Canada but must have a passport. 
  • Canadian permanent residence holders can transit from the US to Canada without needing eTA or another visa. Don’t be happy yet if you are asking questions like; Can I visit Canada with a US visa because you must present permanent residence permit documents and passports. 
  • US citizens can enter Canada without Visa or eTA if they have proper form of identification like a passport. 
  • Permanent residents of the U.S can also visit Canada if they possess a passport from their home country and green card. 
  • Foreigners with Canadian documents who have documentation to prove they are either students, workers, or visitors in Canada who crossed the border to the US, and are returning back. 
  • Aliens and people with no state must have a visa before they can visit Canada. 

Are you a parent asking if you can visit Canada with a US visa, then I will assure you that you can. Guardians who want can visit their children from USA legally using super visa.

If you are not part of the category of people who can visit Canada then you must apply for a visa before stepping into canada. 

eTA is another document that can take you from the USA to Canada successfully. 

What is Canada eTA? 

The Canadian border is secured, so you need proper documentation if you don’t want to face problems while visiting Canada. 

Canada eTA which means Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an important document for individuals who wish to travel from the United States to Canada. I can tell you that you can visit Canada with a US visa since The USA is under the ‘visa exempt category’, So you don’t need a visa to visit Canada, and this document is important for those who don’t qualify to travel with only their passport. 

With Canada eTA, you can enter the US multiple times and stay up to 180 days in a single entry. 

Your eTA is valid for only 5 (five) years. 

Who is qualified for Canada eTA? 

Nationals of visa exempt countries, or residents of the US who have no documentation to enter Canada with only a passport will need to apply for eTA. 

I must say that Crossing the border to Canada from the US can not be so difficult if you really need to visit Canada with a US visa. Don’t worry, I will show you the process involved if you are trying it for the first time. 

You need a visa or eTA for you to cross from the USA to Canada legally. 

Important documents for eTA application 

The process is like every other application. You must provide your personal details and your motive for this visit to Canada. 

Below is a list of some of the documents you need;

  • Your passport must have a valid duration of the time you plan to spend in Canada. 
  • Provide a valid debit or credit for payment (there should be enough fund in the cards you are about to provide because you shouldn’t be asking “Can I visit Canada with a US visa” with empty pockets) 
  • Provide your active email address 

Step by step guide to apply for Canada eTA 

Since the application is done online, you only need your phone or computer to apply for Canadian eTA. Follow the steps below as I make your application process easy. 

  1. Step one: ivisa has a robust process to apply for eTA. Carefully fill the online application portal with your documents and personal information.
  2. Step two: proceed to pay fees for your application with your credit or debit card or even PayPal if you can confirm that all your details are correct. 
  3. Step three: scan all your documents and upload them (they must be clear), then submit them. 
  4. Step four: your eTA will be sent to your email address. You can print it in a hard copy or just leave it. 

Cost of Canada eTA and processing time 

You Can visit Canada with a US visa and I think it’s not even costly. The official cost of Canada eTA is from $5.5 to $7 but you will need to plus the government costs which will now take the overall cost to $55.9

ivisa also offers other price options depending on how fast you want your eTA. 

The processing time can go from 24 hours to 30 minutes since applicants have the right to pay for expedite processing. 

With eTA, you can visit Canada from the US without having to wait for a visa which in most cases takes a long time to come out. 

Students who are studying in Canada but visit the US for holidays can come back to Canada with their visa or eTA. 

Frequently asked questions 

Can I visit Canada with a US student visa? 

Students who are studying in the US but have no permanent residence in Canada or green card in the US cannot visit Canada, but it depends on your visa type. 

Can I visit Canada with U.S B-1 or B-2 visa? 

B-1 and B-2 visa holders may visit Canada for only 30 days and leave before the expiration of that period. 

What is Canada eTA processing time? 

You should receive your eTA in 24 hours but you still have the ability to make the process faster if you wish to pay more. 

Who can visit Canada with a US visa? 

Canadian permanent residents can visit the country from the United States any time. Students who traveled to the US can also visit Canada with only their visa and other documents. 

Conclusion

Can I visit Canada with a US visa and no eTA? Yes. You can qualify to visit Canada as a Foreigner in the US who meets the criteria. 

In case you don’t belong to the category of people that can enter Canada from the US with only a visa, then go ahead and apply for eTA. 

20221214_195110

US visa appointment Canada: What to know when applying for US visa in Canada or Mexico

by with No Comment Visa

Do you need a US visa appointment in Canada? Since the law doesn’t allow Canadian citizens to process a visa before entry into the United States, It takes less time for Non-Canadians traveling to the United States of America to get a visa. 

Travelers who wish to travel to the US can book appointments in the embassy or consulate nearest to them, maybe Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary or Halifax. (this process is only available for Third country nationals) 

Purpose of your trip to the USA can also determine whether you must book an appointment with the consulate or just travel freely. There’s also some category of Canadian citizens who must book appointments to travel to the US. However, If they have criminal records in the United States which have led to their information being removed, or under security watch can cause problems. 

US visa appointment in Canada 

Travelers planning to visit the US will have to book appointments for their visa interview. This appointment is done online and you have to determine your visa category since they all require different visa types. 

B2 visa which is under the medical visa category and B1 visa may require visa appointment for Non-Canadian citizens and Some Canadian citizens. 

Travelers under the US visa waiver category should obtain (ESTA) Electronic System for Travel Authorization if they have qualifications for it. 

What to know when applying for US visa in Canada 

Foreigners can easily apply for a US visa in Canada and also book slots for their visa interview appointment. 

Wait time to receive invitations for interviews does change and is not stable in Canada. 

  • Step one: Submit your visa online visa application form (DS-160) which will indicate your interest for a Canadian visa. 
  • Step two: Pay your visa application fees and go on to schedule for visa interview. At this point, you have to look out for other ways to make the appointment wait shorter. 

Travelers from Canada can expedite the process if truly their mission to the United States is urgent like; funeral, medical emergency or to meet up with school start date. 

US Visa appointment wait time for Foreigners in Canada 

Visa type (nonimmigrant)  Appointment wait time 
US visa appointment available dates for B1/B2 visa type (interview required) Days 
(F, M, J visa type) students and exchange visitors visa that require interview Days
(H, L, O, P, Q visa type) temporary workers visa that requires interview Days
(B-1, B-2) Dropbox and interview waiver visitors Days
(F, M, J) for Dropbox, interview waiver, students and exchange visitors Days
(H, L, O, P, Q) Dropbox, interview waiver and petition-based temporary worker Days

The wait time here depends on how many applications the US embassy in Canada is processing at that moment. 

Looking at the current wait time, you will have to book for an interview earlier to avoid delay to your own travel goals. Start by preparing important documents that you will take to the consulate office for your US visa interview after securing an appointment. 

Important documents for US visa appointment Canada

As part of your preparation to travel to the USA, an interview is an important part of it and having the right documents will even make your movements smoother. 

These documents will show that under the United States law, you meet all the requirements to enter into the country from Canada. Furthermore, since submitting these documents does not give you the guarantee of getting your visa, don’t not book hotels or pay for nonrefundable events when you are yet to have a US visa at hand. 

Below is a complete list of the documents for your US visa interview in Canada:

  • Passport with at least six months validity and acceptable in the United States 
  • Copy Nonimmigrant visa form 
  • 2×2 inch photograph taken within the last 180 days 
  • Present marriage certificate unless you are traveling to the United States alone. 
  • Documents to prove that you are legally resident in Canada at the time you are applying for this visa appointment. 

What to know when applying for US visa in Mexico 

Securing a US visa in Mexico depends on your travel needs since there are many visa categories for Mexicans who want to visit the United States. 

These categories attract different fees and application procedures as part of your preparation to travel to the US. 

  • You can easily apply for a US visa in Mexico by filling in an online form then making payments applicable to your preferred visa type. 
  • Visa application fees in Mexico cost around (USD) $94 and you may still have to pay other fees; especially if you prefer to expedite the interview appointment process. 

Applying for US visa in Mexico or Canada: What you should know 

The United States Department of States (DOS), which works in all countries to provide visas to travelers who wish to visit the USA , has steps on how to apply for a visa. The main US application is the same as what you see in other countries and it’s even easier when you are applying from Canada or Mexico. 

  1. Travelers in Canada should use this visa portal to learn more about the process of getting a US visa in Canada for non-immigrant Foreigners and locals. 
  1. Travelers from Mexico can look at the documents they must submit on this portal as it also provides more details regarding fees you are to pay. 

Frequently asked questions 

Is a US visa appointment open in Canada? 

The embassy and consulate is always open to meet the needs of applicants from Monday to Friday unless there is a holiday or emergency. 

Can I get an early US visa appointment in Canada? 

There’s an expedite system to help you FastTrack your interview appointment only if you have urgent travel needs. 

What is the wait time for a US visa appointment in Canada? 

Applicants will wait for days to finally receive an invitation for a visa interview after booking a spot online. 

Is the US embassy open in Canada? 

Travelers can always access the US embassy in Canada for their visa interview. 

Conclusion 

US visa appointments in Canada can come out very early if there are less applicants at the time of your application. However, there are other factors which may influence your visa appointment dates like types of visa, security, season and availability. 

You must book a US visa appointment in Canada on time to avoid delays.