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In the digital age, submitting a Canada visa application online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal has become increasingly popular due to its convenience and speed. However, many people often wonder: How long does it take to process a Canada online visa? How soon can you get a Canada visa after completing the medical examination? This article will provide detailed answers to these two questions, while also offering useful tips to optimize the visa application process.
Submitting a Canada visa application online helps save time and reduces errors compared to applying in person. The basic process includes:
Processing time for a Canada online visa according to the application process
Fill out the visa application: Choose the appropriate visa type (tourist, study, or work) and complete the online forms such as IMM 5257 (tourist visa) or IMM 1294 (study permit).
Upload documents: Prepare and upload documents such as your passport, proof of financial support, invitation letter (if any), travel itinerary, or documents related to work/study.
Pay the fees: Pay the visa fee (around 100 CAD for a tourist visa, plus 85 CAD for biometric processing) using an international credit card.
Provide biometrics: After submitting the application, you will receive a letter requesting fingerprinting and photo capture at a Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC).
Medical examination (if required): Certain visa types (study, work, or immigration) require a medical exam at designated medical facilities.
Wait for processing: The application is forwarded to the Canadian Consulate for review, and the result will be notified via email or your IRCC account.
The processing time for a Canada online visa depends on the type of visa, the time of application, and the quality of the submitted documents. Below are the specific timeframes:
Canada online visa processing time depends on the type of visa
Overall processing time: According to updated information from IRCC, the average processing times for a Canada online visa are as follows:
Tourist visa (TRV): 30–60 working days.
Study permit: 8–12 weeks.
Work permit: 10–16 weeks.
Permanent residence (Express Entry): 6–12 months.
Time from application submission to receiving the biometric request letter: For online applications, you usually receive the biometric request letter within 1–5 working days. After that, you need to schedule an appointment at a CVAC (Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City) for fingerprinting, which typically takes an additional 1–2 weeks during peak seasons.
Time after biometrics: Once fingerprinting is completed, processing a tourist visa usually takes 3–6 weeks, while study or work visas may take longer due to additional verification requirements.
Factors affecting processing time include:
Peak seasons: June–August (tourist season) or September–October (school admission season) usually see a high volume of applications, which can extend processing times.
Complex applications: If the application is missing documents or requires additional verification (interviews, supplementary documents), processing time can increase by 2–3 months.
Travel history: Applications with a strong travel history (having visited the US, Australia, or Schengen countries) are generally processed faster.
To ensure a smooth process, it is recommended to submit your online application at least 3–6 months before your intended departure date.
Submit your online application at least 3–6 months before your intended travel date to Canada
A medical examination is a mandatory requirement for certain types of Canada visas, especially study permits (over 6 months), work permits, or permanent residence visas. The medical process takes place after you submit your application and receive a request from IRCC. Here are the details:
Receive the medical request letter: After submitting your online application, IRCC will send a Medical Examination Instruction via email or your GCKey account, usually within 1–4 weeks after biometrics.
Schedule the examination: Contact one of the Canadian-designated medical facilities in Vietnam, for example:
Hanoi: International Organization for Migration (IOM) – 304 Kim Ma, Ba Dinh.
Ho Chi Minh City: Cho Ray Hospital (International Clinic) or Phuoc An Medical Center.
Undergo the examination: This includes a general check-up, blood and urine tests, chest X-ray, and infectious disease screening. The process takes about 1–2 hours, with costs ranging from 2–3 million VND.
Submit results: The medical facility will send your results directly to IRCC within 5–7 working days. You do not need to submit them yourself.
After completing the medical exam, the waiting time for visa results depends on the type of visa and the application status:
Study permit: On average 4–8 weeks after the medical exam if no additional requirements are needed. Some cases may be faster (2–3 weeks) if the application is strong and the school has issued a clear admission letter.
Work permit: Typically 6–10 weeks, due to additional verification of the employment contract and sponsoring company.
Permanent residence: Can take 3–6 months because of a more complex process, including background checks and other factors.
Tourist visa: In rare cases requiring a medical exam (e.g., long-term stays or medical history concerns), the waiting time is 3–5 weeks.
If the medical results meet the requirements, IRCC will continue processing the application and notify the outcome via email or your GCKey account. If health issues are detected (e.g., infectious diseases), you may be asked to provide additional tests or treatment, which can extend the processing time.
To shorten your visa waiting time and increase approval chances, keep the following in mind:
Submit a complete application: Ensure all documents (passport, proof of financial support, invitation letters, travel itinerary) are uploaded in the correct format (PDF, under 4MB). Incomplete applications will be returned, delaying the process.
Pay fees accurately: Double-check the visa and biometric fees before submission to avoid transaction errors.
Schedule biometrics and medical exams early: As soon as you receive the request letter, book your appointment at a CVAC or medical facility to prevent delays.
Provide strong financial proof: Submit bank statements, savings accounts (minimum 10,000 CAD), or property documents to demonstrate financial capability.
Monitor your IRCC account regularly: Check emails and your GCKey account to promptly respond to additional requests or visa results.
Use professional consulting services: If you are not confident with the online process, visa support services can help optimize your application and save time.
If your visa is refused, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons via email or your IRCC account. Common reasons include:
Receive a letter explaining the reasons via email or your IRCC account if your visa is refused.
Incomplete documents or inconsistent information.
Failure to demonstrate the purpose of the trip or ties to Vietnam.
Medical examination results do not meet the requirements.
Insufficient proof of financial support or travel history.
You can submit a new application after resolving the issues or appeal within 30 days. To increase your chances of approval, consider using professional consulting services to optimize your application.
Applying for a Canada visa online and completing procedures such as the medical examination can be complex, especially for those unfamiliar with the process. Contact https://quoctichthuhai.com/ via their website for fast, professional support and start your journey to Canadian immigration with ease!
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