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Updated June 2024

America’s Hat or Canada attracts millions of people to the land of maple syrup every year. If you are a resident of Dubai or UAE and want to visit your loved ones staying there or explore the land yourself, Canada makes it relatively easy for you to do that with a visit visa.

Read on as Wego breaks down everything you need to keep in mind while applying for a visit visa.

Table of Contents

Do Dubai & UAE residents need a Canada visit visa?

No, UAE residents travelling to Canada for for six months or less can apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization). However, travelers wishing to visit Canada for a period of more than 6 months or UAE citizens from countries not eligible for an ETA must apply for a Canadian visitor visa.

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Canada visit visa from UAE & Dubai eligibility

In order for you to apply for a Canadian visit visa from Dubai and the UAE, you need to have access to the following things:

a valid physical passport that is not handwritten
a valid email address
electronic modes of payment, such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard, Union Pay or JCB Card.
having no criminal or immigration-related convictions
convincing an immigration officer that you have ties, such as employment, a residence, financial assets, or family connections, that will ensure your return to your home country
convincing an immigration officer that you intend to depart Canada upon the completion of your visit
having sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay.

Canada visit visa from UAE & Dubai requirements

The documents required to apply for a Canada visitor visa will depend on the purpose of your visit to Canada. However, given below is a general list of documents required to apply for a Canada visit visa from Dubai and the UAE:

Identity proof

a clear, color copy of your valid passport or travel document that you’ll use to travel to Canada:
- if you have a passport, you must provide a copy of
  - the page showing your birth date and country of origin, and
  - any pages with stamps, visas or markings
- if you have a travel document, it must be issued by a government and include your
  - name
  - date of birth
  - document number
  - citizenship or residency status
  - photo, and
  - expiry date (if applicable)

Travel history

If you have visited Canada or other countries, it indicates your successful visa acquisition in the past. Evidence of this should encompass duplicates of prior visas stamped in your passport.

Include a clear copy of one or more of the following:

your previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside your country)
entry and exit stamps
study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside of your country
expired or valid visas

Itinerary

These are the documents that will show how long you plan to stay and what you will do in Canada during your stay there.

Include copies of any of the following:

flight details
hotel reservations
registration for an event

Bank account statement

This will help the Canadian government understand whether or not you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.

The following details must be included in the bank account statement:

bank name and contact: This allows the Canadian government to contact your bank or financial institution with questions.
proof it is your account: Your name and address on the statement show that the account is yours.
account details: At least 6 months of account details, including balances

Please note that the Canadian government may request additional documents. Hence, make sure to consult the visa authorities for a complete list of documents required to apply for a Canada visit visa.

How to apply for a Canada visit visa from Dubai & UAE?

To apply for a Canada visit visa from Dubai and the UAE, follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Filling up the forms

visit the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) website to get access to the form.
the forms must be filled up digitally. Handwritten forms will not be accepted.
the IRCC requires supporting documents along with the application. You need to submit a document checklist along with the form. The document checklists list the order in which the documents should be collected and submitted.
you must also fill out a consent form and attach it to the application form.

Step 2: Schedule an appointment

the application form can be submitted online. But if you cannot submit it online or do not want to, then you need to visit your nearest VFS center and book an appointment with them. You can book your appointment here
- an appointment confirmation and email will be sent to you once your appointment is booked. Please note that if you are applying together with a family or a group, individual appointments need to be booked for each member.
you must also book an appointment at the VFS center to have your biometrics (fingerprints and photos) taken.

Step 3: Pay the Canadian visit visa application fee

The required fee for a Canada visit visa can be paid at the time of the appointment. The Government of Canada fee and biometric fee must be paid according to instructions on the IRCC website.

Step 4: Post-visa application fee process

Once you have submitted your application, had your biometrics taken at the center, and paid the fees, you will receive a receipt. You can track the progress of your application online by using the unique tracking number printed on the receipt.

Where to apply for a Canada visit visa from Dubai & UAE?

VFS Global is Canada’s authorized visa service provider in the Emirates. To apply for a Canada visit from Dubai and the UAE, you must visit your VFS Global Canada Visa Application Center in Dubai or UAE:

VFS Global Canada Visa Application Center in Dubai

Canada Visa Application Centre Wafi Mall, 3rd Floor, Falcon, Phase 2 Umm Hurair 2 – Dubai – UAE.
Open: Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM

VFS Global Canada Visa Application Center in Abu Dhabi

Canada Visa Application Centre VFS (GCC) LLC, Level B2 (Lower Ground), The Mall, World Trade Centre
Khalifa Bin Zayed The 1st Street (Airport Road), Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Open: Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM

For more information, please visit the VFS Global website.

Canada visit visa from Dubai & UAE processing time

The processing time for your Canadian visit visa depends on the time it takes to send an application between a visa application center and the IRCC office and the time you need to provide your biometrics. For UAE, it usually takes around 51 to 60 days.

Please visit the IRCC website for further detailed information about Canadian visit visas.

Canada visit visa from Dubai & UAE price

As per the IRCC website, the total cost to apply for a Canada visit visa from Dubai and the UAE is as follows:

visitor visa (including super visa) – per person: $CAN 100
visitor visa – per family (1 fee per family of 5 or more people): $CAN 500
biometrics – per person: $CAN 85
biometrics – per family (2 or more people): $CAN 170

Please note that additional costs might be added, such as transportation to access the Visa Application Center (VAC), where you will collect your biometrics, which in this case will be the VFS center. Hence, make sure to consult the visa application center regarding the Canada visit visa fees.