Before you begin your application, please make sure you have ordered the documents that apply to you below before you start the process, so you have them ready to upload in the next stage. You don’t have to wait until they arrive, you just have to order them before moving on.
ORDER YOUR DOCUMENTS
1. PASSPORT: Check the validity (time remaining) on your passport**
You must have at least 2+ years available on your passport from the time you wish to enter Canada (for example: If you plan to enter in November 2022, you want your passport to be valid until at LEAST November 2024 to get the full 2 year visa). You must have a valid passport to start the visa process. If your passport has already expired you must order a new one now as you wont be able to start until it arrives.
If your passport is valid but expires in the next 2 years you can start with the current passport and update your application with the new passport down the track.
IF YOUR PASSPORT HAS EXPIRED: Please note that you cannot start the visa process until you have a valid passport. If your passport has already expired please order a new one immeidately and make sure that you pay the extra fee to fastrack the its arrival. General processing takes up to 8 weeks and you don’t have time to wait until then to start your visa application.
2. Criminal History Check:
In the second stage of your visa application you will be required to upload a criminal history check from your country of residence + any country you have spent longer than 6 consecutive months over the age of 18. It is best to order these documents now so you have them ready to upload when asked down the track. The details for Australian, New Zealand and UK police checks are below. If you need help gaining a different report for your country of residence please ask.
For Australian Residents – Criminal History check from the AFP (Australian Federal Police)
You MUST obtain this report from the Australian Federal Police website ONLY. You cannot obtain this from your local police station.
https://afpnationalpolicechecks.converga.com.au/
Please read through the information then click ‘Start new application at the bottom of the page’. Select your ID documents and click. What you are applying for is a ‘name check’ only. You do NOT need the fingerprint check.
VERY IMPORTANT: You will need to tick option ‘Commonwealth Employment /Purpose’ then select option 35 for the reason you are applying for a Police Check when completing the application as shown below.
If you dont select option 35, the visa office will not accept your police report and you will lost time and have to re-order it again.
Police Certificates cost $42 and can take between 10-21 working days to arrive so please be patient.
There is no way to fast track this process.
For New Zealand Residents – Ministry ofJustice Criminal Record Check
You MUST obtain this as a part of the visa through the New Zealand Ministry of Justice only:
Click ‘Criminal Record Check’ in the black bar at the top of the page. Then go down to the link ‘Get your own criminal record’ and click ‘Apply online’ then click ‘Individual Request’ and follow the instructions on the form.
*If you have lived in both Australia and New Zealand for longer than 6 months in each you will need to get BOTH New Zealand and Australian Police Report.
THE UK – Police Certificate (for anyone who has lived in the UK for longer than 6 months)
You MUST obtain this report through the ACRO Criminal Records office ONLY
https://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.aspx
Click ‘Apply’ and follow the instructions.
USA – FBI CHECK (for anyone who has lived in the USA for longer than 6 months
If you have lived in the USA for longer than 6 months over the age of 18 you will need the FBI Check. This is unfortunately a longer and slightly harder process. You need to have your fingerprints done at a local police station to send off to the FBI.
https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks
Please follow the instructions on their website and allow at least 8 weeks for them to come back.
3. Traffic History Report – (For Australian residents of QLD or VIC ONLY)
If you live (or have previously lived) in QLD or VIC you will also need to supply a ‘Full drivers license traffic history report’. This needs to be a FULL AND COMPLETE Drivers history report, or a 10 year report. If you have never held a license in QLD or VIC you will need to contact QLD Transport or Vic Roads and request a document from them confirming you have never held a license in your name so you can submit that.
If you have never lived in VIC or QLD you do not need to supply a traffic history report.
