CANADA VISA GUIDE - OVERVIEW

This takes approx 15-20 minutes to complete online. You first step is to use the ‘Order Documents’ tab to correctly order the documents required to submit during the application. You dont have to wait until the documents arrive, as long as you have applied for them you should receive them by the time you need to submit then (dot point 4 below).

Start this immediately once you have a valid passport. It only takes around 15 minutes to complete online and you don't have to have received your documents yet, you can do this whilst you wait for them to arrive.

Invitations to apply are distributed at random and can take anywhere from 24 hours up to 8 weeks so you will need to keep logging in and checking your GCKEY account every day for updates . The processing times get longer the later it gets into the year so it's normal to wait up to 8 weeks. Make sure you have followed the steps in this guide EXACTLY. If you have answered some questions incorrectly you may not get the invitation. 

Once you receive your Invitation to Apply you are given 10 days accept it and to start the application. Once it is accepted you have 20 days to submit the application and pay the $330 Visa Fee.

Once your application is submitted and paid for, you will then receive the Biometrics Instructions Letter into your GCKey account. You must wait for this letter before you are able to book your biometrics appointment.

Once you have your Biometrics Instruction Letter you have 30 days to attend your Biometrics appointment in either Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or Auckland. You can also submit these overseas if you are not in Aus or NZ.

You wont be able to do your biometrics appointment before you have completed all steps above and received the Biometrics Instruction Letter.

Once you attend your appointment, your Biometrics is automatically submitted to your online application. From here, you should receive your approval within 30-60 days of attending your Biometrics appointment. The approval letter (also known as POE letter) will be send to the messages section of your GCKey account. 

Make sure you keep checking the messages section of your GCKey account and let us know if you receive any requests for further documentation. If they are asking you to submit a document again this is usually because the first one was not correct. A common mistake when submitting documents is failing to resign and resubmit your application again after uploading the document. If you are unsure, please ask us, so we can help you complete this correctly.

Once this is received, you have finished the Visa Application process! Congratulations! You now have 12 months to enter Canada. When you enter Canada you will need to show immigration on arrival that you have a minimum of $2,500 savings in your account, and that you have a travel insurance policy for your entire stay in Canada. They will then take your POE Visa Approval letter and put the visa in your passport. The 2 years of your visa will start from the date you enter Canada.

If you delay your trip to Canada at any point just keep this in mind that you MUST enter Canada before the POE Expiry date. If it expires, you need to start the process again and allow another 3-4 months for it to be approved.