Visas and Immigration

Welcome to the internet site of the Visa Section of the Canadian High Commission in Singapore. This site has been designed to give you basic information on visiting or living in Canada.

CONTENTS

VISITING CANADA

Do I need a visa and where can I apply?
What types of visas are there?
How do I get an application form?
How do I apply for a temporary resident visa?
How long will it take to assess my application?
What are the requirements for a temporary resident visa?
How long can I stay in Canada?
My application was refused. What can I do about it?

Do I need a visa and where can I apply?

Singapore and Brunei - People holding valid Singapore or Brunei passports do not require a visa to visit Canada. However, a visa is required for holders of Certificates of Identity or Documents of Identity from Singapore or Brunei.

Bangladesh - Citizens of Bangladesh require a temporary visa to enter Canada. If you reside in Bangladesh you should apply at the Canadian High Commission in Dhaka

Indonesia and East Timor - Citizens of these countries require a temporary resident visa to enter Canada. If you reside in Indonesia or East Timor you should apply at the Canadian Embassy in Jakarta.

Malaysia - Citizens of Malaysia require a temporary visa to enter Canada. If you reside in Malaysia you should apply at the Canadian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma) and Laos - Citizens of these countires require a temporary resident visa to enter Canada. If you reside in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma) or Laos you should apply at the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok.

Vietnam - Citizens of Vietnam require a temporary visa to enter Canada. If you reside in Vietnam you should apply at the Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City.

Other Countries - If you are a citizen of another, please country check on the main CIC website to see if you need a temporary resident visa to travel to Canada. If you do, please apply to the office which services the country in which you are resident.

What types of temporary resident visas are available?

A single entry visa allows you to enter Canada only once. The visa may also be used for repeated entries into Canada from the USA within the time allowed for your stay in Canada.

A multiple entry visa allows you to enter Canada from any country as often as you wish during the validity of the visa. If you have never travelled to Canada before or if you are not certain that you will meet the requirements listed above, we suggest that you apply for as single entry visa only.

A transit visa is required for travel through Canada to another country by those persons who need a temporary resident visa and whose flight will stop in Canada for less than 48 hours. To obtain a transit visa you must provide specific evidence of your travel arrangements from your airline.

International seafarers travelling to Canada to join ships as crew members require a valid passport for entry as well as a seafarer's identity document. They also require a temporary resident visa, unless they are citizens of a country that is exempt from the requirement.

How do I get an application form?

You can download the application forms from this website and they are also available at the reception of the Visa Section.

The Temporary Resident Visa application is in four parts:

• The Temporary Resident Visa Information
• The application form
• The required Additional Information form for all applicants.
• The Photograph Specifications.

How do I apply for a temporary resident visa?

Effective April 1, 2005, applicants were required to submit their application for a temporary resident visa, study permit or work permit to the visa office that is responsible for serving

a) the country in which the applicant has been lawfully admitted; or

b) the applicant's country of nationality or, if the applicant is stateless, their country of habitual residence.

You may apply in person: The Canadian High Commission is located at:

1 George Street #11-01 Singapore 049145.

Submission hours: Monday – Friday, 0800 – 1130 hours.

or you may mail your application to:

Canadian High Commission
Robinson Road, PO Box 845
Singapore 901645

An application may be submitted on behalf of an applicant by a third party.

If you do not reside in Singapore, you must be able to attend an interview at our office in Singapore if required.

How long will it take to assess my application?

We aim to complete assessment of your application within two working days for applications submitted in person with all the required supporting documents. The exception to this is for people who live outside our area of responsibility.

What are the basic requirements for a temporary resident visa?

To receive a temporary resident visa you must satisfy a visa officer that:

• you will be in Canada for a temporary stay;
• you will be able to return to your country or be admitted to another country after your visit;
• you have enough money to maintain yourself and your dependents in Canada and to return home;
• you are in good health;
• you are law abiding and have no record of criminal activity;
• you will not be a risk to the security of Canada;
• you do not plan to work or study in Canada; and
• you have paid a non-refundable processing fee.

How long can I stay in Canada?

When you arrive in Canada, the immigration officer will determine whether you may enter Canada and how long you may stay. You must leave Canada on or before the date set by the immigration officer. Generally, you are allowed to stay in Canada for a maximum of six months. Under special circumstances you may be allowed to extend your visit. This is only possible if you apply before the end of your authorized stay. Contact a CIC Call Centre in Canada for more information.

My application was refused. What can I do about it?

Written reasons for the refusal are given to unsuccessful visa applicants. Once you are in possession of the written reasons, there are limited avenues for appeal. There is no formal appeal mechanism within the visa office for refusals of visitor applications.

If your circumstances have changed appreciably and you believe that it would result in a different decision, you may wish to reapply. If, however, there is no change in your situation, it is unlikely that your new application would result in the issuance of a visa.

STUDYING IN CANADA

What is a study permit?
How do I apply?
How long will it take to assess my application?
What are the basic requirements for a study permit?
What documents do I need to provide?
What information is required in the Letter of Acceptance?
What is a Custodianship Declaration?
If I am a returning student do I need to re-do the medical examination?
My application was refused. What can I do about it?

Once you have obtained your study permit, click here for additional information.

What is a study permit?

A study permit is a form issued by an immigration officer. It allows you, after your admittance, to remain in Canada to take an academic, professional or vocational training course at an approved university, college or other institution. If you are not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada you must obtain a study permit. If you require a temporary resident visa to enter Canada, the visa officer will issue it at the same time as the documentation necessary for your entry as a student. A study permit is not required if the course is less than six months in length. Before you apply for a study permit, you must be accepted as a student by an approved educational institution.

Information on Canadian schools may be obtained from the Canadian Education Centre in Singapore

Websites of Canadian Educational Organisations

Information about studying in Canada can be obtained by contacting the following organizations:

• Citizenship and Immigration Canada provides information on immigration requirements for studying in Canada.
• Canada Education Centres provides information on studying and living in Canada, and the Canadian education system.
• The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada provides addresses and study lists for public post-secondary institutions.
• The Association of Canadian Community Colleges provides information on career oriented programs at public colleges and institutes.
• The Canadian Bureau for International Education provides information on studying at the secondary and post-secondary levels, including immigration and employment rules.
• The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials provides advice on getting credentials assessed in Canada.
• The Council of Second Language Programs in Canada provides information on English and French as a Second Language programs.

How do I apply?

Application forms and supporting documentation may be submitted in the reception area of the Visa Section at: 1 George Street #11-01 Singapore 049145. Submission Time: Monday – Friday, 0800 – 1130 hrs. You mail also submit your application by mail to:

Canadian High Commission 
Robinson Road, PO Box 845
Singapore 901645

The fee payment must be included with the application. If you apply by mail, you may submit a photocopy of your passport instead of the original.

How long will it take to assess my application?

If you reside in Singapore, or Brunei, the assessment of your application will normally be completed in 4-8 weeks, assuming you provide all the required documents and complete the medical examination immediately after receiving our instructions. Often the time required to process an application is shorter. We encourage you to submit your application 6-8 weeks before the start of the school term.

If you reside in Thailand, Cambodia, Mynamar (Burma), or Laos, you should apply at the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok. If you reside in Bangladesh, you should apply at the Canadian High Commission in Dhaka. If you live in Malaysia you can apply at the Canadian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur. Residents of Indonesia or East Timor can apply to the Canadian Embassy in Jakarta.. If you reside in Vietnam you should apply at the Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City.

We will not respond to status requests within the processing standards. In compliance with the Canada privacy legislation, we are unable to answer inquiries regarding your application by telephone or e-mail.

What are the basic requirements for a study permit?

To receive a study permit you must satisfy a visa officer that you meet all of the following requirements:

• you intend to leave Canada after your studies;
• you have been accepted by a Canadian educational institution;
• you have enough money to pay for tuition fees, living expenses for yourself and accompanying dependants, and your return transportation fees for yourself and accompanying dependents;
• you will not be a risk to the security of Canada;
• you provide all documents requested by the visa officer to assess your application;
• you complete a medical examination if you will be studying in Canada for more than six months; and
• you pay a non-refundable processing fee.

What documents do I need to provide?

• The Study Permit Visa Information
• The application form
• The required Additional Information form for all applicants.
• The Photograph Specifications.

What information is required in the Letter of Acceptance from the school in Canada?

• the name of the institution;
• confirmation of your acceptance and/or registration as a student the course of study;
• the duration of the academic program (including the exact starting date) the latest date you may register;
• a signature by an authorized individual e.g. principal, admissions officer, registrar;
• the name, address and telephone number of the school representative, if the letter has been issued by one; and
• a statement that the fees have been paid if the school requires advance payment of fees before it will issue a letter of acceptance.

Students must be unconditionally accepted into the course of study.

What is a Custodianship Declaration?

Students who will be under the age of 18 when they start their studies in Canada must have a legal adult custodian with whom they will reside. This custodian must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Your custodian must supply you with a notarized statutory declaration that indicates the following:

• that you will live with him/her in his/her home
• that he/she will be legally responsible for you until you turn 18 or until you have finished your studies in Canada, whichever occurs first;
• that he/she is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident at least 19 years of age; and
• that gives his/her full residential and business addresses and telephone numbers

You must also provide a letter signed by of one of your parents agreeing to the custodianship. A custodian declaration is not required if you will attend a boarding school with a live-in supervisor. Your school must provide you with a letter signed by the principal confirming these arrangements.

If I am a returning student do I need to re-do the medical examination?

Returning students who will be outside of Canada for less than six months do not need to re-do the medical examination.

My application was refused. What can I do about it?

Written reasons for the refusal are given to unsuccessful Study Permit applicants. Once you are in possession of the written reasons, there are limited avenues for appeal. There is no formal appeal mechanism within the visa office for refused Study Permit applications.

If your circumstances have changed appreciably and you believe that it would result in a different decision, you may wish to reapply. If, however, there is no change in your situation, it is unlikely that your new application would result in the issuance of a Study Permit.

The Visa Section is not able to assist with the refund of school fees that have been paid if a Study Permit is not issued.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

What happens when I arrive in Canada?
May I change schools?
Do I need medical insurance?
May I work during my stay in Canada?
May I leave Canada and return?
How do I obtain an extension of my study permit?

What happens when I arrive in Canada?

When you arrive in Canada, an immigration officer will determine whether you may enter Canada and how long you may stay. You must leave Canada on or before the date set by the immigration officer or have your status extended by an immigration officer in Canada.

May I change schools?

Your study permit is valid only for the educational institution and program of study named on your permit. If you wish to change schools or study programs, phone your nearest CIC Call Centre to obtain an application.

Do I need medical insurance?

In most cases, foreign students are not covered by medical insurance plans that are administered by provincial governments in Canada. Prior to your departure for Canada, you should purchase adequate medical insurance for your stay in Canada.

May I work during my stay in Canada?

Generally, foreign students are not allowed to work while studying in Canada. However, there are some exceptions for full-time students at post-secondary institutions who may obtain work permits. These are only issued if:

• the intended employment is an essential and integral part of your course of study (this does not apply to accounting students, medical interns or medical residents);
• the intended employment is related to an approved research or training program;
• the employment is on campus at a community college or university where you are registered as a full-time student (including work as a graduate, teaching or research assistant); and
• you have successfully completed a community college or university program in Canada and wish to work for a maximum of one year in employment related to your course of study.

May I leave Canada and return?

Yes. However, should your study permit expire while you are out of Canada, you may not be allowed to return to study. When you enter Canada, an immigration officer will decide if you still meet the requirements for admission. If you return to Asia, you should apply for a new study permit at the High Commission. If you initially required a temporary resident visa in addition to a study permit, you will be able to return to Canada providing your visa, passport and study permit are all valid.

How do I obtain an extension of my study permit?

Phone your nearest CIC Call Centre in Canada at least two months before the expiry of your study permit for an application.

An extension of a study permit does not affect your temporary resident visa. To obtain a new temporary resident visa, you must apply outside of Canada. It is your responsibility to ensure your visa remains valid.