Immigration (non-Canadians)

	Who is responsible for the entry of non-Canadians into Canada?
	Do all non-Canadians require a visa to enter Canada as a visitor or for business purposes?
	Are there visa officers at all Canadian offices overseas?
	How much time does it take to obtain a Canadian visa?

Q: Who is responsible for the entry of non-Canadians into Canada?

A: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for all matters relating to the entry of non-Canadians into Canada, including persons seeking to enter Canada as an immigrant, visitor, refugee, student or worker. Consult the Citizenship and Immigration Web site.

Q: Do all non-Canadians require a visa to enter Canada as a visitor or for business purposes?

A: No. Canada has exempted the citizens of some countries from the visa requirement. Check before leaving your country of nationality whether you will need a visa to enter Canada. For visa information, consult the FAQs on Visas.

Q: Are there visa officers at all Canadian offices overseas?

A: Canadian visa officers are located at visa offices overseas. At offices without visa officers, arrangements are made to forward visa applications to the nearest office with a visa officer.

Q: How much time does it take to obtain a Canadian visa?

A: The time varies with the type of visa requested. You should check this with the appropriate office.