1.0 Office hours
2.0 Embassy services
3.0 Visa application procedures

1. OFFICE HOURS FOR VISA SERVICES AND CERTAIN IMMIGRATION SERVICES

The Embassy's immigration section is open:

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

2.0 EMBASSY SERVICES

2.1 Visitor and student visas

The Canadian Embassy in Dakar is responsible for issuing visitor and student visas to nationals of the five (5) following countries:

• Cap Verde
• Gambia
• Guinea-Bissau
• Mauritania
• Senegal

The Embassy provides visitor visa services for stays in Canada of less than six (6) months as well as student authorization and visa services.

2.2 Immigration

All applications for immigration to Canada must be sent directly to the Canadian Embassy in Accra, Ghana.

Information on the immigration services of the Government of Canada is available on the following Web site: http://www.cic.gc.ca/

2.2.1 Employment authorizations and returning resident permits

The Embassy receives but does not process applications for Canadian work authorizations or returning resident permits. Applicants must complete the required forms available at the Embassy offices in Dakar. Applications are sent to be processed at the Canadian Embassy in Abidjan.

Further information is available on the Web site of the Canadian Embassy in Abidjan at: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/abidjan/

3.1.0 General information
3.2.0 Visitor visas
3.3.0 Student visas and authorizations
3.4.0 Visas for returning students

3.1.0 General Information

Any person residing in one of the five (5) countries served by the Embassy, who plans to study in Canada or wants to come to Canada for a stay of less than six (6) months, must obtain the appropriate visa.

For information on visitor or student visas, visit the following Web sites:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/francais/demandes/index.html
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.html

3.1.1 Where and how to apply

Any person residing in one of the five (5) aforementioned countries, who to come to Canada for a short stay or to study, must apply at the Embassy in Dakar by completing the appropriate application form and producing the necessary papers.

The application form may be obtained anytime free of charge at the reception desk of the Embassy in Dakar.

The application form is also available at the British High Commission Banjul, The Gambia
48, Atlantic Road, Fajara
P. O. Box 507
Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: (220) 49 51 33
Fax: (220) 49 61 34
Email: bhcbanjul@gamtel.gm

• To make a visa application, the appropriate form (visitor or student) must be completed and signed, and the following supporting documents and items must be attached:
• Valid passport or travel document;
• Two passport-size photographs;
• Documents relevant to the type of visa sought (hyperlink to Sections 3.2 and 3.3);
• Visa application processing fee (hyperlink to Sub-section 3.1.3).

3.1.2 Interview

An interview is usually necessary to complete the visa application review process. In some exceptional cases, the interview may be conducted over the telephone if the Embassy deems that there are acceptable reasons preventing the applicant from going to an in-person interview.

• The Embassy reserves the right to require a more in-depth interview with the visa applicant or any other documents it deems necessary.

3.1.3 All visa applications require a processing fee

• Single-entry visitor visa: C$75.00;
• Multiple-entry visitor visa: C$150.00;
• Student visa: C$125.00.

The processing fee must be paid in CFA francs at the time of application and is non-refundable.

3.1.4 Minors

Visa applicants under the legal age of majority must include with their application form a notarized proof of parental consent, signed by both parents in addition to the documents listed in Sections 3.2. and 3.3 (hyperlink).

3.1.5 Visa refusal

A visa application may be refused even if all the required documents are produced.

Information provided in your application is protected under Canada's Privacy Act. In no case may information contained in your file be disclosed to a third party.

If your application is refused and you would like to know why, you must write to the Embassy's First Secretary.

3.2.0 Visitor visas

The following Web site provides general information on the requirements and terms and conditions for obtaining a Canadian visitor visa: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.html

3.2.1 Processing time

A minimum of 48 hours is required to process an application for a visitor visa. In the event of an emergency, if the terms and conditions of the application are met, the visa may be issued within a shorter time frame.

3.2.2 Tourist visas

Applicants must produce the following documents:

• Letter of invitation or hotel reservation;
• Proof of employment;
• Document certifying the dates of your leave;
• Payroll slips for the last three months;
• Bank statements for the last three months.

3.2.2 Business visas

Applicants must produce the following documents:

• Letter of invitation from the Canadian firm being visited and/or the schedule of meetings with Canadian companies;
• Trade register;
• Firm's bank statements;
• Import/export card.

3.2.3 Visa to participate in a symposium, seminar or conference, or to travel as part of an official mission

Applicants must produce the following documents:

• Registration to the event, if applicable;
• Orders pertaining to the mission and/or diplomatic note, if applicable;
• Proof that all travel expenses are fully covered.

3.3.0 Student visas and authorizations

The following Web site provides general information on the requirements and the terms and conditions for obtaining a student visa and authorization: http://www.cic.gc.ca/francais/demandes/index.html

3.3.1 Processing time

Because of the different steps involved in processing a student visa application, several weeks are required. Expect to wait six (6) to eight (8) weeks before the visa is issued.

3.3.2 Application periods

Note that the application dates for student visas depend on the different semester start dates of Canadian educational institutions.

For the fall semester:

Applications must be submitted between April 15 and July 15.

For the winter semester:

Applications must be submitted between October 1 and November 15.

3.3.3 Necessary documents

Several documents are necessary when applying for a student visa.

• CAQ (Certificat d'acceptation du Québec) [Quebec acceptance certificate]

Students who plan to study at an educational institution in Quebec must apply for and obtain a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ). Application forms are available at the Embassy and must be completed and sent to the Ministère des Communautés culturelles et de l'immigration du Québec [Quebec department of cultural communities and immigration]. Visit the department's Web site at: http://www.immq.gouv.qc.ca/anglais/index.html

• Academic record
• Letter of admission to the Canadian educational institution
• Student's academic record, i.e.:
• High school diploma(s) and transcript of grades;
• University degree and transcript of grades;
• Any other diploma related to the studies to be done in Canada.

• Proof of sufficient funds

Students must prove they have sufficient funds to cover all costs during their entire study period in Canada. Costs for one academic year are generally about $20,000.

When submitting their application, students must show how costs will be covered:

• Students paying their own education expenses

Students must prove that they have sufficient funds to cover their education expenses in full.

• Students who hold a scholarship or who are receiving financial assistance from a government or public institution

Students must provide a certificate that clearly indicates the amount, the duration and the terms and conditions of the scholarship or financial assistance. If the scholarship or financial assistance does not fully cover all expenses, students must prove they have sufficient funds to cover any remaining expenses.

• Students whose parents are financing their education

Students must provide a letter attesting that the third party is assuming responsibility of all education costs and must append the following:

• Proof of employment;
• Document certifying the third party's salary for the last three months;
• Bank statements for the last three months;
• Firm's bank statements, if applicable;
• Trade register, if applicable.

3.3.4 Medical examination

All persons visiting or studying in Canada for more than six (6) months must undergo a medical examination. A list of certified physicians in each of the five (5) countries served by the Canadian Embassy is available at its offices.

The necessary form and instructions are provided to students after their fiel has been reviewed and accepted.

3.3.5 Transfer of funds

Before a visa can be issued, the student, or the third party paying for the student's education, must transfer to a Canadian bank sufficient funds to cover the cost of the first year of studies in Canada.

3.4.0 Visa for returning students

3.4.1 Processing time

If all the documents listed in Sub-section 3.4.2 are produced and are valid, the application can be processed in about one week.

3.4.2 Necessary documents

Students who have an expired visa and/or student authorization and want to return to Canada to pursue their studies must complete and submit a student visa application (see item 3.1.1) and produce the following supporting documents and items:

• Valid passport;
• Two (2) photographs;
• Fee of $150.00 for a multiple-entry visa;
• Letter of admission for the academic semesters in question;
• Transcript of grades from the previous semester;
• Valid student authorization, if applicable;
• New CAQ [Quebec acceptance certificate] if the student changes degree or diploma programs and educational institutions;
• Proof of a minimum of C$3,000 in Canada.

3.4.3 Medical examination

Another medical examination is required if a student's stay outside of Canada has exceeded six (6) months.