C-3 Visa

By Tiara

A nonimmigrant visa is an important document that allows you to enter into, or stay in, the United States for a specific purpose. It is your proof of entry into America as a tourist or business visitor!

A c-3 visa is the most common type of nonimmigrant visa. There are three different categories people can apply for with this visa: F1 for academic research; F2 for tourism or business visits (for example, attending a conference); and M for work.

Applications for these visas must be done through a US consulate outside of the country where the applicant will remain after entering the United States. This way, the American government cannot claim that person does not want to return to their home country.

What does it mean?

c-3 visa

A c-3 visa is for travelers who will be working while in Canada. You must have proof that you can find employment in Canada, and you must make sure your passport expires at a least six months after your visit in Canada.

You cannot work while on a Canadian visitor’s visa unless your employer has registered with ImmiCanada to confirm their job offer. Many employers do, but not all do so right away when visiting from abroad.

Registering as an employee of a Canadian company requires you to provide personal information and documents confirming your identity and employment status. This includes things like your tax ID or work permit, proof of health insurance, and sometimes even a reference letter. It’s important to know what document types are needed before registering!

After you have everything you need, you can register online through ImmiCanada’s website. You will then receive confirmation via email that your registration was successful and which companies have been pre-approved to verify your employment.

Who can get one?

c-3 visa

To qualify for a nonimmigrant visa, you must have a qualifying job and must intend to stay in the country after your visit. You also need to have enough money to support yourself while here.

You’ll need to prove this to U.S. immigration officials when you apply for the visa. This is done through documents and interviews. If you don’t have these things, it’s hard to come back into the United States.

It’s best to be prepared before you travel. Because visas are not issued immediately upon arrival, there’s time to gather needed paperwork and proof.

The length of your stay and what kind of trip you want determine how much time you will need to prepare. Some people start looking for work two months ahead of their trip, but most find out quickly that they won’t be able to do both.

Making sure you’ve discussed your plans with family and friends helps keep them informed. Many times, they let you know of jobs or introductions who could help you along the way.

What does it allow you to do?

A C-3 visa allows you to enter, stay in, and work in Canada for up to one year as a dependent. You cannot work while on this visa, but you can study here if you qualify.

A dependent is someone who lives with you during your visit to Canada. This could be a spouse or partner, parent of your children, sibling, or even friends that live close by.

It’s important to note that if your dependant is not a Canadian citizen, they will need to have permission to live and work in Canada. Your dependant must also meet certain requirements.

They must be over 18 years old, legally able to reside and work in Canada, and willing to form a family with you in this country.

If all these conditions are met, then their passport should include an ‘affirmative endorsement’ of eligibility for residence in Canada under the C-3 visa category.

How do I get one?

c-3 visa

A nonimmigrant visa is called a cuiupative or “tourist” visa, because it allows you to travel for tourism purposes only. You must have an approved tour plan and a return ticket home before you can be admitted into the United States as a tourist.

You will need this type of visa if you are traveling for business (for example, filming a movie in America) or visiting friends or family in the U.S. The two year limit applies even if your stay in the country is longer than that!

If you already have a visa but it has expired, you may still qualify for a cuiupative visa by proving you intend to spend less than six months in the U.S. during that time period.

Can I get one if I am already in the U.S.?

c-3 visa

Even though you can’t work while you have a B1/B2 visa, that doesn’t mean you can’t stay! In fact, most people who need to visit the United States for longer than just a few weeks are able to do so with at least a short term residence permit known as a F1 visa.

There is an additional paperwork process involved in applying for this type of visa, but it is very easy to complete online or through your local VISA application center. Many employers also offer their employees pre-qualified visas, which make obtaining one even easier.

What are the limitations?

c-3 visa

There is one major limitation to working while on a C-3 visa – you can’t work for more than 30 days at a time. This means that if your employer doesn’t keep you on staff, or you have to take some time off, you will need to find another job quickly!

It’s important to note here that most employers check whether their employees have adequate employment before giving them permission to stay in the country longer.

If you don’t have proof of an offer, it may be difficult to convince someone you’re able to start a new position immediately.

That said, there are ways to make sure you don’t run into this problem. Make sure you're completely organized with all of your documents and notes — even from previous jobs. Also, visit sites like Jobs In America to see if there are any positions available in your area.

What are the costs?

c-3 visa

The cost of a c-3 visa for tourism is typically paid at the time you enter Canada as a tourist. There may be additional fees depending on how long you stay in Canada, but these are not frequent.

The exact amount depends on your situation, so make sure to do some research before coming into Canada! Health care coverage can also play a role in what price level you fall under.

You will need to have proof that you have enough money to spend during your trip, along with documents confirming your identity. This way, you can focus on having an amazing vacation instead of worrying about money.

What should I tell my family?

c-3 visa

If you are in the midst of planning your next vacation, it is important to be aware of what country you will be traveling to and how long you will be there. You do not want to worry about whether or not you know if your passport is valid for another year, so it is best to start looking for a new passport well before you leave!

If you need to take time off work to travel, make sure that you talk to your manager about this upcoming trip and why it is necessary. Many employers have a policy where an employee can be paid while they are away, but only for certain amounts of time. They may also have times when they cannot pay you because of vacations or special events.

You do not want to find out one week before you left that your visa has expired, putting your planned vacation outside of the law! Luckily, most people are familiar with at least some part of the U.S. immigration system, which includes knowing what kind of visas they are allowed to enter into America.