Recent reports of visa over-processing at U.S. borders have sparked national conversation about visa policies in America. Many people are pointing their fingers directly at refugees, especially those from Muslim majority countries.
There has also been significant backlash against what many refer to as “visa runaways” or individuals who leave the country before completing immigration procedures. This is typically due to fears that they will not return once their visas expire.
However, there is one group of foreigners that receives little attention when it comes to the visa process – citizens of Canada.
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Canadians enjoy some of the most open access to American culture and resources out of any nationality. In fact, Canada even boasts having the second highest level of English proficiency in the world![1]
Many Canadians take advantage of this by studying in the United States on a student visa. Unfortunately though, recent events show that these students may be paying more than just for a coffee shop item.
What is the Canadian Student VISA Program?
The CSV program was officially implemented back in 2008 under then prime minister Stephen Harper. Since its inception, around 2 million student visas have been issued.[2]
Under the current Conservative government, additional fees have been tacked onto the cost of the visa.
As mentioned earlier, working as an au pair is not easy. You will have to go through a very rigorous process to work as an au pair in Canada. This process includes having your visa approved, finding an employer that wants to hire you, paying fees for your employment, receiving payroll documents and confirming those are authentic, and getting ready for your move here.
There are many different agencies that offer o visas. Some only require employees while others require employers looking to sponsor international workers. It depends on what their mission is and which position they think you can fulfill.
Some agencies charge large application fees which prevent people with limited income opportunities from being able to apply for this visa. There should be no such fee’s for applying for this visa because it can cost thousands of dollars or even zero if you are successful!
We recommend using VISA VOICE to apply for your visa as it is free to use and there is a limited time trial before you pay a price for its services.
After you have all of your documents, you can then go to the visa processing center with your proof in hand. Most times, this will be done through a third-party company that works for various countries’ Visas.
These companies handle the paperwork, take care of transportation, and get paid a set fee per application processed. This way, it gives them money to spend elsewhere so they know someone is looking out for your best interest.
Some require you to pay their company to process your visa, but this is still good as an additional layer of protection. You want to make sure there are no back doors or ways to save money by not paying very much attention to what goes into the applications.
There are many things applicants get duped about when it comes to visas including what fees apply, how long it takes, and who gets paid what. It is important to do some research and find a trustworthy firm that does great work at a fair price.
Now that you have all of your documents sorted, it is time to begin preparing your visa applications! The first step in applying for a VISA is to make sure everything is ready. This means making sure your passport is up-to-date, having copies of your passports and certificates made, and being prepared for your interview.
It’s also important to be familiar with the process for each country you are traveling to so that you don’t waste any time finding out how to do things after the airport has closed. Some countries require you apply months before you even leave while others ask that you send an email or fax stating why you want to visit and when you will be there.
After receiving approval, most countries require at least two days of official residence within their borders before they issue the visa. During this time, it is illegal to exit the country except under special circumstances (more on that later). If you know these rules already then you can save some time by confirming that you meet the requirements earlier than needed.
If your application is complete but you do not have enough money to pay for a VISA, you can always access lower income credit cards or loan accounts that allow you to pay off part of the cost.
There are many ways to get low-cost visas so if this happens to you, don’t give up! There are several organizations out there that help individuals gain entry into Australia as a working holiday maker or visiting student.
These groups offer free or very cheap visas so it is worth doing some research to see if one of these programs fits your needs at present.
Now that you have received your VISA in the mail, what comes next? You will need to gather all of your documents and put together an easy to access system for keeping track of them.
You will also want to make sure you do not forget anything!
The first thing you will need is proof of identity and legal residence. This can be done through submitting a passport or driver’s license showing your name and address, as well as presenting either a birth certificate or current utility bill with your name and address.
After proving who you are, you will need to prove where you live. A letter stating your home address or a document containing your house address will suffice here.
Next, you should provide evidence of employment. This can be a job offer letter, pay stubs, or a signed contract. Make sure to keep these in order and from time to time update your documents.
Last, but certainly not least, you must produce proofs of income. These can be letters or statements confirming payment or receipt of wages, tax forms, or receipts corroborating expenditures.
This sounds like a lot, I know, but remember, you will only have one chance to show up to an appointment to ensure you have everything and it cannot be overlooked.
Recent developments surrounding visa processing for Canadian citizens in Australia have many people worried about the safety of travelling there. With reports surfacing that some Australian Visas are being processed with little to no verification, it is important to be aware of what can happen if you need to travel to this country.
Many countries offer reciprocal visas for travellers from other nations. This means that by having an appropriate amount of proof, you will not face any issues while entering their borders. For example, visiting Canada as a tourist does not require you to apply for a work or student visa, but simply showing your passport and proving you have enough money for your stay makes sure you do not miss out on anything!
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland has made comments telling her citizens to review the security risks in Australia before traveling there. Due to potential threats, Canadians are advised not to visit unless necessary, and only use trusted resources when doing so.
After you have gathered all of your documents, it is time to go pick up your visa at the embassy or consulate. Some places will send you complete applications in packet form, while others may ask that you bring your application along with you when you visit.
Some countries require you to come back within a set amount of days or weeks for them to process your visa, so be sure to check this out ahead of time!
There are many different types of visas given out depending on who you’re traveling with, what country you’ll be visiting, and if you’ll be working during your trip. For example, most European countries do not grant work Visas unless you will be employed by an organization there.
Since we can’t predict everything, don’t worry about overpacking. Only take the necessary amounts of paperwork needed to fill out your stay in the country.
Due to the recent global pandemic, your expected visa appointment has been pushed back. We expect that you will receive notice of this in late May or early June at the very latest.
We know how frustrating it can be when traveling during these times, but we want to make sure you are aware of what to do next. If you have already booked your trip, then you need to re-book!
Many airlines offer an extension for their tickets so you do not have to start planning from scratch. You could also look into changing hotels as some offer free cancellation or significant discounts if you are able to notify them of your plans earlier.
If possible, try and stay within the same country or continent to limit transportation changes. And if you must travel abroad, consider staying somewhere that is close by so you do not have to spend too much time travelling.
