F1 Visa For Canada
The F1 visa is issued by the U.S. government to students who plan to study in the U.S. The student obtains their education from an institution that has been approved for enrollment by the government of a foreign country, or the country in which it is located. This visa allows the holder to travel in and out of the United States at any time, as long as they are not outside of the United States for more than one year before their status has been changed to F2 or another dependent visa or Green Card.Canada is the number one destination most people go to when they want to immigrate to a new country. It has many of the same characteristics as the United States (large immigrant population, plenty of jobs, open borders), without any of the risks.
F1 Visa For Canada
Anyone who has ever applied for a visitor visa to Canada is aware of the fact that it is not an easy application process. You need to provide several documents, such as those proving your financial status and the existence of a return ticket and accommodations once you arrive in Canada. The procedure, procedures and forms may vary based on your country of origin, or whether you are applying inside or outside Canada.
Travel to Canada
If you plan to visit Canada while you are an international student or scholar at Lewis & Clark, you will need the following:
- A passport valid for at least six months into the future.
- Your Form I-20 (or Form DS-2019 for scholars), recently endorsed on the back by International Students and Scholars staff.
- Your I-94 (print from the I-94 retrieval website)
- Your US F-1 visa (or J-1 visa for scholars) to permit your return to the US.
- A Canadian entry visa (where required). To determine if you need an entry visa to Canada, consult this Visa Information Site.
- Biometrics (where required). You can determine whether you are from a country that is on the Biometrics list by checking here.
Note: You may travel to Canada and return to the US with an expired F-1 student visa or as long as your travel is limited to Canada and you return within 30 days.
If you plan to travel in Canada only and for less than 30 days, do NOT surrender your I-94 card before entering Canada.
Canadian Visas
The Canadian government offers an excellent website, Application for a Temporary Resident Visa to Visit Canada, which will answer many of your questions. Please refer to it.
If you are from a country whose citizens are required to have an entry visa to Canada, you should apply for the visa well ahead of your departure date. You CANNOT apply for the entry visa at the border. For current processing times, check this chart for the Los Angeles office. The best advice we can give you is to apply for your visitor visa as far as possible before your planned trip to Canada.
You may apply for a visa by mail or online. The closest Visa Application Center is in Los Angeles. If your home country is on the Biometrics list mentioned earlier, you must first visit the Application Support Center in Portland.
Since you will be sending important identification documents including your passport and I-20, YOU MUST USE A TRACKABLE METHOD OF SHIPPING, SUCH AS FEDEX, UPS, OR the US POSTAL SERVICE EXPRESS MAIL. Do NOT use regular mail to send your passport or other immigration documents.
Canadian Consulate Info
Canadian Consulate General, Los Angeles
550 South Hope Street, 9th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
Tel 213-346-2700
Fax 213-346-2767
Email: lngls@international.gc.ca
Portland Application Support Center (Biometrics)
USCIS Application Support Center
1455 NW Overton Avenue
Get your documents ready
When you apply, you should submit
- a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI) you’ll be attending
- If you’re under 18 and coming from outside Canada to study, you must study at a DLI with an approved COVID-19 readiness plan, unless you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller.
- as many of the documents needed for a complete application as possible
- We won’t be able to finalize your study permit until you’ve submitted a complete application.
- Waiting to submit documents will cause delays in processing.
- a letter of explanation for any documents that are missing due to COVID-19
If you plan to study in Quebec, you must provide a valid Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) or your letter of approval for your CAQ.
Apply online
If you’re applying for a study permit, you must apply online, whether you’re outside of Canada or already in Canada.
You’re only eligible to apply on paper if you
- have a disability that prevents you from applying online
- hold an identity or travel document for non-national residents, refugees or stateless persons