Canada Visa Requirements For Kenyan Citizens

If you are a Kenyan Citizen planning to visit Canada, please be informed that you will need a visa.  Either as a tourist, business or visiting relatives, you will find all the requirements and application process to get your Visa in this article.

First, let’s start with the types of  Canada Visas Kenyans are eligible to apply for.

Canada Tourist Visa 

Canada Tourist Visa is a temporary Canadian immigration option that allows Kenyans to visit Canada for the purpose of tourism and leisure. The Canadian tourist visa is granted for a maximum period of six months.

Canada tourist visas are of two types:

  • Single entry visa
  • Multiple Entry Visa

  1. Single Entry Visa

A single entry visa lets you travel to Canada only one time. For instance, you may only be eligible for a single entry visa if:

  • you are eligible for a fee-exemption and the purpose of your entry to Canada is limited (such as, for an official visit )
  • you are taking part in a one-time special event in Canada
  • there are approved country-specific procedures or guidelines in place.

In most cases, once you have left Canada, you will need a new visa to enter Canada again.

  2. Multiple Entry Visa 

A multiple entry Visa will let you travel to Canada for six months at a time as many times as you want. It will be valid for up to 10 years or one month before your passport expires, whichever is shorter. You must arrive in Canada on or before the expiry date of your visa.

Requirements you must meet before applying for a Canada Tourist Visa  / Document Checklist

1. Two photographs, meeting the photograph specifications, for each applicant (scanned photos are not acceptable). Signed, dated and taken in the past 6 months. Applicants who need to give their biometrics do not need to submit paper photographs.

2. Consent to verification of documents form

3. Family Information Form IMM 5645, fully completed, dated and signed.

4. Completed and signed Schedule 1 form (Application for Temporary Resident Visa – IMM
5257B).

5. Valid passport from each applicant. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of travel to Canada. The validity of a visa cannot go beyond the validity of the passport. If there are not at least 2 blank pages, you will have to obtain a new passport (no additional sheets). Include all cancelled or expired passports as proof of previous trips.

6. Explain the purpose of your trip – details of your itinerary in Canada, provisional travel arrangements (airline or hotel booking), letter of invitation from the person or business you will visit, registration at a conference, letter from your employer (as applicable).

7. Proof of sufficient funds to cover expenses for the duration of your visit. (  If you have travelled to Canada in the last ten (10) years or currently hold a valid United States nonimmigrant visa and can provide proof (entry stamps in the passport, proof of the valid visa), no proof of financial support is needed.)

  • For all others, provide proof of financial support to cover the expenses for the
    duration of your visit:

– Copies of bank statements or bank book covering the past three months.

– Any additional relevant documentation (employment letter, pay slips, proof of pension, business registration, investments, etc.)

If you are not paying for your own trip:

  • Provide a letter signed by the person paying and photocopy of their passport or other official identification with photo and a bank certificate proving that they have sufficient funds.
  • Describe how the person is related to you.
  • These documents must be dated within three months of the date on which the application is made.

8. Explain the purpose of your trip.

9. Other documents (family, financial, employment, property ties) in order to satisfy the officer that you will return to your country of residence after your visit.

10. Self-addressed pre-paid return courier envelope to return your passport and documents.

11. If applicable, you must also submit:
A letter from your employer, stating your employment status, your length of service, your position, salary and allowances, authorization of leave for the length of stay in Canada, and the date you are expected to return to work. If you are travelling on business, the letter should also outline the purpose of your trip, and include the names and addresses of
the companies you will visit. If you are self-employed, please provide evidence of your business (business registration, license and financial documents etc.).

12. If you are planning to visit a friend or relative, please provide a letter of invitation. In addition, your host in Canada may, if they wish, submit documents to support your application, including the following:
– The immigration status of the host in Canada, such as the photocopy of the host’s Canadian permanent resident card, passport, or citizenship card.

13. For the Business trip, please provide:
– Business registration
– Financial documents: for example income tax statements, accounting documents, end of year financial report, bank statements,
– Official invitation from your business contacts in Canada inviting you with all required information (names, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, purpose and length of trip, and funding arrangements.

14. For a conference, training or official visit, please provide:
– Mission order (government), Verbal Note
– Letter from your employer confirming your trip, stamped, signed and dated within the current month with a detailed reason for travel, length of stay, and the position
of the traveller

– Official invitation from your Canadian contacts, including the names of the travellers and their positions,
-Proof of registration for a conference

– Proof of financial support for travel expenses, transportation and expenses during your stay in Canada.

15. For Parents and Grandparents Super Visa, please provide:
-A letter of invitation written by your child or grandchild which outlines the arrangements for your care and support. The letter must also indicate the number of individuals residing in the inviter’s household.
-Proof that you have private medical insurance valid for a minimum of one year from a
The Canadian insurance company and that:
o Covers health care, hospitalization, and repatriation;
o Provides a minimum coverage of $100,000, and is valid for each entry to Canada and available for review by a port of entry
officer.

– If you are visiting your spouse and children please provide Originals of Marriage Certificate and Birth Certificates for each family member applying for a visa.

16. For school please provide a Proof of enrolment in school – a current letter and transcript from the educational institution you are attending.

17. You may be required to undergo a medical examination

The application process for a Canada tourist Visa from Kenya

You can apply in either of the two ways below for a tourist visa.

  • Apply Online
  • Apply on paper

Apply Online.  For online application, you can click here.

Step 1 :

Review information on the Visa requirements and download appropriate application forms and checklists based on the purpose of your visit from the IRCC website

Step 2 :

Fill out the application form and other relevant documents electronically and print.

Forms (including the barcoded sheets) are to be printed on a white, bond quality, non-glossy paper, using a laser printer.

If you are unable to provide all the supporting documents as mentioned in the official IRCC document checklist, you are required to fill out and sign this waiver form and attach it to your application form.

Failure to provide a completed and signed waiver form may result in additional delays or refusal of your application for a visa, permit or travel document.

Step 3 :

Read the privacy policy, fill out the CVAC Consent Form and attach it to your application form.
Please note that if a completed and signed CVAC consent form is not included with the application, they will NOT be able to assist you, and your application will be returned to you.

Step 4 :

Pay visa fees for each applicant and biometric fee.

Canada Visa Fees For Kenyan Citizens 

Type of Visa Fees in Canadian dollars Fees in Kenyan shillings
Visitor visa (including super visa) per person 100 7,745
Visitor visa – family (5 or more) 500 38,720

Note:

To be eligible to pay the maximum fee of $500 (in Canadian dollars):

  • family members must all apply at the same time and the same place
  • your children must qualify as dependants

On October 24, 2017, the age limit for dependants changed from “under 19” to “under 22.” To pay the right fees for your family, check if your children qualify as a dependant here.

Biometrics (if required) – Fees
Fees $CAN KES
Per person 85 6,580
Family 170 13,170
Group of performing artists – 3 or more 255 19,750

Step 5 :

Pay the required Visa Service Charges and any fees for additional services as outlined here.

The payment for applications mailed in from outside Kenya will be through a swift transfer of funds to The Canada Visa Application Centre account details below

VFS GLOBAL KENYA LIMITED ACCOUNT DETAILS
Account name: VFS (Kenya) Limited
Country: Kenya
Currency: Kenya Shilling
Bank Name: Barclays Bank
Branch: Barclays Plaza
Street: Loita Street – Nairobi
Bank Account No. 2027878655
IBAN No. 2027878655
SWIFT: BARCKENX
Chips UID/Sort code: 03

Payer: (Name, date of birth, passport number, contact number, address), Type of visa, service charge, and any optional service fee.
The fees should be paid per applicant.

IMPORTANT: If your application is received without the correct payment for visa fees and CVAC service charges, we will NOT be able to assist you and your application will be returned to you.

Step 6 :

Arrange forms and documents according to the IRCC checklist.

Step 7 :

Complete and sign the CVAC Mail-in Application Checklist, make sure you include it along with the application(s)

Step 8 :

Decide how you want your documents to be returned to you. Document collection or delivery after processing of your application by the Canadian Visa Office in Nairobi.

  1. If you have opted for a collection of your documents in person or through an authorized representative, you will receive an email notification advising you to collect your documents from The Canada Visa Application Centre.
  2. If you have opted for return of documents through courier or through a self-addressed prepaid envelope, the CVAC shall courier the documents upon receipt from the Canadian Visa Office.

Step 9: 

Courier your completed and signed application forms, supporting documents, and checklists, along with the CVAC consent form, your original passport, photographs, proof of visa and service fee paid in a sealed envelope to :
Canada Visa Application Centre
Parkfield Building, 5th Floor,
Muthangari Drive, Off Waiyaki Way
Opposite Safaricom House, Westlands.
P.O. Box 25180 00100 
Nairobi, Kenya.

Step 10 :

Once you have mailed your application, please forward the courier details along with Air way bill number, courier company name and date of courier to info.canken@vfshelpline.com

Step 11 :

Track your delivery with the postal or courier company used to submit your application(s) to The Canada Visa Application CentreC

Step 12 :

Wait to receive the email notification from the Canada Visa Application Centre providing your application tracking ID or email notification highlighting any deficiencies in the application (in case the application is not complete or has errors).

You should expect to receive this tracking email ID within 2 working days from the date the application.   You can track your application here.

Option 2.  Apply on paper

To apply on paper, download the application form for your visa here and make sure you have met the relevant checklist requirements we mentioned earlier and then follow the steps below.

Fill out the tourist visa application form

Read the instruction guide and carefully fill up the application form. Note that the completed application must include the barcode page.  Your application may be returned or refused if you do not provide all the requested information, documents, and fees.

Step 3: Pay the processing fee

Pay the fees for your visa application. Fees must be paid via bank draft or certified cheque.  We had listed the Canada Visa Fees for Kenyans above.

Step 4: Visit Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC)

Visit the Canada Visa Application Centre located at Parkfield Building, 5th Floor, Muthangari Drive, Off Waiyaki Way. Remember to carry your passport, photographs, completed forms and all supporting documents as per checklist and CIC fee instrument and payment instructions.

Step 5: Submit your application form

At the CVAC submit your completed application and pay your service charges. You will receive a receipt. This receipt will contain your unique tracking number which is necessary to track the progress of your application online. You will also be required to give your biometrics.

Step 6: Track your application online

Using the unique tracking number, you can track your application here.

How Long does it take to get a Canadian Visa for Kenyan Citizens / Canada Visa Application Processing Time

It takes an average of 15 days to process a visa to Canada for Kenyan citizens.  Please remember that processing times can vary, depending on how many applications IRCC receives. Your application may be delayed if your application forms are not complete.

N/B: In the event that your application is not complete, the CVAC will send you an email to let you know about any deficiency(is) in your application. Please ensure you provide all the necessary documents to the Canada Visa Application Centre within 5 working days from the date the email is sent. Should you fail to provide the required documents within 5 working days, the CVAC will return your application.

Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC) office in Nairobi location and contacts. 

Office Address:
Canada Visa Application Centre
Parkfield Building, 5th Floor,
Muthangari Drive, Off Waiyaki Way
Opposite Safaricom House, Westlands
P.O. Box 25180 00100
Nairobi, Kenya.

Days of Operation:
They are open from Monday – Friday except on Kenyan public holidays.

Hours of Operation:
Acceptance of Application:
08:00 – 16:00 Applicants / Representatives

Passport Pass Back:
08:00 – 16:00 Applicants / Representatives

Helpline phone numbers and Email:
Helpline number: +254788343795, +254 704343795

Email: info.canken@vfshelpline.com

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