加拿大签证申请 Canada Visa Application

Finally I received the offer letter from Memorial University to undergo a semester student exchange program there. I was thinking to apply my Canada Visa through the agent but it's kinda expensive which will cost me about RM300 - RM500 in Penang. I don't think it is worth so I decided to explore myself online. Hee, just to share my experience here and being my first post. :)

It is actually not very difficult to apply online for the visa by your own as I think.

1. Determine your purpose to go Canada (Temporary Residence)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/my_application/apply_online.asp

2. Eligible to apply (to determine if you could apply online)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/ctc-vac/cometocanada.asp

Please answer the questions carefully. Anyway, you still can modify the answer later. After you have completed the questions, write down the checklist code which you need to use to retrieve the application later. It will also show a list of documents needed to apply the visa too.

3. Apply an account for MyCIC which use to submit online application.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/mycic.asp
Residents outside Canada normally choose GCKey log in.

4. Fill up the form (IMM5257), no need to print out to sign as there will be electronic signature required after you submit all the related documents. Between, please remember to VALIDATE your application form before upload to the site. 

5. You have to upload all the documents needed before proceed to the next. My application is for short-term study in Canada, the documents needed are different with the temporary residence for travel. Anyway, the procedure is the same. 

6. Payment for application fee. (I made payment via credit card) 
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/singapore-singapour/visas/fees-frais.aspx

Individual - single entry CAD$75
Individual - multiple entry CAD$150

The validity date for multiple entry is longer which could be until your passport expiry date. But, my friend who applied for multiple visa only granted for 6 months validity while I my visa validity is from 13/June/2013 to my passport expiry date. It depends on the embassy's decision I guess. 

7. I waited for about 10 days, received the mail request to sent my passport to them. You have to log in MyCIC again to check the mail and print out the attached letter. 

8. I would suggest you go to Singapore embassy to submit your passport yourself in order to get your visa faster. You will get your passport in one day normally. Kindly take note the specific passport submission and collection day and time if you submit to the embassy in-person.

Submission: Tues, Wed and Thurs 8.30am - 9.30am
Collection: Tues, Wed and Thurs 2.30pm - 3.30pm

I asked the courier service person, they have no service to include the return mail postage from Singapore. Due to the uncertainty and I do not want to risk my passport, so I courier (FedEx) my passport to my cousin who is in Singapore to help (which only cost me RM37.50) and my passport arrived at the next day! She helped me to submit my passport on Thurs and get the visa in the afternoon. 

Note: You will need to write an authorization letter if you ask someone to represent you for the submission and collection.

The frequently asked questions shall clear most of your queries.
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/singapore-singapour/visas/FAQ.aspx

Anyway, there is opening of the Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC) on June 12, 2013 in Kuala Lumpur. If you just too lazy to explore and find it troublesome, you may seek help from them. The service charge for application processing is RM99.90 per applicant (the visa application fee is not included yet).
http://www.vfsglobal.ca/canada/malaysia/
http://www.vfsglobal.ca/canada/malaysia/servicechargeschedule.html