The IRCC WEBSITE
If you have decided that a Canadian Visitor Visa is the option for you, it is time to dig in and commence the application and know the web site of the Canadian Immigration. But to be able to do that it is important that you understand how the Canadian Visa and Immigration system works. This lesson will help you to understand that system.
In Canada all matters pertaining to visas and immigration are handled by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada — a branch of the Canadian Government. You will see it referred to as IRCC.
IRCC maintains a website (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html).
Over the past few years there have been significant changes in the way that you can do business with IRCC. It has evolved from a paper form based model to an online system with different portals for different kinds of transactions.
Applications for Canadian Visitor Visas are processed completely online through the Visitor Visa Portal. Except in a few rare cases, there are no longer any forms to download, complete, and then upload. All forms are completed through the website portal. Likewise, all supporting documents must be uploaded to the same portal.
In the next lesson you will learn how to create your account with IRCC and register. Before we do that however, there are a few things that you should know about using the website, completing the forms, and uploading documents.
1. Even though you will be working online, have all relevant documents and information together. The reason has to do with the way the IRCC portal forms are organized. When you submit your online application, you will see that it is divided into sections, each consisting of related questions that must be answered. The work you do on any section is not preserved until the section is saved. You cannot save a section until all the questions have been responded to. So if you get half way through a section an encounter a question that asks for information that you do not have, you will not be able to save the section and when you leave, everything else that you have done will be lost.
2. Part of your application process will involve uploading documents. Be sure to use proper formats and organization. Written documents should be uploaded in pdf format. Documents consisting of multiple pages should be combined into a single document, properly named. If at all possible, documents should be scanned, preferably with a scanner. Unless you simply have no other way, avoid just taking pictures of documents with your phone.
3. IRCC has strict limits on the size of documents that can be uploaded. Be careful when using any images, especially when using a camera since high resolution images can quickly exceed allowable size limits.