As an Italian or New Zealand citizen, you’re entitled to one of the easiest and most efficient ways to immigrate to Canada by becoming a permanent resident of the country—but applying can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re doing. Don’t worry! Here’s everything you need to know about applying for a Canadian visa as an Italian or New Zealand citizen, including how long it takes, who’s eligible, and what documents you need to submit your application.
Which visa type is best?
If you are a citizen of Italy, then your best bet is to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP). TRPs do not require sponsorship from a Canadian employer. Instead, they allow you to enter Canada temporarily as a visitor—to visit family, travel, study, and more—for up to three years at a time. If you’re interested in studying in Canada but aren’t sure what type of visa will suit your needs best, then check out our ultimate guide on student visas. Alternatively, if you’re thinking about immigrating permanently, head over here instead. Canadian Visa for Italian Citizens
What documents do I need?
There are several types of documents that you may need in order to obtain your Canadian visa. The specific requirements will depend on why you’re visiting Canada and what type of visa you’re seeking. However, common documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, education degrees, passports (with proof of validity), criminal records, and work permits (if applicable). If you have these documents readily available when you apply, it can speed up your application process significantly.
Where can I apply?
There are three main types of Canadian visas: temporary resident visas, permanent resident visas, and transit/transit passenger visas. Visas are applied for at Canadian visa offices abroad. Information on where you can apply can be found by visiting Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). At present, there are visa application centers in Sydney, Australia; London, UK; Beijing and Shanghai in China; Manila in The Philippines; Kampala in Uganda; Pretoria in South Africa and Port Louis in Mauritius. Citizens of Italy may apply at these centers as well as any of IRCC’s 600+ global missions (diplomatic posts) around the world that offer services on behalf of IRCC.
Do I need to be in Italy for my application?
No, but you need to be present in Italy when you apply. If your application is approved, you can choose to leave Italy while your visa is being processed. To be on the safe side, however, it’s best if you remain in Italy until your Canadian visa has been approved and issued by Canadian Immigration officials (generally around two weeks). This means that even if your Italian work permit has been issued and your job starts next week, it’s better if you wait until after those two weeks are up before booking that plane ticket home. It may seem like a minor detail but it can save lots of headaches later on down the road. Canadian Visa for New Zealand Citizens
Can I apply for permanent residence from outside Italy?
Yes. You are required to be physically present in Canada when you apply for permanent residence, so it is best to apply from outside Italy. To do so, you must complete and submit an application online through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s e-Client Application Service. The application is available in 11 different languages. Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation by email that it has been received by IRCC; however, there is no way of knowing its status until it has been assessed by a Canadian visa officer abroad—so don’t expect instant results!
How long does it take?
The time it takes to get approved for a Canadian visa depends on many factors, including where you’re from and where you’re applying. For example, European Union citizens can get their Canada visa application processed within four months, while South African and Nigerian applicants face waiting times of several years due to backlogs in processing. Regardless of your situation, if you plan ahead and carefully follow instructions, chances are good that you’ll be able to make your trip happen sooner rather than later. With some information on how long Canadian visas take in general and how long Canadian visas take based on nationality, it should be much easier to predict how long your individual application will take.
What happens after I submit my application?
You’ll receive a confirmation letter from Canada Immigration. From there, it’s simply a matter of waiting for your application to be processed. If you already have a Canadian visa and plan on staying in Canada for more than six months, you will need to apply for Permanent Residence once you are settled in. This status lasts three years and allows you to work without any special permission.