How to Apply for a Canadian Visa from Taiwan

Canada prides itself on its stability, safety and openness when it comes to foreign immigrants. Therefore, looking to move to Canada crosses minds worldwide. However, to move to Canada, one needs some form of permit or visa to stay in Canada for longer than six months, or even to enter Canada. Canada has over 100 immigration programs and visas to choose from, which speaks volumes of its accommodating nature towards foreign nationals.

Most importantly, finding out how to apply for a Canadian visa from Taiwan and if you are eligible to apply are one of the first crucial steps you need to take. As there are so many immigration programs, we understand that finding a suitable one for you and your needs can be confusing. To help, we've compiled a list of 5 visa application programs that may be the best ways for Taiwanese people to have their chance to live and work in Canada.

Refugee Visa

One can gain a refugee visa for Canada relatively quickly from the government of Canada. However, there are a few significant criteria that you need to meet. While the Canadian refugee program has only one application process, it's split into two major streams, each with their own standards.

Convention Refugee Abroad Class

The Convention Refugee Abroad Class (CRAC) is specifically designed for refugees who are outside their own country and cannot return. This is due to a well-founded and rational fear of persecution due to their race, nationality, religion, political opinions, and affiliations with different social groups (like feminists or the LGBTQ+ community). Therefore, this program is essentially designed for those whose identity is the source of their persecution.

As refugees often need sponsorship, the CRAC allows refugees to be sponsored by the government of Canada, a group of people in a charitable organization or a mixture of the two. At most, you should have the funds to look after yourself.

Country of Asylum Class

To be admissible to this class, you must be outside of your home country, seriously affected by an armed conflict like a civil war or be deprived of your fundamental human rights. You must prove that you left the country due to this exploitation, but once it's done, you can be sponsored in Canada as a refugee. Refugees from the Country of Asylum class can be privately financed, making it far easier to get their visas.

To see if you qualify for refugee status in Canada, click the button below to speak to a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)

Student Visa

A Canadian student visa or study permit is one of the most sought-after and easiest when it comes to getting a Canadian visa. Knowing how to apply for a student visa in Canada is relatively straightforward. However, there are no exceptions made. You must hit all of the requirements. You Can Break Down The Student Visa Application Process Into Five Steps.

Step 1: Get Accepted To A DLI-Approved Canadian University

The first thing to figure out when working out how to apply for a student visa in Canada is to be accepted by a DLI. DLI stands for Designated Learning Institution. These are the schools that are allowed to admit international students. You cannot apply for a Canadian Study permit without an acceptance letter from such a school. The requirements to be accepted by one of these schools differ, depending on the school. You should consult your chosen school for their requirements.

Step 2: Apply for the Study Permit

To begin your application process, download the necessary application forms from the Canadian government's website. Once that's done, and you've filled out the forms, you must submit it with your acceptance letter from your DLI, a valid passport or travel document, and written proof that you can fund yourself and your studies. You may also be asked for other documents, such as a letter of explanation. Once you have such documents, you can submit your application.

Step 3: Pay Your Processing and Biometric fee

There are always fees involved when applying for permits in Canada. For example, the costs for a Canadian student visa are as follows:

Step 4: Do Your Medical Exams And Submit Your Police Clearance

It would be best to do this before submitting your application, as offering this information later can slow down your application process. In addition, your medical exam must be done by an approved panel physician.

Step 5: Wait for your Application results.

The processing time for a Canadian student visa is around 16 weeks.

Canadian Work Permits

A Canadian work permit can also be relatively straightforward, provided you can meet the necessary criteria. The process to apply for a Canadian work visa or work permit, letting which allows to you live and work in Canada, is as follows:

Step 1: Choose The Correct Work Permit

There are two types of work permits or visas to remember when you apply for a Canadian work visa. First, an open work permit allows you to work for any Canadian employer you like. Otherwise, a closed work permit will enable you to work in Canada but only if you work for a specific employer for the contracted amount of time.

Step 2: Check If You're Eligible To Apply For A Canadian Work Permit.

To be eligible for a Canadian work permit, you need to:

• prove that you're going to leave Canada once your work permit expires.
• have the ability to provide yourself or any family members that will join you.
• provide a police clearance certificate showing you have no criminal record.
• commit no crimes in Canada.
• prove you're in good health via a medical exam.
• only work for Canadian employers who follow the government guidelines.
• ensure you have all the necessary documents showing you can enter Canada.

Step 3: Submit Your Work Permit Application

Once you've gathered your necessary documents and fulfilled the requirements, submit your work permit application to the Canadian government portal.

Step 4: Wait the processing time

While you wait to find out if you've qualified for a work permit, it's always a good idea to start preparing your affairs for your move to Canada.

Spouse Visa

If your spouse is over 18, has a Canadian visa and can provide for you financially, you can apply for a visa through them. To do so, you must prove:

• You have been living with your spouse and have shared rent contracts, bank accounts etc.
• your spouse meets the minimum funds required to support both of you.
• you have a valid passport and can be admitted to Canada.

A spousal visa only allows you to stay in Canada for 6 months or less, unless you get a job or enroll in a DLI, which will allow you to get a study or work permit.

Working Holiday Visa

A Working Holiday Visa allows you to work in Canada for a short period. It allows you to move around Canada for work. If you want to stay for longer than the allotted time you must change your visa program by either gaining permanent employment, joining a study program or getting married to a permanent Canadian resident.

There are four major steps to gaining your Working Holiday Visa:

For more information on the Working Holiday Visa Program, check out this article.

FAQs

Do you need a tourist visa to travel to Canada from Taiwan?

No. Taiwanese citizens or persons holding a Taiwanese passport do not need a tourist visa to travel to Canada for under six months. So if you're looking for a Visa to travel to Canada, all you need is an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETa). This electronic tag allows you to travel to and through Canada's airports.

Can getting a visa for Canada lead to permanent residence or citizenship?

Yes, once you've lived in Canada for over 12 months, you can apply for permanent residence via the Canada Experience Class. This allows anyone who has been able to live and work in Canada for over a year to be entered into Canada's Express Entry Permanent residence program.

Can I apply for the spousal visa if my partner and I aren't officially married?

Yes. Canada allows common-law partners to act as sponsors on spousal visas. To be qualified as a common-law partner, you must be living together for at least 12 consecutive months with no prolonged periods apart, even if it's for work, travels or family obligations.

These are just a few of the ways one can apply for a Canadian Visa from Taiwan. You have a basic breakdown of how to apply for a Canadian work visa, how to apply for a student visa in Canada, how to get a working holiday visa, how to move to Canada via your spouse and how to move to Canada if life has become too dangerous in your home country. To find out which program you're most eligible for or if there's a different program that will suit you best, click the button below to talk to one of our RCICs.