How long does it take to get a transit visa to travel through Canada?
I hold an Indian passport and I'm travelling from the US to India via Canada. I know a transit Vlvisa is required in my case. However my agent warned that getting a transit visa may be delayed or it may get rejected. So I may want to change my itinerary while I still can (I have a 24-hour window) rather than take the risk.
Considering I have 3 months in hand, do you think it is really a risk? I live in Atlanta, Georgia and there is no Canada consulate around. That means I can't apply in person.
Can anybody share his/her experience with the Canada transit visa process. How long does it take? Are they finicky about the documents provided? Will they ask for more documents as follow-up, because that is going to add time to the processing time?
Best Answer
I suspect transit visas to be much quicker to process than even a regular visitor visa. If you're in the US, a visitor visa takes on average 28 to 41 days (reference), so with 3 months to spare I think you're on the safe side. I do suggest you apply at the LA office as it seems to be speedier than the NY one.
Quoting the CIC website:
Most applications for transit visas are processed within a few weeks or less. Processing times vary depending on the visa office.
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Is it easy to get a transit visa for Canada?
There is no fee for a transit visa and you can apply for a transit visa by filling out the application for a visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa) and selecting transit visa from the list of options on the form. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to visit Canada and therefore, do not need to worry about a transit visa.Do I need a Canadian visa to transit through Canada?
You need a transit visa if you're from a visa-required country and: your international flight stops at a Canadian airport on its way to another country. you'll be connecting between 2 international flights at a Canadian airport. you'll transit through Canada in 48 hours or less.How many days it will take to get transit visa?
Once submitted, it can take around 4 days for the transit visa application to be approved.Can I transit through Canada right now?
You may be permitted to transit through Canada to reach another country. You must make your travel arrangements well in advance if you are transiting through Canada.Canada - Transit Visa - How To Confirm You Don’t Need An eTA while Transiting via A Canadian Airport
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Answer 2
Assuming you are you a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and have an alien registration card (Green Card) then you are eligible for an eTA and:
Most applicants get approved within minutes. However, some applications can take several days to process so don’t wait until the last minute.
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