Dubai has established itself as a global trade and tourism destination which has made it much easy for the citizens of Dubai to apply for visit visas across the globe. Citizens seeking a Canadian visa have to go through a fairly simple process with a great chance of having the application accepted as opposed to other countries.
Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the visa processes are delayed and usual rules might not apply.
Who Can Apply for Canada Visa from Dubai?
Anyone who is looking to travel to Canada from Dubai, which also includes the residents, will require a valid visit visa. The nationality of the person applying is something that is taken into consideration. Following are the nationalities which require a visa in order to enter Canada:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- British subjects, subject to control
- Burkina Faso
- Burma
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- East Timor
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Ivory Coast
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Korea, North
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Macao Special Administrative Region
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives Islands
- Mali
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Micronesia, Fed. States
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestinian Authority
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tomé e Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Sudan
- Surinam
- Swaziland
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Any nationality which has not been mentioned above does not require a visa but if your nationality appears in the list above then you will need to apply for a visa.
Canada Visa Types for UAE Citizens
There are a total of 5 types of visas that UAE citizens can apply for and all of them have different fees, processing time, and more. Following are all the details you will require.
Tourist Visa
Visa Type | Validity | Processing |
Single Entry | Up to 6 Months | Same Day |
Multiple Entry | Up to 6 Months | Same Day |
Business Visa
Visa Type | Validity | Processing |
Single Entry | Up to 6 Months | Same Day |
Multiple Entry | Up to 6 Months | Same Day |
Tourist E-Visa ETA
Visa Type | Validity | Processing |
Multiple Entry | Up to 5 Years | Next Business Day |
Business E-Visa ETA
Visa Type | Validity | Processing |
Multiple Entry | Up to 5 Years | Next Business Day |
Documents Required to Apply for Canada Visit Visa from Dubai
The documentation process is not only tedious but also very crucial, especially when applying for a visa anywhere across the globe. Good documentation is the key to having your application successfully approved. In order to apply for the Canada Visit Visa from Dubai, you are required to have the following documents:
Visa Application Form
In order to kick-start the process, you will need to fill out the application form for the Canada visa application. The documents mentioned below will all need to be attached alongside the application or provided next to it.
UAE Passport
You must have the original UAE passport with at least 6-months validity and two blank pages.
Passport Photos
Include a passport-style photo, with a white background, taken within the last 6 months. You may also choose to upload a photo to your order for us to print. There is a surcharge associated with this service.
No Objection Certificate
Original letter from your employer on business letterhead addressed to “The Embassy of Canada, Visa Section, Abu Dhabi”. The letter must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Briefly introduce the applicant (please specify the applicant’s name, passport number, and employment status/position held in the company)
- List the applicant’s monthly salary and specify the duration of employment.
- State that a leave of absence has been granted and that you will be returning to your current job after your trip.
- Business owners are required to provide a valid Trade License Copy.
- For pupils and students, proof of enrolment in school or university.
- For minors under the age of 18 traveling with/without parents, consent of both parents/legal guardians, either through a notarized certificate or by an authorization signed in front of the visa officer. Copies of both parents’ passports are required.
- If sponsored by spouse/parents, a Passport and UAE Visa copy of the sponsor, as well as a copy of birth/ marriage certificate, must be submitted.
Itinerary
This should contain a copy of your round-trip tickets and any other substantial information which can be verified by the authorities.
Bank Statement
Financial clarity is one of the key things that can either make or break your application. You will need to provide the complete breakdown of your finances so the authorities can be certain that you will be returning to your home country once your visa expires.
Hotel Reservation
This should contain proof of where you are staying and you should provide all the hotel details to the authorities so they know that you have already made all the arrangements for once you land.
Personal Invitation
If visiting friends or family, you must provide a letter of invitation with the contact information of the host and visitor, purpose and duration of the visit, confirmation of accommodation including the address, signature, and date. You will also need to provide proof of the host’s status in Canada ie. a copy of their Canada passport’s information page, or, if they are not a citizen of Canada, copies of their Canada residence permit and their national passport’s information pages.
Family Information
You should also add a family background. This helps solidify your application and it helps especially if all your family is living in your home country because then the chances of you coming back are higher, which is something authorities normally single out as the reason for rejection.
Proof of Trips to Other Countries
Additional Requirements for Canada Visa from UAE
There are some additional things you will need to attach for your application for the Canada visit from the UAE which includes;
- Three recent passport-sized photographs with white background
- Last six-months bank statement
- Marriage certificate, if applicable
Although it is not mandatory but you can also provide your hotel booking so that authorities know that you have already made all the arrangements for yourself. This also acts as proof that you can financially manage your stay as well. In certain cases, the authorities might require the booking details too.
The cover letter is an added step that gives your application an edge over other applicants; this should contain the purpose of your visit, your complete financial declaration, and any assets that you own in the UAE so that the authorities know that you will be returning back to your home country.
Canada ETA and UAE
Not all countries are eligible for Canada Electronic Travel Authorisation but the United Arab Emirates is one of the countries to have this luxury. As the name suggests, it is a system that offers an online document that is linked to your passport. Through this process, not only can you have your application processed quickly but also save a lot of hassle.
The travel authorization is necessary for foreign citizens which are visa-exempt. You will not be allowed to enter Canada if you do not have this document irrespective of whether you have an up-to-date passport or not.
The Canada ETA differs from the traditional Canada visa as it is not a paper visa but a travel authorization. However, it’s the only thing you need if your nationality is under the Canadian visa-free policy. The Canada ETA is approved for those who are looking for a short-term visit.
The documents required for the Canada ETA are as following:
- A biometric passport that shouldn’t be expired once you arrive in Canada.
- Debit or credit card to pay for the document. You can also use a Paypal account.
- Valid email address to get the document on time
It is important to understand that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of the rules and regulations that applied beforehand might be altered or not apply altogether. One of the key requirements now is to showcase you are vaccinated and you must attach your vaccination certificate with your application. Similarly, you might be required to quarantine for a certain period of time depending on your destination and how often you have traveled in recent times. All these things should be kept in mind and considered before you actually apply.
Cost of Canada Visa Visit
The cost for multiple entry visit visa, which is valid up to 5 years, averages around AED 388. It is worth pointing out that this fees is non-refundable even if you Canadian visa application has been rejected.
Canada Visit Visa Application Processing Time
Typically, it takes around 35 days for your application to be processed. The application processing time is hugely dependent on the submission of required documents and how well the application has been filled out by the applicant. If you have complete documentation and your application has been filled out properly then the chances of your application to be accepted are increased by quite a margin.
Please Note: We do not provide any assistance regarding Canada Visa in Dubai. Read more about our company and how we strive to bring business services to our clients.