TORONTO INSTRUCTIONS FOR VISA APPLICANTS :

General Visa Information

(Information and Rules given below are subject to change without notice)

Requirements :

Application form (available at this website) duly filled in with two photographs (against a light background showing full frontal view of the face; approximate size 3.5 cm X 3.5 cm), required fee, passport valid for minimum 6 months and other relevant documents. Incomplete applications are liable to be rejected or remain unprocessed until complete information is submitted. Fee is subject to change without notice. Foreign passport holders staying in Canada need to submit their Landed Papers or any other proof of stay in Canada.

1.
Applications complete in all respects are accepted at the counter from 9.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. In normal cases, Canadian passports deposited at the visa counter by 11 a.m. are ready for pick-up between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on the same day. Those deposited after 11.00 a.m. are ready for pick-up the next working day between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Requests for delivery at other times are not entertained. The applicants have the option of having the passports mailed back to them on payment of mailing charges. Applications may also be sent by courier/mail or dropped at the Consulate. Normally it takes about 7 working days to process an application received by mail/courier except as provided otherwise in the rules. Please take into account that mail/ courier services take a minimum amount of time too.


2. Persons of Indian origin who are applying for visa must submit their Canadian passport with last Indian visa endorsement or their previous Indian passport (cancelled or otherwise) and Landing paper.



3. Applicant may be required to appear for an interview at his/her own expense.


4. Special visa applications are needed for Pakistan and Bangladesh nationals. For application forms and other details the Consulate may be contacted.



5. Pakistan nationals and Canadian nationals of Pakistani origin need to follow the procedures prescribed for Pakistani nationals irrespective of the passport on which visa is applied for. Minimum time taken for issue of visa is around four months.


6. For Sri Lankan nationals and Canadian nationals of Sri Lankan origin , time required for issue of visa is two weeks.

7. Acceptance of visa application along with fee does not necessarily mean grant of visa. The Consulate reserves the right to refuse visa without assigning any reasons. The Consulate-General shall not be held liable to any claim arising out of delay/refusal of visa or loss of passport in transit or otherwise



8. At the time of collection, the fee receipt (white), duly signed overleaf, in acknowledgement of the return of passport (with visa) will have to be surrendered.



9. The Consulate shall remain closed on certain Indian and other holidays.


10. Persons coming from or through yellow fever infected area are required to be in possession of a valid certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. No other vaccinations are necessary. AIDS test is required for persons aged 18 years to 70 years who stay in India for one year or more.


11. In Cases like Research Visa, Visit to Restricted and Protected Areas, Missionary Work, Journalism, Film Shooting, Visa for Non-Canadian Passports including Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Afghani and Chinese nationals, separate rules apply and may be obtained from Visa Officer.



12. Restricted and Protected Areas: An applicant who desires to visit any Restricted/Protected areas in India should submit the prescribed application for issue of a Special Permit, in addition to the visa application. It takes about 10 -12 weeks to process such an application.




13. Restricted Areas & Protected Areas :

For latest details : please ask the visa official.



14. All visas are valid from the date of issue. Visas are processed on receipt of the application and visas issued immediately irrespective of the date of travel. Kindly check carefully that the intended stay is not beyond the expiry date on the visa.

Please apply well in time for your visas : may we suggest before/ soon after you have made your flight bookings ?

Types of Visas and Fee Schedules
(Fee is subject to change without notice)

Transit Visa
Valid for taking next connecting flight en route. The visas are for maximum two entries. Confirmed tickets for the journey are to be produced.

Fee: C$16.00

Tourist Visa (T)
Valid for sight-seeing/holiday (non-extendable), change of purpose not allowed.

Fee : C$ 62.00

Valid for 6 months

Student Visa (S)
For bonafide students to pursue studies in recognized educational institutions in India. A letter from a recognized educational institution in India confirming admission of the applicant, duration of course and evidence of financial arrangements made for maintenance in India.

Fee: C$ 115.00

Valid for 1 year

Business Visa (B)
For Business, Trade, Project, Scheme, Conference, Symposium etc. A letter from the applicant’s company/organization indicating the nature of applicant’s business, probable duration of stay, the places and firms in India he/she intends to visit. In case long-term visa is required, evidence of business in India may also be submitted.

Fee: C$ 62.00
(Valid for 6 months)

Fee: C$ 100.00
(Valid for 1 year)

Employment Visa (E)
For employment in India. Proof of contract or employment/engagement of foreign nationals by the Company etc. and proof of registration of the company under relevant provisions of the Government of India Rules

Fee: C$ 100.00

Valid for 1 year

Long Term Visa
For stay upto 5 years – This visa is granted to persons of Indian origin for the purpose of regular visits to India, holiday, permanent settlement, studies or to set up any business. Long term visa holders are also required to comply with the regulations regarding Registration at Foreigners Regional Registration Offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai and District Superintendent of Police at all other districts, Income Tax Clearance, AIDS Test etc. All those intending to stay in India for more than 180 days at a time are required to register themselves with FRRO or at the Office of the District Superintendent of Police / Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Fee: C$ 200.00
Multiple entry visa valid for 5 years

Conference Visa (C)
For attending Conferences in India. A letter of invitation from the organisers of the Conference and approval, if any, obtained by the organisers from the Government of India for holding the Conference to be attached. For participation in certain conferences, reference/approval of authorities in India may be essential and would, therefore, require a longer processing time.

Fee : C$ 62.00

Research Visa ( R )
A copy of Government of India's approval for research project to be attached.

Fee depends on the duration of stay

Other Categories Visa (X)
All other kinds of visa not covered by above categories.
Fee : C$ 62.00
Valid upto 6 months

Fee : C$ 100.00
Valid upto 1 year

Fee : C$ 200.00
Valid upto 5 years

*Please note:

The above rates are for Canadian passport holders. All other passport holders except US, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi, an additional sum of C$30/- is payable

For US nationals, the additional fee is C$ 61/-

Visa Fee for Pakistan/Sri Lanka/Bangladesh nationals :

Pakistan - C$ 31/-

Sri Lanka - C$ 35/- single entry

- C$ 40/- for double entry

Bangladesh - C$ 30/-

Mailing charges: For return by Security Mail C$ 7 (upto 3 passports) plus $ 1 for each additional passport in the same cover. For return within Ontario by Priority Post, C$ 15 and outside Ontario C$ 25 (up to 5 passports). For Security Mail/Priority Post, either a prepaid envelope may be enclosed or requisite fee deposited. Applicants may send pre-paid courier envelopes but courier pick-ups must be arranged by the applicants themselves by instructing the courier (after the documents are ready) for pick up.


Exact visa fee and mailing charges should be paid in cash (only at the consular hall counter) or by Money Order/bank draft/certified cheque drawn in favour of the Consulate-General of India, Toronto. If payment falls short of the prescribed rates, service may be delayed/refused. Credit/ Debit cards and Personal or company cheques are not accepted. Fee once paid shall not be refunded even if visa is refused or application is withdrawn.


For administrative convenience, there is jurisdictional division for rendering
consular services in Canada.

We will not accept applications through agents with effect from 1 December 2004.

Drop Box Facility

Those applicants who are in a hurry / do not wish to wait for their turn to pay their visa fees at the counter, can avail of the 'drop box' facility. In this system, the visa application and passport can be left with the officer on duty in the Reception / Enquiry Counter between 9:30 AM and 1:00 PM against a temporary receipt. The visa fee in this case has to be paid only through a Money Order, Certified Cheque or Bankers cheque ( no cash / personal cheque/ credit or debit card ) for the exact amount of the fees, drawn in favour of the Consulate-General of India, Toronto. Regular computerised receipt will be given at the time of delivery of visa affixed on the passport. The time taken to process such visa cases is seven working days.



Emergency Services Please do not ring up these numbers for general enquiries
In case of emergency visa assistance during weekends and holidays, applicants are advised to call the following telephone numbers : 416 960 0751 or 416 960 0752 between 10 A.M. and 12 Noon only.