How to book VFS appointment for passport submission Canada

VFS Global is an outsourcing services provider, and it works with the Canadian government to manage parts of its visa application process.

They do not involve in making visa decisions but you can submit your passport to the Canadian authorities through them.

Read also: How do I send my passport for visa stamping in Canada?

I’ve used them to submit my passport for a Canadian visa before and their services were excellent.

However, before you use them, whether for submitting your visa applications, biometrics, or passport submission, you have to book an appointment with them, ahead of time.

VFS does not allow walk-ins, therefore, booking an appointment is compulsory.

Read also: How to check Australian visa application status

When I used them, I booked an appointment and below is how I did it.

How to book VFS appointment for passport submission Canada

To book a VFS appointment, you need to create an account with VFS Global and book the appointment through your account.

Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Create a VFS Global account

• Go to the official VFS Global website.
• If you don’t already have an account, you’ll create one. Fill in your details, and email address, and create a password.
• After creating the account, you’ll receive a verification link in your email.
• Click on the verification link to activate your account.

Read also: How soon can I reapply for a UK visa after a refusal?

With your account, you can book an appointment for passport submission, and manage other services offered to you by VFS Global.

Step 2: Select the service

• After setting up your account, log in to your account.
• Go to the appointment booking section. This will be listed under the “Passport submission section”.
• Choose “book appointment” to schedule an appointment with VFS.

Step 3: Choose your location

• Select the VFS centre where you’d like to submit your passport. I usually pick the nearest one to me.
• If there are multiple centres in your country, choose the one most convenient for you.

Step 4: Select an appointment date and time

• After choosing your location, you’ll be prompted to select a date and time for your appointment. Available slots will be displayed on the screen.
• Choose a date and time that works best for you. From my experience with VFS, their appointment slot fills up quickly, you have to book ahead of time to get a good date.

Step 5: Confirm the appointment

• Once you’ve selected your preferred date and time, you’ll be asked to confirm your appointment. Go through all the details carefully before confirming.
• Pay the VFS Global service charge. Payment is done online.

Step 6: Get appointment confirmation

• After confirming your appointment, you’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details, including the date, time, and location of your appointment.
• This email will also contain your appointment reference number. Keep your ref number safe, you’ll need it when you visit the VFS centre to submit your passport or collect it.

You have successfully booked your VFS passport submission appointment.

Note that; you can only book one appointment per person (the system won’t allow duplicate appointments).

When booking your appointment, make sure all the details exactly match your travel or passport details because none of the information can be changed later.

Read also: Where to send passport for a Canada visa stamping outside Canada

If the details don’t match, you won’t be allowed to enter the centre.

In addition, once you’ve booked an appointment, you can’t cancel it.

However, you can reschedule it twice at no extra cost, as long as you do so at least 2 working days before your scheduled date.

What to do when you go for your passport submission at a VFS

On the day of your appointment:

• Arrive at the VFS centre on time.
• Upon arrival, you’ll go through a security check. Do not come with any prohibited items.
• Come with all your documents, plus any additional material that is required.
• Once inside, you’ll be guided to the document submission counter, where your documents will be reviewed and accepted.
• Submit your passport and any other necessary documents as instructed by the VFS staff.
• If you haven’t already submitted your biometrics, you can do so during this appointment.

Can you track your passport after submission at the VFS?

Yes, after submitting your passport, you’ll receive a receipt with a tracking number. You can use this to track the status of your passport on the VFS website.

To track your passport:

• Log into your VFS account: Use the same account you created to book your appointment.
• Track your passport status: Go to the track application status section and check your passport status.

With this tracking system, you’ll know when your passport is ready for collection.

Read also: How soon can I reapply for a UK visa after a refusal?

You can only track your passport status with VFS if you’ve already submitted your passport at the Canada Visa Application Centre and have received an acknowledgement receipt with a tracking number.

Can I go to VFS without an appointment?

What is the use of VFS Global?

VFS Global manages visa application centres (VACs) on behalf of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

At these centres, you submit your passport or visa application, and VFS will then forward it to the Canadian High Commission.

Read also: How many times can I visit Canada in one year?

When booking your appointment, VFS Global will collect your personal information only for the purpose of scheduling your appointment.

While including your details, avoid adding what the appointment scheduling system does not need.