When I applied for my first Canadian visa, I was in a different country.
After submitting my application, IRCC requested that I send in my passport, but I wasn’t sure where to send it because the location they suggested in their message wasn’t a convenient option.
It was far from where I was, at that time.
It felt like a hassle, especially since I was applying from another country.
However, it didn’t take me long to figure out exactly where to send my passport and how to send it.
Read also: How do I send my passport for visa stamping in Canada?
If you’re currently in the same boat as I was, below is where you can send your passport, for Canada visa stamping if you’re outside Canada.
Where to send passport for Canada visa stamping outside Canada?
If you’re outside Canada, you can send your passport to any nearby Canadian Visa Application Centre (VAC) or the corresponding visa office for stamping.
Each country or territory has designated VACs, and IRCC has the exact location for each centre.
If you can’t find a VAC around you, you can send your passport to any VAC of your choice.
You don’t have to send it to a particular centre or the one near you – you can send it to any VAC.
How do you locate a Canadian visa application centre to send your passport for stamping?
Locating a VAC is quite simple. You can use the IRCC website to locate VACs near you and send your passport to them.
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website is your go-to resource for anything Canada immigration and visas.
When sending your passport, you can go for the nearest VAC or just anyone.
These VACs are scattered worldwide, and their primary function is to facilitate the visa application process, including stamping passports.
They act as intermediaries between applicants and the Canadian government, ensuring that everything is processed smoothly.
To find the visa application centre close to you, go to the IRCC website.
How to use the IRCC website to find a visa application centre near you
Here’s how you can use the IRCc website to find the right visa application centre:
- Step 1: Visit the IRCC’s official website by clicking here.
- Step 2: Scroll to the country/territories and VACs section. This section lists all the VACs worldwide.
- Step 3: Select your country of residence from the list of available countries.
- Step 4: If your country isn’t on the first page, you can use the “next” button to find your country.
- Step 5: Instead of going from page to page, use the search bar to find your nearest VACs
On the search bar, type the name of the country where you currently reside or where you want to send your passport and it will show a list of all the VACs in the country.
Read also: How soon can I reapply for a UK visa after a refusal?
For example, when you type Australia, it’ll show you a VAC in Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.
See the picture below.
You can click on the website of each VACs and read about how to send your passport to them.
Consider your location
Depending on where you are, the VAC can be located in a nearby country.
For example, if you’re in a region without a local VAC, you can send your passport to a VAC in a neighbouring country.
If I’m abroad and can’t find a nearby VAC, I’ll send it to a nearby country.
This can add more time to the process time, but it’s the best option.
Before you send your passport to a VAC in a nearby country, check if the VAC accepts passports from applicants in your country to avoid any delays.
What does the Canada visa application centre do?
A Canada Visa Application Centre (VAC) is an authorized third-party service provider that assists applicants in getting a visa to Canada.
They’re mainly private companies and are contracted by the Canadian government.
Read also: How to upload documents for a Canada visa
VACs don’t “make the final decision” on whether you get the visa – that’s up to the Canadian visa office – but they do a lot to make the process easier for you.
Visa application centres help in:
- Document and passport collection: VACs help to collect and submit your passport and other important documents to the Canadian visa authorities. They’ve helped me a lot in sending my passport.
- Biometric data collection: If you want to submit your biometric data, like fingerprints and a photo. The VAC has the right tools to do this. They collect it from you and submit it to the Canadian visa authorities.
- Application submission: After collecting the documents and biometric data, the VAC submits the complete visa application package to the appropriate Canadian visa office. This takes a lot of stress off your shoulders.
- Application fee payment: If you want to pay your visa fees, you can pay through VACs. They assist applicants in paying the visa application fees.
- Tracking application status: If you’re like me, after submitting your application, you’d want to know what’s happening with it. The VAC gives you a way to track the progress.
- Passport return: They also help collect and return your passport once it has been stamped by the Canadian visa authorities.
- Give updates: Some VACs also give you updates about the visa you applied for via text message or email.
- Additional services: Some VACs offer extra services, like making copies of documents, taking photos, or even helping you fill out forms.
- Data protection: Every VAC is tasked by the government of Canada to protect applicants data and when they fail to do so, their contract with the Government of Canada can be terminated.
VACs are there to make the visa application process easier and smoother by bridging the gap between applicants and the Canadian visa authorities.
Read also: Where to send your passport for a Canada visa stamping in the USA?
They’re located worldwide and help applicants in their local languages.
As an applicant, you can:
- Visit a VAC even if it’s not in your country of residence.
- Contact VACs by phone, email, or in person (check the VAC website to see their contact details).
What VACs aren’t allowed to do
While visa application centres (VACs) are contracted by the Canadian government, they do not influence the decision on your visa application.
They are also not allowed to give applicants any visa-related advice.
Read also: Cost of living in Canada for a single person with rent?
All decisions about your visa applications are made by Canadian immigration officers at an IRCC office.
VACs are run by private companies and international organizations and are only allowed to provide specific services based on their contract with IRCC.
What happens at the visa application centre?
At the Visa Application Centre (VAC), you can submit your visa application and required documents, and the staff ensures everything is complete.
You’ll provide biometric data, like fingerprints and a photograph if needed.
The VAC then forwards your information (including passport and other documents) to the Canadian visa office.
Once a decision is made on your application, the VAC will notify you, collect your passport with the visa from the Canadian visa office and deliver it to you.
What is the meaning of CVO in a Canada visa application centre?
In a Canada Visa Application Centre (VAC), “CVO” stands for Case Verification Officer. This is the person responsible for reviewing and verifying the details of your visa application.
The CVO checks the accuracy of your documents and information before your application is sent to the visa office for processing.
What happens after passport submission for a Canada visa?
After you send your passport to the VAC, you’ve to wait for them to send it to the Canadian visa office for stamping.
At the Canadian visa office, it will be stamped and returned to the VAC where you’ll go and collect your passport with the visa decision.
Each time I submit my passport for stamping. I do not worry much about it because, while it doesn’t always mean that my visa has been approved, it’s a positive sign.
On average, it took about 2 to 4 weeks for my passport to be stamped and returned.
Most of the time I use a courier service with tracking, and with that, I monitor my passport’s progress.
This gives me peace of mind each time I apply for a Canadian visa.
Read also: How many times can I visit Canada in one year?
Once your passport is stamped, it will be returned to you either by mail or in person, depending on the method you choose.
Can I submit my passport in another country for Canada visa stamping?
Yes, you can. If you applied for a Canadian visa and have been asked to send your passport, you can send it to any Canadian VAC around you or a VAC in another country.
Read also: Should you keep your passport on you when travelling?
If you can’t make it to the one around you, you’re allowed to send it to any VAC, anywhere in the world.
It doesn’t matter which VAC you send it to, it’ll be stamped and returned to you.
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