I have VISA electron debit card with 1200 CAD on it. I use it for PAY PAL account, because it has 3 digit code from the back side. Is it acceptable for CIO office to pay with that card, or it has to be MASTER CARD, or VISA CREDIT card?
Just to give you some extra information, one of the members of another forum I use had their application returned because they supplied debit card instead of credit card, and this was VISA debit. It seems CIC did attempt to take the money, but it failed - and when they checked with their bank the bank told them that it had come through as "unsupported" and that the bank themselves had not refused it. They are now in a tricky position because their original app reached CIC on 25th June, and their occupation which was on the 38 list is no longer on the new 29 list.
So my advice would be use CREDIT CARD or BANKER'S DRAFT.
- Credit card will end up being cheaper, and also you will be able to easily tell when they make the transaction. However, some banks have automatic security blocks and even if you tell the bank up front to expect a transaction from Canada their automatic software can still refuse it.
- Banker's draft is the safest method - just ask your bank to arrange a draft payable to The Receiver General For Canada for the required amount in Canadian dollars. They will probably charge you a nominal fee (our charge was £20) and then they will take the money from your account right away. Depending on the bank they may be able to write the draft in-branch or they may order it for you and will deliver it. The reason draft is the safest method is that it is guaranteed by the bank to clear, so as long as it's payable to the correct person it cannot be refused or blocked. However it's a little harder to work out when CIC cash it, since the only way is to keep phoning your bank to see if it is cashed yet or not.
Anyway, we opted for banker's draft. Owing to problems that some people have reported I'd strongly advise against using debit card.
Best of luck,
Wayne.
Immigration Forum
