I would like to share my experience about obtaining Canada visitor visa from USA:
May 19 - Registered on the CIC portal using GC Key to fill the online application
May 22 - Submitted the application form with all the necessary attachments and paid the fees
May 23 - Obtained Biometrics Collection Letter in CIC portal
May 23 - Booked appointment online to provide biometrics at USCIS ASC - the earliest appointment slot was for 2 weeks later
June 7 - Visited USCIS office and gave biometrics (make sure you take your USCIS appointment scheduler letter as well)
June 7 - On the same day, Biometrics details got updated in the CIC portal
June 13 - Obtained the Biometrics Correspondence Letter and Original Passport Request Letter
June 13 - Printed the required documents - Original Passport Request Letter, Consent form (very important - check VFS Canada website to download Consent form and sign)
June 14 - Drove to NYC VAC office near Times Square and submitted the passport with the documents, paid $19.90 with card and provided return envelope with USPS shipping label
June 14 - Same day received email with the tracking ID saying the visa application is dispatched to IRCC office; The VFS tracking website also showed the same status
June 17 - Received email that visa application is under process at IRCC office
June 17 - Received another email " Your processed decision envelope has been dispatched from the IRCC Office to the Canada VAC in USA, NY"
June 17 - Checked the CIC portal - status shown as 'A final decision has been made' and displayed the document status with expiry date (indicating visa is approved)
June 18 - Received email "An envelope of your decision that has been processed has been sent from the IRCC office to the Canadian Application Centre,NY"
June 18 - Received another email "Your processed decision envelope has been collected from the Canada VAC in Canada VAC, NY"
June 18 - USPS tracking number got activated (passport was dispatched)
June 19 - Received Passport with Canada visa stamp - multiple entry with visa expiry date of 1 day before passport expiry date
The entire process took almost a month for me. So, if you wish to apply through online, it is suggested to plan in advance and apply accordingly.
May 19 - Registered on the CIC portal using GC Key to fill the online application
May 22 - Submitted the application form with all the necessary attachments and paid the fees
May 23 - Obtained Biometrics Collection Letter in CIC portal
May 23 - Booked appointment online to provide biometrics at USCIS ASC - the earliest appointment slot was for 2 weeks later
June 7 - Visited USCIS office and gave biometrics (make sure you take your USCIS appointment scheduler letter as well)
June 7 - On the same day, Biometrics details got updated in the CIC portal
June 13 - Obtained the Biometrics Correspondence Letter and Original Passport Request Letter
June 13 - Printed the required documents - Original Passport Request Letter, Consent form (very important - check VFS Canada website to download Consent form and sign)
June 14 - Drove to NYC VAC office near Times Square and submitted the passport with the documents, paid $19.90 with card and provided return envelope with USPS shipping label
June 14 - Same day received email with the tracking ID saying the visa application is dispatched to IRCC office; The VFS tracking website also showed the same status
June 17 - Received email that visa application is under process at IRCC office
June 17 - Received another email " Your processed decision envelope has been dispatched from the IRCC Office to the Canada VAC in USA, NY"
June 17 - Checked the CIC portal - status shown as 'A final decision has been made' and displayed the document status with expiry date (indicating visa is approved)
June 18 - Received email "An envelope of your decision that has been processed has been sent from the IRCC office to the Canadian Application Centre,NY"
June 18 - Received another email "Your processed decision envelope has been collected from the Canada VAC in Canada VAC, NY"
June 18 - USPS tracking number got activated (passport was dispatched)
June 19 - Received Passport with Canada visa stamp - multiple entry with visa expiry date of 1 day before passport expiry date
The entire process took almost a month for me. So, if you wish to apply through online, it is suggested to plan in advance and apply accordingly.
