Transit Visa through Canada from USA to India

[vadiraj737]

Hi,

I am leaving to India from USA on Dec 11 2015 and I am travelling through Air Canada. I did not know I had required transit visa as I am Indian citizen and I have applied for transit visa on November 14. I wanted to know whether there is any chance of getting my visa approved before I leave for India. Is it better to postpone this ticket and book another one now through a different carrier as It is non-refundable?. I have also heard that we donot need the Visa while going from USA to INDIA but while coming back. If this is the case then I can book a return ticket separately. Please let me know any options are viable.

 

[scylla]

Yes - you need a transit visa. You need it in both directions if you are transiting through Canada both ways (USA to India and India to USA).

It's possible your visa may be approved in time and it's possible it might not. It's really hard to say.

 

[Bryanna]

The average processing time at the LA visa office is 42 days and at NY, it is 52 days. Of course, you can get a decision faster/later than this.

IMO you should book new tickets that do not transit through Canada ie directly from the US to India

 

[vadiraj737]

Thank you for the replies. I was actually planning to book one way ticket to India now through different carrier. I read that application in India for transit visa in Bangalore office will take not more than 14 days. So I thought of completing online application here only now from India and when I go to India submit my passport as I have 21 days stay there and while coming back, I can come through the AirCanada I have booked.

 

[vadiraj737]

Thank you for the replies. I was actually planning to book one way ticket to India now through different carrier. I read that application in India for transit visa in Bangalore office will take not more than 14 days. So I thought of completing online application here only now for Bengaluru, India and when I go to India submit my passport as I have 21 days stay there and while coming back, I can come back through the AirCanada I have booked. Is this Possible?

 

[Bryanna]

The TRV/transit visa timelines posted on the CIC website are only indicative..... it can take longer/be faster than this.

So I thought of completing online application here only now for Bengaluru, India and when I go to India submit my passport as I have 21 days stay there

It is doable. Do keep in mind any holidays the visa office/VFS may have especially for Christmas