How to Apply US Visa from Canada

A step-by-step guide to applying for a U.S. visa in Canada, who can apply, what types of visas Canadian residents and citizens can apply for, and FAQs.

The Canadian passport is one of the most powerful in the world. Its citizens can currently visit 184 countries in the world without needing a visa.

These countries include the United States. Canadians, along with Bermudians, are the only nationals who do not require a visitor visa to enter the United States for non-immigrant purposes.

Do Canadian citizens need a visa to enter the U.S.?

Canadian citizens do not require a visa to enter the U.S. for non-immigrant purposes, except in the following cases:

Contractors and investors (e-visa required).
Fiancé(e) of a foreign citizen (K-1 visa) and the children of the fiancé(e) (K-2 visa)
Spouse(s) of a U.S. citizen of a foreign national traveling to the U.S. to reside while awaiting final completion of immigration proceedings (K-3 visa), and the children of the spouse(s) (K-4 visa)
Spouses of permanent residents of the U.S. (V-1 visa), and the children of the spouse who are traveling to the U.S. to reside while awaiting final completion of immigration proceedings (V-2 visa)
Non-immigrants traveling to the United States for work (non-immigrant visas), including.
Canadian government officials (A visas) if they are entering the U.S. for temporary or permanent work;
Officials and employees of international organizations (G visas), when entering the United States for temporary or permanent work; and
NATO officials, representatives, and employees only when they are assigned to the U.S. (as opposed to official travel).

Canadian and Bermudian nationals are the only nationals in the world who can enter the U.S. without ESTA if they do not require an entry permit. Holders of Canadian passports, therefore, do not need ESTA.

However, the situation is different for foreign nationals residing in Canada. There are 40 countries in the world that fall under the US Visa Waiver Program. If you are a national of one of these countries and reside in Canada, you will need an ESTA to enter the United States.

To determine if you can visit the US without a visa, use this tool:

US Visa Application Canada

The application process for a US Visa from Canada consists of some steps that you have to follow in the correct order.

Here’s how to apply for a US visa in Canada:

1. Check what type of US visa you need.
2. Find out where you need to apply.
3. Complete the online application form.
4. Pay the machine-readable visa (MRV) fee.
5. Gather the required documents for a US visa from Canada.
6. Make a US visa appointment.
7. Attend the visa interview.

Check what type of US visa you need

The US has a wide range of visa types. Therefore, the first thing you should do is check what type of visa you need to enter the US from Canada. The application process, as well as the fees and required documents, depending on the visa type you are applying for.

Check where you need to apply

When applying for a nonimmigrant US Visa from Canada, you will have to lodge your application at the appropriate visa center to which the US embassy has outsourced visa submission for residents of Canada.

On the other side, if you are applying for an immigrant US visa from Canada, then your petitioner (sponsor in the US) will need to submit your application at the National Visa Center in the United States.

Complete the online application form

Complete the appropriate visa application form depending on your visa type. Note that the application forms differ according to the visa type you are applying for.

The application form contains questions about personal information such as your full name, marital status, address, birth details, contact number and email, passport details, family information, education, work information, etc.

You can fill out the DS-160 form online through:

• the Consular Electronic Application Center, or
• by using the services of a third-party company such as VisaExpress.

Pay the US Visa Fee Online in Canada

After you answer all questions honestly, pay the US Visa Fee Online in Canada and schedule an interview. You can pay a US visa fee in Canada in the following forms:

• Online Payment with Credit/Debit Card
• Online Banking Transfer or Cash at Your Own Bank
• Cash

The MRV Fee for visa applicants from Canada depends on the type of US visa one applies for. The US Visa Fee in Canada are as follows:

• MRV Fee – $160
• Petition-Based Applicants (H, L, O, P, Q, R) – $190
• TN visa applicants – $460

*Note that if you are applying for an A, G, or NATO visa for official travel, you do not need to pay the MRV fee.

Collect the required documents for a US visa from Canada

The main part of every US visa application in Canada is the gathering of required documents.  Check what documents you need to submit depending on your US visa type and nationality. There is a number of certain required documents for every type of US visa that the applicant will have to submit. Collect all these documents according to their instructions.

Keep in mind that the whole application process for a US visa depends on these documents. The visa interview is a determinant factor in whether you get a visa or not.

Following, find the commonly required documents to apply for a US visa in Canada:

• Appointment confirmation page.
• Confirmation page that you have completed the application form DS-160 – which you will receive in your email after completing the form.
• Valid Passport – for at least 6 months beyond your date of planned stay in the US. Keep in mind that your passport must have at least one blank page in order to be able to affix a visa.
• Two identical US visa photos – of 5 x 5 cm size, color, and taken within the last 6 months. If you have successfully uploaded a picture to the DS-160 application form, then you are not required to submit an additional photo.
• Previous US visas (if applicable) – if you have ever been to the US, you must show proof by presenting the visas. If these visas are affixed to an older passport then take that passport with you too at the appointment center.
• ACRO – which is a police certificate you obtain from the authorities in your country and proves if you have ever been arrested, cautioned, or convicted.
• Letter from an approved physician, if you have a medical condition that could have a bearing on your eligibility for a visa. If you are applying for a green card you need to submit results of a medical exam.
• Letter of invitation for B-2 visa applicants

If you have ever been rejected from entering or deported from the US, you must also submit documents in this regard, which show the reasons behind the deportation/rejection.

After collecting all the required documents, it is highly recommended that you have a look into the available travel insurance plans for the United States.

Schedule a US visa appointment in Canada

If you are under the age of 14 or over the age of 79 you will not need to show up for an interview. On the other hand, every other applicant from 14 to 79 that applies for a USA visa from Canada has to appear in person at the US consulate or embassy for the US visa interview. Applicants under 14 and over 79 are eligible to apply by a courier.

You can attend your US visa interview at the US Embassy in Ottawa, or at one of the following consulates across Canada:

• US Consulate General in Calgary
• US Consulate General in Halifax
• US Consulate General in Montreal
• US Consulate General in Quebec
• US Consulate General in Toronto
• US Consulate General in Vancouver
• US Consulate in Winnipeg

Apply for a US Visa from Toronto

To submit a US visa application from Toronto you need to attend an interview. You should appoint the interview online since the consulate does not accept walk-in applications.

You need to pay your visa application fee prior to scheduling an appointment to apply for US visa in Toronto.

• Address: 360 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1S4
• Telephone: 437-887-1448
• Non-immigrant visa email: TRTNIV@state.gov
• Investor visa email: EvisaToronto@state.gov

Apply for a US Visa in Calgary

To submit a US visa application from Calgary you need to attend an interview. You should appoint the interview online since the consulate does not accept walk-in applications.

You need to pay your visa application fee prior to scheduling an appointment to apply for a US visa in Calgary.

• Address: US. Consulate General Calgary, 615 MacLeod Trail SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 4T8
• Telephone: 403-266-8962
• Fax: 403-264-6630
• Email: Calgary_NIV@State.gov

Apply for a US Visa in Vancouver

To submit a US visa application in Vancouver you need to attend an interview. You should appoint the interview online since the consulate does not accept walk-in applications.

You need to pay your visa application fee prior to scheduling an appointment to apply for US visa in Vancouver.

• Address: 1075 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2M6
• Telephone: 604-685-4311
• Non-immigrant visa email: VancouverNIV@state.gov
• Fiancé/fiancée visa email: VancouverK@state.gov
• Investor visa email: EvisaVancouver@state.gov

Apply for a US Visa in Montreal

To submit a US visa application from Montreal you need to attend an interview. You should appoint the interview online since the consulate does not accept walk-in applications.

You need to pay your visa application fee prior to scheduling an appointment to apply for US visa in Montreal.

• Address: 1155 rue St. Alexandre, Montréal, Quebec, H3B 3Z1
• Telephone: 514-398-9695
• Non-immigrant visa e-mail: Montreal-NIV@state.gov
• Immigrant visa e-mail: Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov
• Fiancé/Fiancée visa email: Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov
• Diversity visa email: Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov

Apply for a US Visa in Ottawa

To submit a US visa application from Ottawa you need to attend an interview. You should appoint the interview online since the consulate does not accept walk-in applications.

You need to pay your visa application fee prior to scheduling an appointment to apply for US visa in Ottawa.

• Address: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1G8
• Telephone: 613-238-5335
• Email: OttawaNIV@state.gov

Apply for a US Visa in Halifax

To submit a US visa application from Toronto you need to attend an interview. You should appoint the interview online since the consulate does not accept walk-in applications.

You need to pay your visa application fee prior to scheduling an appointment to apply for US visa in Toronto.

Address: 1969 Upper Water Street, Suite 904, Purdy’s Wharf, Tower II, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 3R7

Telephone: 902-429-2480

Email: ConsularH@state.gov

Apply for a US Visa in Quebec

To submit a US visa application from Toronto you need to attend an interview. You should appoint the interview online since the consulate does not accept walk-in applications.

You need to pay your visa application fee prior to scheduling an appointment to apply for US visa in Toronto.

• Address: 2, rue de la Terrasse Dufferin, Quebec, Quebec City, QC G1R 4N5
• Telephone: 418-692-2095
• Email: QuebecNIV@state.gov

Attend the US visa interview in Canada

On the day of your appointment, show up on time, since if you are late your appointment might be canceled, especially if there is a crowd waiting to get interviewed. Have all your documents with you, and nicely organized so you will not have a mess in your hands when you meet the consular officer.

Before you attend the interview, the embassy/consulate staff will collect, data enter and examine your application documents. You will have your fingerprints scanned, and then you will have a few-minutes-short interview with a consular officer who will ask you about why you wish to enter the US and other questions regarding your trip.

TN Visa for Canadian Citizens

To create better relationships between countries in America, the US in cooperation with Canada and Mexico created the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This agreement, besides its economic and trade benefits, also has traveling and working advantages on a TN visa.

The TN Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows citizens of Canada to live and work in the US temporarily. The holders of this visa have to return to Canada upon its expiration. This visa allows only citizens of Canada and Mexico, not permanent residents, to work in the US if they find a job beforehand.

A distinct feature of the TN visa is the fact that there is no need for sponsoring from the employer. This makes the fees for the employer and employee very low. The employer does not have to pay the listed fees as in the H-1B visa, except for the Form I-129 petition fee and premium processing fee of $1,225.

Do Canadian Citizens Need a Visa to Study in the US?

Canadians that wish to carry their studies in the US, do not need to obtain a US student visa. However, they still need to obtain a few documents that must be shown to the US Officer at the port of entry.

These documents are as follows:

• A valid Canadian passport.
• An original I-20 certificate or a DS-2019.
• Evidence of paid SEVIS fee.
• Evidence of financial means to cover expenses in the US (including school fees).
• Proof of strong ties with Canada.

Native Indians Born in Canada Traveling to the US

Since the Jay Treaty was signed in 1974, the Native Indians born in Canada can freely move from Canada to the US, without the need to obtain a visa first. However, they must be able to show strong evidence that they are at least 50% of the American Indian race.

Such evidence might be:

• an identification card from the Ministry of Indian and Northern Affairs
• a written statement from an official of the tribe from which your ancestors originate (which must explicitly state what percentage of American Indian blood you or your parents possess, based on official records)

The traveler must also provide other identification documents as:

• driver’s license, or
• passport

A Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant travel document, which makes special provisions for First Nation travelers, is also required.