Canada Visa Requirements | Online Application for Kenyans 2023

Kenyan tourists can apply for a Canadian visa online.

Canada and I go so many moons back.

I first met her 22 year ago in grade 5 in a Geography class.

The topic was ‘countries of the world‘. Mr Odhiambo was the teacher. I vividly recall the so many cool things he taught us about this country.

“If you forget everything else I have said about Canada, remember that it is the second largest country in the world and 60 percent of all the earth’s lakes drench its length and breadth”.

He concluded. I held my breath in gratitude to my teacher for this new found truth.

“This must be nature’s amphitheater”. I said to myself. I purposed to return some day to this halcyon paradise.

Canada has been a life-long bucket list destination  — but I’d been putting it in the back banner for various reasons, including visa matters.

But don’t be like me and wait for 22 years. Applying for a Canada tourist visa is so easy I don’t even know why I waited so long!

The application process is SO simple that I did it all by myself in the comfort of my sofa (hakuna hata kuenda embassy!).

Therefore, with the help of this guide, let me make your Canada travel dreams on a Kenyan passport a breeze!

…But first, let’s do some housekeeping:

NO ONE can guarantee the approval of your Canada visa: not me, not a consulate employee, not a travel agent. Anyone purporting to do so is a scam bag. Having gotten that out of the way, what is in this comprehensive guide are helpful tips to increase your chances of getting your Canadian tourist visa approved.

Update:

Starting July 31, 2018, you may need to give your fingerprints and photos (biometrics) when you apply for a visitor visa, study or work permit, or permanent residence if you are from Europe, the Middle East or Africa.

Find out if these changes may apply to you.

Canadian Visa Requirements

Here is a list of all the documents you will need to apply for a Canadian visa in Kenya:

1. Your Kenya Passport. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least 1 year, has a minimum of two (2) blank pages and that you have signed it (signature place is on second-last page of your passport).
2. Scanned electronic copy of your Kenya Passport bio-data page. This is found on the last page (the section with your passport photo and other personal details).
3. Travel history
   •  If you hold a valid visa from the United States, provide a clear, scanned copy of your visa as well as other travel history.
   • This can include scanned copies of:
     • your previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside Kenya)
     • entry and exit stamps
     • study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside of Kenya
     • expired or valid visas
     • boarding passes.
   • If you are living outside your country of citizenship, please submit a copy of your immigration status document for the country where you currently reside.  This could be:
     • a work permit,
     • study permit,
     • visa,
     • or any other document that authorizes you to be in the country where you are living.
   • Combine all these in 1 file. I used my cheap Samsung phone to take the pictures then used Jpg2pdf to convert the pictures and combine the documents into one pdf file ready for upload. Alternatively, If your files are in PDF format, you can also use Adobe Acrobat to merge them into one page/document. If they’re pictures, you can also insert all of them into a Word document to generate one d file.
   • The only way to collect entry/exit stamps is to leave our Kenyan borders. Having a travel history is one way of increasing your chances of getting your Canada tourist visa approved ♡.
   • If your Canada tourist visa application is approved, you will have to submit the passport(s) that contains the visas and arrival stamps (whether they are old or current passport[s]).
4. Your Passport-size digital photo. Should measure (35mm x 45mm) and on a white background. Check the specs here: Canada Visa Photo
5. A duly filled Application for Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) You can get it from here: Form IMM5257 
   

   • Properly fill the form with your information in CAPITAL LETTERS (including your email address) either digitally on the computer or by hand.
     • You will however have to print the document and then physically sign it by hand.
   • There is a section here that asks for name, address and relationship of persons/institution(s) you will visit in Canada as well as your intended date of entry and period of stay…
     • Since I was applying for a Canada tourist visa without a guarantor or sponsor, I filled in this section with names and addresses of two hotels that I’d be staying at.
     • If this is your circumstance, this does  NOT mean that you have to book your hotels upfront as you are not even sure if your visa will be approved nor do you need to submit your accommodation documents.
     • So what I did was to simply use Booking.com website and book a hotel that has free cancellations in case my visa wasn’t approved.
     • With Booking.com you can reserve a hotel with NO pre-payment and there are many accommodation options with free cancellation charges up to a day before your arrival.
   • Once you have finished filling in Form IMM5257, validate it by clicking the blue button in the top middle of the form.
     • This is to ensure that you have filled in all sections of the form and also generates a bar code.
     • No need to physically sign Form IMM5257 if you are submitting your Canada visa application electronically. You get a chance to provide your electronic signature later in the application process.
   • There is no need to print this form unless for your own use.
   1. • Properly fill the form with your information in CAPITAL LETTERS (including your email address) either digitally on the computer or by hand.
        • You will however have to print the document and then physically sign it by hand.
        • Put “N/A” in all spaces that do not apply to you. Do NOT leave anything blank.
      • There is a section here that ask for the present addresses of your family members…
        If any of them is deceased please enter the city and date of death.
6. A duly filled Family Information Form 5645
   1. • Download Form 5645 here. 
      • I had trouble downloading Form IMM5645 from the Canadian embassy website so I downloaded it from this Travel Republic link.

   

7. Purpose of Travel. Submit evidence that your visit to Canada is temporary. Flight and hotel reservations as well as a day-to-day itinerary for Canada should be sufficient.
   • You don’t need to pay for the air tickets. You can find one here: Flight and Hotel Reservations
   • You can also read this post here on ways to get a travel itinerary for Canada visa application .
     Get €25 cashback with your next Booking.com reservation. Simply click this link and after your stay the money will be applied to your credit card.
8. Proof of means of support while in Canada. If you are visiting Canada, you must prove that you can support yourself and the dependents who will be with you while you are in Canada. The requirements for this differ depending on your particular situation.
   • Scan or take pictures of as many of these documents as you can:
     • your bank statements for the past four months
     • a bank draft in convertible currency
     • proof of assets or business
     • proof of payment for accommodation
     • tax reports, declarations or statements
     • proof of a student/education loan from a financial institution
     • a letter from the person or institution providing you with money
     • proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program
     • proof of a Canadian bank account in your name if money has been transferred to Canada
   • For employed persons. In addition to the above:
     • an employment letter
     •  payslips
       .
   • For self-employed / business persons. In addition to the above:
     • If you own a business, digital copies of your Business Registration issued by the Attorney General’s office.
     • If you’re a freelancer, provide latest photocopy of your Tax returns and proof of work (examples: screenshots of your work, letter from clients, proof of payments for your work, etc.).
     • If you do NOT have any of the above, write a simple letter explaining your situations (e.g.: if you are new in business, newly self-employed, being taxed elsewhere, etc.)
       .
   • For retirees. In addition to the above:
     • Digital copy of your retirement letter.
       .
   • For unemployed persons.
     • Based on the Canadian High Commission in Kenya’s requirements for visa applicants, I recommend that you get a guarantor/sponsor who can to support your application. Refer to section (B) below for this.
       .
   • Combine all these proof of means of support documents into 1 file. I used my cheap Samsung phone to take the pictures then used Jpg2pdf to convert the pictures and combine the documents into one pdf file ready for upload.
   • In case you are a student, minor, housewife, ‘househusband’, or a person who has no income, etc.
     • Refer to section (B) below.

       (A) Canada Tourist Visa Without any Guarantor or Sponsor

Search for Hotels: Canada Hotels

Additional guidelines for your documents:

• Your form(s) and document(s) must be in digital format.
• You do not need to sign your application form by hand if you submit your application form online. You will be asked to provide a digital signature once you are ready to transmit your documents.
• One file will be allowed per document type. For example, if you are asked to provide multiple pages of your travel history, you must scan and save all pages as one file.
• You will be required to upload every requested form and document. You will not be able to move on to the next section until you upload every form/document.
• A “help” feature provides you with more information about each form/document. The help text will appear below the list of documents.
• The maximum size for each file is 4 MB (four megabytes). Any of the below file formats is accepted:
  • PDF (Portable Document)
  • JPG, TIFF, or PNG (Image)
  • DOC or DOCX (Microsoft Word Document.

If your file is bigger than 4 MB, you should reduce the size. Here are some tips for making reducing your file size.

PDF format

• Recreate the PDF with Adobe Distiller set to “lowest file size.”
• Ensure that all images in the PDF are set to 96 DPI (dots per inch).
• Remove all unnecessary images.

JPG format

• Scan your document at a lower DPI (dots per inch).
• Remove all empty space around the image.
• Shrink the image.
• Reduce the JPG image quality.

TIFF and PNG format

• Scan your document at a lower DPI (dots per inch).
• Crop the image to remove any empty space around the image.
• Shrink the image.
• Save the file as a JPG format instead.

DOC and DOCX format

• Remove unnecessary images, formatting and macros. Save the file as a recent Word version.
• Reduce the file size of the images before they are inserted in the document.
• If it is still too large, save the file as a PDF format.

Step 1: Determine the type of Canadian Visa you Need to Apply for

There are, obviously, many types of Canada visas out there that you can apply for: a study visa, a business visa, a family visa, etc.

For this particular guide though, I will only be discussing the requirements for a tourist visa if you’re employed, self-employed or don’t have a job because this is the experience that I went through myself.

If, however, your situation or reason for visiting Canada is different, (e.g. you’re employed, or you need a Canada visa for work or as spouse of Canadian), I recommend that you contact the Canada Embassy for more information and for the necessary requirements. You can do this via telephone  (254-20) 366 3000) or via email: nairobi@international.gc.ca

Step 2: Prepare the required application documents

Your individual circumstance will determine which documents you need. Before starting, make sure that you have clear copies of all the required documents before beginning your application!

You will also need to have a valid credit card to make payment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying For Canadian Tourist Visa

1) How much is the visa processing fee for Canadian Visitor Visa Application?

It’s 100 CAD for the processing fee alone.

2) How long does the Canada visa processing time in Kenya take?

It generally takes 7-14 days.

But sometimes, it can take longer, depending on the circumstances. For me, this is how the process took for me:

As you can see from above screenshots, (one of my G-Mail account and the other for my CIC account), .

• May 21: I submitted my application online and received confirmation of my online application transmission.
• May 21: I received an update confirming that my application has been received.
• May 29: I received an update that a decision has been made on my application and that I should submit my original passport to the embassy.
• June 12: I received an update that my passport was ready and available at the courier for pick up.

3) Do I need to have a ‘proof of funds’?

Sure since one of the requirements is your means of support for your trip! However, although there is no stipulated amount that you should show, 200 CAD for each day of stay is a safe figure to work with. But make sure you have sufficient funds to cover all your accommodation, meals, flights, and any other contingencies as well.

4) What if my visa gets denied?

You can always re-apply. However, make sure that you first addressed the issues that likely led to your visa being denied. You will use your old CIC Account to reapply.

5) Is there a limit to the file size that is to be uploaded?

Yes! The maximum allowable is 4 MB.

6) I have a valid U.S. Visa. Do I still need to apply for a Visit Visa to Canada?

Yes, Kenya passport holders need a visitor visa to travel to, or transit through, Canada even if they hold a valid US visa.

7) I forgot to attach a document to my application. Is there a way that I can send them after I have already submitted my application?

No, you can only send additional documents if the embassy asks you to. This is why you have to thoroughly check your documents and make sure you have attached all the requirements.

8) How long can I stay in Canada?

Generally, those on a Canadian tourist visa are allowed up to a 6-month stay at a time from the day they first enter Canada. However, depending on your visa, you may be allowed to stay for less than 6 months. Please check your visa.

9) Can my authorized length of stay be extended?

Yes, you can apply for an extension not less than 30 days before the authorized end of your stay.

10) Do I need to buy travel insurance?

It is not one of the mandatory requirements. But in a world where the deck is often stacked against travelers, I guess it’s always better safe than sorry. Personally I never leave Kenya without travel insurance. Check out World Nomads for their very competitive rates 🙂

11) Is it advisable to use a tour agency to process your Canada tourist visa?

To be honest, applying for a Canada tourist visa as a Kenyan national is so easy I don’t even know why I waited so long! The application process is SO simple that I did it all by myself in the comfort of my sofa (hakuna hata kuenda embassy!).

But it pretty much depends on you. If you have the money to splurge but no time to do it all by yourself, then by all means, go ye therefore and use an agency.

12. What is UCI in Canada visa application?

If you are applying to us for the first time, you will not yet have a client ID. If so, and you are filling out a form that asks for one, write “Not Applicable” or “N/A” in the space provided.

13. How long is the validity of a Canadian visa?

All people I know who have received a Canadian tourist visa,  the visa validity was same as their passport validity. So if your passport has only two years left before it expires, you will be given two years multiple entry.

I for instance, I got a 4 year multiple entry visa with the exact same expiry date as that of my passport.

14. How much money should I have in the bank account to have my Canada visa approved?

Honestly, I don’t know. But I suggest you work with a figure of at least CAD $150 per day you plan to stay in Canada. And of course ensure to have some more money to show that you have something to spend when you return home.

15.  How soon after receiving notification should I send my passport to the embassy?

You have 30 days from the day you receive the notice, to submit your passport.

16. I can’t open my IMM 5257 visa application form in PDF format. What can I do?

For PC users

1. Under ‘optional documents’  find the link Schedule 1 – Application for a Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside Canada (IMM 5257) that you want to save (you may need to go back to the previous page to find it)
2. Right-click the link.
3. Select “Save target as” or “Save link as”.
4. Choose the location on your computer where you would like to save the file.
5. Select “Save”.
6. Use Windows Explorer to get to the location where you saved the file.
7. Right click on the PDF file.
8. Select “Open with”.
9. Select “Choose program”.
10. Select “Adobe Acrobat Reader”.
11. Make sure to check the box that says “Always use this program to open these files”.
12. Select “OK”.

For more information concerning your Canadian visa application as a Kenyan, please visit the High Commission of Canada in Kenya website. Wish you all the best with your visa application!! 🙂