Applying for Canadian visiting visa

Plan ahead before you apply, as we need proper documentation and enough funds for your stay in Canada.

Documents Checklist
1. Application for Temporary Resident Visa [IMM 5257] (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5257E.pdf) - This is the primary form where you enter your personal information, purpose of your visit, duration etc. Please have your passport information and the academic information ready before starting this form. Fill electronically and take a print out.
Under the section "Details of Visit to Canada", if you are visiting for tourism enter your trip details. But, if you are visiting for H1 B Stamping, please fill in the following:
1a) Purpose of Visit: Other
 b) Other: Visit US Consulate in Canada
2)  Indicate how long you plan to stay: Please indicate the duration of at least 15 days
3)  Funds available for my stay(CAD): Please provide funds at least to cover your travel, stay and food. I would say something between $4000 to $8000 should be more than enough.
4)  Name, address and relationship of any person(s) or institution(s) I will visit:
     Name: Consulate general of United States
     Relationship to me: US Consulate
     Address in Canada: 1075 West Pender Streer Vancouver, British Columbia V6E2M6, Canada (If attending in Vancouver, if not find your consulate address at http://vancouver.usconsulate.gov/locations.html). 
Upon completion of the form, please make sure you validate it. This will ensure that none of the mandatory fields were left unanswered. (Incomplete applications will be sent back to the applicant).
2. Family Information [IMM 5645]  (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5645E.pdf) - Enter your complete family information though your family members are not traveling along with you.
Type of application is "Visitor"
3. Schedule 1 - Application for Temporary Resident Visa [IMM 5257 - Schedule 1]   (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5257B_1.pdf) - This form has more of the background information questions for security purposes.
4. Visa application photographs: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/photospecs.asp
5. Application fees (http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/seattle/visas/fees-frais.aspx?lang=eng&view=d#a4): The link provides the fee structure for different types of visas. Applications mailed within Unites States should contain DD or money order in US dollars.
6. Proof of legal status: I-797 and I-94.
7. Copy of bank statement and two recent pay stubs.
8. Letter of employment (This should contain the date from which you are employed to your employer, till how long your employment is valid, your gross income and your supervisor details).
9. US consulate appointment letter - This is needed ONLY if the purpose of visit is to attend H1 B visa. Please refer to the guidelines of how to obtain the US Consulate appointment letter.
10. It is good to include the itenary of travel, but is optional.

Mailing you application: There are four locations for submitting TRV(Temporary resident visa) packages in US. Please select a location nearby as the consulate may request the applicant for personal interview in some cases. If submitting the application to Seattle WA branch, please use the below as your mailing address:

Canadian Consulate General
Immigration Section
1501 Fourth Avenue,
Suite 600, Seattle,
WA, 98101

Mailing instructions:
1. If your mailing address is in the USA: Please purchase a prepaid, 9" x 12" USPS Express Mail or USPS Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation envelopes.
2. We will use this envelope to return your passport and documents. Add the documents you wish to send to us. 
3. Complete the mailing label on the return envelope showing your full mailing address in the "Deliver To" field and the address of the Canadian Consulate General in Seattle in the “Return Address” field (see address below).
4.  Enter a daytime telephone number on the mailing label above the recipient address.
5. Make a note of the tracking number for each envelope.
6. If you chose to not provide us with a return envelope, we will mail you via regular mail (US Postal Service First Class Mail).
7.  Please note that we will not send mail to U.S. addresses using any commercial courier service.
8.  If you have already provided us with a return envelope do not send us a 2nd envelope if you mail us more documents later.

Guideliness for obtaining US Consulate appointment letter:
1. You need a DS-160 application number in order to book an appointment. Start a new application at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. Save your application id and use it while booking visa date.
2. http://usvisa-info.com/en-CA/selfservice/login - Fill out the application, pay fee and enter select your loomis. If your are planning to visit the US Consulate in Vancouver Canada, the nearby loomis is Richmond.