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How to Apply for a U.S. Visa from Canada

Last Updated: December 27, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Miatrai Brown, Esq. . Miatrai Brown is an Immigration Lawyer based in Washington D.C. With over 10 years of academic and professional experience, her areas of focus include employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, investment-based immigration, family-based immigration, risk management assessment, and regulatory compliance. She began her legal career exclusively practicing immigration and nationality law as external immigration counsel to large U.S. corporations and fast-moving start-ups. After six years at top immigration firms, she opened her own practice, Direct U.S. Immigration. This move was motivated by her desire to provide more access to a high level of immigration support to clients worldwide. As a thoughtful and strategic advisor on immigration and related matters, Direct U.S. Immigration earned an impressive honor as Immigration Law Firm of the Year 2023 – Washington DC. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 21,581 times.

Most Canadian citizens do not need a visa to travel to the United States. However, there are a few specific instances in which Canadians will need to obtain a visa before entering the U.S. If you fall into any of these narrow categories, you’ll need to apply for—and obtain—a U.S. visa. All visa applications must be made online. You can apply for a visa online through the U.S. State Department website. Prior to receiving your American visa, you’ll need to appear for an in-person interview at the U.S. embassy in Ottawa, or at any of 6 consulates in Canada.

Determining Which Visa You Need

• Apply for an A visa if you’re a Canadian government official entering the U.S. for a work assignment.
• Apply for a G visa if you’re an employee of an international organization entering the U.S. for a work assignment.
• Apply for a non-immigrant visa if you’re a NATO employee being assigned to work in the U.S.

• Treaty traders must apply for an E-1 visa, while treaty investors must apply for an E-2 visa.

• As a part of the fiancé visa application process, you’ll need to fill out form I-129F. Access more information and the form itself online at: https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f .
• All fiancé visa interviews must be held in Montreal. So, you’ll need to travel to Montreal for the interview portion of your interview application.

• When applying for a V-1 visa, you’ll also need to fill out Forms I-539 and I-693. Find links to the forms, and learn more, at: https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-green-card-holders-permanent-residents/v-visa/v-nonimmigrant-visas .
• Your children will need to have an application for a V-2 visa filled out in their name(s) as well.

Completing the Online Application

• From this site, you can also continue an existing application that you’ve previously worked on and saved.

• You can access the DS-160 application form online at: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ .
• To see a sample DS-160 form before beginning your online application, visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/PDF-other/DS-160_Example.pdf .
• As part of the DS-160 online filing process, you’ll also select the consulate at which you’d like to have your interview.

• If you don’t have a current digital photo, you can take one using a smartphone, then upload it to the computer on which you’re filling out your visa application. Or, visit a professional photography agency.

• The fee is for $160 USD.

• You can find American Consulate telephone numbers online at: https://www.usembassy.gov/ . Type “Canada” into the search bar, and scroll down to find the Consulate location you’re closest to.
• If you pass the interview, the consulate staff will issue you your visa.

Expert Q&A

• The 6 U.S. consulates in Canada are located in: Halifax, Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, and Quebec City. [9] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about citizenship and immigration, check out our in-depth interview with Miatrai Brown, Esq. .

• ↑ https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/do-i-need-a-visa/
• ↑ https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/treaty-trader-and-investor-visas/
• ↑ https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee/
• ↑ https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/forms/ds-160-online-nonimmigrant-visa-application/ds-160-faqs.html
• ↑ https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html
• ↑ https://lostintheleafcity.com/apply-for-us-non-immigrant-visa-from-canada/
• ↑ https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/contact-information/

About this article

To apply for a U.S. visa from Canada, first decide which type of visa you’ll need. For example, if you’re traveling to the U.S. for work, you should apply for a non-immigrant visa. Alternatively, if you’re the fiance of an American citizen, you should apply for a K-1 visa. To complete the online application, visit the visa information website for the U.S. Embassy in Canada and click apply. After you fill in your information, you’ll need to upload a recent photo of yourself, pay the $160 visa fee, and attend an in-person interview at a U.S. consulate. For advice on taking an acceptable visa photo, read on. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States as a temporary visitor, please review the current wait time for an interview using the tool below. Not all visa applications can be completed on the day of the interview; please read the information below for more details .

Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Note: Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times.

Select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

Global Visa Wait Times

Wait Time for Interview

The estimated wait time to receive a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate and is based on workload and staffing and can vary from week to week. The information provided is an estimate and does not guarantee the availability of an appointment.

Wait Time for Interview Waiver

Wait times for applicants eligible for Interview Waiver are applicable only for locations where applicants schedule appointments to submit their passport and any required documents to a U.S. embassy or consulate. The wait time estimate does not account for the time required for a consular officer to adjudicate the application nor mailing time of passports or other documents. Refer to the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will apply to determine your eligibility for Interview Waiver and for instructions for submitting a nonimmigrant visa application. Note that applicants must be a national or resident of the country where they are applying to be eligible to apply via Interview Waiver.

Qualifications for an Expedited Interview Appointment

Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, or school start date. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location. You should refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section  where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site. You will need to provide proof of the need for an earlier appointment.

In all cases : You must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment. Only at this point will a consular section consider your request for an expedited appointment.

Note: Travel for the purpose of attending weddings and graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives, participating in an annual business/academic/professional conference, or enjoying last-minute tourism does not qualify for expedited appointments. For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.

These estimates do not include time required for administrative processing, which may affect some applications. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.

There are only two possible outcomes for U.S. visa applications. The consular officer will either issue or refuse the visa. If a visa applicant has not established that he or she is eligible for a visa, the consular officer must refuse that application. However, some refused visa applications may require further administrative processing. When administrative processing is required, the consular officer will inform the applicant at the end of the interview. The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. At the conclusion of the administrative processing period, the consular officer might conclude that an applicant is now qualified for the visa for which he or she applied. The officer may also conclude that the applicant remains ineligible for a visa. Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visas, well in advance of the anticipated travel date.

Important Notice:   Except in cases of emergency travel (i.e. serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later.

About Visa Processing Wait Times – Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

Information about nonimmigrant visa wait times for interviews and visa processing time frames are shown on this website, as well as on U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites worldwide. It should be noted that the “Wait Times for a Nonimmigrant Visa to be Processed” information by country does not include time required for administrative processing. Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system.

In addition, it is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific  Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website  for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Embassy and Consulate websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.

About Wait Times

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† Work days refers only to days when the embassy is open and does not include weekends and holidays.      

‡ A, G, and NATO applications are excluded from these wait times, as they are processed separately.

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The CBSA and U.S. CBP provide an update on the NEXUS program

From: Canada Border Services Agency

News release

April 2, 2024

Ottawa, Ontario

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) NEXUS program speeds up border crossings for frequent travellers from Canada and the United States. Since 2002, the bilateral trusted traveller program has supported communities and economic interests on both sides of the border by expediting the crossing of pre-screened travellers and allowing border officers to focus more attention on stopping illegal activities and criminals.

Work is underway to increase the NEXUS application fee from US$50 to US$120 effective October 1, 2024, subject to approval of regulatory amendments in the United States and Canada.

The current fee, set over 20 years ago, no longer covers the cost of the program. The new fee would reflect more accurately the cost of administrating the program and the investment required for future program improvements, including technology and infrastructure enhancements. This would work out to US$24 per year for the 5-year membership.    

The proposed increase would help keep up with the high demand for the program and continue to improve NEXUS. Since April 2023, we have received over 510,000 applications and completed almost 10,000 interviews every 2 weeks.

Applicants are encouraged to book their interview as soon as possible. Appointments are always available on the Trusted Traveller Programs System . Many enrolment centres offer next-day availability for scheduling interviews, allowing applicants to book their appointments quickly.

In anticipation of an increase in demand between now and October, the CBSA and U.S. CBP remain ready to process applications and will continue to make interviews available.

Over the past year, the CBSA and U.S. CBP have:

• Reduced the inventory of NEXUS interviews by 25% since July 2022.
• Expanded hours of service at enrolment centres in both Canada and the U.S. to increase the availability of interview appointments.
• Introduced split interviews at land enrolment centres, offering additional interview options for applicants.
• Reopened Canadian airport enrolment centres for two-step interviews.
• Provided flexibility for applicants to complete the interview process, while encouraging them to complete their interviews as soon as possible.

Quick facts

Applicants who have submitted their application and paid the US$50 fee, but have not completed their enrolment interviews by October 1, 2024, will not have to pay the proposed US$120 fee.

The proposed fee aligns with the fee harmonization across other Trusted Traveller Programs administered by U.S. CBP .

The NEXUS program currently has over 1.8 million members, with the majority of members being Canadian.

NEXUS cards allow members to:

• use self-serve NEXUS kiosks or eGates when entering Canada at nine major international airports
• use dedicated vehicle lanes at 20 designated land border crossings
• use U.S. Global Entry kiosks for entry into the U.S.
• receive expedited clearance through CATSA security screening lines at major and select mid-sized airports in Canada
• receive expedited clearance through the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Pre-Check lines at over 200 participating U.S. airports
• clear the border by boat using the Telephone Reporting Centre and pre-register your arrival at 426 designated sites

Associated links

• NEXUS: Trusted traveller program for travel by air, land and boat
• NEXUS | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov)

For more information, please contact:

Border Information Services 1-800-461-9999 Contact us online Live agents are available Monday to Friday from 7 am to 7 pm Eastern Time

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Brazil again extends visa exemptions for US, Canada and Australia, this time until 2025

Brazil’s government has extended exemptions to tourist visa requirements for citizens of the U.S., Australia and Canada until April 2025, extending a program aimed at boosting tourism that had been scheduled to end Wednesday

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brazil’s government extended exemptions to tourist visa requirements for citizens of the U.S., Australia and Canada until April 2025, extending a program aimed at boosting tourism that had been scheduled to end Wednesday.

The decision, issued by Brazilian presidency and the Ministry of Foreign Relations late Tuesday, marks the third time Brazil has delayed the visa requirement since President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office in 2023.

His predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, exempted the countries from visas as a means to boost tourism — although all three countries continued to demand visas from Brazilians.

That went against the South American country’s tradition of requiring visas from travelers based on the principle of reciprocity and equal treatment, and prompted Lula’s Foreign Ministry to say it would scrap the exemptions.

“Brazil does not grant unilateral exemption from visiting visas, without reciprocity, to other countries,” the ministry said at the time, while noting that the government stood ready to negotiate visa waiver agreements on a reciprocal basis. It did reach a deal with Japan to ease travel provisions.

The decision to maintain exemptions for the three countries is important for boosting tourism in Brazil, notably from the U.S., Brazil’s official tourism board Embratur said in a statement Tuesday.

Official data shows that nearly 670,000 Americans visited Brazil in 2023, making the U.S. the second largest country of origin after neighboring Argentina.

The government initially postponed the reinstatement of the visa requirement in October, then again in January. At the time, the government said it was still finalizing a new visa system and wanted to avoid implementing it close to the high season, mainly during the New Year’s celebrations and Carnival festivities in February, which attract tens of thousands of tourists.

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Brazil again extends visa exemptions for US, Canada and Australia, this time until 2025

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil’s government extended exemptions to tourist visa requirements for citizens of the U.S., Australia and Canada until April 2025, extending a program aimed at boosting tourism that had been scheduled to end Wednesday.

The decision, issued by Brazilian presidency and the Ministry of Foreign Relations late Tuesday, marks the third time Brazil has delayed the visa requirement since President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office in 2023.

His predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, exempted the countries from visas as a means to boost tourism — although all three countries continued to demand visas from Brazilians.

That went against the South American country’s tradition of requiring visas from travelers based on the principle of reciprocity and equal treatment, and prompted Lula’s Foreign Ministry to say it would scrap the exemptions.

“Brazil does not grant unilateral exemption from visiting visas, without reciprocity, to other countries,” the ministry said at the time, while noting that the government stood ready to negotiate visa waiver agreements on a reciprocal basis. It did reach a deal with Japan to ease travel provisions.

The decision to maintain exemptions for the three countries is important for boosting tourism in Brazil, notably from the U.S., Brazil’s official tourism board Embratur said in a statement Tuesday.

Official data shows that nearly 670,000 Americans visited Brazil in 2023, making the U.S. the second largest country of origin after neighboring Argentina.

The government initially postponed the reinstatement of the visa requirement in October, then again in January. At the time, the government said it was still finalizing a new visa system and wanted to avoid implementing it close to the high season, mainly during the New Year’s celebrations and Carnival festivities in February, which attract tens of thousands of tourists.

Brazil Delays Visa Requirement for American Tourists Until 2025

Dawit Habtemariam , Skift

April 10th, 2024 at 9:20 AM EDT

Brazil keeps pushing back its visa requirement for tourists from Australia, U.S. and Canada. Given the value of these markets to Brazil, maybe it should scrap the requirement altogether.

Dawit Habtemariam

Brazil postponed reinstating its visa requirements for tourists from Australia, Canada, and the U.S. until 2025, with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signing a decree that included that action on Tuesday.

“The decree… postpones the start of [visa] collection to April 10, 2025,” said the tourism board, Embratur .

In 2019, Brazil changed its rules, allowing citizens from the U.S., Canada, and Australia to travel to Brazil without visas — after years of requiring them.

The Brazilian government planned to reinstate the visa requirement last October. But it postponed the change until January and then until this month. It has now postponed the change until April 2025.

Brazil Embraces Tourism

Embratur has been implementing an international dissemination strategy to inform the press, airlines, operator associations, and tourism agencies of the postponement. 

The U.S. is Brazil’s second-largest international tourist market. Nearly 670,000 Americans visited Brazil in 2023, according to Embratur.  In the first two months of 2024, North American arrivals in Brazil were 11% higher than in the same period of the previous year.

New Visa Rules in 2025

Starting April 10, 2025, Americans, Canadians, and Australians will have to apply for the visa. Its cost stands at $80.90. The visa’s validity length is as follows:

• Americans: 10-year period. 
• Canadians: 5-year period.
• Australians: 5-year period.

Tour operators have warned that the new rules would make Brazil less competitive.

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Tags: brazil , latin america , tourism , visa

Want to visit Brazil? From next year, travellers will need to share their bank statements first

By CNN staff | 1 day ago

2024 is shaping up to be the year of travel reprieves.

Hot on the heels of the European Union postponing (again) its much-mooted ETIAS program, which will require visitors from most non-EU countries to obtain pre-travel clearance, Brazil has pushed back the start of its new visa system for travellers from the US, Canada and Australia.

However, if 2024 is the year of the reprieve, 2025 is when everything will hit home. And for travellers from those three countries heading to Brazil, it'll hit home, hit their bank balances – and require them to share their bank statements, too.

READ MORE: Here's what it's really like travelling on Air NZ's Skycouch

ETIAS is slated to start in 2025 and Brazil has now confirmed a start date for its visa program.

From April 10, 2025, citizens from Australia, Canada and the US will need a visa to enter the country. On the plus side, those travelling for tourism or cruise travel can apply for an evisa online, rather than visiting a consulate.

The cost will be $124 AUD, but the visa will be valid for 10 years and across multiple entries. Stays are limited to 90 days per year. The visa was previously due to be introduced in 2024 – or, rather, reintroduced.

Until 2019, travellers to Brazil were required to get visas – with evisas introduced only a year before the system was abolished completely.

Applicants will also need to provide additional information, according to the Brazilian government's website . A letter of intent should detail the dates and purpose of the trip, as well as confirmed details of where you'll be staying. Proof of residence in the US, and return tickets to Brazil (or, if not, a signed return declaration), and proof of income will also be required.

READ MORE: How to have a stress-free and fun family holiday in Noosa

The latter takes the form of the last three checking or savings account statements, or your last six payslips, and travellers will need an average of at least $2,000 ($3,058 AUD) showing in their account. Those who don't meet the requirements must get a sponsor to sign for them, showing their finances instead.

READ MORE: Inside Scenic Eclipse II, the ultra-luxury yacht that's sailing around Australia

While it sounds complex, visa systems tend to work on reciprocity and it's a similar situation for Brazilians travelling to the US – only worse.

Currently, almost all Brazilian citizens must schedule a visa appointment at their nearest embassy, and show that they have the means to pay for their entire proposed trip. A visa to the US – even for those transiting – costs $185.

Processing times for the Brazil visa system will be an average of five working days although VFS – the company handling applications – "strongly recommends" applying two months ahead of travel.

Brazil saw nearly six million arrivals in 2023, with 483,000 US citizens visiting in the first nine months of the year alone. That puts US visitors second only to Argentinians, according to travel trade publication TravelPulse .

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I am visiting the U.S. and I want to come to Canada. Do I need an eTA?

Most travellers need a visitor visa or an eTA to travel to, or transit through, Canada.

What you need depends on:

• the type of travel document you will travel with;
• the country that issued your travel document;
• your nationality; and
• how you will travel to Canada.

Before you apply , find out what you need .

New entry requirement now in effect

Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada by air. Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens , and Canadian permanent residents cannot apply for an eTA.

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Answers others found useful

• Do I need a visa to visit Canada?
• Do I need a Canadian visa if I have a United States visa?
• How do I apply for an eTA for travel to Canada?
• Do I need a visa if I am travelling through Canada without stopping or visiting?
• How do I help a family member or friend apply to visit Canada?
• I am travelling with my minor child without my spouse. What documents must I present?
• What’s the difference between a visitor visa and a visitor record?
• Do I need to apply for both a visitor visa and an eTA?

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Glossary term

• Admissibility

Saturday, April 13, 2024 2:57 am (Paris)

• International

Brazil again postpones visa requirements for US, Canada and Australia, this time until 2025

The decision marks the third time it has delayed the visa requirement since President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office. His predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, exempted the countries from visas as a means to boost tourism.

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Brazil's government has postponed until April 2025 tourist visa exemptions for citizens of the United States, Australia and Canada that had been scheduled to end on Wednesday, April 10.

The decision, issued by Brazilian presidency and the Ministry of Foreign Relations late Tuesday, marks the third time Brazil has delayed the visa requirement since President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office in 2023. His predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, exempted the countries from visas as a means to boost tourism – although all three countries continued to demand visas from Brazilians.

That went against the South American country's tradition of requiring visas from travelers based on the principle of reciprocity and equal treatment and prompted Lula's Foreign Ministry to say it would scrap the exemptions.

“Brazil does not grant unilateral exemption from visiting visas, without reciprocity, to other countries,” the ministry said at the time, while noting that the government stood ready to negotiate visa waiver agreements on a reciprocal basis. It did reach a deal with Japan to ease travel provisions.

The decision to maintain exemptions for the three countries is important for boosting tourism in Brazil, notably from the US, Brazil's official tourism board Embratur said in a statement Tuesday. Official data shows that nearly 670,000 Americans visited Brazil in 2023, making the US the second largest country of origin after neighboring Argentina.

The government initially postponed the reinstatement of the visa requirement in October, then again in January. At the time, the government said it was still finalizing a new visa system and wanted to avoid implementing it close to the high season, mainly during the New Year's celebrations and Carnival festivities in February, which attract tens of thousands of tourists.

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