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How to submit an application at the New York visa office
ATTENTION: Applications for temporary resident visas for clients residing in Canada and holding valid study or work permits: clients from visa required countries present in Canada and holding a valid study or work permit must apply for a temporary resident visa counterfoil at the Case Processing Pilot office – Ottawa (CPP-O) as per the instructions at the following website.
How to Apply
- We strongly encourage you to apply online wherever possible.
- If you cannot submit your application online, please see our Mailing Instructions below.
- The Consulate General in New York is no longer accepting applications for study permits except in the case of citizens of, or persons legally admitted to, Bermuda. Study permit applications from citizens or persons legally admitted to the United States (including Puerto Rico) and St. Pierre et Miquelon should be submitted to the Consulate General in Los Angeles.
- Passports and original documents will no longer be returned in-person. All passports and documents will be returned by mail. Refer to Mailing Instructions below.
- The visa office is open to the public Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 8:30 am to 10:30 am.
- Processing times for applications submitted in person will be the same as those submitted by mail. Note that we will give priority to applications submitted online.
The visa office in New York accepts the following applications:
- The visa office in New York reviews applications made by citizens of, and persons lawfully admitted to, the United States (including Puerto Rico) for:
- A Temporary Resident Visa;
- A Work Permit;
- A Permanent Resident Travel Document;
- A Temporary Resident Permit;
- Criminal Rehabilitation; and
- Authority to Return to Canada.
- We also review applications in the above categories as well as Study Permit Applications from citizens of, and persons lawfully admitted, to Bermuda.
- We also review applications for a Work Permit from people who hold valid visitor status in Canada.
- Citizens and permanent residents of the USA do not need a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada and may also apply at a Port-of-Entry for:
- A Study Permit;
- A Work Permit;
- A Temporary Resident Permit;
- All other people should refer to the page: How to submit an application
Applying Online
- The easiest and fastest way to apply is online.
Applying Using Paper Forms
- The application forms for a Temporary Resident Visa, Work Permit and Study Permit include a barcode page (page 5). You must complete the forms electronically and then click “Validate” in order to generate the bar-code page. The bar-code page must be printed in high quality and bear the applicant’s signature.
- Carefully review the application Instruction Guide and Application Checklists for a Temporary Resident Visa, Work Permit, Study Permit, Permanent Resident Travel Document, Temporary Resident Permit, Rehabilitation, and Authority to Return to Canada. Ensure that all required documents are included with your application package. Remember to include the Family Information [IMM 5645] form.
- Include an acceptable return mail envelope for the return of your passport and documents- see the Mailing Instructions below.
- Your application package must also include the correct processing fee. Refer to the Fee Schedule for exact dollar amounts and acceptable forms of payment.
- Representatives (immigration consultants, travel agents, family members or friends): If the application is submitted by anyone other than the applicant, then the application must include the Use of Representative [IMM 5476] form.
- You should also ensure that your application package is complete before you send it to us.
If your application is not complete, we will not process it.
Mailing Instructions
General Information:
- To apply by mail, send your application package to the address listed below.
- Processing Times for applications submitted in person are the same as those submitted by mail.
- The visa office will return passports to addresses in the USA, Bermuda or Canada only.
- We will keep your passports while your application is in process. We will return original documents and the passport after processing your application.
- The visa office is not responsible for passports or documents lost or delayed in the mail or customs systems.
- The visa office will not return passports or documents by commercial courier.
- Enter a daytime telephone number on the mailing label above the recipient address.
If your mailing address is in the USA:
- Include a self-addressed United States Postal Service/ USPS Express Mail flat rate envelope with the correct postage stamp affixed. Metered postage is unacceptable.
- Keep a record of the tracking number on the USPS Express Mail label so that you can track delivery of the envelope at www.USPS.com.
- For USPS Priority Mail envelopes, you must also attach a Delivery Confirmation form with correct postage stamp affixed. Metered postage is unacceptable.(Priority Mail envelopes do not have a tracking number.)
- If you do not provide an acceptable return envelope, the visa office will mail your passports and original documents via regular mail with no tracking number.
If your mailing address is in Canada:
We return passports and documents to addresses in Canada by US Postal Service First Class Mail only.
Send your mail to:
Consulate General of Canada
Immigration Section
1251 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, NY 10020
How to apply in person
Opening Hours:
No appointment is necessary to submit an application in person. The Consulate accepts applications in person as follows except during holiday closures (which may differ from local holidays):
Temporary Resident Visa (Visitors)/Travel Document for Permanent Resident Abroad/Work Permit/Study Permit/Verification of Entry:
We are open to the public Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30am to 10:30am, except on Statutory Holidays.
Include an acceptable return mail envelope as all passports and original documents will be returned by mail- see the Mailing Instructions above.
Ensure your application package is complete before you come to the visa office. The visa office staff cannot provide counselling about what documents you should include with your application.
Building Security: All people entering the Immigration section must pass through a metal detector and submit to a visual check of handbags, backpacks, etc. The Consulate General of Canada reserves the right to prohibit entry of anyone who fails to comply with the screening process.
Processing Times for applications submitted in person are the same as those submitted by mail.
Urgent processing requests
If you believe that we should process your application faster than the normal processing time listed on our website, you must complete an 'Urgent Processing Request Form' and submit it along with your complete application and processing fees. An officer will review your request and determine if your application warrants urgent processing. If your application meets our criteria for urgent processing, we will inform you of the next steps. If an officer determines that your application does not warrant urgent processing, your application will be processed within the normal processing time. This form is for use with applications for Temporary Residence only.
Urgent processing is granted rarely and for compelling reasons only (e.g. death in the immediate family). The form for urgent processing is not available online. Requests such as this must be made in person at the time the application is made. The form is available at the office only. You must also submit any documentation available as evidence of the situation requiring your urgent presence in Canada.
Address
Consulate General of Canada
Immigration Section
1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
The offices of the Consulate General of Canada are located on the Concourse Level of 1251 Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue), at West 50th Street in Rockefeller Center, Midtown Manhattan.
Access to waiting room
The daily number of applicants cannot be predicted and therefore, dependent children under 18 years of age, who are included on the application for Temporary Resident Visa, are not required for interview. Regrettably, they will not normally be admitted to the visa office waiting room. Kindly do not bring your children to the Consulate General.
