How to Submit an Application
Apply online
To apply online you must have access to a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents for uploading and have a valid credit card for payment. Determine your eligibility and apply online.
Apply through a Visa Application Centre (VAC)
A NEW VAC opened in London on May 2, 2013, and is located at 179 Harrow Road. Applicants are encouraged to present their temporary resident (visitor visa, study or work permit) or permanent resident travel document applications through the VAC in order to take advantage of the mail-in or in person services. More details...
Citizens or persons legally admitted to these countries may apply via these methods for temporary resident visas/permits:
Application Type | Through the VAC | In person to the Visa Office | Drop-Box | By Mail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Temporary Resident Visa (visitor) | Yes | Yes | Yes* | No | No |
Study Permit | Yes | Yes | Yes* | No | No |
Work Permit | Yes | Yes | Yes* | No | No |
Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Passports for Online Applications | n/a | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Authority to Return to Canada (ARC) | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Temporary Resident Permits | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Criminal Rehabilitation Assessment (Not tied to a request for a visa) | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Immigration Applications | See below | ||||
* Visas, work permits and study permits are not issued the same day, even if submitted to our office in person. Please see processing times for details
Economic Class applications:
All applicants in the economic classes must submit their initial application to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Canada. For more information on how to submit your application, please refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.
*For most categories of immigration, applicants are required to submit their initial application to an address in Canada rather than to this visa office. Read the instructions in the guide for your category carefully.
Below you will find information about:
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm, excluding holiday closures (may differ from UK bank holidays)
You may only use the drop box to submit your passport for issuance of your visa/permit for your online application. You will be requested to submit your passport when the processing of your application has been completed and your visa or permit is ready to be issued.
Please put your passport in a large envelope before putting it in the drop box. Please ensure that you include a self-addressed envelope (at least 8" x 6") that we can use to return your passport. If your return address is within the UK, use a Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope as your return envelope. We do not return documents by courier.
Alternatively, you may return the following Wednesday between the hours of 8:00am and 10:30am (excluding holidays) to pick up your passport and visa. Please advise us in writing when you drop off your passport if you wish to pick it up in person on the following Wednesday.
In-person
Change to opening hours (effective May 2nd, 2013)
Wednesdays from 8:00am to 10:30am (Excluding holidays)
Our office is open on Wednesdays only for the submission of some applications and passports for online applications. When requested, you may submit your passport and wait for the issuance of your visa on Wednesday during our opening hours.
(Our office is closed to the public all other days.).
NOTE: We do not accept enquiries in person.
Security – Getting into the High Commission
Luggage, such as backpacks, suitcases or packages larger than a standard handbag, are not allowed into the High Commission. The High Commission offers no storage facilities and applicants carrying such items will not be allowed entry. Here is a list of left luggage storage facilities in London.
Applicants are also discouraged from bringing mobile phones or other electronic devices, such as Blackberries, iPods, PDAs and remote-entry automobile key “fobs”, to the High Commission. Holders of such items will be delayed for searches and examination. Also, the applicants who heeded our advice may be allowed ahead of them in the queue.
Canadian High Commission
Immigration and Medical Services Division
Macdonald House
38 Grosvenor Street
London
W1K 4AA
UK
Use the Grosvenor Street entrance, not the Grosvenor Square entrance.
Note: We are located in Macdonald House. Canada House in Trafalgar Square does not deal with visas and immigration.
Bus and Tube: Tube Station: Bond Street (Green Park and Oxford Circus are also nearby). Use the Journey Planner on the Transport for London website to get directions by bus and tube.
Train: The nearest stations are Victoria and Paddington.
Road: We are located in the Congestion Charging Zone.
Street parking around the High Commission is limited. Traffic wardens and wheel clampers patrol the area on a regular basis. There are several NCP car parks nearby.
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