What’s New

• Czech and Mexican nationals now require visas to travel to Canada
• Drop off service for Temporary Work Permit and Study Permit applications
• Security Notice for Applicants Coming in Person
• Czech Republic Passports
• Non-biometric Passports of Lithuania and Poland Require Visas

Czech and Mexican nationals now require visas to travel to Canada

On July 13, 2009, the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism of Canada announced that Czech and Mexican nationals now require visas to travel to Canada.

• Press Release for Czech citizens
• Press Release for Mexican citizens

How to apply for your visa

You can find application forms, instructions, general information, as well as the list of fees to apply for a temporary resident (visitor) visa on our visa office website.

Note: Certain Czech passports are not valid for travel to Canada.

Each application will be assessed on its own merits. There is no guarantee that your visa application will be approved.

Urgent applications following visa re-imposition

If your application is urgent, you may wish to apply in person because most of these applications are finalised on the same day. You can submit your temporary resident (visitor) visa application between 8:00am and 11:00am, Monday to Friday. You will need to wait 2-4 hours in our waiting room to receive the result. (If you cannot come in person, you can authorise a representative to apply on your behalf.)

If you are unable to wait, then you can drop off your application in person in our "24 hour + mailing time" drop box. Include a self-addressed Royal Mail Special Delivery return envelope (at least 8" x 6"). Keep a copy of the tracking number. Most of these applications are finalised within 24 hours and then mailed out using the envelope provided.

If you are unable to apply in person, then you can also apply by mail. Our average processing time for these applications is 10 working days. This does not include the time to mail the result back to you. If you live in the UK, you can include a self-addressed Royal Mail Special Delivery return envelope (at least 8" x 6") to reduce the mailing time. Keep a copy of the tracking number.

You may courier your applications to us, but we cannot courier results back to applicants.

Work and study authorisations

If you have already been approved by the Visa Section in London to work or study in Canada and you have not yet obtained your work/study permit at a port of entry to Canada, you can obtain a visa in your passport free of charge. Submit your passport and the original letter of introduction you received from the Visa Section to the Visa Section in London.

Urgent Enquiries

If you have questions for which there is no answer on this web site, you can send an e-mail to this visa office. Indicate clearly at the beginning of your message that this is urgent and why it is urgent. You will receive an answer by return e-mail.

New Drop Off Service for Temporary Work Permit and Study Permit Applications

Effective April 1st, 2008, work permit and study permit applications can be dropped off at the High Commission (38 Grosvenor Street entrance) in our designated drop box.
These applications will be treated in the same way as applications that are mailed in.  They will not be given any preferential treatment.  For this reason, you are encouraged to mail in your application to avoid the inconvenience of queuing outside the High Commission.

Applications must be complete and placed in a large envelope.  Applications should include:

• A self-addressed envelope (at least 8" x 6") which we will use to return your documents. 
• All of the supporting documents listed on our Forms page: study permit applications / work permit applications.

Applicants will no longer be able to submit their applications directly to an immigration receptionist in person.

Security Notice for Applicants Coming in Person

Applicants for immigration services who come in person to the High Commission are not allowed to enter the building with luggage, such as backpacks, suitcases or packages larger than a standard handbag.

The High Commission offers no storage facilities and applicants carrying such items will not be allowed entry.

The following provides a list of left luggage storage facilities in London.

Applicants are also discouraged from bringing mobile phones or other electronic devices, such as Blackberries and iPods to the High Commission as holders of such items may experience delays in being allowed entry to the High Commission.

Czech Republic Passports

Passports of the Czech Republic that are not compliant with the International Civil Aviation Organisation specification for a machine readable passport are not valid for travel to Canada. This specifically includes the 1993 and 1998 series. Since we cannot put visas in these passports, you will need to apply to the Czech authorities for a new passport before submitting a visa application.

Non-biometric Passports of Lithuania and Poland Require Visas

As of 1 January 2009, holders of non-biometric Lithuanian and Polish passports will no longer be exempt from the Canadian visa requirement.  Travellers with Polish and Lithuanian biometric passports (issued from 28 August 2006) will continue to be exempt. For more information, please visit the website of the Canadian Embassy in Poland.

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