The difference between large visa and small visa in Canada

Students who are interested in studying in Canada should know that there are two types of Canadian visas: large visa and small visa. But I believe many people are not very clear about what it means specifically. What is the difference between the two? Next, let’s learn about it with me.

1. The difference between a large visa and a small visa in Canada

The Student Permit (Study Permit) visa issued by the Immigration Bureau when the applicant enters Canada is commonly known as the large visa. This visa only allows students to stay in Canada to study and cannot be used as a certificate for entry or exit.

The Canadian student permit visa is usually valid for one year. When it expires, you must apply for an extension at the local immigration bureau. Under normal circumstances, if the applicant can successfully complete the first year of the course, he or she can apply to extend the validity period of the visa until the end of the study period.

Study Visa is the "VISA" affixed to the applicant's passport. This type of visa is a voucher for the applicant's entry and exit, and can also be called an entry-exit visa. If the applicant is on vacation, visiting relatives, etc., the applicant must apply to the Immigration Bureau in advance to extend the "entry and exit visa", otherwise he may encounter the dilemma of being unable to re-enter Canada after returning to his country. If the applicant leaves the country temporarily, he must also apply for a re-entry visa, otherwise he will not be allowed to return to Canada.

Because the size of Visa is smaller than that of Study Permit, Visa is called a small signature and Study Permit is called a large signature. The major visa and minor visa cannot be processed at the same time. You can apply for a round-trip visa only if you ensure that you have a study visa; applying for a minor visa extension in China generally takes 5 working days.

2. Visa

The study permit "Study Permit" issued by the Immigration Bureau (or Customs) when the applicant enters Canada is commonly known as the visa. This permit only allows students to stay in Canada to study and proves their legal student status in Canada, but cannot be used as a certificate for entry or exit from the country.

Issued by the Canadian Immigration Bureau. The study permit is usually valid for one year. When it expires, you must apply for an extension at the local immigration bureau. Under normal circumstances, if the applicant can successfully complete the first-year course, he or she can apply to extend the validity period of the study permit until the end of the study period.

Note: Since the visa has a certain validity period, if the visa is not renewed upon expiration and the situation is serious, the visa cannot be renewed for more than 3 months, otherwise it will be regarded as illegal stay by the Immigration Bureau and will lead to renewal of the visa. Refuse to sign. The application for renewal of Study Permit must be submitted within the validity period of the Visa.

How to renew your visa:

A. The Canadian Embassy requires an application to be submitted at least 30 days in advance before the expiration of the study permit. It is recommended to submit the application 3 months in advance.

B. There are two ways to renew:

a. Submit the application online, log in to the CIC Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, register a My CIC, and then submit the application online.

b. Send all materials and forms to the following address: Citizenship and Immigration - Study Permit Case Processing Center 6212 - 55th Avenue, Unit 101 Vegreville AB T9C 1X5

Required materials Includes: renewal application form IMM1294; document list IMM5555; copy of the first page of the passport, and copies of the passport pages of all entry and exit records in Canada; school admission letter; proof of funds; copies of transcripts for the past two semesters; CAQ is only for Quebec. Students; the application fee is CAD125 (both methods are submitted online by credit card).

3. Small visa

Small visa refers to the Student Visa, which is the VISA affixed on the applicant’s passport. It is the applicant’s entry and exit voucher. It can also be called the entry and exit voucher. . Issued by Canadian consulates in various places. If the applicant is visiting relatives, vacationing, etc., the applicant must apply to the Immigration Bureau in advance to extend the "entry and exit visa", otherwise he may be unable to re-enter Canada after returning to his country. If the applicant leaves the country temporarily, he must also apply for a re-entry visa, otherwise he will not be allowed to return to Canada.

How to renew a Canadian visa: Application steps for a Canadian visa

The Canadian visa is used when entering and leaving the country, so you don’t need a small visa if you don’t return to your country. For international students in Canada, the small visa can be renewed at any time with a valid large visa and information. According to the regulations of the Canadian Immigration Service, small visas cannot be renewed in Canada. They must be renewed by mail or in person at a Canadian consulate in a foreign country. It doesn't matter if the small visa expires. The key to living in Canada is the large visa. You can just renew your visa when you return to your country.

There are two ways to renew your visa:

1. The United States is the closest to Canada and can be mailed there (pay attention to the mailing instructions of each consulate, because the original passport must be sent together) (different consulates have different requirements), or if you have a US visa, you can go to the United States to renew it in person.

2. Return directly to your country to renew your application at home, but in principle it is recommended to send it to the United States to renew your application. Because you have not left Canada, once you need to supplement the materials, there is still a way and time to turn around. Once you fail at home, there is no chance of returning to Canada.

Note: The large visa and the small visa cannot be processed at the same time. You can only apply for a round-trip visa on the premise of ensuring that the study permit is valid. It takes 5 working days to apply for a small visa extension in China.