How to Get a Canadian Travel Visa

After reading through this quick how-to, you'll know exactly how to obtain a Canadian Travel/Tourist Visa. This only applies to U.S. citizens who intend on being in Canada longer then 3 months. If you plan on visiting for a period shorter then 3 months, you need not apply for a visa. All you need is a U.S. Passport.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet Access
• Valid U.S. Passport or Green Card
• 2 Recent Passport-Type Photographs
• Proof of Funds: Pay stubs, bank statements and/or copies of travelers checks.
• Proof of Status in USA: I-94 form, or Student I-20 form, etc.
• Copy of Airline Ticket, or Travel Agency Itinerary.
• $150.00 USD

1. U.S. Passport This article only pertains to U.S. citizens who have a valid Passport or Green Card. Like I said above, you only need a Canadian Tourist/Travel Visa if you intend on staying longer then three months. Anything under three months, and all you'll need is a valid U.S. Passport.
2. Worth it. Prepare all of your documents before applying for a Tourist Visa to Canada. This will make things easier in the long wrong. Assemble the list of items required to obtain a Canadian Tourist Visa, listed above.
3. TDS Inc. Visit, http://www.traveldocs.com/ca/visa2.pdf and print out the Application Form. After that visit, http://www.traveldocs.com/images/coversheet.htm and print out the Cover Sheet and Credit Card Authorization Forms. Fill out each, and proceed to the next step.
4. USPS Prepare a package that includes all of the required items from the list, and the required forms you filled out during the last step. Lastly, include a check or money order for $150.00, made out to Travel Document Systems, INC.. This covers your TDS service fee ($60.00 per visa), the Consular fee ($75.00 per visa), and return postage ($14.50 Fed Ex 2nd Day). Send the package to the address below.
5. Lincoln in D.C. Travel Document Systems, INC.
   925 Fifteenth Street N.W. Suite 300
   Washington, D.C. 20005

Tips & Warnings

• If your in D.C., walk it into the Embassy, and you'll have a Canadian Tourist Visa in 5 days.
• Be as thorough as possible when completing your required forms. This will help to avoid mistakes during processing.
• Be patient, not everything in America works the way it's supposed to.
• This only applies to the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
• Citizens or residents of particular countries may require a additional formalities, a personal consulate interview and/or a 2-4 week processing extension.