Visa Application Centres

Visa application centres (VACs) provide administrative support services to applicants related to the submission of their applications. This service is particularly useful in countries or regions where there are few or no visa offices.

What VACs do …

answer questions in local languages
ensure that applications are complete
securely transmit application documents and passports to the visa office
securely return passport and decision documents to the applicant
offer a tracking service for applications
schedule interviews as well as provide additional services, such as application photographs and photocopies for additional fees

What VACs do not do …

VACs play no role in the decision-making process and are expressly forbidden to provide any visa-related advice to applicants. All decisions on applications are made by visa officers at the visa office.
VACs do not represent the Government of Canada (GoC). VACs are managed by private companies or international organizations and are authorized to provide specific services to applicants under the terms of a formal agreement with Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The use of VAC services is completely optional. Applicants can continue to apply directly to the appropriate visa office, if they prefer.

Protection of personal information is a primary consideration for the GoC when choosing any service provider. Safeguards governing the protection of personal information are built into the terms of agreement with each service provider. Any failure to comply with the terms of the formal agreement signed between the GoC and the service provider could result in the cancellation of the agreement with the service provider.

VAC locations

CIC offices

Find a CIC office

Glossary

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