I was given a B1 Visa to go into the US for some meetings. I want to visit my friend in Toronto after my meetings. I didn’t have time in Manila to apply for a Canadian Visa so I decided to apply for a Canadian Visa here in the US.

Here are some differences I noticed between applying for a Canadian Visa in Manila and in New York

In Manila:
1. They have more requirements if you apply for a Visa in the Philippines. For instance, they would want to know if you have taken any Caregiving course. They also require a letter of invitation of you are not on package tour. Plus the person inviting you must also submit proof of his/her Canadian citizenship or residency. They also require 6 months worth of bank statements in the Philippines.
2. You have to call the Call Center and schedule an appointment or have your documents sent to the Canadian embassy via courier.

In New York:
1. You can apply for a Canadian V1 Visa in New York or other Canadian Consulate in the US if you are in the US on a B1 or B2 Visa.
2. The people in the Canadian Embassy call center in the Philippines told me that if I apply in New York I would have one week waiting period before I get my Canadian Visa. Well in my case, not true. I went to the Canadian consulate in the city without an appointment. I applied for my visa there, had my interview and received my visa in one day with no waiting period.
3. They (the call center in Manila) also told me that I have to send my application docs via courier to the Canadian Consulate. Well, I didn’t have to. I just went to their Visa Office in Midtown East (51st and 5th) with my docs and they processed my application right there and then.

Tips:
1. They only accept applications for Canadian Visitor visa between 8AM to 10:30AM.
2. Don’t use the Canadian Supplemental Application form from the Philippines. Use the Forms they give you in the New York Office.
3. Have the application fee ready. I paid $130 for multiple entry visa. Oh Btw, they don’t accept $100 bills. Prepare $50s and $20s.
4. They will give you a checklist of docs you have to have in your application. From what I remember, they ask the following:
- Forms (Application and Supplemental)
- I-94, Current and Old Passports
- Proof of Income (Certificate of Employment) or if a student (Certificate of Enrollment)
- Invitation Letter
- Itinerary
- Proof of Funds (Bank statements)
You can ask for a checklist of the required docs in the Consulate.
5. I tried calling the Consulate to ask questions regarding my visa application. It was useless. They don’t entertain questions over the phone. They will just refer you to their website -> see this link.