How to Apply for a Canada Visa in Houston

Greater Houston is the fifth most-populous metropolitan area in the United States and has a population of over 7 million residents.  Greater Houston encompasses nine counties and includes the cities of Sugar Land, Baytown, Conroe, Pasadena, Pearland, Galveston, and The Woodlands, which is a popular neighborhood for Canadian expats.  Houston is one of America’s most ethnically diverse cities.  With over 145 different languages being spoken here, it is no surprise that Houston has plenty of great restaurants offering delicious cuisine from all over the world.  Houston even has a bar (The Maple Leaf Pub) that serves poutine and plenty of Canadian beer.  And a little piece of Canada is coming to Houston this year with the arrival of Tim Hortons, the beloved Canadian doughnut franchise.  This is a fast-growing and youthful city that attracts entrepreneurs, corporate businesspeople, and students from Canada.  There are an estimated 20,000 Canadians living in Greater Houston; many of them working in the oil and gas business, but there are also Canadians working in health care, electronics, financial services, logistics, industrial manufacturing, and aerospace.  Houston is home to the Canada-Texas Chamber of Commerce, and the city has direct flights to five Canadian cities. 

The second largest country in the world, Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, and north to the Arctic Ocean.  Canadians have blended British, French, and indigenous America influences to create a unique multinational culture that draws immigrants and tourists from across the world.  The country recognizes both English and French as national languages, with French being the mother tongue of about 21% of Canadians.  The French influence is strongest in the province of Quebec, reflected in historic cathedrals, European architecture, and the sidewalk cafes of Old Montreal.  The capital city of Ottawa is adjacent to Quebec but lies within the province of Ontario.  Although Canada became an independent country in 1982, it remains a part of the British Commonwealth and recognizes the British monarch as its ceremonial ruler.  Toronto, the largest city in Canada, is a sprawling urban center that—just like Houston—is one of the most multicultural cities in the world.  Visitors are drawn to the iconic CN Tower.  The Toronto Zoo, and shopping destinations such as Eaton Centre and the St. Lawrence Market.  In addition to the government buildings in Ottawa, the province of Ontario is also known for the iconic Niagara Falls on its border with New York.

Outside of its major cities, Canada is known for its scenic vistas and rugged landscape, making this the perfect travel destination for outdoor enthusiasts living in Houston.  On the Pacific Coast, British Columbia is the country’s most mountainous province with 33 ski resorts, including 2010 Olympic co-host Whistler, ranked as the top ski destination in North America.  Alberta, located in western plains, includes the continent’s largest shopping mall in Edmonton.  Saskatchewan has the most golf courses per capital in Canada, while Manitoba’s lakes and streams are perfect for hunting, fishing, and boating.  The Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories offers old gold mining towns and views of the Aurora Borealis.  The provinces of the Atlantic Seaboard (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador, and Prince Edward Island) offer sandy beaches, fishing villages, historic sites, and icebergs and fjords.

Obtaining a Canada Visa from Houston

Visas for Canada are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which is a department of the government of Canada.  You apply for the visa online using the following website: How to apply for a visitor visa - Canada.ca

Houston is home to a Canadian government office providing trade and investment services, however, this location does not provide visa services so you will apply for your visa using the link above. 

Canadian Entry Eligibility

Since early 2020, Canada has severely limited international travel as it works to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus. In late 2021, it began easing some restrictions, but a number of preventative measures remain in place. The rules have changed frequently. The most current information is available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19.html.

Foreign nationals and citizens of the United States living in Houston are eligible to enter Canada if they meet various criteria. The government has provided an online wizard you can use to see whether you meet current qualifications: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/wizard-start.

The general requirements include:

  • Fully vaccinated (i.e., two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and/or AstraZeneca-COVISHIELD, or one of Johnson & Johnson at least 14 days ago)
  • Pre-testing for COVID in certain situations (such as traveling with unvaccinated children)
  • Valid U.S. passport
  • Be in good health
  • No criminal record
  • Have enough money for your stay

Most visitors who enter Canada need to provide some basic information on the ArriveCAN app (available at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html) at least 72 hours before arrival.  The online ArriveCAN application includes contact information and travel plan details; proof of vaccination or pre-entry COVID-19 test results; and any necessary quarantine plans.

Do You Need a Canadian Visa?

U.S. citizens living in Houston who meet the above requirements only need to bring their passport when they travel to Canada and complete the ArriveCAN app.  Entry includes arrival by land, sea, or air.

Lawful permanent residents of the United States will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html)) to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport.  They must present a valid Green Card and a valid passport at check-in.

Travelers from certain other countries (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/entry-requirements-country.html#visaExempt) are also exempt from formal visa requirements.  These travelers will need to obtain an eTA if they will arrive by airlines beforehand.  However, an eTA is not needed if they arrive by sea or land (such as driving from the United States or taking a cruise ship).

However, citizens of the other 148 countries not participating in the eTA (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/entry-requirements-country.html#visaRequired) will need a visa to come to Canada by any method of travel.  There are numerous types of visas, including:

Visitor/tourist visas are typically good for six months.  Most visas that are granted allow for multiple entries into the country, however, the government may decide in certain situations to issue the visa for only one entry/exit during the six-month period.  Visitor visas can generally be extended.  Details on applying for a visitor visa are available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/apply-visitor-visa.html.

Complete information about government regulations to enter Canada can be found at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada.html.  

Emergency Assistance for Canadian Citizens in Houston

If you are a citizen of Canada living in the Houston area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, please call 214-922-9806 or check the consulate’s website in Dallas for the full list of contact information: Consulate General of Canada to the United States, in Dallas (international.gc.ca).  The consulate provides services to Canadians living in the state of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.  Here is their address:

Consulate General of Canada
500 N. Akard Street, Suite 2900
Dallas, Texas 75201

If you need to renew your Canadian passport, keep in mind that the consulate in Dallas does not provide routine passport services.  Passports are normally issued in Canada, so you will first access the following website to complete the passport application: Canadian passports: Applying from the United States - Canada.ca, and then you will mail your completed application documents to the passport office in Gatineau.   

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Houston or anywhere in the state of Texas and have difficulty applying for a Canada visa or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta that can refer you to an authorized immigration representative that provides support with Canada visas.  An authorized immigration representative can ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Canadian government.  Their services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following Canada visa services for our customers in Houston:

  • Canada Visitor Visa
  • Canada Business Visa
  • Canada Student Visa
  • Canada Work Visa
  • Canada Permanent Residence Visa