How to Apply for a Canada Visa in San Francisco

San Francisco, known as the “City by the Bay”, is one of America’s most famous and beautiful cities.  Located in Northern California, San Francisco is just one of the many cities that together make up the San Francisco Bay Area, or Bay Area for short.  The 14-county combined statistical area (that comprises the Bay Area) has nearly 10 million people, making it the fifth-most populous region in the United States.  The Bay Area includes cities such as Oakland, Berkeley, Vallejo, Concord, Pleasanton, Fremont, San Jose, San Mateo, Palo Alto, and San Rafael.  The economy of the Bay Area is one of the most vigorous and entrepreneurial on the planet.  Silicon Valley (in the southern part of the Bay Area) has attracted engineers from all over the world, including those from Canada.  Canada has also been an attractive market for San Francisco’s tech giants like Salesforce and Google, who have established offices north of the border to tap into the country’s engineering talent.  The San Francisco Bay Area has a strong foundation of nonprofit organizations and social clubs that support Canadian expats such as the Digital Moose Lounge and Canadian Women’s Club.  There is even a meetup spot (Augie’s Montreal Deli in Berkeley) where Canadians can watch NHL hockey and Toronto Raptors games.

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 San Francisco, has a strong technology sector.  Visitors are drawn to the iconic CN Tower.  The Toronto Zoo, and shopping destinations such as Eaton Centre and the St. Lawrence Market.  Vancouver, with its temperate climate, spectacular natural environment, and large Asian population, has much in common with San Francisco. 

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 San Francisco.  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 San Francisco

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

San Francisco is home to a Canadian consulate, however, this location does not provide regular 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco

If you are a citizen of Canada living in the San Francisco Bay Area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, please call 844-880-6519 or check the consulate’s website in San Francisco for the full list of contact information: Consulate General of Canada to the United States, in San Francisco (international.gc.ca).  The consulate provides services to Canadians living in Northern California and Hawaii.  Here is their address:

Consulate General of Canada
580 California Street, 14th Floor
San Francisco, California 94104

If you need to renew your Canadian passport, keep in mind that the consulate in San Francisco 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 San Francisco or anywhere in Northern California 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 San Francisco:

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