VISA & Travel Information

VITAL INFORMATION ABOUT ENTERING CANADA AND OBTAINING VISAS

Prior to traveling to Canada for SRI 2024, please review Citizenship and Immigration Canada's List of Countries Requiring a Visa for Entry to clarify your Visa requirements. The SRI recommends that if required, you apply for a visa as soon as your attendance is confirmed, as visa requests can often take months to process. Therefore, you must be registered for the SRI Annual Meeting, before requesting a Visa letter. SRI is not able to assist in applying for Visa's.

  1. Countries requiring VISA: www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp 
  2. How to apply for VISA: www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/business.asp
  3. Video showing how to apply for “Temporary Resident Visa” -- www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/multimedia/video/complete-application/complete-application.asp
  4. Processing Times -- http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp/visitors.asp

Should you have any questions regarding your application, you should contact the office responsible for processing your visa application (for overseas enquiries), or in-Canada enquiries can contact the Client Support Centre.

 

**IMPORTANT FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS**

Citizens from countries other than the United States who do not need a visa to enter Canada will need to obtain an ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (eTA) before flying to or transiting through Canada.

The eTA process is similar to that of the United States ESTA: travelers apply individually online here. Each individual must pay CAD $7 by Visa, Mastercard or American Express, and their eTA is valid for 5 years. Travel agents can apply for their clients, but they cannot charge a fee for this service. For more information about this new requirement, visit the eTA page for videos and fact sheets in multiple language.

 

DOWNLOAD THE ARRIVECAN APP!

It is essential to download the ArriveCAN app and upload your vaccination confirmations prior to landing. Please note that this is critical to avoid being denied entry at customs!

Learn more here.

 

Canada has introduced a new entry requirement, known as an eTA, for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. As of March 15, 2016, this entry requirement will become mandatory and travelers will need an eTA before they can board a flight to Canada. Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travelers with a valid visa. Entry requirements for other methods of travel (land, sea) have not changed.

Don’t wait until the last minute – apply NOW for an eTA.  

  1. Find out if you need an eTA: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp
  2. What you need to know video:   https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/video/electronic-travel-authorization-what-you-need-know.html
  3. Learn about eTAs in your own language:  http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-facts-en.asp
  4. Apply on-line for your eTA:  http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-start.asp

 http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/

For official instructions on visiting Canada and applying for a visa, please visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp

Reminder:  You do not need an eTA if you are a Canadian Citizen or Canadian permanent resident or if you are a US citizen. U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement and must carry proper identification such as a valid U.S. passport or NEXUS card.

 

USA - Visa Requirements 

If your flight includes a stopover in the United States, you may require an additional visa in order to enter the US. Please check out the United States Travel Authorization Application to see if you require a visa: ESTA TRAVEL

Review the US Department of State website for countries requiring an entry visa: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html

 

Need an SRI Invitation Letter for your Visa?

The SRI office will send letters of invitation upon request. (Please note, in order to receive this letter, participants must be registered for the Annual Meeting, submitted an abstract and/or have an accepted abstract.) It should be understood that this letter is only to help participants raise travel funds or obtain a visa, and is not a commitment on the part of SRI to provide financial support.

To find out if a visa is required to enter the country, or how long an application will take to process, please check with your local embassy. We advise you to request a letter of invitation from SRI at your earliest convenience.

To request a letter of invitation, e-mail the SRI Office at info@sri-online.org. Please include the following for each participant:

  • Full name as it appears on passport
  • Date of Birth
  • Photocopy of Passport *Please note, name on credit card for registration payment must match name on passport.
  • Street Address, City, State/Province, ZIP/Postal Code,  and Country
  • Email address
  • Accepted abstract control number and title (if applicable)
  • Signed letter from supervisor/institution on your institutions letter head confirming participation at the Annual Meeting

Letters of invitation will be e-mailed to the requesting individual, NOT to the embassy or consulate. Please allow up to five (5) business days for processing your request.

Attendee information may be shared with IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). Information collected as part of these participant lists is used to identify and coordinate the processing of visa applications and, upon request, provide organizers updates of aggregate data on the status of visa applications of event participants, within the confines of the Privacy Act and at the discretion of the Special Events Unit.