VISA

Visitors into Canada

Visitors to Canada require a valid passport and many visitors require a visitor’s visa. Obtaining a travel Visa is the responsibility of the delegate.

We will assist you by providing an invitation letter for registered delegates, but we are not an authority on Visa issues, nor can we help with expediting the Visa process.
Canada does not have a visa office in every country, so it is important that delegates visit the website of the Canadian visa office responsible for processing their visa application. Information is available on the website on how to submit a visa application and the documentation required.

Processing times for visa applications (vary depending) on the visa office and the time of the year. Participants are encouraged to apply approximately 12 weeks in advance of their departure date to ensure they receive the visa in time.

For information on visa requirements and exemptions, please check with the nearest Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

To learn more online, click here.

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a new entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or transiting through Canada.

The authorization is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

As of November 10, 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals are expected to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada. Exceptions include U.S. citizens, and travelers with a valid Canadian visa.

Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents are not eligible to apply for an eTA. To learn more online, click here.

An official Letter of Invitation to obtain a Visa and authorization to attend the African Descent Summit 2022 will be issued ONLY after registration has been completed and full payment received by the SUMMIT Secretariat.

Note: We do not contact embassies/influence them to issue any Delegate a Visa. We advise Delegates to organise the right documents and present them to the Embassy for Visa Issuance

For more information on what documents you need to prepare for Visa, click here
NOTE: Invitation Letters will be issued starting November 2021. NEW – Biometrics (Global Expansion) Depending on your nationality, you may be required to give your biometrics:

Starting July 31, 2018, the biometric requirement becomes mandatory for nationals of Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and Starting December 31, 2018, the biometric requirement becomes mandatory for nationals of Asia, Asia Pacific, and the Americas.

For additional information on whether you require a biometric, please refer to our fast facts about Biometrics