How to get a Canada visa from Mali
Visa types, fees, processing times and application requirements for Malian passport holders travelling to Canada.
Visa types & fees
3 visa options for travelling to Canada.
Student visa
Visitor Visa
Work visa
Application requirements
Documents Malian applicants need to provide.
- An original Mali passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry in Canada. It must have 2 blank pages for visa stamps.
- Duly completed and signed visa application form.
- For minors, their parents or legal guardians will be required to sign the application form.
- Their original birth certificate and a letter of authorization from both parents are also needed. A valid means of the ID of both parents is also important.
- Three passport-size photographs (4.5 x 3.5 cm) taken on a white background.
- Complete travel document.
- Proof of financial sustenance for the duration of stay.
- Proof of accommodation in Canada.
- Onward or return ticket.
- Documentation showing applicant’s ties to Mali.
- A report of good conduct from a police station in Mali showing the traveler does not have a criminal record.
- Medical insurance that covers the entire duration of stay.
- Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
- Copy of travel itinerary.
Visa type details
Visitor Visa
- The Canadian visitor visa is for travelers visiting Canada for tourism, visitation, business, and other related activities.
- With this visa, you can also attend conferences and other events whilst in the country.
- For travelers who intend to stay with a host in Canada, you will need to present a letter of invitation bearing the address and valid contact details of the host. You might also be required to submit a valid means of identification of the host as well.
- For business purposes, an invitation letter from the inviting company in Canada is necessary. This letter must contain details of the trip and it is to be written on the company's letterhead.
- A notarized copy of the business registration certificate is also important while applying for business purposes.
- Bearers of this visa cannot enroll for any part-time or full-time courses, you will need a student visa for that purpose.
- Applicants of this visa should note that they cannot take up any forms of employment whilst in the country.
- The Canadian tourist visa can allow a stay of up to 6 months depending on the discretion of the embassy.
- Canadian tourist visas are of two types: single entry visa and multiple entry visas.
- A letter of good conduct from a police station in Mali stating that you have a clean criminal record should be provided.
- Evidence of employment and family ties which shows you have the intention of returning to Mali after the duration of your trip.
- It is necessary for travelers to do a medical checkup and ensure they are in good health before applying for this visa.
- This visa costs C$100 and is usually processed between 2 weeks to 4 months.
Student visa
- The student visa is for Malian travelers who intend to study in Canada.
- For you to apply for this visa, you must have been admitted into an institution of learning in the country.
- The Canadian study permit serves as a Canadian student visa for the duration of your stay.
- Once you have a Canadian study permit, you can apply to renew it from within Canada if you decide to continue your studies.
- You are allowed to work part-time in Canada with the Canadian study permit as long as it does not affect your studies.
- You may also be able to work off-campus, work as a co-op or intern as part of your program, stay in Canada as a permanent resident or seek employment after graduation.
- You can apply for a Canadian study permit either online or through a paper application obtainable from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.
- Two recent passport-size photos. The name and date of birth of the applicant should be written on the back of each photo.
- A copy of a police certification of good conduct is needed for the student work permit.
- You are to submit a certificate of good health from a valid hospital in Mali.
- You will also be required to provide biometric fingerprints during application.
- Proof of proficiency in the English language is required. This is usually accessed from your TOEFL or IELTS test results.
- You will need to submit a cover letter detailing the reason for your travel to Canada.
- Proof of paid tuition is important for this visa type.
- If on scholarship, you are to provide relevant documents that affirm your scholarship offer.
- Original transcripts and certificates from previous schools are required.
- Documents showing home ties, providing proof that you have the incentive of returning to your country after your studies are necessary.
- If you will study in Quebec, you need a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) issued by the Québec government. Your school can give you all the details on how to apply for the CAQ.
- If a minor requires a custodian in Canada, you must have the Custodian Declaration Form that has two pages. The form must be notarized and included with the study permit application.
- The custodian in Canada is required to sign the first page while the parents or legal guardians of the minor child is to sign the second page.
- If your visa expires before the end of your study, you are free to apply for an extension to cover the period of your study.
- Proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay in the country should be provided.
- Proof of financial sufficiency that covers the duration of stay must be provided. Applicants who intend to study outside Quebec must prove they have up to C$10,000 to cover for a year, while those studying outside Quebec must have at least C$11000.
- The study permit costs C$150.
Work visa
- The work visa is for travelers from Mali visiting Canada to take up paid employment in the country.
- The work permit is usually for applicants between 18 to 35 years of age.
- To apply for this visa, you must have been employed by a company in Canada.
- You will be required to provide a letter of employment or an employment contract from your employer in Canada. The letter should have the address of the company, the position you have been employed and the duration of your visit.
- The letter should also be on the company's letterhead.
- The job offer you have been given must be approved by the Canadian government through the Labour Market Impact Analysis Process.
- In order to work in Canada on a temporary basis, you will require a work permit.
- You will need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for entry into Canada with a work visa. The TRV costs C$100.
- Your Canadian employer who wishes to hire a temporary foreign worker may need to apply for and be granted a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) by ESDC.
- The ESDC will grant a positive LMIA if it is satisfied that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to do the job you're being offered.
- Work permits may be issued by Canadian immigration officials without the LMIA requirement in a limited number of situations.
- The Temporary Work Permit may be issued for a period of time ranging from a few days to a few years.
- You must have a good command of the English language before applying for this visa.
- Receipt of paid visa application fees should be presented during the visa application process.
- You must have the equivalent of at least C$2,500 on landing to help cover initial expenses.
- Proof of good health conditions should be provided.
- The work permit costs C$150.
Where to apply
Canada embassy & visa application centers in Mali.
Bamako
| Day | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | 07:30 | 16:00 |
| Tue | 07:30 | 16:00 |
| Wed | 07:30 | 16:00 |
| Thu | 07:30 | 16:00 |
| Fri | 07:30 | 13:00 |
| Sat | — | — |
| Sun | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What is the dominant language in Canada
There are two official languages in Canada, English, and French. All communications from the federal government are communicated in these languages. Most Canadians can speak only one of the two languages, although some parts of the country have both English and French speakers. Many people in Montreal, Ottawa, and Quebec City are at least conversationally bilingual. English is the dominant language in all provinces except Québec, where French is dominant and actively promoted as the main language.
Is it safe to visit Canada
It is generally safe to visit Canada as there are rare cases of violent crimes even in large cities. However, there are drug-related crimes in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut so travelers are advised to observe general safety cautions while visiting.
What is Canada's currency
Canada's currency is the Canadian dollar symbolized as CA$ or CAD, commonly referred to simply as a "dollar", "loonie" or "buck". In all cities and towns, you can easily convert most major currencies at many banks. Credit cards are widely accepted in the country and it is advisable for travelers to use a credit card as it gets you a better exchange rate since your bank will convert the currency automatically at the prevailing daily rate.
Is it safe to drive in Canada
Yes, the roads in Canada are foolproof. They have wide lanes and plenty of roadsigns so it is very easy to navigate in most of the cities and the country makes a good country for a road trip. When driving at night, travelers are advised to stay vigilant for wildlife especially on smaller, quieter side roads.