Thank you for registering for World Council 2026!

This page has been prepared to support delegates applying for a visa to attend World Council in Toronto.

Remember to apply early! Processing times vary across countries. Click the link to check the processing time for your country.

Begin by reviewing and following the steps listed below

Time to get started on your visa application.

Step 1: Resources available to you

IRCC PDF Information Letter

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has provided a PDF Information Letter in English and Frenchfor distribution to delegates, with helpful tips on the visa application process.

This document is available here for download

Webinar Recordings and Slides

Disclaimer: YMCA Canada staff and the facilitators delivering visa webinars and ‘office hours’ are not immigration officials or representatives of the Government of Canada. They do not claim to be experts in immigration or visa processes. These sessions are offered solely as a support resource for YMCA World Council 2026 delegates. YMCA Canada aims to share helpful guidance and information, but cannot guarantee the outcome or approval of any visa application. For official immigration advice or decisions, please refer directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Visa Information Session 1 - Overview of the Canadian Visa Application Process & Requirements

Topics covered:

  • An overview of the Canadian visa application process

  • Insights on timelines and information on required documents

  • Guidance on how to prepare for the Canadian visa application process

Access the recordings here:

Access the presentation slides here in English, Spanish, and French.

Visa Information Session 2 - Workshop on Navigating the Application Process

Topics covered:

  • World Council 2026 Registration process and requirements

  • Navigating the online Visa Application portal

  • Downloading Forms from the IRCC website

  • Reviewing the Document Checklist

  • Understanding the Biometrics submission process

  • Q&A

Access the recordings here:

Access the presentation slides here.

Visa ‘Office Hours’

YMCA Canada will host a series of Office Hours to support delegates and answer visa-related questions. These sessions will not be recorded, to protect delegate privacy.

World Council Visa Office Hours

Join an open Q&A session to get answers to your questions if you're just starting your visa application process

Get step-by-step guidance on topics such as:

  • - Create the Government of Canada login accounts required for your visa application

  • - Your Visa Application Forms: How to access and package them

  • - Completing your visa application documents, including the IMM5257e and Family Information form.

September 25, 2025
9:00-10:00 AM EST (Toronto)
Register here

December 3, 2025
9:00-10:00 AM EST (Toronto)
Register here

One of the documents you require for your visa application is a custom invitation letter from YMCA Canada.

The following steps outline where to find your invitation letter, and what to do with it:

Step 2: Access your visa invitation letter

1

Register for World Council as a Delegate

When you register, under the question “Do you need a visa to enter Canada?” select “Yes” to show the required visa fields.

Enter all your personal information exactly as it should appear on your visa application.

Important: The details you provide must be accurate and match your official documents and the information you submit in your visa application. Your date of birth, residential address, and other personal details must be exact.

2

Approval and Confirmation Email

After your World Council registration is approved, you will receive an email with your personal Invitation Letter. In the email you will see links to two separate documents. Click the links in the email to download Page 1 and Page 2 of your visa invitation letter.

Tip: Check your ‘junk’ email often in case your email security features block the email. Select “show blocked content” or “mark as safe” to see the button to download your visa invitation letter.

3

Use the Letter in Your Visa Application

You must include the Invitation Letter when you apply for your visa.

Combine page 1 and page 2 of the visa invitation letter into one document (both pages must be in one file) for upload in the visa application portal.

Learn how to combine your PDF files here.

4

Event Code

World Council is registered with the Canadian Government as an international event. Your Invitation Letter will show the event code. You must include this code in your visa application form. (See the IRCC PDF for details on where to include the event code.)

Important: Do not share this code with others. This special event code is confidential.

Step 3: Apply for your visa

Where to apply for your visa

Note: This application link is specifically for people applying for visas to attend an IRCC-registered event like YMCA World Council 2026. It is different than the publicly available link that you will find if you do an internet search for a link to apply for a visa to Canada.

Visa Application Step-by-Step

  1. Assess what documents you need to apply

  2. Go to the ONLINE portal and submit your application, including the event code issued on your visa letter by the World Council registration portal.

  3. You are issued the Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) in the Government of Canada visa application portal.

  4. Submit your biometrics.  IMPORTANT: Your visa will only begin to be processed after you submit your biometrics.

  5. Your visa is approved – we hope! Go to the Visa Application Centre to pick it up, or have it delivered to you.

  6. Print and assemble your paperwork for travel – photocopy your visa, print your visa invite letter, copy the picture page of your passport, etc.

Government of Canada Account Setup

  1. When you go to the IRCC website to apply for your visa, you will be prompted to login using a ‘GC Key’, or to set up an account.

    If you do not have a GC Key account, sign up by creating a username and password.

    Keep a record throughout this process to ensure successful login later (Username, Password, Security Questions, Recovery Keys)

  2. Once your GC Key account has been successfully created, you will be able to access your visa application portal. Under the section “Start and Application” you will select “Apply to come to Canada”.

  3. Next, the system will ask you to answer a series of questions that are used to determine your eligibility to apply.

  4. Once the system has determined what type of visa you are eligible to apply for, it will ask you another series of questions to create your personal checklist. You can save your progress and return to this questionnaire.

  5. Your checklist is ready. This list will outline all the documents you are required to fill in and/or upload to apply for your visa.

    Accuracy in these forms is EXTREMELY important. Do not make any guesses. Take the time to input accurate family information, travel history, etc. Any discrepancies can mean an application rejection. 

  6. You can return to your application by signing into the portal with your GC Key login.  You will have 60 days, including the day you completed the checklist, to complete this visa application.

For PC Users

  • Right-click on the “Application for Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) Made Outside of Canada (IMM5257)” form link.

  • Select “Save target as” or “Save link as”.

  • Choose the location on your computer where you would like to save the file.

  • Select “Save”.

  • Use Windows Explorer to get to the location where you saved the file.

  • Right click on the PDF file.

  • Select “Open with”.

  • Select “Choose program”.

  • Select “Adobe Acrobat Reader”.

  • Make sure to check the box that says, “Always use this program to open these files”.

  • Select “OK”.

  • Complete the form

Downloading Forms from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Website

For MAC Users

  • Find the link of the file you want to save (you may need to go back to the previous page to find it).

  • Press the Control (Ctrl) key and click on the link

  • When the option menu appears, choose “Download link to disk” or “Download linked file”.

  • Choose the location on your computer where you would like to store the file. Your computer will start the download once you have selected a location.

  • Complete the form.

Biometrics & Visa Application Centres (VAC)

If you need to give biometrics, pay the biometrics fee when you apply for your visa. The fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo.

Follow these steps when you apply for your visa:

  1. Pay the biometrics fee when you apply for your visa.

  2. Wait for your biometric instruction letter (BIL). It will appear in your visa application portal.

  3. Book an appointment and visit an official biometric collection location to give your biometrics.

Biometrics must be submitted in person at a Visa Application Center (VAC). Some delegates may need to travel to a VAC to complete this process. Complete this step early, as processing of your visa application only begins after biometrics are submitted. 

Note: If your visa is approved, you may be required to attend a Visa Application Centre again to have your visa affixed to your passport.

Step 4: Return to the World Council Registration Portal

Once you have applied for your visa, return to the World Council Registration Portal and “Modify your Registration” to update your Visa Application Number in your World Council registration.

Your information is reported to IRCC as a registered delegate and your visa application number is critical for batch processing of visa applications.

The Visa Application Number field is located at the bottom of step 3 ‘Visa Information and Event Fees’ in the World Council Registration Portal.

FAQs

I have questions about my application. Where can I ask them?

Questions can be emailed to worldcouncil@ymca.int for additional support.

Do I have to pay my registration in full before I receive my visa application support documents?

No, you do not need to pay your registration prior to receiving your visa support documents. You must, however, register for World Council and be approved by your National General Secretary.

Once your World Council registration has been approved, you will receive an email with your invitation letter to accompany your visa application. The invoice for your registration will be sent to your YMCA movement, or to you personally, for payment as you have indicated at the end of your registration process.

How much will it cost to apply for my visa?

The visa application fee is $100 CAD.

  • If you need to give biometrics, the cost is $85 CAD.

  • You must pay these fees to submit your application.

Other possible costs:

  • Travel to your local Visa Application Centre (VAC) to give biometrics.

  • A second trip to the VAC to have your visa placed in your passport.

Important notes:

  • Make sure you are eligible for a Visitor Visa before paying. Fees are not refundable, even if your visa is refused.

  • You may need to pay in your local currency.

  • Fees can change at any time.

Will I be required to give an interview?

  • No. The Canadian Government does not interview visa applicants.

  • Your application will be reviewed based on the documents you submit.

  • You may still need to go to an appointment to:

    • Give your biometrics

    • Have your visa placed in your passport

Do I have to translate my documents into English or French?

If your official documents are in a language other than French or English, you will need to have then translated. Learn more here:

https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=018&top=4

My visa application was refused – what now?

If your visa application was refused you will get the decision in your IRCC account. It will explain why your application was refused.

It is not recommended that you reapply unless there are substantive changes in your circumstances.

If your application is refused, do not transfer your World Council Registration to another delegate. Contact World YMCA at worldcouncil@ymca.int to let them know your visa application status, and to arrange for any registration transfers or cancellations.