Presenting organizations take on many administrative requirements in order to feature international programming, the visitor visa being the most common.
Due to high demand and the time it takes for an application to be processed, visitor visa delays are occurring more frequently within the arts sector. This delay poses difficulties for artists and the organizations that present them, placing both under financial constraints if an artist cannot get an approved visa by the date of their first Canadian performance.
Building on the success of the international taxation guidelines, CAPACOA is introducing new Visitor Visa Guidelines, as well as a Visitor Visa Assistance Service. These supports provide both presenting organizations and international artists with the information needed to successfully navigate the visa application process.
Visitor Visa Guidelines
To help clarify the visitor visa process, CAPACOA has created step-by-step guidelines that outline important details, information, and challenges presenting organizations should consider when booking an international artist.
If organizations take these guidelines into consideration, foreign artists should receive their visitor visas in time for their Canadian performance(s).
View our Visitor Visa Guidelines for specific details.
Visitor Visa Assistance Service
In addition to the Visitor Visa Guidelines, CAPACOA is introducing the Visitor Visa Assistance Service, a support that aids Canadian performing arts organizations if a performance is nearing and a visa application has not yet been approved.
Through this service, event organizers who do not meet the eligibility criteria for direct assistance from the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Special Events Unit, can now access similar assistance via CAPACOA.
The service sends a notification about upcoming events to Canada’s visa offices abroad. This alert may enable visa offices to plan for the timely processing of artists’ visa applications.
This service is available under certain conditions. Please view the participation requirements to assess whether you are eligible for this service.
Attend our Information Sessions
Want to learn more about The Visitor Visa Guidelines and Assistance Service? CAPACOA is holding two information sessions, one in English and one in French, on the following dates:
English: October 16 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT
French: October 15 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT
How the Guidelines and Service Complement the International Market Development Initiative
The visa initiative serves as a complimentary support for the International Market Development Initiative. CAPACOA sends presenters abroad to help them connect with international artists. In turn, the Visitor Visa Guidelines and Service provide them with the tools to successfully invite these artists to Canada. The Visitor Visa Guidelines and Service help turn the connections made during cultural missions into tangible performance realities.
“Since its inception in 2017, CAPACOA’s International Market Development Initiative (IMDI) has pursued strategic relationships to support artists, develop audiences, and build community not only nationally but also on an international level. Through the IMDI, CAPACOA has worked closely with governments and the sector to ensure that arts and culture play a pivotal role as foreign policy assets that help to strengthen Canadian cultural diplomacy. As the impact and importance of this international work continues to be recognized, CAPACOA’s new Visitor Visa Guidelines and Service is a welcomed and critical tool to support the process of presenting international artists to our Canadian audiences.”
– Natalie Lue, CAPACOA Board Chair, Director of Vancouver Civic Theatres