VAC — Visa Application Centre
Outsourced biometrics and document collection facilities operated by VFS Global on behalf of IRCC in 150+ countries. Applicants attend a VAC for biometrics, document submission, passport delivery, and (in some countries) interview. Not the same as the IRCC visa office that actually decides the application.
What is a VAC?
A Canada Visa Application Centre (VAC) is an outsourced facility operated by VFS Global (on behalf of IRCC) for collecting biometrics, accepting application documents, and delivering decisions. VACs operate in 150+ countries.
VACs are not the IRCC visa office that decides your application — they're the local-collection point. The IRCC visa office (e.g. IRCC Islamabad, IRCC New Delhi, IRCC Manila, IRCC Abu Dhabi) is the office that actually adjudicates your file.
What VACs do
- Biometrics collection — fingerprints + photograph
- Document submission — physical documents you can't upload digitally
- Passport submission for visa-stamping after a decision
- Document and passport return after a decision
- Application packaging and forwarding to the relevant IRCC visa office (for paper applications)
- In limited cases — interviews on behalf of IRCC
What VACs do NOT do
- Make immigration decisions
- Provide legal or immigration advice
- Issue visas or determine eligibility
- Override IRCC processing decisions
VAC fees
In addition to IRCC application + biometrics fees, VACs typically charge a service fee (CAD 50-100 in most countries). Optional add-on services (courier, photo, photocopy, SMS notifications) cost extra.
Major VAC locations for Halani clients
- Pakistan: Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore
- India: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh (Punjab files), Jalandhar
- UAE: Dubai (Wafi Mall area), Abu Dhabi
- Philippines: Manila, Cebu
- China: Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou
- Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, Jeddah
- Qatar: Doha
Booking VAC appointments
Book through the VFS Global VAC portal for your country. Appointment availability can be tight in busy periods — book as soon as IRCC issues your biometrics instruction letter.
Halani's note
VAC service is generally reliable. Bring all required documents (originals + copies), your IRCC reference number, payment for VAC fees, and arrive on time. Don't ask VAC staff for immigration advice — they're processing staff, not adjudicators.
Not sure how VAC applies to your file?
Halani Immigration Services Inc. — Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB R711322). Free eligibility assessment, no obligation.
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