COW – Visa Application Centres – May 28, 2026
- Everyone looking to come to Canada must meet eligibility and admissibility requirements, including biometrics and security screening.
- Visa Application Centres (VACs) are third-party providers that support the application process by collecting biometrics and providing administrative services.
- VACs do not make decisions about applications and can't provide any visa-related advice to applicants. VACs do not represent the Government of Canada.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) VAC network includes 164 locations in 109 countries.
- VFS Global is Canada's official VAC contractor for 128 centres across 83 countries, while TT Services oversees 36 centres in 26 countries through a subcontract with VFS Global.
Request for proposals process
- In November 2025, IRCC and Public Services and Procurement Canada launched a competitive request for proposals for new VAC contracts. Bids closed March 19, 2026.
- Once awarded, new contracts will begin in 2028.