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Question regarding the documents necessary for Proof of Means of Financial Support

Oct 30, 2023
8
1
Hi folks! I'm in the process of applying for a visitor visa and need to submit various supporting documents, including proof of financial means. According to the visa guidance, a company letter is an acceptable document for this purpose. The letter I have includes my status as a contractor, my salary, the date I started working, the company’s contact details, and the signature of the individual verifying my income. Is this sufficient for the visa application, or should I include additional details in the letter? Thanks in advance.
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
55,295
13,432
Hi folks! I'm in the process of applying for a visitor visa and need to submit various supporting documents, including proof of financial means. According to the visa guidance, a company letter is an acceptable document for this purpose. The letter I have includes my status as a contractor, my salary, the date I started working, the company’s contact details, and the signature of the individual verifying my income. Is this sufficient for the visa application, or should I include additional details in the letter? Thanks in advance.
In the letter from your employer I would also include proof of approved leave and for how long and the dates if possible. Assume you will also be providing proof of funds with your bank records as well. Without knowing your profile it is impossible to know how much addtional proof you should include. If you own property proof of ownership and valuation would also be a good idea to include.
 
Oct 30, 2023
8
1
In the letter from your employer I would also include proof of approved leave and for how long and the dates if possible. Assume you will also be providing proof of funds with your bank records as well. Without knowing your profile it is impossible to know how much addtional proof you should include. If you own property proof of ownership and valuation would also be a good idea to include.
Thanks for replying! I do own property and have a comfortable amount of savings but I was thinking about not including those things because all of these documents are in my native language and I'd need to translate them to English through a certified translator — which is a very expensive service in my country and time consuming. If I send just the letter and it doesn't get approved do I get my visa process canceled or they simply ask for more documents?
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,576
9,408
Thanks for replying! I do own property and have a comfortable amount of savings but I was thinking about not including those things because all of these documents are in my native language and I'd need to translate them to English through a certified translator — which is a very expensive service in my country and time consuming. If I send just the letter and it doesn't get approved do I get my visa process canceled or they simply ask for more documents?
You have to show funds to support a visit in Canada. An employer letter doesn’t prove funds. So you need to provide at least 3 months of bank statements. IRCC will not ask for more documents as it is up to you to provide all documentation. For a TRV you also need to show ties to home country so if not showing property ownership then what are your ties?
 
Oct 30, 2023
8
1
You have to show funds to support a visit in Canada. An employer letter doesn’t prove funds. So you need to provide at least 3 months of bank statements. IRCC will not ask for more documents as it is up to you to provide all documentation. For a TRV you also need to show ties to home country so if not showing property ownership then what are your ties?
I see. Then why do they say on their website an employment letter is enough? Sigh. I assume that a certified translation of the bank statements is required, correct?That's like more 12 pages to translate, this will get very expensive.

Also, regarding the property ownership: I didn't assume this was necessary because it was not in the supporting documents section. I have a business in my country and I'm providing a certified translated document from the local government proving I own this business. Would that be enough to show ties to my home country?
 
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Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,576
9,408
I see. Then why do they say on their website an employment letter is enough? Sigh. I assume that a certified translation of the bank statements is required, correct?That's like more 12 pages to translate, this will get very expensive.

Also, regarding the property ownership: I didn't assume this was necessary because it was not in the supporting documents section. I have a business in my country and I'm providing a certified translated document from the local government proving I own this business. Would that be enough to show ties to my home country?
If you want to try but you most likely will be refused for not showing bank statements. Where does it say on the website that you only have to submit employment letter? Please provide link. Proof of funds are bank statements in cash.

Ties to home country are spouse/children, investments, investment property, registered business, tax statements on business. If you have a registered business you want to show contracts to prove you will return. If you have a business, you show that you can leave it without you being there.
 
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Oct 30, 2023
8
1
If you want to try but you most likely will be refused for not showing bank statements. Where does it say on the website that you only have to submit employment letter? Proof of funds are bank statements in cash.

Ties to home country are spouse/children, investments, investment property, registered business, tax statements on business. If you have a registered business you want to show contracts to prove you will return. If you have a business, you show that you can leave it without you being there.
When you tap the help icon by the Proof of Means of Financial Support section it says you need to provide as many documents listed as possible but one of them is the employer letter. I assumed only sending this letter would be enough. But I found out I can ask my bank to send me a letter in English proving I own the account and how much money it has. I'll also provide confirmation that I rented a place for staying. I think this should help.

Also, I have an invitation letter from my company stating what I'll be doing in Canada and for how long. I think should help as well.

If you don't mind, I have two additional questions:
  1. In the optional documents section is it a good idea to attach the flight ticket back to my country to help prove I'll leave Canada after this company gathering is over? Asking because my girlfriend is getting her visa too and she has a "Purpose of Travel" section and I don't.
  2. I'm trying to take my girlfriend with me and she doesn't have a business nor has property in her name. But she will be staying with me the whole time and will departure with me. Should I ask my company to extend the invitation letter to her as well?
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,576
9,408
When you tap the help icon by the Proof of Means of Financial Support section it says you need to provide as many documents listed as possible but one of them is the employer letter. I assumed only sending this letter would be enough. But I found out I can ask my bank to send me a letter in English proving I own the account and how much money it has. I'll also provide confirmation that I rented a place for staying. I think this should help.

Also, I have an invitation letter from my company stating what I'll be doing in Canada and for how long. I think should help as well.

If you don't mind, I have two additional questions:
  1. In the optional documents section is it a good idea to attach the flight ticket back to my country to help prove I'll leave Canada after this company gathering is over? Asking because my girlfriend is getting her visa too and she has a "Purpose of Travel" section and I don't.
  2. I'm trying to take my girlfriend with me and she doesn't have a business nor has property in her name. But she will be staying with me the whole time and will departure with me. Should I ask my company to extend the invitation letter to her as well?
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/visitors/proof-funds-financial-support.html

This is proof of funds and you will read it is for a family member/spouse living in Canada and inviting you.

Is your company in Canada? If so then you need a work permit? So you are doing business in Canada not visiting? Letter will not help if you don’t have work authorization.

IRCC asks that you don’t book airfare.

Your girlfriend applies separately from you with her own account, and is not tied to your visa or business dealings. She needs to show her own bank accounts, travel history, ties to home country and reasons to travel. What does the company have to do with her visit? An invitation letter would red flag her file as possibly working.

Seems like you are coming to Canada to work and not visit.
 

AmeenahB

Full Member
Nov 2, 2023
37
3
Hi, please concerning that purpose of travel for spouse, what should be the content. I am having same issue, my spouse is accompanying me and will be applying for a work permit but I’m not sure of what the purpose of travel should be.
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,576
9,408
Hi, please concerning that purpose of travel for spouse, what should be the content. I am having same issue, my spouse is accompanying me and will be applying for a work permit but I’m not sure of what the purpose of travel should be.
So you are PR? Where is he applying for a work permit? Why not apply outside Canada?
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,576
9,408
I’m a student. We are applying outside Canada and it still asks for purpose of study
So you have an approved study permit and now want to apply for your spouse’s work permit outside Canada? Are you answering something wrong to apply for a work permit.
 

AmeenahB

Full Member
Nov 2, 2023
37
3
I’m applying for a study permit as well as a work permit for my spouse. One of his supporting document includes the purpose of travel.