Best practices for Indian tourists

[ChrisC]

Greetings everyone,

I wanted to discuss how applicants can improve their chances of getting their tourist visas; how to structure their cover letter, and in other areas.

Many applicants may own the house they are living in. If that is the case, is it worth mentioning? Does it count as a tie to the home country? If so, what document should be attached as proof? Should it be notarized?

Many applicants may be considering booking an all inclusive tourism package through a travel agency. Does doing so look better to the visa officer than booking flights and accommodation independently?

Some applicants may have changed their names (due to marriage or other reasons) and may have assets in their old names. What should be done in such cases?

 

[Bryanna]

Greetings everyone,

I wanted to discuss how applicants can improve their chances of getting their tourist visas; how to structure their cover letter, and in other areas.

Many applicants may own the house they are living in. If that is the case, is it worth mentioning? Does it count as a tie to the home country? If so, what document should be attached as proof? Should it be notarized?

Many applicants may be considering booking an all inclusive tourism package through a travel agency. Does doing so look better to the visa officer than booking flights and accommodation independently?

Some applicants may have changed their names (due to marriage or other reasons) and may have assets in their old names. What should be done in such cases?

Hi,

First, documents/evidence submitted for visa applications cannot be termed as *Best practices*. That term applies to procedures that are acceptable, correct and effective.

The questions you have asked are generic. You can find the answers if you research this forum + you can draw your conclusions based on what worked/what did not work for other visa applicants.

Each visa application is unique = Documents/evidence would depend on the situation of the visa applicant.

It would help your application if you post specific questions that are relevant to your personal and professional situation instead of questions that are hypothetical and subjective in nature


Cheers

 

[ChrisC]

It would help your application if you post specific questions that are relevant to your personal and professional situation instead of questions that are hypothetical and subjective in nature

Yes, I'll give myself as an example. Please advise if any of the following requires notarization or any such procedure.

1. I own the house I'm living in - is it worth mentioning? Does it count as a tie to the home country? If so, what document should be attached as proof? Should it be notarized?

2. Would booking an all-inclusive package through a travel agency make my application stronger as opposed to booking flights and accommodation independently?

3. I have read a lot of applicants submitting evaluations of their gold as their assets, though I haven't come across any who've described what documents they've used as evidence of it. I too have gold worth 2L. Can I show this as a tie to India, and if so, which document should I submit as proof?

4. I look after a parent with health issues who lives with me. Can this be a tie to India? If so, which documents are needed as proof?

5. I have two bank accounts that are exclusively mine, and two others of which I'm a joint holder. Can the two joint accounts still be submitted as financial assets?

 

[Bryanna]

1. I own the house I'm living in - is it worth mentioning? Does it count as a tie to the home country? If so, what document should be attached as proof? Should it be notarized?

Yes. Yes. Property ownership documents in English + recent property tax receipt + property valuation.

If you co-own the house then this will not be a compelling tie to return to India.

2. Would booking an all-inclusive package through a travel agency make my application stronger as opposed to booking flights and accommodation independently?

Regardless of a package tour or an independent trip, you must have convincing reasons to return home + finances to pay for your visit and airfare.

It is not advisable to book confirmed plane tickets without visas.

3. I have read a lot of applicants submitting evaluations of their gold as their assets, though I haven't come across any who've described what documents they've used as evidence of it. I too have gold worth 2L. Can I show this as a tie to India, and if so, which document should I submit as proof?

It can be shown as part of the overall financial situation. It is not a tie. A documented list + valuation by a recognized jeweler.

4. I look after a parent with health issues who lives with me. Can this be a tie to India? If so, which documents are needed as proof?

Are you the only family member who lives in the same household or vicinity? Does your parent have a serious medical condition that requires constant care?

5. I have two bank accounts that are exclusively mine, and two others of which I'm a joint holder. Can the two joint accounts still be submitted as financial assets?

Yes, with a letter of support from the co-owner of the bank accounts allowing you to utilize X% of the bank balance for your visit + bank statements that state the names of both account owners.

That said, if your name was recently added to these bank accounts and/or if you are not actively contributing to the bank balance then the bank statements/your claims would be viewed as done only for the visa application

 

[ChrisC]

It is not advisable to book confirmed plane tickets without visas.

What would you recommend instead? Which website (example: goibibo, yatra, etc) would you recommend for it?

A documented list + valuation by a recognized jeweler.

Is there any format or template this documented list must follow? For example, must it be printed on a sheet or a stamp paper, signed by myself and then notarized? Unfortunately, I am not aware which jewelers the Canadian authority recognizes. Can you give examples?

Are you the only family member who lives in the same household or vicinity?

Indeed, it is just the two of us. No one else.

Does your parent have a serious medical condition that requires constant care?

He does need care in day to day life and cannot manage on his own.

Yes, with a letter of support from the co-owner of the bank accounts allowing you to utilize X% of the bank balance for your visit

Should this letter be attested by an Indian notary? The co-owner has authorized me to use as much as I need. What must I do in this case?

you are not actively contributing to the bank balance

Contributing as in depositing cash into the account myself or with a salary? I ask because they are savings accounts; salary accounts cannot have joint holders.

 

[Bryanna]

What would you recommend instead? Which website (example: goibibo, yatra, etc) would you recommend for it?

You'll need to check for a website that allows for temporary flight bookings.

Is there any format or template this documented list must follow? For example, must it be printed on a sheet or a stamp paper, signed by myself and then notarized? Unfortunately, I am not aware which jewelers the Canadian authority recognizes. Can you give examples?

You will need to create a suitable format.

I don't know which jewelers are recognized by IRCC. This information is not available nor published. Or check with a large jewelry retail chain if they can do a valuation.

Again, to reiterate:
Jewelry cannot be shown as part of the "Available funds for your visit".... nor is it a tie to return to India.

Should this letter be attested by an Indian notary?

Notarization is not necessary.

The co-owner has authorized me to use as much as I need. What must I do in this case?

Answered in my previous post.

Contributing as in depositing cash into the account myself or with a salary? I ask because they are savings accounts; salary accounts cannot have joint holders.

Cash does NOT work for a TRV. It is not considered as a legit source of income.


To reiterate:
IMHO, it's going to be quite challenging to convince IRCC that you are a genuine visitor.... that includes why you want to visit Canada as a first-time traveler abroad to any country + prove that you have strong ties to return to India + you have the finances to pay for your visit + you have a valid, convincing purpose of visit