Just sharing my experience with the TRV application for my mom coming from the Philippines. She is 62 years old, no asset whatsoever and basically I have been providing for her financial needs for 15 years now. I am currently pregnant. Myself and husband are both PR, both still working and have just a little savings to show in our bank account. We made an invitation letter for my mom stating that we would love for her to come over to provide family support in time for my delivery. We also said that we will be responsible for all of her expenses, and that we intend for her to stay with us for 6 months. This letter was not notarized or anything, just signed by myself and husband. Apart from our identifications, we did provide a copy of our certifcate of employment letters, T2, paystubs and our not-so-chunky bank statement. Also a copy of my mom's and myself's joint bank statement in the Philippines to establish that I have been supporting her all along albeit this bank account is like a pass-through of funds only, no balance. If there is only one edge we are counting on for the approval, it was her travel history - she's traveled to Australia for 3 months a few years back. Thankfully our application was approved in less than a week's time after biometrics submission.
I guess what I am trying to say is that to those intending to sponsor a family member (particularly parents) for a TRV in Canada, just be truthful with your application / declaration. Don't be intimidated if your invitee does not have the funds - just collect documents that you think will help demonstrate your capability to host. Making-up funds on your invitee's name just because you read somewhere here that chances of getting approved is slim if your family does not have a fund of their own will only jeopardize your application. Additionally, putting as a purpose of the visit - family support for child delivery or family assistance in the caring of a new born child is perfectly fine, please don't listen to those that are saying it may not be a compelling reason to convince a visa officer. And oh, it is my understanding that people working in a visa office/consulate/embassy are citizens of the country they represent hence I do not believe that it is a big deal which country you are applying from as these officers have the same training. I think that it would only differ country-to-country if your fellow countrymen has some sort history of violating immigration laws of the country they intend to go to in which case visa officers maybe a little stringent
I guess what I am trying to say is that to those intending to sponsor a family member (particularly parents) for a TRV in Canada, just be truthful with your application / declaration. Don't be intimidated if your invitee does not have the funds - just collect documents that you think will help demonstrate your capability to host. Making-up funds on your invitee's name just because you read somewhere here that chances of getting approved is slim if your family does not have a fund of their own will only jeopardize your application. Additionally, putting as a purpose of the visit - family support for child delivery or family assistance in the caring of a new born child is perfectly fine, please don't listen to those that are saying it may not be a compelling reason to convince a visa officer. And oh, it is my understanding that people working in a visa office/consulate/embassy are citizens of the country they represent hence I do not believe that it is a big deal which country you are applying from as these officers have the same training. I think that it would only differ country-to-country if your fellow countrymen has some sort history of violating immigration laws of the country they intend to go to in which case visa officers maybe a little stringent