Application for trv for girlfriend?

[Tomasu]

I'd like my girlfriend to visit canada, primarily to see if she even likes it, or can stand it, to meet family, and to have a nice little vacation this winter.

I have been doing some research, and it seems like it might be a bit of an uphill battle. her situation isn't the best, but it isn't the worst?

She lives and studies in Thailand, but is actually from the Philippines. She has done some traveling in the past, and has proof, but they may mostly all be "easy" countries, nothing like the EU, the US or Australia, so that may not help her case at all. Previously she worked as an english instructor in Thailand, but they have begun clamping down on work visas and education in thailand of late, so she's decided to work on learning Thai proper (she can communicate ok, but needs to learn writing/reading better), and getting a real ED visa down the road.

I work as a computer programmer making a fairly decent wage, and as I telecommute, I can work from just about anywhere. So if CIC decides to be really asinine about it, I could just move to thailand or the philippines and skip all of the canada immigration bull. I happen to be rather fond of canada, and the family I have here, so I'd prefer not to leave.

I've already been to see her once, and I'm planning a second trip for the middle of Oct. We will likely also go visit her family in the Philippines during this trip. I was hoping that we could apply for a visitor visa in Bangkok, get some things in order, and hopefully have it in our hands by mid nov for my trip back home.

The CIC site says the average application time is 14 days in bangkok, so it is theoretically possible. But what I fear is the near instant rejection, or the months long delay with no news.

So I guess what I'm asking is, what are the prospects that this is even worth trying?

Secondary question... If that isn't a remote possibility, going the permanent resident + dual intent trv route is an option. she has made it very clear that should I ask, the answer is yes (Without actually saying it in a super obvious way). I wanted to wait till we were settled a bit and spent more time together full time before taking that next step, but it has been on my mind for quite a while.

 

[Tomasu]

I'm starting to really think that the most fool proof, shortest wait, and least headache inducing route is the perm visa, and then try for a temp. The only reason I wanted to try the trv first was just in case my girlfriend got culture shock (and cold shock, lol). I'd hate for her to be unhappy and trapped. We talked about that last night, and she says she won't have a problem, but I would still prefer to make sure she'd be happy first, then do the permanent life changing stuff.

Any suggestions, tips?

 

[mikeymyke]

The problem she has is that she only has temporary status in Thailand, not any sort of permanent residency or citizenship. This commonly leads to refusal "due to immigration status". What other things can you tell me about her? Her assets? Money? Family ties? etc

 

[Tomasu]

The problem she has is that she only has temporary status in Thailand, not any sort of permanent residency or citizenship. This commonly leads to refusal "due to immigration status". What other things can you tell me about her? Her assets? Money? Family ties? etc

This is one of the main reasons I'm worried. She has virtually no ties to Thailand, but lots of family in Philippines. Had a job in thailand teaching english, but rules have changed and she's working on upgrading her education. The ed visa she's on has to be reviewed every three months, so I doubt they'll see that as sufficient ties. She didn't make a whole lot at her job either. enough to save some (400/mo?), but most of her savings were depleted due to a few different circumstances that cic will have no interest in (thai visas costing a lot, having to travel to malaysia to "re-enter" for a new visa, paying for the course she's taking, being scammed, etc). About the only tie is that she has the ed visa, and the thai courses. And I have my doubts cic will think that's sufficient.

I was thinking we might apply in Manila, since she's a filipino citizen, and has some ties there (also the visa office there seems to be less busy than bangkok/singapore). Ties wise, most of her family is there, and I think she owns some land in Davao?

 

[scylla]

Applying through Manila will only help if she has actually relocated back to the Philippines. If she's still in Thailand then it won't make a difference in how her application is evaluated. It's not which visa office you apply through that makes the difference - it's where you're actually living/staying. If she's still in Thailand, then applying through Manila won't increase her ties - she'll still be evaluated as someone living in Thailand. Note that if she's approved she will have to submit her passport to the Manila VO for visa stamping.

 

[Tomasu]

Applying through Manila will only help if she has actually relocated back to the Philippines. If she's still in Thailand then it won't make a difference in how her application is evaluated. It's not which visa office you apply through that makes the difference - it's where you're actually living/staying. If she's still in Thailand, then applying through Manila won't increase her ties - she'll still be evaluated as someone living in Thailand. Note that if she's approved she will have to submit her passport to the Manila VO for visa stamping.

Thanks, that's good to know. I've heard that (in the past at least) people would submit to a different office to take advantage of faster processing that that office. Maybe the rules changed and that doesn't work anymore?

Eventually when we file for a permanent visa, I was really hoping to file in manila because it is several months faster than singapore.

 

[scylla]

Thanks, that's good to know. I've heard that (in the past at least) people would submit to a different office to take advantage of faster processing that that office. Maybe the rules changed and that doesn't work anymore?

That bit is definitely correct. If you have the option of applying through more than one visa office, you can certainly pick the one with faster processing times.

 

[Tomasu]

That bit is definitely correct. If you have the option of applying through more than one visa office, you can certainly pick the one with faster processing times.

So for example, as a filipino citizen, does she have the option of filing in manila for a permanent visa (when the time comes)? or is it only allowed if she's actually living there? I'd hope because its for a permanent visa and she's a citizen, they'd "allow it".

That said, for the permanent visa, she may be willing to move back to the philippines. If the temp visa is rejected outright, we might just speed up our plans, and I may stay there with her for a few months of the waiting time. But I did want to try the temp visa to see if she likes it here, and to show her the awesomeness that is canada and especially alberta We have no intention to overstay, if her time runs out, she will go back, and I will most likely go with her for a while Though I'm sure my claims and promises mean nothing to the CIC. The last thing I want to do is ruin her chance of coming over when the time comes, so I will not lie on any of the forms, or if her temp visa is approved, we will make sure not to overstay (might apply for an extension, but we wont do anything to jeopardize a future application for temp or permanent visas).

 

[ragluf]

So for example, as a filipino citizen, does she have the option of filing in manila for a permanent visa (when the time comes)? or is it only allowed if she's actually living there? I'd hope because its for a permanent visa and she's a citizen, they'd "allow it".

That said, for the permanent visa, she may be willing to move back to the philippines.

Hi,

Certainly, down the line (on a permanent residence application) she has the option, if the application is best evaluated by the Manila VO, then it will be transferred there. She also has an option to have the application processing transferred over to the Manila VO. The request will need to be justified - and moving back to the PH or repatriating back to the home country is a reason that often justifies the application processing transfer. I have seen this type of request result in successful transfer of those applying from other countries but requested a transfer to the home country VO because of repatriation.

If the temp visa is rejected outright, we might just speed up our plans, and I may stay there with her for a few months of the waiting time. But I did want to try the temp visa to see if she likes it here, and to show her the awesomeness that is canada and especially alberta We have no intention to overstay, if her time runs out, she will go back, and I will most likely go with her for a while Though I'm sure my claims and promises mean nothing to the CIC. The last thing I want to do is ruin her chance of coming over when the time comes, so I will not lie on any of the forms, or if her temp visa is approved, we will make sure not to overstay (might apply for an extension, but we wont do anything to jeopardize a future application for temp or permanent visas).

Note that the temporary visa application - it is her who will be examined, and at best your invitation is just that - an invitation to visit the Canada. It is her who will be have to, as well as other things - prove she is well and able to fund this trip, not exhibit a risk of overstaying the limits of temporary residence (ties to home country), etc.

Having been an expat in Thailand for a few years before - I have seen this ed visa and am familiar with those teaching english, plus the "re-entry" procedures at border crossings. It does not matter if you do not have permanent residency or citizenship - the important thing is she has been lawfully/legally admitted and residing in Thailand and has the requisite documents to prove residency (registration/work permit, visa). If she has, she can apply at the embassy in Bangkok or better yet online. If online, instructions on where to send the passports for "stamping" of visas will be sent down the line.

And yes - the clamp down on work visas started a few years ago with companies (even multinationals) required to hire a few nationals for each expat in the staff. If I recall right it was 5 nationals for each expat when I was there. Of course, enforcement of restrictions depend on who/which party is on the government at that time

Good luck on the application...

.../atb

 

[Tomasu]

Hi,

Certainly, down the line (on a permanent residence application) she has the option, if the application is best evaluated by the Manila VO, then it will be transferred there. She also has an option to have the application processing transferred over to the Manila VO. The request will need to be justified - and moving back to the PH or repatriating back to the home country is a reason that often justifies the application processing transfer. I have seen this type of request result in successful transfer of those applying from other countries but requested a transfer to the home country VO because of repatriation.

Note that the temporary visa application - it is her who will be examined, and at best your invitation is just that - an invitation to visit the Canada. It is her who will be have to, as well as other things - prove she is well and able to fund this trip, not exhibit a risk of overstaying the limits of temporary residence (ties to home country), etc.

That is my main concern. Hopefully she has enough "ties". She doesn't have enough money to fund it however. There are reasons (she did have thousands of dollars saved up somewhat recently, but between trying to fund schooling in thailand and helping out family, and unfortunately, being scammed... most of her savings are gone, and it'd take a long time to build it back up at the rate she can save), but CIC won't be interested in them.

Yes, I know for a temp they are only interested in her status, at best an invitation letter from me might help a little. (or hurt it a lot, depending on how they see things).

I really wish this wasn't quite so hard. too bad immigration reform keeps getting pushed back. cic is /way/ too paranoid for its own good.

Having been an expat in Thailand for a few years before - I have seen this ed visa and am familiar with those teaching english, plus the "re-entry" procedures at border crossings. It does not matter if you do not have permanent residency or citizenship - the important thing is she has been lawfully/legally admitted and residing in Thailand and has the requisite documents to prove residency (registration/work permit, visa). If she has, she can apply at the embassy in Bangkok or better yet online. If online, instructions on where to send the passports for "stamping" of visas will be sent down the line.

And yes - the clamp down on work visas started a few years ago with companies (even multinationals) required to hire a few nationals for each expat in the staff. If I recall right it was 5 nationals for each expat when I was there. Of course, enforcement of restrictions depend on who/which party is on the government at that time

Yes, it turned into a bit of an industry. The biggest problem is that they now limit people without proper education training to two or three education visas. She has already been in Thailand for a while, and can not get another with her current training. And just recently (past few months) have considerably locked down on visa running. If they think you are a runner, they will just refuse you entry. While I was there a couple months ago, they were in the middle of the change, and if you did a re-entry, you'd get a "runner" stamp, which means the next time you did a visa run, you'd be turned away, even if you've been living there for ages, have a long term job, property, etc.

Good luck on the application...

.../atb

Thank you

 

[ragluf]

I really wish this wasn't quite so hard.

Well I have seen instances (although too few and too far in between) wherein a TRV applicant from the PH got the visa - first-time applicant, limited funds, and little to no significant travel, with the only ties as the family. CIC does sometimes work in "mysterious ways" which adds to the general confusion in how to get success in a TRV application.

.../all the best