Bringing parents into Canada

[samrat_kgiri]

Hello All,

Hope you are doing well.

Background: I reside in USA as a H1-B visa holder. I also have a Canadian PR since Jan-2020. Since COVID happened, I was unable to come to Canada because of various obligations. My parents are here in USA with me. Now, however, my situation slightly improved and I am looking forward to coming to Canada.

Plan is to enter Canada through a land border from USA with my parents.

Question: I am trying to apply a Canadian visit visa for my parents. However, I don't have a residence set up in Canada.

1. So super visa is out of question (at least that was my impression after reading through the official website) Please correct me if I am wrong.
2. Do I need to have a residence setup in Canada first before applying / sponsoring visa (multiple entry or super) for my parents ? I ask this because all my work, bank statements and financial are in USA. How can I have an invitation letter when I am not in Canada ? Can I potentially do an online lease/friend's address and put that as proof ?

Due to quarantine restrictions, once I come into Canada, I have to stay 14 days and if I can't get back into USA, I would be in a big mess. So I am not considering that option at present

Thanks in advance !

 

[scylla]

Hello All,

Hope you are doing well.

Background: I reside in USA as a H1-B visa holder. I also have a Canadian PR since Jan-2020. Since COVID happened, I was unable to come to Canada because of various obligations. My parents are here in USA with me. Now, however, my situation slightly improved and I am looking forward to coming to Canada.

Plan is to enter Canada through a land border from USA with my parents.

Question: I am trying to apply a Canadian visit visa for my parents. However, I don't have a residence set up in Canada.

1. So super visa is out of question (at least that was my impression after reading through the official website) Please correct me if I am wrong.
2. Do I need to have a residence setup in Canada first before applying / sponsoring visa (multiple entry or super) for my parents ? I ask this because all my work, bank statements and financial are in USA. How can I have an invitation letter when I am not in Canada ? Can I potentially do an online lease/friend's address and put that as proof ?

Due to quarantine restrictions, once I come into Canada, I have to stay 14 days and if I can't get back into USA, I would be in a big mess. So I am not considering that option at present

Thanks in advance !

1. Super visa is not an option.
2. TRV is their only option. You don't sponsor them on a TRV like you do on a super visa. They have to largely qualify on their own merits. You can certainly include an invitation letter indicating you will cover their expenses. They should show their own funds as well, and also ties to their home country.

I'm not sure I understand your comments regarding quarantine restrictions. What option are you not considering?

 

[canuck78]

Would warn you that Canada does not want parents moving to Canada with their children. It is preferred that parents come to visit when you have become established in Canada. Most parents do not qualify for a supervisa for the first year because the child must earn the LICO amount in Canada to qualify. It is not based on your future salary.

 

[samrat_kgiri]

1. Super visa is not an option.
2. TRV is their only option. You don't sponsor them on a TRV like you do on a super visa. They have to largely qualify on their own merits. You can certainly include an invitation letter indicating you will cover their expenses. They should show their own funds as well, and also ties to their home country.

I'm not sure I understand your comments regarding quarantine restrictions. What option are you not considering?

Thank you for providing an alternative option. I will look into TRV

The option I was not considering is coming to Canada and then establishing residence, staying in Canada for couple of months and then come to USA to make the final move with parents.

I am not considering that option because once I enter Canada, my H1b work visa would be invalid and I need a visitor visa to re-enter USA. And with the current border restrictions by land, I thought its not wise making multiple trips.

 

[scylla]

Thank you for providing an alternative option. I will look into TRV

The option I was not considering is coming to Canada and then establishing residence, staying in Canada for couple of months and then come to USA to make the final move with parents.

I am not considering that option because once I enter Canada, my H1b work visa would be invalid and I need a visitor visa to re-enter USA. And with the current border restrictions by land, I thought its not wise making multiple trips.

Understood. That makes sense.

Note that the TRV only allows your parents into Canada temporarily as visitors. In both the application process as well as when you cross the border, you want to avoid looking like they are moving here. Also, make sure you take out private medical insurance to cover emergencies. Non-emergency care will need to be paid out of pocket.

 

[samrat_kgiri]

Would warn you that Canada does not want parents moving to Canada with their children. It is preferred that parents come to visit when you have become established in Canada. Most parents do not qualify for a supervisa for the first year because the child must earn the LICO amount in Canada to qualify. It is not based on your future salary.

Got it. I took out supervisa from consideration now that I got multiple negatives on that.

you touched upon an interesting point.LICO. Question now is I have banking in Canada that I set up when I came to collect my PR cards. But all my salaries are based in USA. Can I potentially transfer funds to Canadian bank account and show that I have funds ?Has it to be “Earned” in Canada ?Versus having funds to support ? Thx.

 

[scylla]

Got it. I took out supervisa from consideration now that I got multiple negatives on that.

you touched upon an interesting point.LICO. Question now is I have banking in Canada that I set up when I came to collect my PR cards. But all my salaries are based in USA. Can I potentially transfer funds to Canadian bank account and show that I have funds ?Has it to be “Earned” in Canada ?Versus having funds to support ? Thx.

LICO is determined based on income, not savings. Savings cannot be counted under LICO.

 

[canuck78]

Got it. I took out supervisa from consideration now that I got multiple negatives on that.

you touched upon an interesting point.LICO. Question now is I have banking in Canada that I set up when I came to collect my PR cards. But all my salaries are based in USA. Can I potentially transfer funds to Canadian bank account and show that I have funds ?Has it to be “Earned” in Canada ?Versus having funds to support ? Thx.

Proof for LICO is usually your taxable income on your Canadian tax returns. I don’t think you realize that your parents may struggle to get TRVs. They aren’t living in their home country and may have been visiting you in the US for quite some time. To get approved for a TRV they must show they can support their own travel and have strong ties to their home country that shows they will return home. When applying from a 3rd country your ties do not appear as strong. Would make sure you have a plan B if they get denied.

 

[Chandra1]

Hello All,

Hope you are doing well.

Background: I reside in USA as a H1-B visa holder. I also have a Canadian PR since Jan-2020. Since COVID happened, I was unable to come to Canada because of various obligations. My parents are here in USA with me. Now, however, my situation slightly improved and I am looking forward to coming to Canada.

Plan is to enter Canada through a land border from USA with my parents.

Question: I am trying to apply a Canadian visit visa for my parents. However, I don't have a residence set up in Canada.

1. So super visa is out of question (at least that was my impression after reading through the official website) Please correct me if I am wrong.
2. Do I need to have a residence setup in Canada first before applying / sponsoring visa (multiple entry or super) for my parents ? I ask this because all my work, bank statements and financial are in USA. How can I have an invitation letter when I am not in Canada ? Can I potentially do an online lease/friend's address and put that as proof ?

Due to quarantine restrictions, once I come into Canada, I have to stay 14 days and if I can't get back into USA, I would be in a big mess. So I am not considering that option at present

Thanks in advance !

Hi Samrat, So what did you decide? I am on a similar boat. My parents are with me in US on visitor visa. My company is sending me to Canada on work visa. I am exploring option of visitor visa for my parents.

 

[steaky]

Hi Samrat, So what did you decide? I am on a similar boat. My parents are with me in US on visitor visa. My company is sending me to Canada on work visa. I am exploring option of visitor visa for my parents.

Then you post in the wrong forum. Instead, post it under the temporary entry to Canada

 

[scylla]

Hi Samrat, So what did you decide? I am on a similar boat. My parents are with me in US on visitor visa. My company is sending me to Canada on work visa. I am exploring option of visitor visa for my parents.

The only option your parents have is to apply for a regular visitor visa (TRV). This would allow them to visit Canada temporarily as tourists but not live here or stay here long term.

Discussions on applying for a TRV are in the Visitors section of the forum.

 

[samrat_kgiri]

Hello @Chandra1,

Currently with Covid-19, my best bet would be to apply TRV. But for that option, since regular visit visas (Tourism) are not yet being processed because of border closures and stuff, I am thinking to send an invitation letter after I go to Canada. That way, the TRV is for a family visit. As Scylla said, the only option would be a TRV. However, if you show Tourism on a TRV (Visit as opposed to a "Family Visit"), the application will likely get denied. So while filling out the application and sending invite letter, I strongly suggest showing it as a family circumstance.

Best of luck,
Samrat

 

[Chandra1]

Hello @Chandra1,

Currently with Covid-19, my best bet would be to apply TRV. But for that option, since regular visit visas (Tourism) are not yet being processed because of border closures and stuff, I am thinking to send an invitation letter after I go to Canada. That way, the TRV is for a family visit. As Scylla said, the only option would be a TRV. However, if you show Tourism on a TRV (Visit as opposed to a "Family Visit"), the application will likely get denied. So while filling out the application and sending invite letter, I strongly suggest showing it as a family circumstance.

Best of luck,
Samrat

Thanks Samrat, best wishes to you too!!

 

[canuck78]

Thanks Samrat, best wishes to you too!!

It will important that your parents show they have strong ties to India and proof they will return home to get approved. If they have been living with you in the US it makes TRV application much harder.