Canada/US Transit Visa. Please Help!!

[Zaki300]

Hi there

Im an Indian Citizen married to a Mexican for 2 years but arrived in Mexico on spousal visa in April so I have my residence here in Mexico.
I want to go back home for 3 weeks but theres no direct flight from Mexico to India and all flights have via either Europe or US/ Canada, unfortunately I need a transit visa in all cases.
Only way I can avoid it is going via Brazil which costs around US$3000 return ticket and its unaffordable to be honest.
The best deal for flights I get are either via USA or Canada and I have no idea which country can issue me transit visa more likely.
In case if its Canada then I need some information about it please!

1) what documents I need for Canadian transit visa?

2) Im afraid to book ticket before visa because if visa is denied then I'll be losing some part of money, so can I just reserve and apply?

3) Return ticket via US or Canada costs me $1300 so how much Money in bank I need to show which should be enough for visa to be granted?

4) regarding to ties, I have my family in India and I have my wife in Mexico. Other than that I don't have properties or business etc so are these ties okay?

5) how long it takes usually to be processed in Mexico?
because TRV takes 6 days in Mexico according to CIC website

6) what are the chances for transit visas because I never been into transit visas before?

Regards

 

[Jalex23]

5) how long it takes usually to be processed in Mexico?
because TRV takes 6 days in Mexico according to CIC website

I'll help you with this one.

For the Canadian embassy in Mexico you are a foreigner applying out of his country (and area), therefore those times DO NOT apply to you. Nonetheless your waiting time should be between 2-4 weeks, not much of a difference as normal processing times are between 1-2 weeks for transit visas.

 

[Zaki300]

Thanks.
I need other answers as well so please someone could help me?

 

[Gail Edwards]

My daughter who is studying in Scotland is coming home(Trinidad) with West Jet via Canada Can she get a transit visa

 

[Bryanna]

@Zaki300

Without plane tickets + nearly zero ties to Mexico/India, your chances of getting approved for a Canada transit visa are low.

Similarly for the US, the documentation for a C-1 transit visa is nearly the same as that for a B1/B2. You'll have to prove your employment/ property/ other ties + plane tickets + financials, etc. So, it would be better if you apply for a tourist visa instead of a C-1 transit visa.

You could apply for a Schengen transit visa i.e. an Airport Transit Visa if you do NOT have to leave the security area/you do not have a connecting flight from a different airport/do not have to stay in a hotel, etc.... otherwise you will need a regular Schengen tourist visa

 

[akbardxb]

You may not need a Schengen visa. We transited through Amsterdam once without a Schengen visa. Best to check with the airline, if KLM flies from Mexico.

 

[akbardxb]

Also, in October '15 I transited in Munich including a change of airline (but on same PNR) and did not need a Schengen visa - unless the rules have changed since then.

 

[Bryanna]

@akhbardxb

Indian citizens do not need Schengen transit visas if they hold valid US or Canada visas (among the visas issued by some other countries). In this case, the OP does not have a valid US or Canada visa

 

[akbardxb]

@ akhbardxb

Indian citizens do not need Schengen transit visas if they hold valid US or Canada visas (among the visas issued by some other countries). In this case, the OP does not have a valid US or Canada visa

Noted. In both cases of my transit were headed to the US or Canada so I guess this is correct.

However, wouldn't a Schengen transit visa be simpler to get as compared to US or Canada? I believe Schengen requirements are easier to satisfy than North America?

 

[Bryanna]

However, wouldn't a Schengen transit visa be simpler to get as compared to US or Canada? I believe Schengen requirements are easier to satisfy than North America?

Very true.

A US/Canada transit visa is similar to getting a visitor visa. IMO, the OP should apply for a Schengen transit visa

 

[Zaki300]

@ Zaki300

Without plane tickets + nearly zero ties to Mexico/India, your chances of getting approved for a Canada transit visa are low.

Similarly for the US, the documentation for a C-1 transit visa is nearly the same as that for a B1/B2. You'll have to prove your employment/ property/ other ties + plane tickets + financials, etc. So, it would be better if you apply for a tourist visa instead of a C-1 transit visa.

You could apply for a Schengen transit visa i.e. an Airport Transit Visa if you do NOT have to leave the security area/you do not have a connecting flight from a different airport/do not have to stay in a hotel, etc.... otherwise you will need a regular Schengen tourist visa

If i show my marriage certificate showing that my wife is in Mexico and Im going to India (country where I was born) so aren't they enough ties?

 

[Bryanna]

If i show my marriage certificate showing that my wife is in Mexico and Im going to India (country where I was born) so aren't they enough ties?

No. That would not work

 

[Jalex23]

No. That would not work

OP is married to a Mexican citizen (can prove it), requesting only a transit visa. Also he has his spousal Mexican visa, so his status and intention of remaining in Mexico is clear.

I have seen some cases where the transit visas were issued like this to different national married/residing in Mexico.

Maybe I'm missing something but as far as I can tell there shouldn't be any issue with this transit visa

 

[Bryanna]

Jalex23,

It's true that the OP has a spousal visa.... but a marriage certificate/spousal visa is not the only tie that a visa officer would like to see.

In this case, the OP has moved to Mexico only in April 2016.... he does not have a job, nor enrolled in a study program, financials are not strong, etc. Maybe his wife is not dependent on him.

The OP intends to apply for a transit visa without booking tickets. How is this a transit visa application?

The questions/specifics posted by this OP are similar to those recently posted by NightBird

 

[Jalex23]

Jalex23,

It's true that the OP has a spousal visa.... but a marriage certificate/spousal visa is not the only tie that a visa officer would like to see.

In this case, the OP has moved to Mexico only in April 2016.... he does not have a job, nor enrolled in a study program, financials are not strong, etc. Maybe his wife is not dependent on him.

The OP intends to apply for a transit visa without booking tickets. How is this a transit visa application?

The questions/specifics posted by this OP are similar to those recently posted by Nightbird

I agree, OP needs more documentation, I would suggest:

- Marriage certificate (Mexican?)
- Wife's ties to Mexico (work, studies, bank accounts, etc.) <- super important
- Copy of itinerary that shows why a Canadian airport is preferred.

Now for his ties, I would agree if it was a normal TRV, but it isn't, he only needs strong ties if he is requesting a TRV and have ties to Canada. In this case there is no single reason to believe OP has an intention in remaining in Canada:

1. He has a Mexican spousal visa (NAFTA makes this specially valuable).
2. He has gone through the proper channels making his intentions to live in Mexico obvious.
3. He is travelling alone.
4. He is just requesting a transit visa.
5. No abnormal behaviour is at sight.

In the case of transit visas the officers aren't as picky as with normal TRVs, so not having a job, studies atm isn't a big deal (and not expected as he recently got his Mexican visa).

I do agree that booking tickets would help. Sometimes the visa is given for only 1 week and the trip takes 2, so they need to reapply. A fully booked itinerary is a good way to establish intention and to raise chances of getting the transit visa with the appropriate validity for the trip.