Canadian Tourist Visa or US Tourist Visa, which is easier?

[Mary1964]

My friend tried to get a US tourist visa from the Philippines but was denied even though she met all the requirements, has a very good job, has worked for over 15 years in her field, owns property, and has all her family in the Philippines. They said her ties weren't strong enough which was strange.

Anyway, is it any easier to get a Canadian visa from Philippines than a US tourist visa? It seems the Canadian visa is a bit more logical than the US visa process from what I can tell. Is this true?

Thank you,
Mary

 

[scylla]

To be approved for a Canadian visit visa, she will have to show strong ties to her home country (just as she did for the US). She will also have to declare that she has been refused a US visa. Her chances of obtaining a Canadian visit visa likely aren't that good. But she can certainly try.

 

[Mary1964]

To be approved for a Canadian visit visa, she will have to show strong ties to her home country (just as she did for the US). She will also have to declare that she has been refused a US visa. Her chances of obtaining a Canadian visit visa likely aren't that good. But she can certainly try.

Thank you for the answer.

I don't see anywhere on the Canadian application where she has to declare she was denied a US visa. Where do you see that?

Also, she does not understand what to show for strong ties beyond what she has.

She has:

1) A decent job at one of the larger hospitals in Manila.
2) Been on this job for 5 years and in her field for 15 years.
3) Graduated with a Bachelors degree in the Philippines.
4) Has ALL her family in the Philippines.
5) Has over $6,000 CAD in the bank.
6) Owns a condo in Manila
7) Has traveled outside of the Philippines in the past.

What else does she need to show strong ties?

Also, she has a friend who lives in Canada who is inviting her and who she will stay with so her costs won't be much more than the flight.

What else can she do to get approved?

Thank you for your help.

Mary

 

[scylla]

Maybe I'm mistaken. I thought there was a location on the application that asked if the applicant has ever been refused elsewhere. Guess I remembered incorrectly.

Her evidence looks decent. You haven't mentioned what family she has in Manila and her status. If she's married and is leaving her husband and children behind - this is good evidence. If she is single and has parents and siblings in the Philippines - this won't be considered as evidence of strong ties.

The main issue is her country of origin. Unfortunately the Philippines has a high refusal rate when it comes to visit visas. This is because there as been so much visitor visa abuse in the past (i.e. visit visa overstays by individuals visiting from the Philippines). I suspect this is why she was refused the US visit visa as well.

By all means try. Maybe she will get lucky.

 

[Mary1964]

She is single and 35 years old. She has her father and mother and all her siblings in the Philippines.

Is there another type of Visa that is easier for her?

Thank you,
Mary

 

[scylla]

That's what I suspected. Unfortunately the parents and siblings won't count for much and her single status will work against her.

If she can secure a job offer in Canada then this would allow her to try to apply for a work visa. However once again, there's no guarantee of approval and finding an employer is pretty difficult.

I would go for the visit visa and hope for the best.

 

[Mary1964]

I really appreciate all the feedback.

Have you ever heard of anyone who is single in her situation that was able to get a visit visa? Is there anything else she can do to strengthen her ties before she applies? Would more money in her bank account help?

Thank you,
Mary

 

[scylla]

Sure - there are certainly people in her situation who have been granted visas. She definitely has a chance.

Having a bit more money in her account (i.e. $10K vs. $6K) won't make much of a difference. Make sure she includes a letter from her employer that confirms she has been granted a vacation and will be returning back to her job on x date. Include salary payment slips / evidence. Include the condo ownership documentation.

 

[Mary1964]

Ok thank you so much.

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Mary

 

[Mary1964]

Oh, a few more things. I think they ask for 3 months bank statements, is this correct?

Also, she has a full time job as an Industrial Engineer at the hospital and works part time as a customer service rep for a website making very good money. Is it good to show the part time income as well? I mean will the help?

Thank you,
Mary

 

[PMM]

Hi

Maybe I'm mistaken. I thought there was a location on the application that asked if the applicant has ever been refused elsewhere. Guess I remembered incorrectly.

Her evidence looks decent. You haven't mentioned what family she has in Manila and her status. If she's married and is leaving her husband and children behind - this is good evidence. If she is single and has parents and siblings in the Philippines - this won't be considered as evidence of strong ties.

The main issue is her country of origin. Unfortunately the Philippines has a high refusal rate when it comes to visit visas. This is because there as been so much visitor visa abuse in the past (i.e. visit visa overstays by individuals visiting from the Philippines). I suspect this is why she was refused the US visit visa as well.

By all means try. Maybe she will get lucky.

You remembered correctly http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5257E.PDF Page 4 No. 2

 

[schoolgirl22]

My friend tried to get a US tourist visa from the Philippines but was denied even though she met all the requirements, has a very good job, has worked for over 15 years in her field, owns property, and has all her family in the Philippines. They said her ties weren't strong enough which was strange.

Anyway, is it any easier to get a Canadian visa from Philippines than a US tourist visa? It seems the Canadian visa is a bit more logical than the US visa process from what I can tell. Is this true?

Thank you,
Mary

Hi! I was able to get a US visa from Manila last Feb 2012. I brought a lot of documents with me, but I was not asked for anything. This was my profile:

21 years old
Single, female
4th year college student (graduating), have own business (a resto and a food stall).
Travel history in current passport: US, Canada, Spain, South Korea, Thailand, Hongkong, Macau
Reason for trip: cousin's wedding
Bam! Multiple entry, valid until Feb 2022.

When asked, I told the consul that I earn roughly P3000 per day, net. He didn't ask me for any proof.
I was denied a US visa last 2010, even if I was accompanied by my mom and even if it was supposed to be my THIRD US visa (I had visas since I was six). It's a case to case basis, I guess. Swertihan din sa immigration officer na mag iinterview sayo. Pure luck.

In my Canada TRV, however, I was listed as a dependent of my mom, who was the principal applicant. She just had to show her bank statements and other documents. My parents and I were given multiple entry TRVs, valid from 2009-March 2012. My mom applied again, and we were given multiple-entry TRVs valid from 2012-2017.
We were given visas despite my sister being a PR here.

Tips for people who plan to apply:
US visa - they will judge you based on how you present yourself. Be confident, dress properly and carry yourself well.
Canadian TRV - they will look at your papers. Puro papel. Make sure your profile looks well in paper, as everyone in this forum is saying.