Chances of approval for spousal outland applicant's tourist visa

[HopefulLegend]

Hey guys, IRCC recently updated their tourist visa as anyone who applied before September 7th will have to reapply. Traditionally, it's been very difficult for those with an outland spousal application in process to receive an approval as a visitor. Please read this to see the new categories and the September 7th announcement: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/visitors/visa.html

However, it seems like the new guidelines for the tourist visa are a bit more welcoming. For example, one of the available categories for tourist visas is "To unite with an immediate family member who is a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or permanent resident of Canada." This, to me seems like they've maybe relaxed the requirements for spouses/partners who are looking to visit Canada.

What do you guys think? Is it worth applying for a tourist visa for my spouse with these new guidelines? Or is it still really hard to get approval? His outland application has been in progress for 7 months now. Medicals, biometrics, etc. is all done, so we're just stuck waiting. Do you guys have any thoughts/insight? I would really appreciate it

 

[scylla]

Hey guys, IRCC recently updated their tourist visa as anyone who applied before September 7th will have to reapply. Traditionally, it's been very difficult for those with an outland spousal application in process to receive an approval as a visitor. Please read this to see the new categories and the September 7th announcement: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/visitors/visa.html

However, it seems like the new guidelines for the tourist visa are a bit more welcoming. For example, one of the available categories for tourist visas is "To unite with an immediate family member who is a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or permanent resident of Canada." This, to me seems like they've maybe relaxed the requirements for spouses/partners who are looking to visit Canada.

What do you guys think? Is it worth applying for a tourist visa for my spouse with these new guidelines? Or is it still really hard to get approval? His outland application has been in progress for 7 months now. Medicals, biometrics, etc. is all done, so we're just stuck waiting. Do you guys have any thoughts/insight? I would really appreciate it

The pre-September 7th wording under COVID was actually the same. Unfortunately this isn't new wording. It's a lift and shift from what was introduced earlier after COVID started.

IMO the chances are more or less the same as before. By all means apply. You may get lucky. Absolutely no harm in trying.

 

[Klav]

We applied for a visitor visa in February 2021 and heard nothing for 7 months. We reapplied again through the new portal after Sept. 7 update and received approval in 1 month! I would say go for it, it worked for us.

 

[HopefulLegend]

We applied for a visitor visa in February 2021 and heard nothing for 7 months. We reapplied again through the new portal after Sept. 7 update and received approval in 1 month! I would say go for it, it worked for us.

That's awesome! Do you guys also have an active spousal outland application on going too? And what kind of evidence/documents did you provide in the application for the spouse's tourist visa?

 

[Klav]

We sent our PR sponsorship in august but haven’t received AOR yet. We mentioned this in a letter of explanation with our visa application.
We included property ownership, bank statements, and certificate of employment in home country. My husband also has a valid US visa and a lot of travel history. We also had a letter of invitation from my parents in canada.