Hi there
I just wanted to give you a heads up to your situation. I understand what it is like to be in your situation. Canada is a very beautiful place to live but unfortunately it is the most strict in regards to getting visas and stuff. Originally, it was the United States that was the hardest country to get a visa, but now it is Canada. To go over there now to visit your 'boyfriend' will not be an easy task.
I am NOT saying it isn't possible, but I am saying that the steps involved are lengthy and if you skip out on or, simply, DONT have then you chances of getting a visa are extremely lower.
I am a Canadian citizen and my wife is Chinese. I know that you are Filipino but you are trying to get to Canada and the requirements will be the same. The other difference is that I was married last year and in your situation, he is your boyfriend. Your situation is going to be really really tough. Sorry to give you bad news
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My wife knows so many people that get visas for people as their business and so we know sooo much about this process. So, I just saw your post and thought I would spend 25 minuets or so writing a good and clear explanation for you and others to see.
So read carefully if you want to try to apply for a visa to see your boyfriend.
This will be a very good list for someone who is from China trying to visit their boyfriend or husband. But this list will work for people of other countries INCLUDING the Philipinnes I take it.
1. It is not going to be easier. It will be 100 times easier if you were married to him. Because if you are not married to him, the embassy will be afraid that you will go there and not come back. They know that many people try to go there and immigrate. If you were married, then you would be going to see your husband and that is a whole different situation. So the process of proving that you will NOT come back will be a difficult one for him and for you to prove. Can it be done? Yes, but depending on the visa officer you get and the strictness they have set for your country, if you dont provide a material that is needed, you wont get a visa.
2. Because he is your boyfriend, it will be extremely difficult to get a visa to Canada.
I know that you will have to prove your relationship very clearly. Printing out email conversations, MSN chat conversations. Provide many pictures of you guys together (this is a must)
You will also have to prove you will be coming back, so a letter from your work that is stamped and signed by the manager stating that you work with them. Your position and your salary. Another letter from your company that is stamped and signed that allows you a short leave of absence. If it is too long, they will be suspicious that you are going there to immigrate.
Another thing you will want to provide is a property ownership certificate that proves that you have a house. That has a lot of leverage. If they see that then they can see that you have a home to come home too.
Another thing you will have to provide is proof that you have a lot of money in your bank account. If you dont have a lot of money in your bank account, if he wires you money, that is ok. But if the embassy actually checks your account and sees a whole bunch of money suddenly deposited into it, they will be suspicious that it is NOT your own money. These things will cause them to deny you a visa immediately.
Your boyfriend will have to write an invitation letter that is signed by him and NOTARIZED by a notary public. That way the embassy can see that it is true. It is really good if he writes an invitation letter where he declares and guarantees to pay for all of your expenses while you are away. Then get THAT notarized. Then he has to send that original copy through the MAIL to your address in the Philipines. A scanned copy of that kind of letter will not be accepted.
In reaching a decision whether you are elligible for a visa, the visa officer considers several factors, which include:
* the applicant's travel and identity documents;
* the reason for travel to Canada and the applicant's contacts there;
* the applicant's financial means for the trip;
* the applicant's ties to his or her country of residence, including immigration status, employment and family ties;
* whether the applicant would be likely to leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay;
* the applicant's health condition.
Officers make decisions on a case-by-case basis. The onus is on applicants to show that their intentions are genuine.
Other requirements may include:
1. Completed “Application for a Temporary Resident Visa” (IMM 5257). Accompanying children aged 18 years old and above must complete their own application form.
2. Completed “Family Composition Information and Details of Education and Employment” form for the applicant and each accompanying family member who are aged 18 years old and above, completed in English or French AND YOUR countries language
3. Three (3) identical photos of the applicant and each accompanying family member, colour or black and white taken against a plain white or light coloured background within the last 6 months. The frame size is 35mm X 45mm. On the back of one photo in each set, write the name in pinyin and date of birth (day/month/year) of the person appearing in the photo.
4. A valid passport for the applicant and each accompanying family member. There must be one completely blank page other than the last page, available in each passport and each passport must be valid for at least six (6) months prior to travel
5. Two (2) self-addressed adhesive labels with the applicant's current address
6. Two (2) self-addressed adhesive labels with the applicant's current address in Chinese characters (no envelope).
7. “Use of a Representative” form (IMM5476E) if someone has assisted you in making this application.
8. For children less than 18 years old, Parental Letter of Consent from your non-accompanying parent(s) authorizing your travel. This letter should contain the dates of travel and your parent(s)' contact information.
9. If you are employed, a signed original letter on company letterhead from the employer granting leave of absence and including the following information:
• the applicant's name, position, current salary and date of hire; and
• the employer's name and address in Chinese characters as well as the telephone and fax number.
10. If you are retired, a Retirement Certificate indicating the amount of the applicant's pension.
11. If you are a student traveling during periods other than school holidays, an original letter from your school confirming that you are enrolled and in good standing and that the school has approved your absence.
12. Original bank documents showing financial history over several months (e.g. Certificates of Deposits, bank books, etc.).
13. Evidence of assets your country (e.g.
original house property certificate, vehicle registration, etc.).
14. Proof of relationship with the inviter in Canada (e.g. copy of birth certificate, copy of marriage certificate, proof of correspondence, photos, emails etc.)
15. An invitation letter stating the purpose and duration of the visit. This letter should be original and sent in the mail to the applicant in your country. This has more leverage then just writing a letter, signing it, scanning it and sending it via email to the applicant. If possible for the INVITER to write on the letter that he/she will provide all expenses to the applicant, that would be good. But the applicant STILL has to provide his/her own financial proof that would be enough in case of emergency.
16. A list showing the number of people in inviter's household.
17. A copy of the inviter's citizenship (eg. Birth certificate and passport)
18. Proof of inviter's income and financial situation in the form of independent, third-party documentation from a Canadian source which is reliable or easily verifiable. For example, but not limited to: Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessments [NOA], employment letters showing salary, pay stubs, banks statements, Statements of Remuneration Paid or financial statements prepared by a licensed professional.
I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, please ask me. I am not sure if i will be able to answer all of your questions but I will try.
Blessings
Mike
