Inviting a Russian national to visit Canada with me

[airborn]

Hello everyone. I hope someone could enlighten me with some valuable information.

I will be traveling back to Canada this summer to visit friends and family for 2 weeks and my Russian friend will be tagging along. We both currently live in Tokyo. I'm Canadian, but I have lived outside of Canada for almost 7 years now.

She's Russian, she's married to a Japanese national for over 6 years, she has a job in Tokyo, and of course has been living here in Japan for over 7 years.

I have two questions.

1. What VISA should she apply for that would increase her odds of being granted a temporary visitors visa?

2. Is there perhaps a way for me to be incorporated into the visa process such as writing a letter of invitation? Or indicating what our travel plans will be, where we will be staying, etc? Perhaps this is a different kind of visa all together??

Any help for information would be much appreciated.

 

[Leopold_31]

Well first of all why is she traveling to Canada? Just as a tourist? Where she will be staying? With who?
If my assumption is correct and she is just visiting Canada as a tourist and will stay with you:

1) She needs a temporary visitor visa and probably state tourism as reason for traveling.
2) If you are her only link to Canada, then definately write a nice invitation letter to her giving as much detail about your trip and your relationship. She will also need to write a letter stating the reason for her trip, her financial situation and as much proof as possible that she will go back to Japan. For example marriage certificate with her husband would be very important.

 

[airborn]

Well first of all why is she traveling to Canada? Just as a tourist? Where she will be staying? With who?
If my assumption is correct and she is just visiting Canada as a tourist and will stay with you:

1) She needs a temporary visitor visa and probably state tourism as reason for traveling.
2) If you are her only link to Canada, then definately write a nice invitation letter to her giving as much detail about your trip and your relationship. She will also need to write a letter stating the reason for her trip, her financial situation and as much proof as possible that she will go back to Japan. For example marriage certificate with her husband would be very important.

Hi Leopold_31.

Yes, she will be traveling to Canada as a tourist and she and I will be staying at my sisters place for a portion of the trip. I think an invitation letter is a great tip, same with her certificate of marriage with her husband is important as well... I didn't think of that one.

Any additional tips would be appreciated.

I was also thinking that perhaps a letter from her employer would be good since she has a more senior level responsibilities and the company needs her in order to function efficiently.

Are bank statements important too? Or perhaps pay slips?

 

[Leopold_31]

Hi Leopold_31.

Yes, she will be traveling to Canada as a tourist and she and I will be staying at my sisters place for a portion of the trip. I think an invitation letter is a great tip, same with her certificate of marriage with her husband is important as well... I didn't think of that one.

Any additional tips would be appreciated.

I was also thinking that perhaps a letter from her employer would be good since she has a more senior level responsibilities and the company needs her in order to function efficiently.

Are bank statements important too? Or perhaps pay slips?

I suggest for her to do an online application for the visa. You have to fill up a questionnaire about your visa and it will give you a list of required documents. Pretty much tells you exactly what you need.
I would also include photos of you and your friend together, to show that you are actually friends. Basicaly there are 2 things:
1) Provide as much detail as possible about your trip. Show that she has money to afford it
2) Show as much ties to Japan as possible, show to visa officer that she will come back

I think if she does it all properly she has a very high chance to get a visa.

 

[airborn]

I suggest for her to do an online application for the visa. You have to fill up a questionnaire about your visa and it will give you a list of required documents. Pretty much tells you exactly what you need.
I would also include photos of you and your friend together, to show that you are actually friends. Basicaly there are 2 things:
1) Provide as much detail as possible about your trip. Show that she has money to afford it
2) Show as much ties to Japan as possible, show to visa officer that she will come back

I think if she does it all properly she has a very high chance to get a visa.

Thanks again for the information. I'll share this with her!