Letter of invitation from a brother - would appreciate your thoughts!

[mikhail8705]

Hi, I'm looking at my options for applying for the visitor visa and am unsure about a few things - would appreciate your help here!

I have a brother who's a Canadian citizen. He's willing to issue a letter of invitation and even claim he can financially support me during my stay. Would that be a positive thing in terms of my chances? (it gives me a reason for a visit but also might indicate I'm more likely not to go back)

Also, will I still need proof of funds in that case?

And lastly (thank you, a patient reader!), can somebody point me to the instructions as to how to proceed with the letter? (here I found only a vague description)

Thanks!

 

[cansha]

Hi, I'm looking at my options for applying for the visitor visa and am unsure about a few things - would appreciate your help here!

I have a brother who's a Canadian citizen. He's willing to issue a letter of invitation and even claim he can financially support me during my stay. Would that be a positive thing in terms of my chances? (it gives me a reason for a visit but also might indicate I'm more likely not to go back)

Also, will I still need proof of funds in that case?

And lastly (thank you, a patient reader!), can somebody point me to the instructions as to how to proceed with the letter? (here I found only a vague description)

Thanks!

Issuing a letter of invitation is okay. But it doesn't have the kind of impact people seem to think it does.

As a temporary visitor you need to have your funds so a invitation letter stating he will financially support you may actually have a negative impact. You definitely need your own proof of funds to have a better chance to get a visitor visa.

There is no set format for invite letter and it doesn't matter as much as details related to your finances and home ties.

 

[scylla]

Hi, I'm looking at my options for applying for the visitor visa and am unsure about a few things - would appreciate your help here!

I have a brother who's a Canadian citizen. He's willing to issue a letter of invitation and even claim he can financially support me during my stay. Would that be a positive thing in terms of my chances? (it gives me a reason for a visit but also might indicate I'm more likely not to go back)

Also, will I still need proof of funds in that case?

And lastly (thank you, a patient reader!), can somebody point me to the instructions as to how to proceed with the letter? (here I found only a vague description)

Thanks!

You should financially support your own stay and provide a bank statement showing you have the required funds. It will weaken your application significantly if your brother is the one funding your visit. So yes, you need to show your own proof of funds. You should also provide evidence of other ties to your home country such as employment and property ownership (if possible).

 

[canuck78]

Hi, I'm looking at my options for applying for the visitor visa and am unsure about a few things - would appreciate your help here!

I have a brother who's a Canadian citizen. He's willing to issue a letter of invitation and even claim he can financially support me during my stay. Would that be a positive thing in terms of my chances? (it gives me a reason for a visit but also might indicate I'm more likely not to go back)

Also, will I still need proof of funds in that case?

And lastly (thank you, a patient reader!), can somebody point me to the instructions as to how to proceed with the letter? (here I found only a vague description)

Thanks!

It also looks like you may be Russian so expect that there will be increased scrutiny when it comes to your application and there will be concern that you have no intention to return to Russia especially as a male.

 

[mikhail8705]

Thank you all for the answers! I am indeed Russian and am aware of the perception an officer may have so trying to find all the possible angles to maximize the chances.

Also, since we're here, do you think participating in an exhibition in Canada (which really fits my occupation) on top of the invitation from a brother will be a positive thing? Or it might come across as if I'm stacking my chances (which it is). Thanks!

 

[canuck78]

Thank you all for the answers! I am indeed Russian and am aware of the perception an officer may have so trying to find all the possible angles to maximize the chances.

Also, since we're here, do you think participating in an exhibition in Canada (which really fits my occupation) on top of the invitation from a brother will be a positive thing? Or it might come across as if I'm stacking my chances (which it is). Thanks!

Really depends if you participate in exhibitions regularly and it would make sense that you’d need to come to Canada. Would focus on proof of current employment, having enough funds to support your own travel, proof that you have a home in Russia to return to, etc. If he has a good international travel history that will also help. Unfortunately any Russian TRV application will be met with a high level of scrutiny but especially from young men. If he is trying to leave Russia does he have a specific skill set that is needed in Canada? For example if he was in IT he may be able to secure a job much easier than visit visa these days. Not sure what type of exhibition you are referring to.