My Filipina fiance to visit me in Canada

[JayL86]

Hello Everyone! I would like to seek advice from someone (or anyone) who is knowledgeable in regards of my current situation.

Basically, I am a Canadian citizen who went to live in the Philippines for a couple of years where I met my now fiancee.

Her and I never lived together, so common-law sponsorship is out of the question.

We are planning to get married in the Philippines in 2015, however, I would like her to visit Canada first to show her around, as I plan to sponsor her once we are married.

I am planning to send her an invitation to apply for a temporary resident visa and stay here for a couple of weeks.

However, we have a serious concern about her application getting denied due to us being engaged, as it is known to raise many red flags.

While our intentions are genuine, I do know for a fact that the immigration officers are very strict, especially in cases like ours.

She owns a condo in the Philippines, is employed at one of the well-known companies in the Philippines, she is from a well-off family in the Philippines, she does not have any relatives in Canada and has recently travelled to Europe as well.

In short, she has very strong ties to the Philippines and have every reason to go back there.

As for me, I have a career and I would say that I have the finances to cover for her expenses while she's here for a couple of weeks.

Now, my question is... would it be better for her to apply for a temporary resident visa independently or for me to invite her?

Also, in case her application for TRV gets denied and we later on applied for a spousal sponsorship after our wedding in 2015, will that make the immigration officers think that her and I only got married so that she could come to Canada?

Any feedback will be highly appreciated.

I would like to thank everyone in advance, especially those who has had or who has similar situations in life and wouldn't mind sharing the outcome, whether positive or negative.

Kind Regards,

JL

 

[ragluf]

Hi,

We are planning to get married in the Philippines in 2015, however, I would like her to visit Canada first to show her around, as I plan to sponsor her once we are married.

First congratulations on getting engaged!

Now, my question is... would it be better for her to apply for a temporary resident visa independently or for me to invite her?

There must be a reason for the travel - so you may provide an invitiation letter for her. Also, the nature of the visit is temporary, so a reasonable amount of time for the visit should be shown - a detailed itinerary if possible should be presented. She then applies for a TRV based on the invitation letter and she will be assessed based on her own merit/credentials/finances/work history/travel history etc. As you described her work history and travel history, these should add some positive weight to the TRV in addition to the finances. You may have been reading up on preparing a TRV so you know ample proof should be presented. My personal opinion is not to mention for now the relationship in the invitation letter, as there are keywords that brings more questions into the intent of the TRV application.

Also, in case her application for TRV gets denied and we later on applied for a spousal sponsorship after our wedding in 2015, will that make the immigration officers think that her and I only got married so that she could come to Canada?

This is why the TRV is should be applied for with the proper intent. Also with respect to the application for spousal sponsorship - most of the proof needed is to the genuiness of the relationship.

My personal opinion is to time it right; applying immediately after the wedding (with a previous TRV denial) is in my view too soon. Put some time in between, leading credence to the well-thought of planning where to settle and start a family. There is a section in this forum for Spousal Sponsorship - you may post specific questions in those threads and get more information for the Spousal Sponsorship application.

/hth

 

[amikety]

There is no stigma to apply right after the wedding. If they're marrying in 2015, it sounds like they will have 3-4 years of dating to show a genuine relationship. Dating for 4 years or more lifts the conditional PR status....... so it would be fine.

It sounds like she has a strong TRV application. It can still be denied - denial for spouse is common........ if that happens, then you can order the case notes and try again.

 

[davek1979]

You fiancee could also apply to come to Canada on her own and not mention you. Have her book a hotel and a tour while she is here.

Make sure all the numbers look reasonable and that might be even better.

We did that and it worked for us.