My mother passed away the day after Christmas in 2022. Now my stepdad is on his own, no friends, no relatives. Ideally I would love to sponsor him so he could get his PR and come to live with us in Canada, but even getting a Supervisa would be great. However, it turned out that I was never officially adopted when he married my mom. Is it possible to prove our relationship to the visa office?
Never adopted, wanting to sponsor stepdad
- Thread starter CWB
- Start date
Unfortunately both the super visa and PR sponsorship are not possible since he's not related to you by blood and you were never adopted. He can certainly apply for a regular TRV.
If he is able to get a TRV approved and come to Canada, you could explore having him apply for PR through H&C. This is not a straight forward path given your situation and I'd recommend you hire an immigration lawyer to help you. However H&C is only possible if he is in Canada. So a TRV is the first step.
You would need to show that his situation meets H&C. Can he care for himself? live independently? Those will be the types of things needed if he wants to try for H&C. If denied it could make visiting you in Canada more difficult. Is he a US citizen? Perhaps moving to a border area would be a solution and he can still visit for up to 6 months and can apply for an extension if he would like to visit longer at some point.
Thank you for your replies, scylla and canuck78.
We will work on getting him a TRV and I have never even considered the H&C track. So far he's in good health and can take care of himself at 76 years of age. But I worry about him. Unfortunately he lives in a country that requires a visa for entry into Canada, so, moving him to US is even less feasible.
We will work on getting him a TRV and I have never even considered the H&C track. So far he's in good health and can take care of himself at 76 years of age. But I worry about him. Unfortunately he lives in a country that requires a visa for entry into Canada, so, moving him to US is even less feasible.
Sorry based on other posts it looked like you were from the US. H&C would be a very tough to argue if he can care for himself. H&C is far from guaranteed at anytime. Would be exploring other options as well. Like care in his home country. Depending on travel history, savings,ties to his home country, his citizenship,etc. a TRV could also be difficult to obtain but your only option at the moment.
Understood. I myself immigrated to Canada from the US but he has never lived or had a status there. I think he might at some point qualify for a refugee status if the situation in Russia, where he lives, deteriorates due to the war or post-war crisis. His country of origin will, of course, affect the chance of getting the TRV, I do realize it and try not to get my hopes up. This effing war affects so many people who never imagined this might happen in their lifetimes.
Unless he is of fighting age or a record of being a vocal opponent of Putin and/or the war getting asylum from Russia will likely be difficult. Living in unfavourable conditions is not a reason for asylum. Those who are currently getting asylum from Russia, which is actually quite difficult depending on the country, are usually young people who are politically involved against the war or Putin and especially men who have received a conscription letter. Many young Russian professionals are discovering that escaping potentially being called to fight is not enough for many countries. Russia is also sending out KGB agents who pose as refugees so there is also concern about who are true refugees and who aren’t.Understood. I myself immigrated to Canada from the US but he has never lived or had a status there. I think he might at some point qualify for a refugee status if the situation in Russia, where he lives, deteriorates due to the war or post-war crisis. His country of origin will, of course, affect the chance of getting the TRV, I do realize it and try not to get my hopes up. This effing war affects so many people who never imagined this might happen in their lifetimes.
Would start to see if your stepdad can get a TRV. He will need to show strong ties to Russia, savings, proof of international travel to places like Europe, US, etc. He has to essentially prove that he will return home.
Thank you. His current situation does not inspire much hope in me, even for the TRV.
He's just a lonely elderly person, and certainly not a political activist. No ties to speak of, other than his apartment/savings and he's never traveled internationally. We will try for the Canadian TRV. Other options might be Germany, where my half brother is living; or (probably the most achievable) - Belarus, where he has relatives. Not a whole lot better than Russia, but at least he wouldn't be completely on his own...No harm in trying for the TRV. You should try.Thank you. His current situation does not inspire much hope in me, even for the TRV.
You will have to research Germany immigration policies but don’t think it will be easy or even possible to remain longterm in Germany either or have access to healthcare. Russians are having problems getting any form of visas to enter Europe from RussiaThank you. His current situation does not inspire much hope in me, even for the TRV.
I have finished filling out the online TRV application for my stepdad.
There are documents that, I assume, will have to be translated from Russian - his passports, the letter from his bank, etc. I currently have scans of these documents he sent me. Before I go to the translators, do I need to get the originals or certified copies of these documents or will these scans do?
I'm also working on the letter of invitation for him. Is there anything I could mention in it (besides obvious and required things) that would make his intent to visit and then return to Russia appear more credible?
Thank you in advance.
There are documents that, I assume, will have to be translated from Russian - his passports, the letter from his bank, etc. I currently have scans of these documents he sent me. Before I go to the translators, do I need to get the originals or certified copies of these documents or will these scans do?
I'm also working on the letter of invitation for him. Is there anything I could mention in it (besides obvious and required things) that would make his intent to visit and then return to Russia appear more credible?
Thank you in advance.
his passports - travelling passport doesn't need to be translated. If checklist requires internal passport, then, you have to do it.
It might be easier for him to go to local translation bureau and have all documents translated and certified by the bureau itself. You don't need to have notarized copies. Then he'll send you the scans of original + translations so you can upload them. I did it for my wife for TRV long time ago and then for PR now. If you wish to make the translation here in Canada of any Russian document I don't know if scans will be accepted - ask your local translator.
For credibility, I'm not sure if it's have to be in the invitation letter or separate one, but since he didn't travel it might be quite difficult. He probably own his apartment and if there is no one to take care for it while he's away - it might be an argument. Any other property like chalet (dacha), a car?
Does he have any occupation? Sorry, can't give you exact answers, you have to improvise.
It might be easier for him to go to local translation bureau and have all documents translated and certified by the bureau itself. You don't need to have notarized copies. Then he'll send you the scans of original + translations so you can upload them. I did it for my wife for TRV long time ago and then for PR now. If you wish to make the translation here in Canada of any Russian document I don't know if scans will be accepted - ask your local translator.
For credibility, I'm not sure if it's have to be in the invitation letter or separate one, but since he didn't travel it might be quite difficult. He probably own his apartment and if there is no one to take care for it while he's away - it might be an argument. Any other property like chalet (dacha), a car?
Does he have any occupation? Sorry, can't give you exact answers, you have to improvise.
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