Planning to apply for tourist visa (family of 3)

[giogenre]

Hello everyone!

I'm planning to apply for tourist visa for me, my wife and my 10 year old son. Hope someone can give advise for the success of our application. We're from Manila, Philippines.

Here are our situations:

1. My parents and 2 brothers are all Canadian citizen. (Parents and youngest brother- 8 years citizens, my other brother - 14 years citizen)
2. We are planning to visit there on the 2nd week of April 2013 (vacation period of my son's schooling) to concide with my mother's birthday (April). We planned to stay for a month, because my son's start of school is on June.
3. My brother who's a Canadian citizen the longest will be the one to give us an invitation and also will be our sponsor.
4. I previously applied for immigration under FSW program last November 2012 but was rejected. Did not re-applied yet.
5. Legally married and have one son.
6. I'm presently working (started January 2012). I can secure a letter/documents from my employer that can support my application.
7. We also have a piggery business handled by my wife but unfortunately have no business documents to prove it.
8. My son is presently studying in elementary (Grade 5).
9. I own a house in the Urban City area but not under my name. Since all my parents and brothers are in Canada, I'm the one who now residing in it.
10. The house is a 4-storey building where I made 3 floors rented to customers for extra income. Cannot show any document to prove this income.
11. My wife and son is staying in the province since 2010 where my in-laws lives.
12. My house in the city still is our official address in our documents.
13. Have a bank account that can be presented. The same bank certificate that I presented when I applied under FSW program. About CAD15,000 - CAD17,000. (still intact).
14. Have travel history (Taiwan, HongKong, Indonesia and Milan, Italy).

Here are my questions:

1. What are the chances that my application will be rejected? What are the possible reasons to be rejected?
2. Is it advisable to apply now (November 2012) even our planned date of arrival is April 2013? What is the perfect time to apply?
3. What documents we need to include in our application?
4. Will my previous application under FSW be a factor in our application rejection?
5. What other alternative documents or requirements if the house or business we own is not under my name?
6. Does having all my family members (parents and brothers) citizens of Canada be a reason for a denial?

Regards and Thanks to all who will help.

 

[amikety]

It sounds like you have a lot of ties to Canada and for whatever reason, you can't show proof of a residence in your name back home, can't prove you have renters to care for. You've also previously applied to come to Canada. Add to that your travel history. I'm sorry to say, but I think you'll probably be rejected for the visa. The VO will see your strong ties to Canada, weak ties to your home city, and may see you as an overstay risk.

You'll need to submit as much documentation as possible. If there's any way you can turn some of these 'dont' have proof' into have proof, it would help. However, based on how much family you have in Canada, I think it would be difficult no matter how much proof you submit. Is there anything in Manila that 'needs' your attention, something that will compel you to return? (Other relatives?)

It's good you're applying early! You may need it Good luck!

 

[giogenre]

Thanks for your insights amikety.

I actually have those fears that you listed. But inspite of those unhelpful conditions that I have, I'm compel to try my luck with a lot of prayers. The only thing that I can think of reasons that need me to go back to Manila is our family business, the house that my parents left to me and the fact that my son is still studying. Unfortunately, the business and house part are undocumented. I once own a computer rental shop before (long time) that maybe I can process for it's renewal which I can include in my application.

I don't know if I need to declare that I have applied before under FSW. I'm not sure if the embassy will know it in time. Might be a risk.

The only immediate relatives I have are my cousins, aunts and uncles. I live in a big community of relatives.

I will try to make our piggery business in the province named after me and my wife's name, but it's quite difficult to have one here in the Philippines (because of environmental issues). But there is what you call a government red tape... he he he

Thanks again!

 

[scylla]

I don't know if I need to declare that I have applied before under FSW. I'm not sure if the embassy will know it in time. Might be a risk.

Yes - you must declare this. The embassy has access to these records and will know that you applied and were refused. If you fail to declare it when applying for the tourist visa, you will be automatically refused. Don't lie in the application.

 

[amikety]

I second that. You'll need to declare you were denied a FSW PR. The applications usually ask if you've been denied ANY visas. Of course, Canada will know this one.

Do the best you can. Any proof you have of life in Manila will help. There are a couple threads here dedicated to Pinoy travellers, so search and see what they suggest too. (Search "trv" "visa" "Manila" in combinations and other combinations.)

Good luck!