Seeking advice for girlfriend's visa

[AdequateDude]

Hi everyone. I posted a thread a little while ago about my desire to get a visa for my Nicaraguan girlfriend to visit me. I broke my jaw recently and so the visa process kind of fell off the agenda, but I'd like to get this done so that I can hopefully see her this holiday season.

What I would appreciate most would be advice on how to present our case. Primarily:

• On the invitation letter. Are more details better, or is it best to keep it short? My parents are also vouching for her, as I live with them. Should they make their own letter(s) or should they just sign the one I make?
• On the process itself. Should we designate myself as a representative on her behalf, and/or grant authorization for IRCC to release your application information to me? Will that hurt our chances?

She's in Nicaragua. She's 32, never married, no kids, stable job as a teacher in a government school for years, no dramatic changes in her bank account over the past 6 months though she is quite poor.

Would anyone be able to help with me advice?

 

[Jalex23]

Hi everyone. I posted a thread a little while ago about my desire to get a visa for my Nicaraguan girlfriend to visit me. I broke my jaw recently and so the visa process kind of fell off the agenda, but I'd like to get this done so that I can hopefully see her this holiday season.

What I would appreciate most would be advice on how to present our case. Primarily:

• On the invitation letter. Are more details better, or is it best to keep it short? My parents are also vouching for her, as I live with them. Should they make their own letter(s) or should they just sign the one I make?
• On the process itself. Should we designate myself as a representative on her behalf, and/or grant authorization for IRCC to release your application information to me? Will that hurt our chances?

She's in Nicaragua. She's 32, never married, no kids, stable job as a teacher in a government school for years, no dramatic changes in her bank account over the past 6 months though she is quite poor.

Would anyone be able to help with me advice?

The best way to present it is to be honest and straight forward. Be open of your intentions. Of course do not share more than is needed but do not hide/omit information that would give a false impression.

Think it from CICs point of view. If she is poor, she needs you to be her representative, she is your gf, she needs your financial support, then that is a very high chance of refusal. Why? because those are signs of her trying to immigrate illegally to Canada, either to look for a job (she is poor) either to get married (she is your gf) and/or to become your common law (she needs your financial support).

How would you prove to CIC that that is not the case? A short visit makes sense.

We sometimes recommend that you give her money. Make a transfer (air tickets + allowance) to her account in cash, keep proof of it, let it rest in the account for at least three months. Show evidence of that money transfer and include a letter of explanation for the money movement. This will tell CIC the relationship is serious, that the money given does match the activities you have planned, and that she is "affording" the trip as she can make use of the money as needed.

Think of other ways of showing strong ties to her home country, and think of it as CIC would... if your parents add to the invitation then 1) shows you are not able to support your own guests 2) there is too much interest for "a friend" or "for a not serious girlfriend = marriage" 3) gives her more reasons to stay in Canada rather than returning home.

Good luck.

 

[AdequateDude]

Ugh, okay. Thanks again, Jalex. In your opinion, do you see the application as being unlikely to succeed? Also: if I'm providing my own banking information, should I include only my debit accounts or my credit card as well? And to be clear, are you suggesting that it's best to not include my parents whatsoever in the application process? Would a notarized oath on my part that I will not allow her to overstay her visa have any value in the application? I feel like I really only have one shot at this, because frankly the circumstances aren't going to change after a few months.

Furthermore, if she does get rejected, I suppose my only option would be to go down to Nicaragua in December to get married then apply again via the marriage route. Would this failed visitor visa negatively impact her chances on getting that visa, do you think? We would like to avoid getting married until she's visited a couple of times, but I guess we really won't have any other options if she can't get a visitor visa...

 

[Jalex23]

Ugh, okay. Thanks again, Jalex. In your opinion, do you see the application as being unlikely to succeed?

I do not know your specifics. Hard to say.

Also: if I'm providing my own banking information, should I include only my debit accounts or my credit card as well?

Everything that will help set a point.

And to be clear, are you suggesting that it's best to not include my parents whatsoever in the application process?

I am just telling you how things might be read. It is up to you to decide if it makes sense or not, if it weakens gives strength to your application. Like your debit + credit. Yes, you establish you can afford her visit, you also establishing she has little reason to go back to her home country.

Be careful about what you include.

Would a notarized oath on my part that I will not allow her to overstay her visa have any value in the application?

No.

Furthermore, if she does get rejected, I suppose my only option would be to go down to Nicaragua in December to get married then apply again via the marriage route. Would this failed visitor visa negatively impact her chances on getting that visa, do you think? We would like to avoid getting married until she's visited a couple of times, but I guess we really won't have any other options if she can't get a visitor visa...

No impact.

 

[AdequateDude]

Okay. Well, thanks again, Jalex.

If anyone has any other thoughts or advice, I'd still greatly appreciate it!