tourist visa sponsorship

[JAMO1973]

I have what may be a difficult question. I am married to and live with a Mexican woman. We live in Mexico. I am a Canadian citizen, born in Canada. I want to go for a vacation to Canada this summer. I am a permanent resident of Mexico now and non-resident of Canada. My question is this: Can I be the sponsor inviting my wife to Canada although we don't live there? Does a family member in Canada have to invite my wife to visit? Can my mother and I both write invitation letters? My wife doesn't work but I have a good job and plenty of money in the bank. Do I need to show my bank statement supporting her or does she need to show money in her account or do we both need to show money in our accounts?
Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Regina]

You GF should apply for a visitor visa. You and you mother may write an invitation letter and so on; however, everithing will depend on your GF circumstances in Mexico. If SHE (not you) could convince VO that she will not stay in Canada longer than this trip and that she has stronger ties in Mexico then she could have in Canada in case YOU will decide to live in Canada again.

 

[JAMO1973]

Thanks. I understand that. But I think that me showing my ties here (job,bank accounts,residency status etc.) would show the visa officer that my ties are now here not in Canada and therefore with her being unemployed her tie is with me. It's complicated and I guess it depends on point of view. Anyway does it sound logical?

 

[Regina]

You could try; however, everythnig depends on HER ties not yours. She is asking for TVR.
Does SHE have strong ties to return for them to Mexico even in case YOU change your mind and decide to stay in Canada?

For how long you are going to stay in Canada?

 

[JAMO1973]

We are planning just a 2 week vacation. The funny thing is IF we wanted to stay there we would just apply for a permanent residency visa which would probably be easier to get than the tourist visa as we are a legally married couple! lol

 

[JAMO1973]

Her ties are family ties as she isn't working right now. So that may not be considered strong enough.

 

[Regina]

O! You are married! It could definitely cause a problem. Did your parents-Canadian relatives-friend attend your wedding?
Two weeks trip sound good.

However, for sponsoring her YOU will HAVE to show VO that YOU intend to go back and live permanently in Canada.

 

[JAMO1973]

My family is small and I didn't invite them as it was a civil ceremony at the city hall. But they have met my wife a few times and we have lots of pictures and e-mails between my wife and mom and sister.

 

[Regina]

I didn't invite them

Thais does not look well for VO.

Do you have much choice? Collect papers, letter from you and your mom and sister, go for two weeks and hope.

 

[JAMO1973]

We have lots of photos of us together over the past 5 years and with my family. E-mails, vacation reservations. identification with the same address etc.

 

[Regina]

Still it is strange. They came to visit but not for wedding.

But it could ber important only if you were going to sponsor her to Canada.

Right now- you need a letter from you relatives, proof of ties for you in Mexico, let her ask visa for 2 weeks. What else could you do? Ah! in that letter to VO you and your mom should mention what you are going to do in Canada- like what kind of sightseeing, visit friends, relatives...
This is your wife's FIRST trip to Canada. I am sure she would like to see there something more that just your mom's house.

 

[JAMO1973]

I didn't invite them because there was no point to invite them here for a 20 minute civil ceremony at city hall. When they have come to visit before we have met them at the beach for a family vacation. Does my mom and do I then both need to write letters and show financial capabilities?

 

[Regina]

Does my mom and do I then both need to write letters and show financial capabilities?

If you can show enough funds then your mom just need to express her joy for having your wife visiting with her in Canada. If your mom is going to support you in Canada for 2 weeks then she has to show her capability to do so.

 

[JAMO1973]

How much is a reasonable amount to have in my account? Is $10,000 dollars enough?

 

[Regina]

What are going to do in Canada? In depends on it. Will you stay with your mom or in a hotel? How far are you going to travel? Rent a car? Fly? Using your mom's car? Go dining out every day three times a day or just occasionally? Think about all this and show that much money. To show too much could be as wrong as to show too little.

So write a letter describing your plans for a trip and show enough money for those expenses + some.