hi guys! i just got my 2nd visa today, multiple entry. i would like to share with you my experience as i am also in the same situation with you guys. I am a from the Philippines(high risk country for illegal immigrants) and my boyfriend is living in Canada. another red flag in my application is that both of us are single and of marrying age.
in the first time i applied for a visa, single entry i did not declare our relationship and just said we are good friends. my visa was approved but it took me a long time in the immigration booth of toronto airport. the officer asked me if this friend is actually my boyfriend. deciding not to omit the truth anymore, i admitted. i started to get scared at this point but kept my cool. he asked me a lot of questions from my work, my salary, how and when did my boyfriend and i meet, how long have we been together, and if we have taken trips together. he also saw the US and Australian visas in my passport so he asked me about my past travels too. thank god, he let me through. i really believed that my financial standing(own business that is already operating for 5 years, with adequate personal salary) and past travels carried me through the interview. don't get discouraged if you are not a business owner! if you have been working for a long time in your company and has adequate pay im sure those will still earn you check marks in their list.
this year i decided to apply for a multiply entry visa and to admit on my application that we are in a relationship. i am worried that my answers from the interview with the immigration officer is recorded on their database so i might as well admit it. with this, i know that i really need to back up my economic ties in the philippines. i made it clear in the application form and in my boyfriend's invitation letter that i have my business to attend to. i supplied them with both personal and company bank certificates. i was advised this time that including investment certificates, stock certificates, land titles, and car titles can strengthen my financial standing in their assessment so i furnished them copies as well. i also made it clear that we are together for almost 5 years now and i have previously visited him in canada and i left as scheduled. honestly, i think they are more focused on the proof you will give them that you will not violate your visa terms and will leave canada before your visa expires, rather than on the authenticity of your relationship.
anyway here are some helpful tips!
1. it's up to you if you will admit your relationship or not. if you wont, expect the immigration officer to cast doubt on you and ask lots of questions. they are trained to spot lies and loop holes. if you are a single woman coming to canada just to visit a male friend, dont you think the officer will wonder if you guys are actually more than just good friends? good if you can back up your claims but in my humble opinion, just come clean.
2.if you will admit your relationship, be prepared to present a rock solid financial standing. if you are an employee, stability and tenure in your current job are big factors. if you know you will need to apply for a visa in the near future, think twice before changing your job. i know someone who after working for 5 years in one company changed jobs then applied for a visa. he was denied as he is still a newbie in the new company, his stability and commitment as an employee may have weakened. it may have been better if he applied for a visa when he was still in his old company. his profile was much better before in the eyes of the officer than when he started on his new job. if you have work contracts or bonds, show it. having an investment account is also a big plus as it will show them that your source of income is coming from your country and you don't need to look for it elsewhere.
3. show your past travels especially in OECD countries and how you did not violate any visa terms. i have been to taiwan twice the past year for business and i feel that it boosted how genuine my work is and how committed i am to it.
4. submit an invitation letter. aside from the required data that must be stated in it, mention how long you've been together and include a detailed itinerary of your trip. in my itinerary i told them that we will be taking a Rockies tour and will make a side trip to the US for a week. the letter will also allow you to explain any issue that you think the officer might dwell on.
good luck!
