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Mar 19, 2017
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Hey all,

I'm the process of helping my girlfriend apply for a visitor visa to and visit me in Canada. I have searched the forum extensively and there a still a couple of things that I can't really figure out. For context, I'm Portuguese and I have recently relocated to Canada (about a month ago) under an Open Work Permit. My Girlfriend is from Bulgaria. We've been dating for about 7 months before I relocated. My girlfriend is currently working in Germany.

Question list:
  • What's the most appropriate purpose for the visa? Visiting Family and Friends, Tourism or Visit?
  • I've also found that some people submit proof our relationship in their invitation letter. Is this really necessary?
  • Should we be less forward about our relationship in the invitation letter?
  • She has never travelled outside of Europe. The only thing we can provide is some flight and hotel booking confirmations and a letter from the police in Bulgaria saying that her previous passport was destroyed. We plan to add a small cover letter explaining these facts. This should suffice no?
  • I've read that if you have a translated work reference, that you don't really need to submit pay stubs. Should we still include them? They are not in English but in German. We plan to add a small cover letter explaining where to find the right information on the pay stubs.
  • Do we really need to have bank statements translated as proof of income? Translator fees are quite high :o.

We've been scratching our heads around this for some time now. We thought the this wouldn't be so confusing really.

Any helps/tips are really appreciated.

Thanks!
 
Hi,

What's the most appropriate purpose for the visa? Visiting Family and Friends, Tourism or Visit?
Visit Family and Friends. She must prepare a day-by-day itinerary for sightseeing, visiting friends, etc.... with expense statements.... and prove that she can afford the visit and airfare.


've also found that some people submit proof our relationship in their invitation letter. Is this really necessary?
It indicates the Canadian host knows/has interacted with the person whom s/he is inviting.


Should we be less forward about our relationship in the invitation letter?
Some applicants have been lucky and were granted TRVs despite declaring their relationship. Others weren't lucky.

It's not a good idea to conceal the truth from IRCC.


She has never travelled outside of Europe. The only thing we can provide is some flight and hotel booking confirmations and a letter from the police in Bulgaria saying that her previous passport was destroyed. We plan to add a small cover letter explaining these facts. This should suffice no?
It's not advisable to book tickets until a TRV is issued.

Your girlfriend can include copies of plane tickets, boarding passes, etc. She can prepare a Travel History explanation (tabular format) give visa details, entry/exit dates for each visit, purpose of each visit


I've read that if you have a translated work reference, that you don't really need to submit pay stubs. Should we still include them?
Yes, you must include them.

She must also go through the Document Checklist/Visa Office instructions for Bulgaria.... and include as many other evidence as possible. For example, a letter from her employer stating she will have her job when she returns + 6 months' bank statements + tax returns, etc


We plan to add a small cover letter explaining where to find the right information on the pay stubs.
All documents must be in English/French. The visa officer will not look for the information/try to figure things out.


As your girlfriend is from Bulgaria (i.e. not a German), she must also include other evidence to prove her strong ties (what is applicable):
Her immigration status in Germany + authorization to work/EU Work Permit + residence permit + health insurance + rent agreement and rent receipts + family ties in Germany/Bulgaria (reasons to return home) + any property ownership + loans/mortgages in her name + financial investments/pension funds + credit card statements. etc


Cheers
 
AngryPixelShader said:
  • What's the most appropriate purpose for the visa? Visiting Family and Friends, Tourism or Visit?

What is she coming to do? Based on that chose.

AngryPixelShader said:
  • I've also found that some people submit proof our relationship in their invitation letter. Is this really necessary?

Depends if that is your purpose of visit. IMO you actually do not have a relationship, you have dated for 7 months. That is hardly a relationship.

AngryPixelShader said:
  • Should we be less forward about our relationship in the invitation letter?

Lying to CIC is never advised.

AngryPixelShader said:
  • She has never travelled outside of Europe. The only thing we can provide is some flight and hotel booking confirmations and a letter from the police in Bulgaria saying that her previous passport was destroyed. We plan to add a small cover letter explaining these facts. This should suffice no?

Suffice for what? What requirement are you trying to cover with all these?

AngryPixelShader said:
  • I've read that if you have a translated work reference, that you don't really need to submit pay stubs. Should we still include them? They are not in English but in German. We plan to add a small cover letter explaining where to find the right information on the pay stubs.

These are different things. A letter from her work serves for "purpose of visit", while paystubs are meant for "proof of financial support". Should you include them? It is not mandatory, but most of the times they are included to satisfy the requirement.

AngryPixelShader said:
  • Do we really need to have bank statements translated as proof of income? Translator fees are quite high :o.

"Proof of income" is not a bank statement; CIC is not interested in you having (or not) an income. In fact there is no such thing as "proof of income". You need "Proof of financial support".



Seems you need to do more research as most of your concepts are not clear.
Please use the tool: http://www.cic.gc.ca/ctc-vac/getting-started.asp

Then read the guide and then if questions are still unanswered we can help you.

Best of lucks.
 
Bryanna said:
Hi,
Visit Family and Friends. She must prepare a day-by-day itinerary for sightseeing, visiting friends, etc.... with expense statements.... and prove that she can afford the visit and airfare.

It indicates the Canadian host knows/has interacted with the person whom s/he is inviting.

Some applicants have been lucky and were granted TRVs despite declaring their relationship. Others weren't lucky.

It's not a good idea to conceal the truth from IRCC.

It's not advisable to book tickets until a TRV is issued.

Your girlfriend can include copies of plane tickets, boarding passes, etc. She can prepare a Travel History explanation (tabular format) give visa details, entry/exit dates for each visit, purpose of each visit

Yes, you must include them.

She must also go through the Document Checklist/Visa Office instructions for Bulgaria.... and include as many other evidence as possible. For example, a letter from her employer stating she will have her job when she returns + 6 months' bank statements + tax returns, etc

All documents must be in English/French. The visa officer will not look for the information/try to figure things out.


As your girlfriend is from Bulgaria (i.e. not a German), she must also include other evidence to prove her strong ties (what is applicable):
Her immigration status in Germany + authorization to work/EU Work Permit + residence permit + health insurance + rent agreement and rent receipts + family ties in Germany/Bulgaria (reasons to return home) + any property ownership + loans/mortgages in her name + financial investments/pension funds + credit card statements. etc


Cheers

What Exactly would that proof be? Travel tickets? Pictures?

We need to have proof of the travel itinerary, which we can only provide by a flight ticket sadly.

Could we get away with translating the stubs ourselves or do those need to be translated by certified translator as well.

She doesn't need a special permit to work in Germany, due to the European union's Schengen Agreement.
 
What Exactly would that proof be? Travel tickets? Pictures?
For your relationship?


We need to have proof of the travel itinerary, which we can only provide by a flight ticket sadly.
Again, it's not a good idea to book tickets. You can include a provisional flight itinerary and mention that she'll book tickets/hotels when a TRV is issued.


Could we get away with translating the stubs ourselves or do those need to be translated by certified translator as well.
Certified translator. Translations by family members (and friends) are not accepted
 
Jalex23 said:
What is she coming to do? Based on that chose.

Depends if that is your purpose of visit. IMO you actually do not have a relationship, you have dated for 7 months. That is hardly a relationship.

Lying to CIC is never advised.

Suffice for what? What requirement are you trying to cover with all these?

These are different things. A letter from her work serves for "purpose of visit", while paystubs are meant for "proof of financial support". Should you include them? It is not mandatory, but most of the times they are included to satisfy the requirement.

"Proof of income" is not a bank statement; CIC is not interested in you having (or not) an income. In fact there is no such thing as "proof of income". You need "Proof of financial support".



Seems you need to do more research as most of your concepts are not clear.
Please use the tool:

Then read the guide and then if questions are still unanswered we can help you.

Best of lucks.

Both options are equally valid. She is coming to Canada for tourism and to see me as well.

She is required to provide her last ten years of travel history. She never travelled outside of Europe and has never had a need for a visa. We can't scan her old passport, which has been destroyed when it expired.

Yes, sorry, I meant proof of financial support. We intend to use the letter of employment as proof of financial support.
 
Bryanna said:
For your relationship?

Again, it's not a good idea to book tickets. You can include a provisional flight itinerary and mention that she'll book tickets/hotels when a TRV is issued.

Certified translator. Translations by family members (and friends) are not accepted

Yes for the relation ship proof.

We kind of couldn't. There would be no guarantee that by the time we get it accepted the flights would still be available. That would make the request invalid.

Darn it, this is not going to be cheap. ???
 
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Yes for the relation ship proof.
Emails, pictures, chat records, etc. To reiterate, being honest about your relationship may/may not help to get a TRV.

For how long does your girlfriend want to visit?


We kind of couldn't. There would be no guarantee that by the time we get it accepted the flights would still be available. That would make the request invalid.
If a TRV is issued, it is not necessary to book flights for the exact same dates stated in the provisional flight itinerary.

If you really must book tickets then book refundable ones/which allow a date change
 
Bryanna said:
Emails, pictures, chat records, etc. To reiterate, being honest about your relationship may/may not help to get a TRV.

For how long does your girlfriend want to visit?

If a TRV is issued, it is not necessary to book flights for the exact same dates stated in the provisional flight itinerary.

If you really must book tickets then book refundable ones/which allow a date change

I see.

She's just here for two weeks. She has to return to her work after that.

Now that I didn't know. We do have the option to rebook the flight with the same airline for a later date.
 
Hi


I just want to ask I'm waiting for my work permit here in canada I came here as tourist


I've heard that The new caregiver can bring their family. Me and my boyfriend are planning to marry once I receive my work permit im planning to go back to my country before I start working. Is there possible that my boyfriend can come once we get married?