Visitor Visa for My Fiancee Who is US-Based

[augustus90]

I recently became a naturalized Canadian citizen. I’m engaged, and my fiancée, a Pakistani citizen, is currently based in the US, pursuing her PhD.

While we haven’t set a date for our marriage yet, it’s going take place in the summer of 2025.

With this context, my fiancée plans to apply for a Canadian visitor visa in the next week. To support her application, I intend to provide a letter of invitation, a copy of my Canadian citizenship proof (passport), and a document from my employer that confirms my job title and duration of employment. In the letter of invitation, I plan to clearly state that she is my fiancée to avoid any concerns about future sponsorship plans, as I will apply for her PR post-marriage.

I’m confident about the approach, but I’d like to hear feedback on the following:

1. Since she is a student, what documents would she need to provide to convince the Canadian visa officer of her intent to return to the US? Would proof of student status suffice?
2. Beyond the documents I mentioned (letter of invitation, proof of citizenship, and employment details), are there any additional documents I should include to support her application?
3. Are there any potential issues with the approach I’ve outlined?

I appreciate your insights in advance!

 

[scylla]

I recently became a naturalized Canadian citizen. I’m engaged, and my fiancée, a Pakistani citizen, is currently based in the US, pursuing her PhD.

While we haven’t set a date for our marriage yet, it’s likely to take place in the summer of 2025.

With this context, my fiancée plans to apply for a Canadian visitor visa in the next week. To support her application, I intend to provide a letter of invitation, a copy of my Canadian citizenship proof (passport), and a document from my employer that confirms my job title and duration of employment. In the letter of invitation, I plan to clearly state that she is my fiancée to avoid any concerns about future sponsorship plans, as I will apply for her PR post-marriage. The proposed visit will be for about a week, after which she will return to the US to continue her PhD.

I’m confident about the approach, but I’d like to hear feedback on the following:

1. Since she is a student, what documents would she need to provide to convince the Canadian visa officer of her intent to return to the US? Would proof of student status suffice?
2. Beyond the documents I mentioned (letter of invitation, proof of citizenship, and employment details), are there any additional documents I should include to support her application?
3. Are there any potential issues with the approach I’ve outlined?

I appreciate your insights in advance!

Her application will be refused or approved based on the strength of her profile, not yours. You want to place focus on evidence that shows her ties to the US. She should provide proof of enrollment from her school and ideally also show that she has already paid tuition for the next semester. She should show evidence of her own savings and I would also include evidence of property rental in the US.

There is always some risk the officer may be concerned that she has plans to remain in Canada long term which is why you want to place focus on her ties.

 

[augustus90]

Her application will be refused or approved based on the strength of her profile, not yours. You want to place focus on evidence that shows her ties to the US. She should provide proof of enrollment from her school and ideally also show that she has already paid tuition for the next semester. She should show evidence of her own savings and I would also include evidence of property rental in the US.

There is always some risk the officer may be concerned that she has plans to remain in Canada long term which is why you want to place focus on her ties.

Thanks for your response. I appreciate it. PHD applications there are fully funded, so I don't think there would be a proof of paid tuition
Does it matter if the sponsor is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident ?

 

[scylla]

Thanks for your response. I appreciate it. PHD applications there are fully funded, so I don't think there would be a proof of paid tuition
Does it matter if the sponsor is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident ?

She should be able to show evidence of the PhD funding.

It doesn't matter if you are a Canadian citizen or a PR however her trip should really be self funded. Chances of approval go down if you find and she cannot fund the visit herself.

 

[forevermore76]

Thanks for your response. I appreciate it. PHD applications there are fully funded, so I don't think there would be a proof of paid tuition
Does it matter if the sponsor is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident ?

Both Canadian citizen and PR can sponsor. That said, you don't sponsor a visitor visa.

Imo, she's better off applying by herself and not mentioning you. Chances of approval are higher as a tourist than wanting to meet a partner.

 

[augustus90]

Both Canadian citizen and PR can sponsor. That said, you don't sponsor a visitor visa.

Imo, she's better off applying by herself and not mentioning you. Chances of approval are higher as a tourist than wanting to meet a partner.

Thanks for your response. A couple of quick questions.

Does applying for a tourist vs. the Friends/family/fiancée option influence the length of the visa that one gets approved for?

Why, ceteris paribus, are chances of approvals higher for a tourist visa vs. a case where one states they are coming to visit their fiancée? my fiancée has an excellent travel history

Thanks again

 

[augustus90]

Both Canadian citizen and PR can sponsor. That said, you don't sponsor a visitor visa.

Imo, she's better off applying by herself and not mentioning you. Chances of approval are higher as a tourist than wanting to meet a partner.

To be clear, when I said I'd sponsor, I meant that I would provide a letter of invitation and proof of my status. My understanding (maybe misguided) was that it would add more weight to one's application

 

[forevermore76]

Thanks for your response. A couple of quick questions.

Does applying for a tourist vs. the Friends/family/fiancée option influence the length of the visa that one gets approved for?

Why, ceteris paribus, are chances of approvals higher for a tourist visa vs. a case where one states they are coming to visit their fiancée? my fiancée has an excellent travel history

Thanks again

Although some new changes were made recently, they are probably not implemented so the length very likely still doesn't matter.

Visiting a fiancee or a partner opens up several possibilities like a marriage or underlying goal of living together. It ultimately points to an applicant overstaying in Canada.

The travel history doesn't matter if you are inviting as it shows a tie to Canada. On the other hand, when applying as a tourist, it adds support.

For a successful tourist visa, you need no or limited ties to Canada, good travel history with no overstays, enough money to support your stay, a clear itinerary and a reason to return.

The fact your fiancee is applying not from home country also affects negatively when you write a letter of invitation. As a tourist, it may or may not impact the application.

This is my observation and opinion, others can comment.

 

[augustus90]

Although some new changes were made recently, they are probably not implemented so the length very likely still doesn't matter.

Visiting a fiancee or a partner opens up several possibilities like a marriage or underlying goal of living together. It ultimately points to an applicant overstaying in Canada.

The travel history doesn't matter if you are inviting as it shows a tie to Canada. On the other hand, when applying as a tourist, it adds support.

For a successful tourist visa, you need no or limited ties to Canada, good travel history with no overstays, enough money to support your stay, a clear itinerary and a reason to return.

The fact your fiancee is applying not from home country also affects negatively when you write a letter of invitation. As a tourist, it may or may not impact the application.

This is my observation and opinion, others can comment.

Thank you! Much appreciated, for a tourist visa, I don't think a letter of invitation is needed. While for other visitor visa (family; partner / spouse), it is. Would you agree?

 

[forevermore76]

Thank you! Much appreciated, for a tourist visa, I don't think a letter of invitation is needed. While for other visitor visa (family; partner / spouse), it is. Would you agree?

That is my opinion.

 

[steaky]

Thank you! Much appreciated, for a tourist visa, I don't think a letter of invitation is needed. While for other visitor visa (family; partner / spouse), it is. Would you agree?

Sometimes it's needed especially some organization invites you to come to Canada for a business conference and you want to demonstrate how you are required to come to Canada to physically attend the conference.

 

[augustus90]

Sometimes it's needed especially some organization invites you to come to Canada for a business conference and you want to demonstrate how you are required to come to Canada to physically attend the conference.

Yes, but that falls under the "business"