Nicaraguan Citizen visiting Canada - requirements
Submitted by bill_bly_ca on Wed, 2012/01/18 - 10:53.
Some extended family's - family - wants to come to Canada for a fairly serious event (Mother attending bedside for open heart surgery of her son)
Surprise surprise, the initial request for visa was denied with the following statements.
1) Not providing proof of sufficient funds and assets to support themselves on the visit and ensure their return.
2) Not providing sufficient information on the support for them while in Canada (e.g. the hosting family)
For point #1 - Has any one had experience for what the magic number is for being able to support yourself and to prove it?
Guess - $5000 in the bank and a Credit card of the same value with both notarized.. They did supply a "deed" for some land they hold but the deed does not show any value
For point #2 - Anyone know what the host family has to prove WRT assets?
Guess that the tax returns from the past 2 yrs and some sort of bank statement.
Any one had recent experience with Canadian immigration on this?
We did about 8 yrs ago and the person was technically better off than this applicant, but we / She was denied back then... I hold out little hope for this Mother to get up here to see her Son.
and insure their return...
Few countries ever list an actual amount that is required. Money alone doesn't actually prove you have a reason to go back to your own country. In fact, a good bit of money and no land, business, home, good job for years, etc., often backfires as it looks like you have either no ties or have already eliminated those ties. The "insure their return" is usually far more important than the actual funds, especially if a viable host is documented. Point #2 isn't as important as Point #1, and only surfaces because #1 is problematic. Giving the average person in Central America $5k for their bank account will not legally get them to the U.S. or Canada, giving them $10k wont either. Major aspects of their life history need to be changed and documented, and that is almost always all-but impossible. This is why the average person cannot go - unless you have political and/or Embassy connections.
And here is good comment on the letters of reference:
A letter or other assurances from a third party, even from a U.S. citizen, rarely helps establish the applicant's ties to their home country.
U.S. law requires each applicant to qualify for a visa in his or her own right.
There is no legal mechanism to hold a third party accountable, should you violate the terms of your visa, no matter how strongly that third party might guarantee they will ensure your departure from the United States at the end of your temporary stay.
Key phrase: Rarely helps.
Correct for Canada now as well...
In 1996 a letter of assurance from my wife and I allowed my wife's remaining Sister in Nicaragua to attend the funeral of the eldest sister in Canada (at least that is what we were told)
In 2004 a letter of assurance from my wife and I for the same sister to attend the funeral of her Mother (my Mother in law) was rejected. Even with the good record of the '96 visit.
I do not hold out any hope of their Mother's success in getting a visa, but the procedure her son is having is also very very likely to succeed and he can visit her at a later date..
if
IF it is worth the money and time, try. Assuming you have done your part in prep and documentation, it becomes a judgement call on the part of the agent processing the visa. We had one relative get a visa under circumstances that were rather unbelieveable to me. I suspect that 9 out of 10 persons of simular qualification would have been turned down, but such are the workings of bureaucracy.
Given Nicaragua`s downhill spiral politically, I have a hunch it will be harder and harder to get visas. I am not talking about any kind of intentional putting the screws to anyone, just a somber reality that Nicaragua is going to be a less desireable place for many Nicaraguans to live and very much on the radar for possible terrorists.
"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality." Ayn Rand
website
http://www.roadtocanada.com/forums/index.php this forum may provide better answers
The Emphasis is not on the host family
Being that you are talking about a visa application not a "Family class sponsership application" It is really hard, not impossible, but a lot depends on the Embassy Visa officer, country the applicant is from, and the potential risks versus how much the applicant has to lose by leaving, Nicaragua in your case. I have been and am still involved with the process of immigration and adoption to Canada. Mainly from South America and the Caribbean. Visa apps are different. In some instances we have had Member of Parliament letters, lots of letters from other non-family and family people swearing up and down that they will be responsible for any financial encumbrances, etc., and this for similar situations as well as "Death bed" Funeral, weddings, etc The funny thing is when the "Requirements" are met it's usually a breeze for that person to come and go, obtaining a visa for different visits. Obviously proving that the officer made the right choice. There has to be a really compelling, in your face reason, that will substantiate the person having every reason to return to Nicaragua. Just as an aside, they do keep a file on how many times the person has applied. I have seen positive results on a "Case file" being built and a visa being approved eventually. Not an easy process anymore.
Look at the wording...
"Not providing proof" of sufficient funds and assets to support themselves on the visit and ensure their return.
"Not providing sufficient information" on the support for them while in Canada (e.g. the hosting family).
They are not giving a number or saying she hasn't enough, it says "Not providing proof" of that.
Same as point 2, "Not providing proof" that the family will look after her. They are not saying that they don't believe that they will look after her, but the officer needs to see some evidence that they will.
You need to talk to an expert and establish the level of proof.
The form itself...
Is a series of check boxes on the back side of the rejection letter. Hence no background or expansion is given.
The rejection letter is from the Embassy in Guatemala City.
I have advised the person to find an immigration paralegal up here as well, just looking for real experiences as well
I am the intermediary because I have a laser printer to print the forms going back and forth by email and do not want to get much deeper in it than that. :-)
be careful talking to "Experts"
There is a whole lot of them, mostly still unregulated and in business precisely because its difficult get into Canada.(Lots of horror stories there-I have rescued a couple myself) Juanno is partially correct you do have to provide solid proof and then some, no harm in asking the Embassy. however, like I said the real issue is providing overwhelming evidence that you won't "skip" so to speak, preferring NOT to go back to your Third World, economically challenged country. I think it's actually easier these days getting a visa to the U.S. There is definitely a list of countries, not publicised, that officials pay extra attention to, not sure if Nicaragua is on the list. I would "start a file" using the best information and re-apply.
The International Standard
This, unfortunately, reminds me of a discussion with Migración of Nicaragua. It was like this:
My wife was refused
visa to Canada before we got residency in the US, then no problems going into Canada. Canada is indeed very hard. The point being, if you can get a US visa you can get a Canadian one.
I hate saying this about my
I hate saying this about my own country but it is actually easier to come here by jumping the queue illegally that going through legitimate channels. Most people who just appear at an airport with no documentation end up with a hotel room and groceries within 48 hrs. People who follow all the forms and procedures wait forever.
Not for Nicaraguan's. Non Visa countries maybe.
For a Nicaraguan to find a flight that avoids the USA is hard, so first they need a "Transit Visa" for the the flight transfer when you land in the States, even if you are staying behind the security firewall and boarding a plane in an hour or so.
You can't get that without showing them a valid Tourist Visa for Canada first.
Managua (Continental etc) will not led you board without both as they are then responsible for your return.
Canada is looking for $100 a day as proof of sufficient funds for your trip, Plus host letters etc. etc.
You're referring to
You're referring to asylum seekers versus immigrants, of course. Just to be clear, visitors don't get free hotel rooms and groceries! LOL
Yes that was what I was
Yes that was what I was referring to lol. Remember the scam in the early 90's in Ottawa? People were settling ther because of the proximity to the small border crossing at Prescott. would go to Ogdensberg, have lunch, dump all identification, then claim new refugee status on the Canadian side. Go to the welfare office Monday with new papers and get an additional cheque. The guy living downstairs from me at the time was getting 6 every month. What a scam!