 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Documentation Required to Apply for a Visitor's Visa
by: Sergio R. Karas, Canadian Lawyer (karas@karas.ca)
In order to apply for a Visitor’s Visa, the person seeking entry to Canada must submit documentation in support of the application, including the following:
With respect to the application form, it is self-explanatory, but it must be completed carefully. There are several areas which require close scrutiny. For example, the applicant must state the duration of the visit, and if it will be of more than six months, it is possible that the Visa Officer may require medical examinations. Also, it must be carefully noted whether the visa is for a single entry or for multiple entries into Canada. If nothing is said, the visa will only be issued for a single entry. Also, the amount of funds that the applicant will have available during his visit must be clearly stated, in order to ensure that the Visa Officer understands that the applicant will not take advantage of our social system.
The passport of the applicant must be valid, and it must be accompanied by several passport-sized photographs. The number of photographs varies depending on the Visa Office and the country of citizenship.
The applicant must also provide proof that he has the appropriate airfare, or other transportation arrangements in order to leave Canada after the visit is over. Visa Officers generally reject "one-way tickets" , because they raised the suspicion that the applicant will not leave Canada when required. The person applying for the visa must also show that he has sufficient funds to support himself or herself during his or her visit. In general, proof may be by way of bank statements, letters of employment confirming earnings, travellers cheques, etc. In countries with currency restrictions, the officer may require proof that there are sufficient funds located outside that country that the visitor can have access to support himself during the visit. In essence, the funds shown to the Visa Officer must be sufficient for the person concerned and his dependants to support themselves at a reasonable standard while visiting. In some cases, the Visa Officer may also require a letter from the employer stating that he or she is aware of the applicant’s intention to travel to Canada and that the position will continue to be available to the applicant after his return.
Applicants who are entering Canada to visit relatives or friends must provide a "letter" from them, indicating their immigration status, occupation, employer, salary and address in Canada. Sometimes, a letter of support from the local Member of Parliament or community association may be helpful.
In some cases, the Visa Officer may require that the person applying for the Visitor’s Visa provide a "certificate of good conduct" from the local police indicating that he has no prior criminal record.
After all the documentation is submitted, the Visa Officer may decide to interview the applicant for the purposes of assessing the application.
Given the extreme complexity of these issues it is important that every person who intends to make any application contact a lawyer (Barrister & Solicitor), before confronting any kind of legal procedure, to obtain the appropriate advice. People must be alert and avoid seeking advise from individuals who are not lawyers and do not possess the necessary legal knowledge or appropriate supervision, and may take undue advantage of those who are not familiar with the Canadian legal system. Recently, a decision from the British Columbia Supreme Court granted the Law Society of that Province a permanent injunction against a "consultant", on the basis that he was in essence practising law without being a member of the Bar. The court decided that, in order to give legal advise to clients for a fee, a person must be a lawyer and member of the Provincial Bar. The public is advised to exercise the utmost caution in order not to jeopardize their situation, and deal only with lawyers who are members of the Bar.
