getting a Canadian tourist visa

adrimm says on Aug 22, 2005, 16:42:

No info Best wishes. I have some cousins that have been denied tourist Visas 2wice now, but 2 elederly aunts who were approved. It's a fickle draw.

I really wonder if there is a difference for those who want to visit Canada as regular tourists, or those that want o visit relatives in Canada. I know other people who have under 35 yr old relatives who can't seem to get a Canadian tourist Visa. It sucks bigtime.

If your GF will be staying with you (and you are telling them that), then you;ll need a letter of invitation from you for sure, her cedula and some other stuff I can't remember exactly what.

Embassy website is: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/colombia/menu-en.asp

I would like to know how it goes and if you being there in person makes a difference. Either way, I plan on singing some ear next time I'm in Bogota.

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Rubiazo says on Aug 25, 2005, 15:59:

Roofus I know exactly what the official site says. I was hoping for personal experiences like that of Adrimm. But what else could I expect from you anyways? If you dont have anything to contribute to the thread, why even enter? Oh never mind, the reason is obvious!

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cremaster says on Aug 26, 2005, 06:40:

It all comes down to convincing the consular official that your girlfriend will return to Colombia. How, exactly, to do this is anyones guess. Children, property, a good job all help obviously.

You should try telling the Candian embassy workers that you've explained to your girlfriend that Canada is a 'crappy' country, and that she'd never want to stay there long-term. It might work...

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davidfmb says on Sep 14, 2005, 16:35:

How long does the Tourist visa process take Well, reading some of the other thread postings on marriage visa, I can only image the tourist visa process takes forever too. So, for a marriage visa they say it takes at least a year to get your new bride over to Canada. If you're still in the girlfriend stage, how long does the Canadian Embassy in Colombia take to approve a tourist visa for her? And, if she's single, living at home with parents, university student,no job, etc, etc. what is the odds of getting a tourist visa approved for her to visit Canada anyways?

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oldbongo says on Sep 15, 2005, 13:11:

it's the same day they take yo money and give you the denial the same day.
the odds are about 10,000 to one for a colombiana of that
description, and 1,000,000 to one if there is a scent of
boyfriend in the mix.

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johnboy77 says on Sep 17, 2005, 08:45:

Old gringo is correct. The scent of a Canadian boyfriend will usually stop the tourist VISA dead in its tracks.

I've tried to tell everyone here the pitfalls of the "sneak one by" on Canada Immigration. If she says she has a boyfriend they will say no. If she says she does not have a boyfriend, they will most likely still say no. In case number 2, you will have to then try for the regular route (Spousal), and not only will she have a denied VISA on her record, you must give details about when you first met your Canadian sponsor, and quick check will let them know that she lied about having a boyfriend, and her case will get stuck under a pile so big, your clothes will be out of style before she ever gets to Canada.

Lets say you win the lottery, and she gets to Canada. (Of course, she must tell the embassy that she has no boyfriend). Suddenly, a Colombiana gets a tourist VISA, then applies to stay in Canada because she met someone and is getting married. CIC will automatically assume the whole thing is fake, and they could either:

1. Send her back to Colombia to wait for the process to start and finish.

2. Deny her the spousal VISA, because if she applies from within Canada, neither you nor her have any appeal rights. She goes right back to Colombia and you then have to start over. Email your MP all you want... you have no appeal rights, and they have no authority over CIC.

It is much easier for US citizens to sponsor. The legit process is not so bad, and the going rate for a tourist VISA is about $3000 if you want to sneak her in.

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CaryGrant says on Sep 17, 2005, 11:18:

What oldgringo and johnboy said. Applied twice for my girlfriend, denied twice, and talked to lots of other people about it. Canada just doesn't give TRV's to young, single Colombians - unless they're rich, or you get very, very, very, very lucky. Best way is to gather all the papers, go to the embassy in Bogota, and you'll get your answer the same day.

TRV's are extremely quick to process (doesn't take long to say no). PRV's take frickin' forever.

If you have lots of money, you might be able to sneak her in on a TRV as a student, but then you have to worry about the complications mentioned by johnboy if you marry in the future. And Canada does deport people who lied on immigration forms.

Roofus - whatchu talkin' 'bout? The websites give zero useful indication of how long it takes to process anything, or the chances of success.

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cdunn77 says on Sep 24, 2005, 20:32:

I know people that work in the immigration section at the Canadian embassy and they say they don't process many tourist visas for Colombians because of the amount of people that go there and don't return. My mom, who is on disability in Ontario, Canada, makes less money per month than someone who has sought refuge in Canada and are able to work but for some reason or another don't, so I guess I understand why we're so strict!

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torbog says on Sep 28, 2005, 10:06:

Not even rich A cousin of mine wanted to visit Canada with his family (he has been here a lot of times on business) and the process was too long and painful. He is wealthy, young, wife three kids his own business in Colombia and they almost did't give them the visas.

I know of another friend here in Toronto, Canadian citizen with a job invited his family for holidays. His parents where approved his brother not!!

It comes to demostrate that you do not want to stay in Canada. Single young people will have it very difficult to get a visa. And in your case, you live in NYC but family in Monteal and invite a girlfriend, that has denied all over it.

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Colombo Canadiense says on Oct 6, 2005, 20:48:

Funny Post This is what I tell all my folks.

Canadian tourist visa for Colombians living in Colombia DOES NOT exist. Forget about it.

I tell them, it is a lot more feasible to get a Permanent resident visa than a tourist visa.

In other words if you qualify for a Temporary resident Permit you probably qualify for a Permanent Resident Visa.

Besides , you don't even have to move to Canada,

and you can come and go whenever you want, excellent for business, visiting family, boyfriends, girlfriends,anybody

it's worth the two year wait to get the permanent resident visa

Good luck
100% Colombiano 100% Canadian
Greetings from Windsor, Canada

100% Colombiano 100% Canadian Greetings from Windsor, Canada

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johnboy77 says on Oct 6, 2005, 22:14:

You cannot come and go as you please totally. With permanent residency, you must live 2 out of 5 years in Canada, or your PR will be taken away. You must live 3 out of 5 to get citizenship.

Also, you must at least get to Canada before you initial VISA expires, which is linked to the date your health checks expire.

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Colombo Canadiense says on Oct 8, 2005, 12:08:

OH YEAH? Johnboy77 wrote:

"You cannot come and go as you please totally. With permanent residency, you must live 2 out of 5 years in Canada, or your PR will be taken away. You must live 3 out of 5 to get citizenship.

Also, you must at least get to Canada before you initial VISA expires, which is linked to the date your health checks expire.
That is in the paper"

THAT IS WRITTEN IN PAPERS, PRACTICE TELLS OTHERWISE

BE OPEN TO TAKE ADVISE

100% Colombiano 100% Canadian
Greetings from Windsor, Canada

100% Colombiano 100% Canadian Greetings from Windsor, Canada

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johnboy77 says on Oct 8, 2005, 14:31:

Colombo Canadiense wrote:

THAT IS WRITTEN IN PAPERS, PRACTICE TELLS OTHERWISE

BE OPEN TO TAKE ADVISE


Well its good to know that many Colombians still don't respect the immigration laws of the countries they go to. Just because you have not gotton caught, does not mean it is a correct thing to do.

No hard feelings though... I heard of a Polish women who was deported because she had not spent the 2 of 5 years in Canada. I just wouldn't want the same thing to happen to someone else.

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krisatsea says on Nov 17, 2005, 14:12:

In your previous reply you stated that its much easier to get a colombian in canada by way of a us citizen. I am a us citizen and our 2 children are as well. my husband though is a colombian citizen and we wanted to try to go to canada. will it be hard for him as a colombian citizen and what would i need? also would it be easier if i applied for him in the us or in bogota? thanks in advance for your help! cheers krissy

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