VISA to Canada

September 27, 2006 12:14 AM

I need advice on getting a visitor visa, Temporary Resident Visa(TRV) for a Cambodian to come visit Canada.

What kind of stuff should be included in the TRV application other than the basics?
We sent off a quick basic one (all forms and letter of introduction from me with tax statements) and it was rejected because there "was not proof that she would not stay in Canada."
What kind of stuff are they looking for?
I, the canadian, am 24. She, the cambodian is 22 and works as a cook for a guesthouse.
Travelled around SE Asia with her for 4 months, several months ago, and I am going back there in two weeks.
Two (swedish) friends of mine who owned a bar in sihanoukville took their girlfriends(who are friends of my girlfriend) to sweden for a several week vacation and they had no problems with the visa and they had a good time, went skiing, and other stuff that you can't really do in SE Asia, and then they all came back to Cambodia. I was hoping to do the same thing. Would a letter from them or something like that help? The embassy that processes the stuff is in Thailand, would both showing up in person help?
Anything else to include in the application?

posted by Iax to Law & Government (3 answers total)

I recently did something very similar for some friends from Latin America. Four applied, one was rejected. They all provided the exact same documentation, i.e. invitation letter, itinerary with proof of returning flight, photocopy of my passport, the forms, etc.

I spoke with the pro-consul of the Canadian embassy with whom I'd had previous friendly dealings, and though he was not allowed to comment on the details of the rejection, he said in all cases he's reviewed in the past there was a good, concrete reason for doing so, usually something specific about the applicant that raised a flag.

Did your friend demonstrate that she has a return flight booked and the funds to pay for it?
posted by randomstriker at 1:18 AM on September 27, 2006

If it is similar to the US, they may be looking for things in Cambodia that she would not be willing to abandon, like a home she owns, a marriage, etc. My husband's aunt was unable to visit us in the US despite letters of invitation and support from both him and his brother, because she did not have these things, and the officials didn't feel that she would be giving much up by staying on illegally in the US. They don't check on these things for people from prosperous countries like Sweden, because they aren't so worried about well-off people being desparate enough to stay illegally.
posted by leapingsheep at 1:40 AM on September 27, 2006

They may want to see a letter from her employer with an expected return date, or things like property or family (husband, children) that she wouldn't abandon.

Call them and ask. I've found them to be very helpful, though they won't talk to you about this specific person's case, they will give you general advice.


They don't check on these things for people from prosperous countries like Sweden, because they aren't so worried about well-off people being desparate enough to stay illegally.
posted by leapingsheep at 4:40 AM EST on September 27

This is not always true, though it's what you'd think. I was refused a visitor visa once (to the US) because I didn't have compelling enough ties to Canada. You are right that they are much less suspicious of people from wealthy countries.
posted by joannemerriam at 6:32 AM on September 27, 2006