What responsibility does the Inviter have for the person they invite to Canada?

[campesinaj]

Hi everyone

I need to decide whether or not to support my friend who wants to visit Canada - he has a previous history of not respecting Visas in other countries. He promises he will respect this visa and leave Canada on the correct date. He wants to change his ways and has asked for my help.

I want to know if the person who writes the Invitation letter (me, the Canadian) has some responsibility for the Tourist to Canada. For example, if the Tourist doesn't leave before his visa expires, does the Inviter get in trouble with Immigration?

I don't see any indication of this on the CIC website. I have read about the responsibilities for a sponsorship for Permanent Residence, but haven't seen anything about the Tourist Visa.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[job_seeker]

Hi everyone

I need to decide whether or not to support my friend who wants to visit Canada - he has a previous history of not respecting Visas in other countries. He promises he will respect this visa and leave Canada on the correct date. He wants to change his ways and has asked for my help.

I want to know if the person who writes the Invitation letter (me, the Canadian) has some responsibility for the Tourist to Canada. For example, if the Tourist doesn't leave before his visa expires, does the Inviter get in trouble with Immigration?

I don't see any indication of this on the CIC website. I have read about the responsibilities for a sponsorship for Permanent Residence, but haven't seen anything about the Tourist Visa.

Thanks in advance for your help!

If the invitation you give is in the form of an undertaking (notarized), then you are responsible for whatever you had set forth in that undertaking. I don't see any reason why you'd get in trouble since whoever you're inviting to Canada has a mind of  his own. But if he has had records of not respecting his previous visas then he might have trouble getting one for Canada.

[Suin]

hello,
I wouldn't trust someone who broke his words before.

[shakira2009]

Hi there,

Here's a very thorough sample invitation letter:
http://www.lawpoint.ca/index.php/Sample-letter-of-invitation.html

Although you don't need to write such a formal and long letter (I have friends who got approved with much simpler invitation letters), please note the paragraphs where the person signing makes his pledge: "...pay for all expenses incurred in connection with Julie's visit to Canada and I pledge to be legally responsible for her."

In the case of a friend, since you are not the one covering their visit expenses, the financial obligations imply things like accidents or medical emergencies.  If they overstay their visa, you will have to respond to Canadian authorities at some point. 

Conclusion: Be careful on who you sponsor!!!

[job_seeker]

Hi there,

Here's a very thorough sample invitation letter:
http://www.lawpoint.ca/index.php/Sample-letter-of-invitation.html

Although you don't need to write such a formal and long letter (I have friends who got approved with much simpler invitation letters), please note the paragraphs where the person signing makes his pledge: "...pay for all expenses incurred in connection with Julie's visit to Canada and I pledge to be legally responsible for her."

In the case of a friend, since you are not the one covering their visit expenses, the financial obligations imply things like accidents or medical emergencies.  If they overstay their visa, you will have to respond to Canadian authorities at some point. 

Conclusion: Be careful on who you sponsor!!!

As to being legally responsible for all expenses incurred by the invitee, the OP may or may not make the pledge. But whatever is put in the undertaking or  oath, s/he will surely be responsible or held liable.