Can my friend get an ETA?

[Addzz120]

He's a Venezuelan citizen with a valid passport but its new and has no travel history.
I want to pay for him to come see me in Canada whereby I would support him with accommodation and expenses.
It would just be a normal ETA so a tourist visa and for a week or 2. I can't see anything that prevents it on google but just seeing if anyone knows here.

I'm asking in non covid rules right now just to uncomplicate it and know if its possible.

 

[Naturgrl]

He's a Venezuelan citizen with a valid passport but its new and has no travel history.
I want to pay for him to come see me in Canada whereby I would support him with accommodation and expenses.
It would just be a normal ETA so a tourist visa and for a week or 2. I can't see anything that prevents it on google but just seeing if anyone knows here.

I'm asking in non covid rules right now just to uncomplicate it and know if its possible.

Are Venezuelans even eligible for an ETA (visa exemption)…thought citizens needed a visitor visa?

 

[scylla]

He's a Venezuelan citizen with a valid passport but its new and has no travel history.
I want to pay for him to come see me in Canada whereby I would support him with accommodation and expenses.
It would just be a normal ETA so a tourist visa and for a week or 2. I can't see anything that prevents it on google but just seeing if anyone knows here.

I'm asking in non covid rules right now just to uncomplicate it and know if its possible.

Does he hold a US green card?

 

[Addzz120]

Does he hold a US green card?

Nope

 

[Addzz120]

Are Venezuelans even eligible for an ETA (visa exemption)…thought citizens needed a visitor visa?

I did a ETA checker on the ircc website and it just says they need a visa, it doesn't give any context

 

[Naturgrl]

I did a ETA checker on the ircc website and it just says they need a visa, it doesn't give any context

ETA is only for certain citizens of visa exempt countries. Venezuala is not on the list. Your friend applies for a visitor visa. Your friend shows ties to home country (job, property, investments, family), travel history, reason to travel, itinerary and funds (bank accounts). Your friend must show funds that support a visit.

 

[Addzz120]

ETA is only for certain citizens of visa exempt countries. Venezuala is not on the list. Your friend applies for a visitor visa. Your friend shows ties to home country (job, property, investments, family), travel history, reason to travel, itinerary and funds (bank accounts). Your friend must show funds that support a visit.

Oh it must have meant visa then.

He only has a job and family for ties to home, he has no travel history on his passport.

Funds would be ok but I guess that depends on how much. If they're staying a week they expect a week of funds perhaps?
Though I was playing to pay for his hotel accommodation.

Lastly I'm a student in canada on a student visa, is that still ok for them to visit me..? Do i need to be PR/Citizen? Or is it just about them supporting themselves during their stay?

 

[scylla]

I did a ETA checker on the ircc website and it just says they need a visa, it doesn't give any context

Visa = TRV. He needs a TRV and doesn't qualify for an eTA.

 

[Naturgrl]

Oh it must have meant visa then.

He only has a job and family for ties to home, he has no travel history on his passport.

Funds would be ok but I guess that depends on how much. If they're staying a week they expect a week of funds perhaps?
Though I was playing to pay for his hotel accommodation.

Lastly I'm a student in canada on a student visa, is that still ok for them to visit me..? Do i need to be PR/Citizen? Or is it just about them supporting themselves during their stay?

You can issue a letter of invitation. Given you are not a PR or citizen then they really need to show that they can support a visit to Canada. So they need to show their bank funds (liquid) to pay for costs of travel and staying in Canada. Not having travel history will impact their application too. He will want a letter from his employer stating he has a job and has authorized vacation.

 

[Addzz120]

You can issue a letter of invitation. Given you are not a PR or citizen then they really need to show that they can support a visit to Canada. So they need to show their bank funds (liquid) to pay for costs of travel and staying in Canada. Not having travel history will impact their application too. He will want a letter from his employer stating he has a job and has authorized vacation.

Oh ok cool thanks a lot! So I can just say they're staying with me and i live at x address and they upload it to their visa application online? I appreciate you replying with that information. I wonder if they should first visit another country in south america to get that travel history.

 

[Naturgrl]

Oh ok cool thanks a lot! So I can just say they're staying with me and i live at x address and they upload it to their visa application online? I appreciate you replying with that information. I wonder if they should first visit another country in south america to get that travel history.

Travel history is to visa countries - UK, US, NZ and AUS. Visiting SA countries will not be considered unless you need a visitor visa to visit. They need a really strong profile and you should research if your letter of invitation needs to be notarized. There will be issues that your friend will claim asylum so your friends needs a very strong profile with essential reasons to visit since you are not PR or citizen.

Canada and the Venezuela crisis (international.gc.ca)
Refugee Protection Claims (New System) by Country of Alleged Persecution - 2021 - Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (irb.gc.ca)