Jalex23 said:
Wrong.
-First: only people that have established a permanent residence in Canada, are eligible to sponsor someone. That means someone living in Canada on a permanent base, with permanent status. Therefore a Citizen (if that citizen can proof that he actually resides in Canada) or a PR.
-second: an invitation letter has got nothing to to with a sponsorship.
Your friend can provide you with an invitation letter, but he has to provide proof of identity. And status in Canada. Otherwise the letter will count for nothing. If that proof makes it clear, that he only holds temporary resident status in Canada, his invitation letter won't effect the application at all.
kriv said:
There is no such thing as sponsoring a visiting visa. Visit visa cannot be sponsored by any one. For a visitor visa you can provide an invitation letter. An invitation letter is just as simple letter which can be an email, fax, letter and it has no legal binding nor it is considered as a legal document.( although many decorate invitations letter with notorize stamps) Invitation letter just help you justify your reason to visit canada and the cost of your living ( food and accommodation). An invitation can be given by anyone who lives in Canada temporary or permanently. ( even a person with a visitor status can invite anyone to join him for tourism purpose. Or to celebrate his birthday
). When you apply for a visit visa it is you who have to be in a good standing, stable and be able to afford your trip. The bank statement of the person whom you are visiting carries no weight. And you don't only have to show your trip expenses but also that you are stable enough in your life and having reasons to return to your country. Remember it is you who is the visa applicant not your friend whom you are visiting.
Hope it help you determine how much fund you need to show
Correct, apart for one thing. Invitation letters can count as sponsorship documents in certain scenarios. I am inviting my niece and have spoken to a CIC agent about it. She was extremely helpful and took more than 30 minutes, to explain to me how this all works.
If a relative is inviting a minor under 16, and the minor travels alone, the host is responsible for her. Therefore the invitation letter has to be made up as an affidavit. And it has to clearly say, that the host will provide the whole package. In that case, the letter would be looked at by an immigration agent as a"legal document"
