mmkm said:
Hi forum..
My wife would like to come to Canada to attend the wedding of my sister (Canadian citizen). We got the wedding card and venue booking details but before I apply, I have a question.
I have not yet applied for the sponsorship of my wife because I didn't return to Canada after my wedding. In such a case, should we try for tourist visa for my wife or it is not advisable given I have not filed her sponsorship? She has every reason to come back since she is a student at a premier institute.
I think you have to apply for a tourist visa (TRV) first as she wants to attend the wedding. You will not get her spouse sponsored immigrant visa before wedding.
Whether she gets TRV approved or not, it depends on lot of factors like her ties to home country and Canada (very important as husband is there), country of her citizenship, reasons to convince the visa officer that she will return at the end of her stay, travel history....etc.....
To get TRV approved you have to show strong ties to home country...Like her study certificate, letter from head of the institution granting leave for the duration of visit and reporting date, roundtrip air ticket, assets and finance in home country, etc.....
She might get it approved as she is a student now in a premier institute. ALL the best!
And meanwhile you can start with your Spouse sponsored immigrant visa process also as after sending the complete application package, it takes nearly 50-55 days for CIC open and start processing.
Now my experience, but not to discourage you: After my marriage and before we start with spouse sponsored immigrant visa, I had applied for the TRV. Even I was studying at that time....But the Visa officer refused my TRV application saying he is not convinced that I will return at the end of my stay in Canada. They advised in the refusal letter that I am eligible for spouse sponsored immigrant visa and apply for that (which is a delayed process depends on applicants home country)
So try TRV first and at the same time prepare your Spouse sponsored immigrant visa package too.
All the best.
