Applying for a Canadian Visa
 

A family friend in China wants to visit Canada next year for 1-2 months in the Summer and she was wondering how would she go about applying for a Canadian Visa for I guess..tourist/sight-seeing since it's only going to be for a month or two at most. I looked around and didn't really find much information about it :(

Has anyone ever had a friend come from China to visit? I've had relatives come twice but each of those two times has been a bitch. Also I think, relatives are MUCH easier to get approved then friends.

Thx

Edit: Not sure if the rules have changed or did it get easier or harder for people to visit? since I heard Canada/China had some sort of agreement earlier on in the summer and they're finally letting China tourists in etc etc.

B.C. WELCOMES APPROVED DESTINATION STATUS WITH CHINA

VICTORIA – Premier Gordon Campbell welcomed today’s signing in Ottawa of a formal agreement establishing Approved Destination Status (ADS) between China and Canada.

“This is a significant milestone in our relations with China,” said Premier Campbell. “Not only will Approved Destination Status result in substantial economic benefits for B.C. in the form of increased tourism revenues and job creation, it represents an important step forward in strengthening our role as Canada’s gateway to the Asia Pacific.”

The agreement is expected to increase Chinese visitors to British Columbia by 10 per cent in 2010, 15 per cent in 2011 and an additional 15 per cent for 2012. Last year, 160,833 Chinese visitors came to Canada, with more than half visiting British Columbia.

The new ADS agreement takes effect immediately and will enable Chinese citizens to travel to Canada in organized, pre-sold tour groups. Previously, Chinese travellers to Canada were eligible to obtain exit visas to Canada only if travelling for study, visiting friends and relatives, business or independent tourism activities.

With the ADS designation, Canadian tourism businesses and destination marketing organizations can actively market Canadian tourism products and experiences within China. As well, Chinese tour operators can organize, promote and advertise group travel packages to Canada.

“Approved Destination Status opens up a rapidly growing segment of the Chinese tourism market for British Columbia,” said Premier Campbell. “As we build on the momentum of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the signing of this agreement with the world’s most populous nation will help promote strong growth in our tourism sector.”

Moving forward, the B.C. government will continue to work with the Canadian Tourism Commission to maximize British Columbia’s exposure to potential Chinese tourists through expanded marketing campaigns highlighting the many tourism opportunities B.C. has to offer.



These marketing campaigns will include media promotions to increase consumer awareness in China of B.C. as a highly desirable travel destination and co-operative advertising of packaged group holidays available through selected tour operators.

u have to fill in forums along with documents and send them to the canadian embassy located in china.
i dont know how hard it is to get approved for a visa, but my moms friend tried twice and was rejected both times.
maybe now that theres this agreement in place, it'll be easier?

I think having close relatives in canada will make it harder for approval for visitor visa. When you apply for visitor visa i think you need to show tights to your origin country (job, house etc etc). When you tell them you have close relative in Canada, there is higher chance you can over-stay in Canada

^ that's what I was told too. not just from china, but from any country.

The more it seems like all your livelyhood and permanent resident are the china etc. the better it looks. Last thing Canada wants is people overstaying or coming here illegally. . .

she has to have proof of a job, family, house, significant money in her bank account there, to convince the embassy that she's not just going to 'visit' and claim refugee status. Pretty much unless you are loaded, it's pretty hard still.

thats what my moms friend did, provide info on her property, bank account with money, family, and a passport full of visits to various other countries, but she was still rejected twice.

ya it's pretty hit and miss with 'travel' visas. Also depends on who u knw at the embassy ~.^

I heard after sending in the application, it only takes 2 weeks for it to either get approved or denied or did I read wrong? lol

Has anyone had any experiences with having someone(friend or family) come from China or any other country that has a strict visa policy?

J____, You don't happen to know someone at the Embassy by any chance eh? ;) Do PM me and we can definitely work something out :)

ADS has nothing to do with ur family friend's situation unless he/she is coming w/ a tour.

if the friend is travelling here by him/herself, fillout the following forms and your family needs to write an invite letter to the friend not to the visa officer.

http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca....aspx?lang=eng

If you submit in person, you can find out as early as 2 days I believe.

^ Thanks, lots of information on that site!