My aunt's visitor visa application to come to Canada was refused. The visa officer's stated reason is:

"I am not satisfied that you have sufficient funds, including income or assets, to carry out stated purpose in going to Canada or to maintain yourself while in Canada and to effect your departure".

In my invitation letter, I had clearly specified that I would be funding her entire travel and provided necessary financial documents, but that was not good enough for the embassy. She cannot afford the trip herself. It had worked for my mother and also for my in-laws, but the embassy is looking for something more in the case of aunt. Her family (spouse and 2 kids) lives in India, so there is no question about strong family ties.

I am planning to ask her to reapply, but I am thinking of doing one of the following:

1. Buy her a return ticket
2. Deposit some money into her account and show it as proof of funds. Be honest that this was a gift from the sponsor.

Will either of these help? Anybody who has managed to sponsor a visitor's visa for a relative from India (other than parents)?

What you are not telling us is the reason for your Aunt's visit?
Why should she visit you in Canada?
If you canot answer this to our satisfaction, there is every right for the visa officer to refuse the visa too.

If your aunt desperately wants to visit Canada, you could do the following :

1. Ask her to come as part of a travel group to Canada with SOTC tours or something like that.

2. If she has a US visa, ask her to come to US and apply for a Canadian visa from there. US visa is very easy to get. My aunt came to Canada by this method.

3. Have you tried the caregiver route? Ask your local MP for more details.

4. Is she a Govt. servant? If so, let her get a letter from her superior that she has to return to her job.

Hope this helps you.

Peace by Murali

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

Thank you for your response, Murali.

She is coming just for a visit. No other reason. I am close to her and want her to spend some time with my family. An introduction to the western world will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for her and I want this to be my gift to her. BTW, she will be accompanying my mother (who already has a multiple entry visa and has been here twice).

This is news to me that US visa is very easy to get! But may be you are right, her age and family connections might make it really easy.

She is not coming as a caregiver, so I will not try that "route".

She is a housewife.

Sorry dude.
Canadian embassy has had many unpleasant experiences in which people who come stay back and file refugee status and use the food banks. So I am not sure, if she will ever get a Canadian visa.
She being a housewife is another major disadvantage (as far as Canadian immigration authorities are concerned).
I would suggest that upon a trip to India, you can plan a trip with the whole extended familt to Malaysia, Sing or Dubai.
All the very best.

Peace by Murali

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

An update: I bought my aunt return tickets and travel medical insurance and reapplied.

She got a multiple entry long term visitor visa .

Congrats Aziz....

Well done Aziz