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Im trying to apply for a Canada Tourist Visa to go and visit a friend for a period of 12-days.

Amongst a dozen other things I must show proof of funds. Proof of funds, according to Canada Imigration Center / Website states the following, as can be seen on image

enter image description here

My Question(s)

I have the following questions

  1. If I go to the bank and make an exchange for lets say $2000 for a 12 day visit. Can I use that currency exchange slip I will be getting as proof of sufficient finance for my 12-day visit? (Keep in mind my accommodation is free my friend provides a letter as proof of residence and citizenship)

  2. Is the exchange slip which I will be receiving after converting the money called a convertible bank draft as highlighted on image?

Any help much appreciated

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    You asked us not to judge and that's fair enough, but " get paid mostly cash in hand" to an ECO that means possible drug dealer, trafficker, weapon sales, prostitution, and so on. And they DO judge.
    – Gayot Fow
    Aug 10, 2017 at 3:25
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    @GayotFow they are paid to judge :)
    – user29788
    Aug 10, 2017 at 3:25
  • @TimothyCoetzee the problem is, theres no proof of that :/ No company books, no tax returns stating your income etc etc Nothing to say the money is legitimate - and thats what they are interested in.
    – user29788
    Aug 10, 2017 at 4:01
  • @Moo ok fair enough but my wife is the primary bread winner she is making a declaration that she will be my financial sponsor and provide all necessary docs, whilst my friend issues a document saying she will be providing me with accommodation. so....even though I have nothing to show (except buying foreign currency myself) If you were an immigration officer would those docs satisfy you
    – Timothy Coetzee
    Aug 10, 2017 at 4:09
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    @TimothyCoetzee oops, you have just disclosed that you have no means of on-going income during your time in Canada. They will pick on stuff like that. That's in addition to fitting the profile of a drug dealer, etc etc. But note that we're not decision-makers and for sure we're not the Tribunal.
    – Gayot Fow
    Aug 10, 2017 at 4:16

1 Answer 1

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Is the exchange slip which I will be receiving after converting the money called a convertible bank draft as highlighted on image?

No. Your currency exchange slip is a receipt, its proof that a transaction took place but nothing more.

A convertible bank draft is a cheque issued by the bank (commonly called a cashiers cheque, teller's check or bankers draft) which can be drawn on in any Canadian bank in Canadian currency - that is what it means by convertible, it needs to be able to be converted from the currency it was issued to the currency to be drawn, and not all bankers drafts can do that.

get paid mostly cash in hand to avoid taxes among others (dont judge)

Its worth noting that this is exactly why immigration officials ask for provenance of funds - they want to avoid money with this sort of background.

I don't know about Canada, but when applying for a UK visa, the UK immigration officer inspecting your case has to be satisfied of the legality of funds under the same UK laws as everyone else in the UK has to abide by, which means any earnings should have had tax paid on them to the extent required by domestic law in the applicants country etc.

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  • Thank you so much for your answer, so what can I do to proof I have enough cash in hand when entering the country? I dont quite get it...? When showing bank statments it will be in THB (Thai Baht) is that okay / willl it be a problem? Also according to your answer will the best way be to go to my bank and ask if they can issue me a cashiers cheque for Canada? What if they can not do this? Is what you referring to the same as a travelers cheque?
    – Timothy Coetzee
    Aug 10, 2017 at 2:59
  • thanks again for your update and answer. My primary question basicallly changed to is a cashiers cheque the same as a travelers cheque?
    – Timothy Coetzee
    Aug 10, 2017 at 3:02
  • No, a cashiers cheque is not the same as a travellers cheque but they are very very very similar - both are guaranteed funds, they are just different approaches to the same thing, with the main difference being that you can sign over a travellers cheque to anyone, but you may not be able to do that with a bankers draft. Its probable that Canadian immigration would accept travellers cheques in lieu of a bankers draft, but they would probably be treated as cash.
    – user29788
    Aug 10, 2017 at 3:06
  • Bank statements in a foreign currency is not an issue, the immigration officer inspecting your application will do a conversion using a common system. The main thing bank statements prove is the provenance of funds.
    – user29788
    Aug 10, 2017 at 3:08
  • Sorry for bombarding you with questions. You have been very helpful. Im submitting my visa application today so trying to avoid any hick ups. In YOUR opinion considering requirements from above image would you say a travelers cheque would help my application? (In your opinion)
    – Timothy Coetzee
    Aug 10, 2017 at 3:09

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