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A long-time Cuban acquaintance (not a romantic interest) has been invited to visit Canada by a friend. I don’t know the person handling the invitation but my Cuban acquaintance has now approached me, asking for a temporary loan of 300.00 CUC, which will be returned during my next visit. This person has stressed that the money is only to satisfy a Cuban Government requirement to have a certain amount in a bank account before being granted exit permission, as some sort of insurance that they will indeed return to Cuba… The money will not be spent.The request was a bit of a shock, I have known this person for over a decade and has never asked for money before. Do any of you know whether there is indeed such a requirement (money in a bank account)? What would you do?
You can PM me as well if you don’t want to post publicly.
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I have absolutely no clue, but I have never heard of that requirement and I have brought a few Cubans to Canada.Hopefully Mad and a few others will chime in.Cheers,
Terry
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I am not sure that it is an "absolute" requirement, I would have to review the Canadian policy on this again but I do believe that Cubans are sometimes asked to prove that they have enough for their expenses while in Canada and/or money in the bank, particularly if their host has not provided a letter of invitation indicating they will cover all their guest’s expenses. I guess for me it would be a matter of how much I trust the person whether I fronted the money or not. I have only recently started looking into this process myself. We want our friend to have his best shot at getting approved and so have advised him to top up his bank account in Cuba as well to bring some money to spend here, although we will prepare a formal letter of invitation indicating we will cover his day to day expenses. If you don’t have a letter from your host indicating they will cover your expenses it makes sense that you will be asked to prove you have enough money to cover your visit and your return home if you don’t have a return ticket.As Terry says, I’m sure others will have recent experience and knowledge on this topic and provide more input. |
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Yes government of Canada will ask that Cubans provide their financial statement and bank account in order to get visa but I personally know that government rejects brothers and sisters of Cuban immigrants to visit them in Canada. Can’t believe it would allow friends to visit if siblings are rejected. Cuban Government doesn’t require any money to be shown for its own citizen to travel abroad as long as they have passport and visa !!!
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I can only speak to Canadian Immigration. Even when arriving with a visitor visa, a visitor is not home free and should normally have a return airline ticket and reasonable funds and means to support themselves for the length of their stay. It would not be unusual for CIC to check with the host to verify that they will provide food and lodging if there is any doubt. A person who shows up basically penniless with a just a contact in Canada, even with a return ticket, will be subject to additional scrutiny. Not to say that a person with little means might not still be allowed entry, just that CIC might be asking a lot more questions. Their concerns will be to be satisfied that the person will return to their country of origin that that they will not become a burden on the taxpayer. That is their mandate. Even if they have obtained a visa, they can still be denied entry.I know that your original question stated that this was required by "Cuban" authorities. Perhaps a misunderstanding? Perhaps not? You are getting good information that should lead to good questions.
I do hope that this is on the "up and up" and that all goes well! ![]("http://images.proboards.com/v5/smiley/smiley.png")
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I was going to mention in my first reply that I couldn’t imagine in a million years that the Cuban government would request this. They couldn’t care less how broke the exiting Cuban is, almost any Cuban abroad is a goldmine in terms of remittances back to Cuba, the government loves that investment…Cheers,
Terry
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![]("http://s29438.storage.proboards.com/2099438/a/ZPAgWM1oCJTEe0EIe6vp.jpg") What would you do? I have no idea about the legal end of things, but I can answer this part of your question. I would go with what my gut tells me. You have known the person ten years. Of course, I would not lend the money if I could not afford to lose it! |
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Yes, CIC can demand to see proof of adequate money or other means of financial support to cover expenses during anyone’s visit to Canada, and without it, entry can be delayed and/or denied. Some people can be detained at the arriving airport or at a CIC/CBSA holding “facility” until such proof is demonstrated. Usually, it can be done by the person who is inviting the guest presenting themselves at the arriving airport, or at their nearest CIC or CBSA centre, to vouch that they will be the financial guarantor for the guest. That is why it is recommended that the letter of invitation specifically state that all financial expenses will be covered by the host, including accommodations, food, and travel within Canada, medical insurance and incidental expenses. ALL visitors are not detained – it’s the luck of the random draw (which really isn’t random. :D)I have never heard of the Cuban government requiring that the visitor have money in the bank in Cuba as proof that they intend to return. That is new to me. That said, there are a lot of stories in the air in Cuba that anyone leaving the country must pay their supervisor for someone to replace them at work while they are away, or must pay for someone to be trained to replace them. That is pure hogwash, and is extortion on the part of the work supervisor. But … it sometimes works!
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I would agree with eeeefarm "I would not lend the money if I could not afford to lose it!"
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My Cuban friend has visited me in the UK on 7 occasions and has never been asked to provide details of her bank account to anyone.
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I guess eloissegirl has to decide. It looks like some managers charge a fee for employees to take a vacation (especially if they can bring back bucks)And it looks like the Cuban Government doesn’t charge.The Canadian Government can demand proof that the traveller be able to look after themselves while here, cover emergency medical care and go home on schedule as per their Visa. (If you have a friend arriving, be sure you’re at the airport to answer questions, if necessary)I wouldn’t send money under the circumstances given. Not just me, eh? |
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1) It is the Canadian not Cuban government that requires he cuban visiting to have $ in their bank acct and be able to prove and justify it if needed but as insurance that they will return to Cuba… If they are indeed doing their visitor visa package they would know that.2) why the cuban approached you and not the person sponsoring them …..sounds needy….and sounds like they want the extra $$$ to spend without asking their sponsor.3) do what you wish…..write promise notes to return cash with witnesses, and say that’s how you roll…if you wish to lend the cash.
We have done visitor visa applications and we have lent $ to Cubans. They are like everyone else. Some honest and some not. Go with gut.
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