Is a GIC Enough for Proof of Funds for a Canadian Visa Application?

If you are applying for a temporary resident visa to visit or work in Canada, one of the key requirements is to prove you have enough money — known as ‘proof of funds’ — to support yourself during your stay without working or accessing social or health services.

The exact amount required depends on your situation but can be several thousand dollars. Many people wonder if funds held in a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) would count as acceptable proof of funds for a Canadian visa.

This article will explain what a GIC is, answer the question ‘Is a GIC enough for proof of funds?’ and provide tips and examples to strengthen your application.

Table of Contents

What is a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)?

A Guaranteed Investment Certificate, commonly called a GIC, is a low-risk savings product offered by banks and financial institutions. When you purchase a GIC, you are essentially loaning your money to the bank or institution for a preset period of time, usually anywhere from a few months to 5 years. In exchange, the bank agrees to pay you a higher interest rate than a regular savings account.

The key things to understand about GICs are:

Interest rates are fixed and agreed upon when you purchase the GIC. You will earn the same interest rate for the entire term, even if rates rise.
Your principal (the original amount invested) is guaranteed not to decrease. The bank promises to repay 100% of the amount you initially deposited when the GIC matures.
GICs have preset maturity dates, either monthly, annually or in multi-year terms. You must hold the investment until the maturity date to earn the full interest. Withdrawing early often results in penalties.
As the name implies, GIC rates are guaranteed. There is no risk of losing your principal as long as you hold the GIC until maturity. It is considered one of the lowest risk savings vehicles.
GIC funds are easily accessible depending on the term. For shorter terms (1 year or less), you can usually cash out your GIC for a small penalty if needed before the maturity date. Longer terms may have more restrictions.

Is a GIC Enough for Proof of Funds

Can a GIC Count as Proof of Funds for a Canadian Visa? GIC issued by a major Canadian financial institution could potentially qualify as proof of funds. However, there are no guarantees, and additional supporting documents would strengthen an application.

When assessing an application for a temporary resident visa, Canadian immigration officers will thoroughly review an applicant’s proof of funds documentation to determine if they have sufficient money to support themselves financially during their stay.

Here are a few key points on whether holding money in a GIC would generally be considered acceptable proof:

Accessibility of funds – Immigration officers want to see readily available money that can be easily accessed if needed for living expenses.
Stability of funds – A GIC issued by a major Canadian bank would likely satisfy the requirement that funds are stable and guaranteed. Smaller credit unions or online-only banks may carry slightly more risk that needs to be addressed.
Value of funds – The amount held in the GIC must be greater than or equal to the minimum funds required. This amount varies based on visit length and applicant type (visitor, worker, student etc.).
Verification of source – Source documents like bank statements proving the origin of the invested funds and their value over time may still be requested to fully satisfy officers.

Tips to Strengthen a GIC as Proof of Funds

While a shorter term GIC issued by a reputable bank offers stability, there are still some best practices applicants can follow to maximize the chances that officers will accept this type of saving as sufficient proof:

Keep the majority of funds in a high-interest savings account with no restrictions on withdrawals. Use this as the primary proof of funds and mention the GIC as a supplemental asset.
If relying mainly on the GIC, choose the shortest available term, ideally 1 year or less. This shows funds can be quickly accessed if needed.
Provide recent bank statements to verify the full history and source of funds over several months or years leading up to application. This proves the money is from stable, legitimate sources.
Mention plans to close the GIC prior to travel if it matures too far in the future. Or state you understand possible penalties but are willing to pay them if required.
Calculate the interest that would be earned over the visit period and include this amount when estimating total available monies. Every bit helps to meet minimum levels.
Consult with an immigration lawyer to review all documents before submitting. They can advise how the GIC and related materials can be packaged and presented optimally.
If the GIC value alone is insufficient, supplement it with proof of additional accessible assets like savings, investments or funds from family. Officers want to see a robust financial picture.

2 Examples of Using a GIC as a Proof of Funds

Let’s consider two practical examples of how applicants have successfully proven funds held in a GIC to border officials:

Amir, a 26-year-old software engineer from India, applied for a 12-month work permit in Canada. He included the following documents:

Bank statements from a major Indian bank showing a savings balance over $15,000 CAD for the previous 2 years from his salary.
Recent slips proving he invested $12,000 CAD from his savings into a 1-year 2.5% GIC with the same bank 2 months prior.
Letter explaining he chose the GIC for stability but was willing to break it with the penalty if required by officials.
Income tax slips proving his ongoing employment and funds origination.

Amir was asked to submit updated bank statements showing deductions from his original savings to purchase the GIC. With this, officers were satisfied of both his accessible cash reserves and the stability of the GIC for his 12-month support needs. His application was approved.

Meanwhile, Nancy, a retired grandmother from Hong Kong visiting her daughter in Canada, submitted:

6 months of bank statements showing a HKD savings balance over $25,000 CAD.
Certificate for a 3-year 2.8% GIC valued at $20,000 CAD from a major Hong Kong bank.

Knowing the long term GIC lacked accessibility, Nancy explained she had $5,000 CAD readily available in her savings and several monetary gifts totaling $10,000 CAD from family members that could support her if needed.

With this combination of funds sources, border officers accepted Nancy had met requirements for her 6-month temporary residence application. She was granted entry.

These examples illustrate that while not a guarantee, funds held in a short-term GIC have been deemed sufficient proof when submitted with thorough documentation and flexibility regarding accessibility if requested. Proving overall financial stability through a multi-pronged approach can help viable cases succeed.

Additional Factors to Consider

There are a few final points prospective GIC-holding applicants may want to keep in mind when presenting proof of funds for a Canadian temporary resident visa:

As border policies can evolve, it is wise to remain flexible. Officers ultimately decide on a case-by-case basis. Solid backup plans show adaptability.
Economic or banking instability in one’s home country could raise doubts about fund availability. Address any concerns transparency through regular account monitoring histories.
Providing additional documents like property records, company financials or surplus assets offers reassurance of an applicants overall financial strength and roots.
Translated versions of GIC certificates may be needed if issued in a foreign language. Include contact details for bank officials to verify documents.
Pursuing assistance through a registered immigration representative can help package materials optimally for review. They know latest processing trends.
Meeting with an officer ahead of a final decision through pre-submissionhelp can identify and address any gaps proactively before submitting.

With diligent planning and presentation showing stability and access, funds held safely in the right type of GIC are possible to certify as proof of finances for a Canadian visa. Proper documentation and communication of one’s genuine situation remains key.

Conclusion on Is a GIC Enough for Proof of Funds

In summary, Canadian border officials have accepted a short-term GIC from a major financial institution as proof of funds in the past. However, there are no guarantees, and providing additional evidence of accessible savings or asset backups significantly strengthens an application.