Does Filing of Income Tax Return Improve the Chances of Getting Visa for Europe or Canada?

Filing of Income Tax Return (ITR) can benefit you in improving your chances of visa approval for Canada, Europe or even for other countries.

Income Tax Return is a declaration in which an individual/ HUF/company/firm states their income earned from various sources. Filing ITR is mandatory to claim tax deductions under different sections of the Income Tax Act.

Apart from strengthening your financial credibility, it is also beneficial for the immigration process once you apply for a visa. Let’s understand how ITR filing can be helpful for visa processing?

How ITR Filing Helps in Getting Visa Approval?

Filing an ITR tells a lot about your income as well as your financial stability. During the visa interview, a consulate is very keen to know about your financial background. You must prove to him that you have a sturdy fixture to cover your expenses in the country you are immigrating to.

A good track record of ITR filing can facilitate you in getting visa approval as it gives a detailed description of your income and the income-generating sources.

How to Use ITR in Visa Application?

Everyone has a different purpose for applying for a visa. Therefore, as per the needs, individuals are required to go for distinct documentation. The same logic applies to the ITR receipt submission while applying for a visa.

#1. For Study Visa

If you are a student and want to do higher studies from Canada or other European Countries, you need to be sponsored by your parents, your spouse or other family members. In that case, your sponsors would present their ITR record if asked by the consulate.

Moreover, it becomes more mandatory to file an ITR if you want to take an education loan from the banks.

#2. For Work Visa

Starting a new job or switching your job from a native country to abroad may surely be a great decision. However, one must also evaluate that he will also need to pay different taxes in the new country.

If you are a taxpayer in your native country and you have all your ITR records. You can present these documents to the immigration officers at the time of your visa interview.

Moreover, this step will leave a positive impact on the officer’s mind, which will improve the chances of your visa approval.

#3. For Visitor Visa

Although it is not compulsory to present an ITR along with your visitor’s visa application yet submitting your ITR can increase the chances of your visitor visa approval.

Your ITR record will tell the consulate that you are capable of bearing your expenses in the visiting country.

What to Do if You Don’t Have an ITR Track Record?

Well, sometimes, there might be instances where the applicant doesn’t have an ITR filing record or history. In such a situation, you as an applicant can write a letter of explanation in which you need to mention the reason behind not having an ITR filing history.

In fact, make sure to be very clear and truthful as hiding the facts can lead to the chances of visa rejection. Don’t forget to include supporting documents.

Hassle-Free Process for Bank Loans

Most banks prefer to ask for ITR receipts of at least three preceding years if someone wants a high-value loan such as Education loan, Home loan, Car loan and such others.

Even if you want to study abroad and you need some financial assistance from the bank, then also you are required to present your ITR documents. Having your ITR documents will provide you with a hassle-free process for getting bank loans.

Is ITR Filing Mandatory to Get Visa Approval?

In one way, an ITR filing history is not an essential document to be produced during the visa application process. However, one may note that it acts as a value-added supporting document leaving a positive impact on the visa-issuing officials and increases the chances of visa approval.

ITR filing history and good tax filing record also help you in various other ways such as bank loan approval, Home buying and such others.

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Shobha Vats

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