As per the heading; I received a refusal for my study permit and I have drafted a letter of explanation to address the refusal reasons. Please review this to help me make some modifications before submission hoping to also help others who are in the same situation like mine
Respected Authority,
Subject: Student Visa Permit Re-application Reference Application no: *******
I am writing this letter in reference to the re-application of my study permit. My previous application was refused based on two factors, which I have respectfully responded to in this letter. I have also made significant changes to my study permit application by adding more explanations about myself, and by adding new supporting documents as listed in each explanation section. In order to attend the university I was admitted to, I need a Visa approved by XXXX date, therefore I have endeavoured to provide as much supporting information as possible in order to leave no questions unanswered. First, I will address the two reasons given for denial in the correspondence letter in response to my first application. Then I will address a few other areas where there may be some concern in order to leave no doubts for the reviewer.
Please allow me to address the reasons that were stated in the correspondence letter, which are as follows:
I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as required by paragraph R216(1)(b) of the IRPR (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2002-227/section-216.html). I am refusing your application because you have not established that you will leave Canada, based on the following factors:
Justification:
I have been admitted to the University of Waterloo for a Master of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering program, this program was designed especially for professionals seeking advanced training to enhance and strengthen a career in the field of engineering.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from ***** and I have been employed by ***** Rwanda Ltd for the past 4 years. In my current position which I have been holding for 3 years, among other duties I design, maintain, and test software tools used to manage geodata. My manager and I have realized that in order to increase my scope of work in software, I need to undertake graduate studies. There is a considerable amount of overlap between designing, maintaining, and testing software tools and the Software side of Computer Engineering. The Electrical and Computer engineering department at the University of Waterloo offers several courses in software specialization that incorporate this overlap very well (https://uwaterloo.ca/electrical-computer-engineering/graduate-students/courses/master-engineering-meng-specializations#SoftwareEngineering).
My sole purpose for visiting Canada is to attend the University of Waterloo for this program. I want to learn advanced software development skills that will help me expand my knowledge which in turn will expand my scope of work. During my visit, I wish to interact and work with my fellow students and my professors at the department to learn from their experiences.
Upon completion of this program, I wish to return back to Rwanda and resume my responsibilities at ***** Rwanda Ltd. There is immense potential for someone with advanced skills in software development at ***** Rwanda Ltd. A graduate degree from the University of Waterloo will help me to be able to pursue more challenging and rewarding projects at *****.
I have attached a letter from ***** which attests that I have been given the approval to take a sabbatical leave and join this program, provided I return to my employment at ***** Rwanda after one year.
To support the above points, I have attached the following documents
I would like to provide more evidence about my assets and financial situation that I did not provide in the first application. First, I would like to make it clear that my mentor and former colleague is the one who is funding my studies at the University of Waterloo. She is doing this using the funds she obtained from her equity in our company, something granted to US employees but not international employees (like me). Please see the letter she wrote for additional details and explanations in her own words.
I would like to confirm here that my sponsor has already paid a total of $57,000 CAD to the University of Waterloo for Tuition and incidental (non-tuition) fees which is $47,000 CAD, and University residence (one-year/two-term estimate) which is $10,000 CAD. Also, my sponsor has transferred to my personal savings account a total of $8,169 CAD which will help me to cover my meals and transport to and from Canada. To prove this, I have provided the following documents:
Also, I would like to provide evidence that I am in a good financial situation to support my temporary visit to Canada by showing the investments I have back home. Together with my father, I have invested in Government of Tanzania treasury bonds. This 20-year bond with a coupon rate of 15.49% and a face value of 60,000,000 TZS (~$33,375.82 CAD) will mature on February 11th, 2041. I own 31% of this investment, which means I own about $10,346.5 CAD. Furthermore, my father and I jointly hold an investment account at a Tanzanian investment firm UTT Asset Management and Investor Services Plc (UTT AMIS). This investor account (*****) has a balance of 96,955,166.7581 TZS (~$53932.64 CAD), and I own 50% of this investment which translates to about $26,966.32 CAD. To further underline my financial ties to my country I have provided the following documents:
Respected Authority,
Subject: Student Visa Permit Re-application Reference Application no: *******
I am writing this letter in reference to the re-application of my study permit. My previous application was refused based on two factors, which I have respectfully responded to in this letter. I have also made significant changes to my study permit application by adding more explanations about myself, and by adding new supporting documents as listed in each explanation section. In order to attend the university I was admitted to, I need a Visa approved by XXXX date, therefore I have endeavoured to provide as much supporting information as possible in order to leave no questions unanswered. First, I will address the two reasons given for denial in the correspondence letter in response to my first application. Then I will address a few other areas where there may be some concern in order to leave no doubts for the reviewer.
Please allow me to address the reasons that were stated in the correspondence letter, which are as follows:
I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as required by paragraph R216(1)(b) of the IRPR (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2002-227/section-216.html). I am refusing your application because you have not established that you will leave Canada, based on the following factors:
- The purpose of your visit to Canada is not consistent with a temporary stay given the details you have provided in your application.
- Your assets and financial situation are insufficient to support the stated purpose of travel for yourself (and any accompanying family member(s), if applicable).
Justification:
- The purpose of your visit to Canada is not consistent with a temporary stay given the details you have provided in your application.
I have been admitted to the University of Waterloo for a Master of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering program, this program was designed especially for professionals seeking advanced training to enhance and strengthen a career in the field of engineering.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from ***** and I have been employed by ***** Rwanda Ltd for the past 4 years. In my current position which I have been holding for 3 years, among other duties I design, maintain, and test software tools used to manage geodata. My manager and I have realized that in order to increase my scope of work in software, I need to undertake graduate studies. There is a considerable amount of overlap between designing, maintaining, and testing software tools and the Software side of Computer Engineering. The Electrical and Computer engineering department at the University of Waterloo offers several courses in software specialization that incorporate this overlap very well (https://uwaterloo.ca/electrical-computer-engineering/graduate-students/courses/master-engineering-meng-specializations#SoftwareEngineering).
My sole purpose for visiting Canada is to attend the University of Waterloo for this program. I want to learn advanced software development skills that will help me expand my knowledge which in turn will expand my scope of work. During my visit, I wish to interact and work with my fellow students and my professors at the department to learn from their experiences.
Upon completion of this program, I wish to return back to Rwanda and resume my responsibilities at ***** Rwanda Ltd. There is immense potential for someone with advanced skills in software development at ***** Rwanda Ltd. A graduate degree from the University of Waterloo will help me to be able to pursue more challenging and rewarding projects at *****.
I have attached a letter from ***** which attests that I have been given the approval to take a sabbatical leave and join this program, provided I return to my employment at ***** Rwanda after one year.
To support the above points, I have attached the following documents
- Exhibit A: The receipt of $57,000 CAD from University of Waterloo shows that my first-year tuition fee payment and housing fees have been paid in full.
- Exhibit B: A letter from my employer attesting that they have approved a one-year sabbatical leave and that I will be required to continue with my employment after completing my studies.
- Exhibit C: The bank statement for my savings account with XXXX, which is enough funds to cover my meals for the whole year along with my ticket to and from Canada.
- Exhibit E: Statement of my UTT AMIS investment account with 96,955,166.7581 TZS (~$53,932.64 CAD) that I jointly hold with my father.
- Exhibit F: Proof of a 20-year Treasury Bond with a value of 60,000,000 TZS (~$33,375.82 CAD) that I jointly hold with my father.
- Exhibit G: A letter from my father to attest my ownership of the Treasury Bond and UTT AMIS investment account.
- Exhibit N: Fee estimate for one year from the University of Waterloo for the program I have been admitted to.
- Your assets and financial situation are insufficient to support the stated purpose of travel for yourself (and any accompanying family member(s), if applicable).
I would like to provide more evidence about my assets and financial situation that I did not provide in the first application. First, I would like to make it clear that my mentor and former colleague is the one who is funding my studies at the University of Waterloo. She is doing this using the funds she obtained from her equity in our company, something granted to US employees but not international employees (like me). Please see the letter she wrote for additional details and explanations in her own words.
I would like to confirm here that my sponsor has already paid a total of $57,000 CAD to the University of Waterloo for Tuition and incidental (non-tuition) fees which is $47,000 CAD, and University residence (one-year/two-term estimate) which is $10,000 CAD. Also, my sponsor has transferred to my personal savings account a total of $8,169 CAD which will help me to cover my meals and transport to and from Canada. To prove this, I have provided the following documents:
- Exhibit A: The receipt of $57,000 CAD from the University of Waterloo which my first-year tuition fee payment & housing fee.
- Exhibit C: The bank statement of my savings account with XXXX enough funds to cover my meals for the whole year and for my ticket to and from Canada.
- Exhibit N: Fee estimate for one year from the University of Waterloo for the program I have been admitted to.
- Exhibit O: Letter of support from my mentor how is funding my studies
Also, I would like to provide evidence that I am in a good financial situation to support my temporary visit to Canada by showing the investments I have back home. Together with my father, I have invested in Government of Tanzania treasury bonds. This 20-year bond with a coupon rate of 15.49% and a face value of 60,000,000 TZS (~$33,375.82 CAD) will mature on February 11th, 2041. I own 31% of this investment, which means I own about $10,346.5 CAD. Furthermore, my father and I jointly hold an investment account at a Tanzanian investment firm UTT Asset Management and Investor Services Plc (UTT AMIS). This investor account (*****) has a balance of 96,955,166.7581 TZS (~$53932.64 CAD), and I own 50% of this investment which translates to about $26,966.32 CAD. To further underline my financial ties to my country I have provided the following documents:
- Exhibit E: Statement of my UTT AMIS investment account with 96,955,166.7581 TZS (~$53932.64 CAD) that I jointly hold with my father.
- Exhibit F: Proof of a 20 year Treasury Bond with a value of 60,000,000 TZS (~$33,375.82 CAD) that I jointly hold with my father.
- Exhibit G: A letter from my father to attest my ownership of the Treasury Bond and UTT AMIS investment account.
- Exhibit M: My payslip for the past 4 months to prove that I have the income to do the above-mentioned investments