Transit visa refusal

[fedefunes96]

Hello, we are a couple from Argentina applying for a transit visa for our vacation to Japan. In our initial application, we submitted our passports, national ID documents, and a very simple itinerary of our planned activities in Japan (though it was not a booked flight itinerary). Unfortunately, our application was rejected for the following reasons:

"I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as required by paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/section-179.html). I am refusing your application because you have not established that you will leave Canada, based on the following factors:

• Your assets and financial situation are insufficient to support the stated purpose of travel for yourself (and any accompanying family member(s), if applicable).
• The purpose of your visit to Canada is not consistent with a temporary stay given the details you have provided in your application."

For this second attempt, we have included additional information, such as a book flight itinerary with Air Canada and reservations for all the hotels we're planning to stay in Japan (these reservations are fully refundable up until November). We would appreciate any guidance on what additional information we could provide if our application is rejected again. The form on the website only allows us to submit one extra optional document, so we are considering compiling all relevant information into one big document.

For further context: I am a 28yo graduated software engineer working as a contractor in Argentina. My girlfriend (25yo) works in an administrative role at a clinic and is currently studying here. We have been living together for 1.5 years in a rented apartment (the contract is for 3 years)

 

[canuck78]

Hello, we are a couple from Argentina applying for a transit visa for our vacation to Japan. In our initial application, we submitted our passports, national ID documents, and a very simple itinerary of our planned activities in Japan (though it was not a booked flight itinerary). Unfortunately, our application was rejected for the following reasons:

"I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as required by paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/section-179.html). I am refusing your application because you have not established that you will leave Canada, based on the following factors:

• Your assets and financial situation are insufficient to support the stated purpose of travel for yourself (and any accompanying family member(s), if applicable).
• The purpose of your visit to Canada is not consistent with a temporary stay given the details you have provided in your application."

For this second attempt, we have included additional information, such as a book flight itinerary with Air Canada and reservations for all the hotels we're planning to stay in Japan (these reservations are fully refundable up until November). We would appreciate any guidance on what additional information we could provide if our application is rejected again. The form on the website only allows us to submit one extra optional document, so we are considering compiling all relevant information into one big document.

For further context: I am a 28yo graduated software engineer working as a contractor in Argentina. My girlfriend (25yo) works in an administrative role at a clinic and is currently studying here. We have been living together for 1.5 years in a rented apartment (the contract is for 3 years)

Where have you both traveled before? How much liquid funds are you showing in USD?

 

[fedefunes96]

I traveled to Scotland, France, Spain, and London in 2012, while my girlfriend has not traveled outside of Argentina. The form provided only a field to indicate the amount of money we will be bringing into Canada, and we both declared 5,500 CAD. I'm not sure if this amount includes funds available on credit or debit cards. If it does, we can declare a higher amount next time (hope we don't get rejected), possibly around 40,000 CAD.

 

[canuck78]

I traveled to Scotland, France, Spain, and London in 2012, while my girlfriend has not traveled outside of Argentina. The form provided only a field to indicate the amount of money we will be bringing into Canada, and we both declared 5,500 CAD. I'm not sure if this amount includes funds available on credit or debit cards. If it does, we can declare a higher amount next time (hope we don't get rejected), possibly around 40,000 CAD.

Travel over a decade ago isn’t really relevant. 5.5k per person is typically not enough to travel to Canada especially given current economy in Argentina. Liquid funds available is really what Canada wants to see.

 

[fedefunes96]

Oh I understand, but how much is expected for a transit of roughly 6hs? I can show funds for about 40.000 CAD in total for both.

 

[canuck78]

Oh I understand, but how much is expected for a transit of roughly 6hs? I can show funds for about 40.000 CAD in total for both.

People have been known to try and enter Canada on their transit visas. If you can show proof of 20k liquid each or proof that you are common law and share funds then 40k should be much better. You should explain how you suddenly have so much more cash.

 

[fedefunes96]

We are not in a common-law relationship, so we do not share financial resources. The amount we declared (5.500 CAD) reflects the physical cash that each of us plans to bring. We do have additional funds in our respective bank accounts. Would providing our job contracts and the rental agreement for our apartment help address the concerns raised in the previous refusal, or would it be unnecessary? We are trying to determine what additional information we could provide in case of another refusal, such as bank statements, family bank statements (shared family account), job contracts, the rental agreement, and so on.

 

[canuck78]

We are not in a common-law relationship, so we do not share financial resources. The amount we declared (5.500 CAD) reflects the physical cash that each of us plans to bring. We do have additional funds in our respective bank accounts. Would providing our job contracts and the rental agreement for our apartment help address the concerns raised in the previous refusal, or would it be unnecessary? We are trying to determine what additional information we could provide in case of another refusal, such as bank statements, family bank statements (shared family account), job contracts, the rental agreement, and so on.

Proof of ties to your home country can’t hurt. Family accounts may not actually help much as adults.

 

[Once again]

Why do you have to transit through canada at all costs instead of looking for another flight route?

 

[fedefunes96]

The reason is that Air Canada flights to Japan are at least 50% cheaper than other options, and the flight time is generally shorter. I might end up postponing this trip until next year and travel to Europe first.

 

[Naturgrl]

The reason is that Air Canada flights to Japan are at least 50% cheaper than other options, and the flight time is generally shorter. I might end up postponing this trip until next year and travel to Europe first.

Did you apply separately if not common law or married? If you applied together then you should each be applying with own account and application.

 

[fedefunes96]

Yes, we applied separately using different accounts (we didn't know we could use the same account for this). We're still waiting, but we don't have much hope, even though we provided additional information. I’m thinking that traveling to Europe first could improve our chances next year, as we’d have more travel history.

 

[canuck78]

Yes, we applied separately using different accounts (we didn't know we could use the same account for this). We're still waiting, but we don't have much hope, even though we provided additional information. I’m thinking that traveling to Europe first could improve our chances next year, as we’d have more travel history.

Yes will certainly go a long way but funds may still be an issue if you only can show 5k cash. Will also depend on where you travel in Europe. Will also likely depend on Argentinian economy. IRCC is somewhat unpredictable.