MY TRV REJECTED, FOR REASONS I PROVIDED EVIDENCE FOR.

[mo.amin]

On the 13th of March 2018 I, with my younger daughter applied for a TRV to visit my cousin in Canada.

The Documents I Included were:
- All forms properly filled.
- All passports, to show travel history [Dubai, India & Saudi]
- A letter from my employer.
- My bank statement & my husbands bank statement with around +7,000 CAD
- My husbands property documents
- A letter of authorisation from my husband allow my young daughter to travel with me
- An invitation letter from my sponsor [cousin]
- My purpose of travel, explaining that I am mainly going to visit my cousins, and sightseeing like Niagara Falls...
- A letter of from my daughters school.
- Marriage and Birth Certificates..

But to my surprise I got a refusal on the 5th of April.

The reasons they gave:
You have not satisfied me that you would leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident. In reaching this decision, I considered several factors, including:

- Travel history: How? I have travelled before, I gave my passport with the visas... moreover I can't be travelling every 6 months cause I dont get leave from work that easy.
- Family ties in Canada and in country of residence: Why? In Canada, my cousin gave me an invitation letter where she clearly mentioned I am her cousin. In country of residence, My other 2 kids, my husband are there... HOW!?
- Purpose of Visit: I mentioned that It is mainly to visit my cousin and her family, and also to tour around Toronto's main attraction.
- Current employment situation: I have a very stable job, since 12 years I have been here, I got a detailed letter from them. WHAT!?
- Personal assets and financial situation: I have a stable job, I receive rent from property, I showed around 7,000CAD in my bank...
- I am not satisfied that you have sufficient funds, including income or assets, to carry out your stated purpose in going to Canada or to maintain yourself while in Canada and to effect your departure. I had 7,000 CAD in bank, I mentioned I will be taking 2k myself, and 2k for my daughter. I was going to be staying at my cousins place for 2 weeks, they would be providing with food. How much would a mother and daughter spend anyways?
- You have not provided sufficient docs to support your/your host's income and assets. I provided my own bank statment, my property deed, my cousin gave an invitation letter. Where did I miss out?

All the experts, what do you advice? I am very dissapointed, I did my best and this is what happens.. Should I reapply? If yes when, what should I add?

Your help will be highly appreciated!

 

[mo.amin]

@Bryanna if you could please give me advise on this

 

[scylla]

The travel history refusal reasons makes sense. For travel history, they are looking for previous travel to countries requiring visas such as the US or UK. You have no such travel and this weakens your application. For employment - what did your letter say?

It doesn't look like your cousin provided a bank account statement to show what funds they had to support your stay. If not - that was an important miss.

I would say your overall bank balance is pretty low (i.e. the $7K). If all you have is $7K in the bank - it's a lot to spend $4K (more than half of what you have in the bank) on a trip to Canada and this would make CIC concerned you have other motives for visiting (i.e. remaining long term). Do you have any other bank accounts you can show?

 

[mo.amin]

The travel history refusal reasons makes sense. For travel history, they are looking for previous travel to countries requiring visas such as the US or UK. You have no such travel and this weakens your application. For employment - what did your letter say?

It doesn't look like your cousin provided a bank account statement to show what funds they had to support your stay. If not - that was an important miss.

I would say your overall bank balance is pretty low (i.e. the $7K). If all you have is $7K in the bank - it's a lot to spend $4K (more than half of what you have in the bank) on a trip to Canada and this would make CIC concerned you have other motives for visiting (i.e. remaining long term). Do you have any other bank accounts you can show?

Thank you so much for your reply.

Actually our families holidays never ever coincide and I hate travelling alone!, moreover sometimes I am requested to continue work during holidays, I am a school secretary and one of my tasks are to process new student applications etc. And also, if our visas are rejected like this, even to places where we have relatives, how will we even build that travel history.
--------------------------------------
The emplyment letter was:
Re: ............. Employee no. .........
This is to certify that the above is a Secretary at XXXX School.
She would like to travel to Canada during her holidays,
Any assistance given to her will be highly appreciated.
--------------------------------------

Yes my cousin did not provide her bank statement, cause I didn't think it was actually needed. All we were doing is staying at their place, and eating.. There was no monetary help from my cousins, we were going for 2 weeks, I dont think I and my younger daughter would even have used all the 4k CAD. This is her invitation letter:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing this letter of invitation for my maternal cousin xxxxxx and her daughter xxxxxxxx to come visit my family and I in Toronto, Canada from Tanzania. My name is xxxxxxxxxx I am a Canadian citizen, since 1995, currently residing in xxxx Ontario.

My cousin, xxxxxxxx, whom I have not met for the last 25 years, intends to visit Canada, with her daughter in the spring of 2018. This would provide them with a perfect family reunion, and also the chance to experience Canada’s great weather, and provide for a great tourist adventure. During their stay in Canada, xxxxxxxxxxx and her daughter xxxxxxxxx will be staying with my family and I. We have a 3500 Square Ft, home in xxxxxxxxxxxx, Ontario and will be able to accommodate them comfortably.

My residential address is below for your reference,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Should you require any further information, kindly contact me via email: xxxxxxxxxxxx

or alternatively on my cell: xxxxxxxxxxx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My bank balance is low because my husband recently purchased a new property worth around 70-80k CAD, and we receive rent from it... But I have cash, I was afraid of depositing all the money suddenly as I thought they would suspect I am doing that for the visa, How should I present that cash?

I also have pension that has a value of over 10k CAD.

I was very excited to meet my cousin, because we were very very close before we got married and all. She was also all excited and was planning a lot for us there, but unfortunately.

Please guide me on what to do. Thank you very much

 

[scylla]

Your cousin needs to provide a bank statement. Your cousin's invitation letter should include the length of your trip. Also, that employment letter is incredibly weak if that's all it said. A good employment letter should list things like how long someone has been with the company, confirm if they are a permanent or contract staff member, include salary and include specific details about the length of the vacation and dates.

 

[mo.amin]

Your cousin needs to provide a bank statement. Your cousin's invitation letter should include the length of your trip. Also, that employment letter is incredibly weak if that's all it said. A good employment letter should list things like how long someone has been with the company, confirm if they are a permanent or contract staff member, include salary and include specific details about the length of the vacation and dates.

Okay, and how should I explain travel history?

And the insufficient funds, how do I address that?

 

[scylla]

The insufficient funds issue may be addressed if your cousin provides a bank statement.

You cannot fix the travel history problem since you have no travel history to provide. You have to overcome this issue by providing strong evidence in other areas.

 

[mo.amin]

The insufficient funds issue may be addressed if your cousin provides a bank statement.

You cannot fix the travel history problem since you have no travel history to provide. You have to overcome this issue by providing strong evidence in other areas.

And how do I fix the family ties thingy? In Canada, my cousin gave me an invitation letter where she clearly mentioned I am her cousin. In country of residence, My other 2 kids, my husband are there.

 

[Bryanna]

My bank balance is low because my husband recently purchased a new property worth around 70-80k CAD, and we receive rent from it...

Is the rent credited to your bank account or to your husband's account or to a joint/shared account?

But I have cash, I was afraid of depositing all the money suddenly as I thought they would suspect I am doing that for the visa, How should I present that cash?

Can you include evidence to prove this cash was earned by you/your husband + taxes have been paid on it?

I also have pension that has a value of over 10k CAD.

Is it locked-in or can it be liquidated easily?

- My husbands property documents

Do you co-own this property? Or is it owned solely by your husband?

- A letter of authorisation from my husband allow my young daughter to travel with me

How old is your daughter and what does she do?
How old are your other two children? What do they do?

- Purpose of Visit: I mentioned that It is mainly to visit my cousin and her family, and also to tour around Toronto's main attraction.

How long did you want to visit? Two weeks?
Did you include a detailed day-by-day plan with expense estimates + airfare?

- You have not provided sufficient docs to support your/your host's income and assets. I provided my own bank statment, my property deed, my cousin gave an invitation letter. Where did I miss out?

No, your cousin is not required to submit her bank statements or any other financial documents.

You (and your husband - even though he is not traveling with you - should have demonstrated that you can afford the visit)

 

[mo.amin]

Thank you so much for replying!

Is the rent credited to your bank account or to your husband's account or to a joint/shared account?

It is credited to my and my husbands joint account every 6 months.

Can you include evidence to prove this cash was earned by you/your husband + taxes have been paid on it?

I can maybe convert it to CAD, get an official Bureau receipt + Tax receipt on my name. Because this was money a person repaid, he had taken a loan.

Is it locked-in or can it be liquidated easily?

It is locked in. It cannot be liquidated easily, the only time I get these funds are when I retire or have a medical issue that I cant work anymore.

Do you co-own this property? Or is it owned solely by your husband?

I and my husband together bought it, but the sale deed is on his name.

How old is your daughter and what does she do?
How old are your other two children? What do they do?

My daugther is 16, she is in Grade 9.
My son is 19, studying in university, my daughter is 21, works.

How long did you want to visit? Two weeks?
Did you include a detailed day-by-day plan with expense estimates + airfare?

Yes, just 2 weeks.
No I did not include that. I included a provisional flight booking.

I also included this letter to explain a general itinerary
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, with my daughter xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, would like to apply for a Canadian visa upon my intention to travel to Toronto from the 29th of March 2018 to 13th of April 2018.


The main purpose of my travel is to visit my Cousin Sister, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and her family, whom I haven’t met for many years, and I thought now that I and my daughter are having this short break from work and school respectively, it’s the best time to have this family get-together.


However, I look forward to also visiting the magnificent sights throughout Ontario which is my plan for the 2nd week of travel, one of them being visiting the Wonderful Niagara Falls. I also am planning to take my daughter to Canada’s wonderland, which is a great place for kids and other places like the Toronto Zoo, Ripley’s Aquarium Canada and many other places. I am also excited to roam around with the Toronto Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing bus. We will be residing with my cousins throughout the trip, and they have been in Canada for a very long time, and they know exactly where to take me.


I also look forward to experiencing the diverse culture and the delicious Canadian food in Toronto on this trip.


Attached you will find my flight reservations, and a letter of invitation from my cousin in Toronto.


I hope that you will consider our visa applications and look forward to having a positive response and visiting my cousins in Canada soon.


Kind Regards,

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No, your cousin is not required to submit her bank statements or any other financial documents.

You (and your husband - even though he is not traveling with you - should have demonstrated that you can afford the visit)

I know, but what should I do? I obviously wouldn't go with my younger daughter into another country under-funded, and my husband would make sure I don't be a burden on my cousins, even though we are very close.

Moreover, I don't understand why they ticked Purpose of Travel. I had clearly indicated I am going to see my cousin. And sightseeing as on the letter above, I also put an invitation letter.

Please please please, help me out. I and My cousin were both very disappointed on hearing this.

 

[Bryanna]

I know, but what should I do? I obviously wouldn't go with my younger daughter into another country under-funded, and my husband would make sure I don't be a burden on my cousins, even though we are very close.

Moreover, I don't understand why they ticked Purpose of Travel. I had clearly indicated I am going to see my cousin. And sightseeing as on the letter above, I also put an invitation letter.

IMO, there are possibly other 'hidden' reasons for refusal. 'Purpose of visit' tends to be a generic refusal reason.

As an unofficial guide: You must be able to show finances (not borrowed, but your husband can financially support your visit) of CAD 1,000 per week of visit per person + airfare x 2 persons (yourself and your daughter) + surplus funds.

If you and your husband currently don't have liquid funds for this itinerary + airfare.... then you could consider deferring your visit/new application until you have saved up some more..... or else you could consider reapplying without your daughter

 

[mo.amin]

IMO, there are possibly other 'hidden' reasons for refusal. 'Purpose of visit' tends to be a generic refusal reason.

As an unofficial guide: You must be able to show finances (not borrowed, but your husband can financially support your visit) of CAD 1,000 per week of visit per person + airfare x 2 persons (yourself and your daughter) + surplus funds.

If you and your husband currently don't have liquid funds for this itinerary + airfare.... then you could consider deferring your visit/new application until you have saved up some more..... or else you could consider reapplying without your daughter

Okay, thank you so much!
I'll see what I can do

 

[Eveslm]

The travel history refusal reasons makes sense. For travel history, they are looking for previous travel to countries requiring visas such as the US or UK. You have no such travel and this weakens your application. For employment - what did your letter say?

It doesn't look like your cousin provided a bank account statement to show what funds they had to support your stay. If not - that was an important miss.

I would say your overall bank balance is pretty low (i.e. the $7K). If all you have is $7K in the bank - it's a lot to spend $4K (more than half of what you have in the bank) on a trip to Canada and this would make CIC concerned you have other motives for visiting (i.e. remaining long term). Do you have any other bank accounts you can show?

She mentioned she had Visa for the countries she travelled to.... I think this really depends on where a person is from. For instance my daughter requires a visa to enter Dubai and India... and that is what I had provided when as travel history when I applied for TRV for my daughter because those were the only countries she had been to. It is confusing sometimes

 

[Eveslm]

Is the rent credited to your bank account or to your husband's account or to a joint/shared account?



Can you include evidence to prove this cash was earned by you/your husband + taxes have been paid on it?



Is it locked-in or can it be liquidated easily?



Do you co-own this property? Or is it owned solely by your husband?



How old is your daughter and what does she do?
How old are your other two children? What do they do?



How long did you want to visit? Two weeks?
Did you include a detailed day-by-day plan with expense estimates + airfare?



No, your cousin is not required to submit her bank statements or any other financial documents.

You (and your husband - even though he is not traveling with you - should have demonstrated that you can afford the visit)

If the cousin submits their bank statement it might be very helpful. Because with the funds she has it might not suffice should they have an emergency. In my case, my aunt sent her bank statement; mine was not much as well around 6500. But with her bak statement, and a letter explaining that we will be living in her house, and she will provide food etc, and any other assistance needed, It helped. I also bought a travel insurance (I wasn't comfortable travel with a minor without one...should they fall sick etc)