Visitor Visa denial - Case specific: Experts, please help!

[Milan1211]

Hello Members,

My parents’ visit visa application got refused on the following grounds:

I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident, as stipulated in paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR, based on your personal assets and financial status.

I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident, as stipulated in paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR, based on your travel history.

The following information will help you to assess the strength of the application:

Application timeline:

1st May: Offline application at VFS Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India) along with biometrics
8th May: Email from CIC on the validity of biometric information (IMM5825)
10th May: Email from CIC with refusal reasons as stated above

Profile:

Father: Business Owner (since last 20 years)
Mother: Homemaker

Overall Assets and its valuation (CAD):

Home: $ 1,36,980
Shop 1: $ 44,220
Shop 2: $ 35,480
Flat: $ 20,000
Agricultural Land: $ 60,000
Gold and Silver: $ 10,000
Sum $ 3,06,680 (₹ 1,53,34,000)

Cash, FDs etc:

LIC: $ 7,105.70
Bond: $ 566.00
FD 1: $ 2,271.64
FD 2: $ 38.42
FD 3: $ 8,000.00
Savings A/C 1: $ 3,043.00
Savings A/C 2: $ 9,294.02
Post: $ 920.00
Sum $ 31,238.78 (₹ 15,61,939)

I’m an MBA student in Ontario since Aug 2017 and currently on a co-op term. I will be finishing my MBA in August 2019.
My wife is on SOWP and she flew to Canada in May 2018.

Documents submitted:

Part 1 (from my parents):
- All applicable application forms
- All supporting asset valuation reports
- Business registration and other supporting documents
- Income tax returns
- Bank statements proving enough funds for the trip

Part 2 (from me and my wife):
- Invitation letter: I invited my parents to come to Canada and visit us from 17th August to 20th September 2019
- School enrolment letter stating that I started my course in Aug 2017 and will be completed in Aug 2019. Formal graduation ceremony will be held in October 2019
- My and wife’s Bank account statements
- My study permit, SIN, co-op offer letter, pay slips, passport copies etc
- Wife’s work permit, passport copies, SIN, Health Card etc

Potential concerns from VO’s stand point from my initial analysis (apart from generic reasons that they give in the refusal):

- My parents applied well in advanced (quite early, 3 months before) the travel plan
- Invited my parents from August to September however the school letter notes that the convocation ceremony is in October (My parent's purpose is to visit us and not the ceremony as Diwali is at the same time as convocation and my parents would like to celebrate Diwali in India with relatives and friends!)

Questions:

1. Am I thinking in the right direction from the VO’s pov?
2. Why does VO think that my parents don’t have enough personal assets and financial status to return to home country? Do you think that the assets are not enough to convince VO?
3. My parents have been to Dubai and Thailand on a tourist visa before. My father also has UK Business Visit Visa stamped on his passport however he was not able to travel because of some personal reasons and the visa got expired. Is this not enough to support travel history? (I read some threads where people mentioned about the travels to specific countries however it doesn’t make any sense as somebody has to apply first to any of those countries before applying to remaining “specific” countries?
4. If my parents were to reapply, what changes can affect the decision? Any thoughts?

@Bryanna Any comments?

Thank you in advance!

 

[ryvinson]

The background checks could have raised some issues.

 

[k.h.p.]

Did they explain in their statement of purpose that they wanted to be back in India to celebrate Diwali?

They likely needed to demonstrate more ties in India and reasons to return. Because their son and daughter in law are in Canada, they have ties in Canada to overcome.

 

[Milan1211]

The background checks could have raised some issues.

In that case, do you think GSMC notes will be helpful to see what specific issues in background check?

 

[Milan1211]

Did they explain in their statement of purpose that they wanted to be back in India to celebrate Diwali?

They likely needed to demonstrate more ties in India and reasons to return. Because their son and daughter in law are in Canada, they have ties in Canada to overcome.

No we didn’t mention about Diwali and I think this could be one of our mistake in showcasing our application.

Re, ties: My father is a business owner since 20 years and the fact is my parents will definitely need to go back to India as we dont have any immediate family member who can run the business in absence of my dad. Also in Diwali, we expect higher sales and we dont want to loss those opportunities.

Also, I believe that the reasons are too generic as I believe we have eoungh assets to support thei stay and go back. what are your thoughts on refusal reasons?

 

[k.h.p.]

The refusal reasons are standard.

Visa officers check boxes for refusal reasons. They do not provide detailed reasons in these letters.

 

[Milan1211]

The refusal reasons are standard.

Visa officers check boxes for refusal reasons. They do not provide detailed reasons in these letters.

OK, I’m thinking of reapplying with an explanation letter and our genuine intentions. Is there anything specific that will help in addressing their concerns?

 

[arenz_aspire]

Hello

Usually Travel history to below countries make a vast difference :

USA, Europe etc.

Also what was the purpose of their travel? Was it clearly mentioned in the purpose of visit

 

[ryvinson]

In that case, do you think GSMC notes will be helpful to see what specific issues in background check?

Access the GSMC notes, even if there’s no intention to reapply.

Do note that past and latest audited financials for the business, particularly showing good profits, would be very helpful in addressing the issues on financial means and home ties.

 

[Milan1211]

Hello

Usually Travel history to below countries make a vast difference :

USA, Europe etc.

Also what was the purpose of their travel? Was it clearly mentioned in the purpose of visit

I agree with the travel history for US, Europe etc. My father has the UK business visa stamped on the passport however due to some personal reasons he canceled his plan and visa got expired. Also, Dubai and Thailand visits don't add much value to the application, one of my concern while reapplying would be how to overcome this situation and showcase our genuine intention, any thoughts?

Re, the purpose of travel: I just said that we (me and my wife) want my parents to visit us in Canada.
I did not include the specific reason but I kept it generic.

Assuming that it's a mistake from my end, I could have shown the specific reasons as following:
1. My wife's birthday is on 5th Sept and we wanted them to be here and celebrate my wife's birthday along with us in Canada
2. Usually, they travel to different places across India and nearby countries (Dubai and Thailand as of now) every year. We decided to have their visit to Canada this time so that they can see the different attractions (like Niagara Falls, Quebec city, Ottawa etc.), my school, my workplace (Downtown Toronto ) while I'm here.

Also, I'm now thinking to make a slight change into their travel dates while reapplying and include convocation as a purpose too. Do you think this will help strengthen the application?

Thank you!

 

[Milan1211]

Access the GSMC notes, even if there’s no intention to reapply.

Do note that past and latest audited financials for the business, particularly showing good profits, would be very helpful in addressing the issues on financial means and home ties.

I will have to find someone who can apply for GSMC notes on our behalf, as I believe, only the PR holder or Canadian citizen can apply for the notes.

Re, audited income statements, I will include these documents while reapplying. Thanks for the suggestion.

Best,
Milan

 

[canuck78]

Your parents accessible cash is not very high. Are the private accounts or business accounts. Business accounts won’t count.

 

[arenz_aspire]

I agree with the travel history for US, Europe etc. My father has the UK business visa stamped on the passport however due to some personal reasons he canceled his plan and visa got expired. Also, Dubai and Thailand visits don't add much value to the application, one of my concern while reapplying would be how to overcome this situation and showcase our genuine intention, any thoughts?

Re, the purpose of travel: I just said that we (me and my wife) want my parents to visit us in Canada.
I did not include the specific reason but I kept it generic.

Assuming that it's a mistake from my end, I could have shown the specific reasons as following:
1. My wife's birthday is on 5th Sept and we wanted them to be here and celebrate my wife's birthday along with us in Canada
2. Usually, they travel to different places across India and nearby countries (Dubai and Thailand as of now) every year. We decided to have their visit to Canada this time so that they can see the different attractions (like Niagara Falls, Quebec city, Ottawa etc.), my school, my workplace (Downtown Toronto ) while I'm here.

Also, I'm now thinking to make a slight change into their travel dates while reapplying and include convocation as a purpose too. Do you think this will help strengthen the application?

Thank you!

A strong reason to visit like a marriage, convocation or birthday or anniversaries must be shown for better chances of success.

Always prepare an itinerary for them which has a day wise breakup of their planned days here!

Good luck, and also show atleast -10 to 12 lacs INR cash or FD( preferrably a bank letter stating the amount is immediately liquidable). Also known as a statement of account in India!

Hope this helps. good luck

 

[Milan1211]

Your parents accessible cash is not very high. Are the private accounts or business accounts. Business accounts won’t count.

Business accounts are separate which has a cash amount of 15 lacs INR. Above details were just from personal assets and accounts.

 

[Milan1211]

A strong reason to visit like a marriage, convocation or birthday or anniversaries must be shown for better chances of success.

Always prepare an itinerary for them which has a day wise breakup of their planned days here!

Good luck, and also show atleast -10 to 12 lacs INR cash or FD( preferrably a bank letter stating the amount is immediately liquidable). Also known as a statement of account in India!

Hope this helps. good luck

Yes, this is quite helpful. I will consider your feedback while reapplying. Thanks so much for all your help!