1. I already booked my flight tickets both departure and arrival and I have attached the same with my documents.
Tickets don't assure a TRV approval. It is not advisable to book tickets before visas are granted.
What should be minimum amount that I should show in my savings account ,
The maximum possible funds earned through your salary or financial investments.... not borrowed from anyone.... and must match your income tax returns.
Do you have credit cards (not debit cards) with good spending limits and low dues?
as I usually keep my money invested in mutual funds or my provident fund (which I can withdraw at any point of time).
No, you cannot withdraw the money invested in their mutual funds or your PF until a certain period of time has passed.
Also, it would seem unusual if someone needs to liquidate their financial investments/pension funds to pay for their visit abroad.
Also, the visa officer was likely to question why would you as a first-time traveler spend a significant amount from your CAD 5,000 bank balance for an 8-days' visit?
2. No I did not mentioned that she is my girlfriend I mentioned her only as an old friend and old colleague (we both met when we were in IT company) .She has now moved to Canada to pursue her MS last year on student visa &
The visa officer probably read between the lines and figured out your relationship especially since it your first visit abroad.
I am a serving officer of armed forces(a government employee).
This does not help for your TRV application. You're probably at a junior level in the armed forces and/or have not served at border posts otherwise there was a possibility that your application would be scrutinized for background checks as well.
3. Reason for rejection family ties in Canada and in country of residence
I'm pretty sure this refusal reason was because the visa officer figured out your relationship.
This is a generic refusal reason. There's nothing much you can do to change it at this point in time.
I have no travel history in my passport but I have visited to indoneInd and srilanka on official tour which I mentioned in my application
The visa officer would like to see short travel to countries like the US, UK, Schengen, Australia, NZ, etc.
and schedule 1 form.
I have mentioned my father as physics lecture & mother a housewife.
Are they dependent on you financially and for their well being? If yes, can you prove it? For example, they live with you and you pay the rent.... or you pay their medical expenses.... or they benefit because you are serving in the armed forces?
Kindly help me what should I do to get my visa approve. Shall I file again as a tourist visa with hotel bookings
Don't book any hotels. It would indicate a red flag as it is a significant change from wanting to stay with your girlfriend to staying in hotels.
or is their any way to challenge the decision of visa officer.
Quite honestly, I don't think this was an incorrect refusal. You have not demonstrated adequate ties to India to ensure you will return after a short visit.
I thought being a defense personal and a central government employee I will get my visa approve easily as I need to report to my new unit in month of April .
What documents did you include for this?
Did you include any documents/evidence to show that there are serious consequences if you do not report by XX date?
Are you being promoted? Or have to take on new responsibilities?
Will you lose any benefits or pension/gratuity if you do not complete a specified number of years of service? If yes, do you have evidence for this?
Do you have to attend training before the new posting?
What I can do about my travel history should I mention my visits to Indonesia and srilanka as it is not in my passport also as I have not travelled at all with my passport It decreases my chances of getting a visa , so how can I overcome this?
There's nothing you can do about your travel history. You must, however, prepare a detailed day-by-day visit itinerary for sightseeing, activities, etc. and prove you have the funds to pay for this with your own money + pay for airfare (you can highlight that your tickets are already paid for. BTW hope you paid for the tickets).
Do you have any other compelling personal or professional reasons to return to India after your visit?
