I see your savings are not enough considering you have family to take care of while you are away. In spite of your scholarship you need to proove to the VO that your can handle your financial responsibilities. In your next application think through and present your financial plan to the VO.
PhD STUDY with full scholarship , Study Permit Refused_June Non-SDS applicant
- Thread starter kwaame
- Start date
Think the assumption is that you will either want your children to come live in Canada during the 4-5 years or you will want to go and travel to them at least once a year if not twice. It would be pretty unusual for a family to not attempt to live with their father for 4-5 years. Did you do all your schooling in Ghana and then work in Oman? Why were you denied 2 study permits in the US?
I did BSc in Ghana, and completed MSc in Oman , and working in Oman .
I had full scholarship for the US application, but the consular feels I don’t have ties in Ghana at that time. Because I was not married, and was not having any meaningful job at that time .
I’m hiring an immigration lawyer in Canada to look into my case , do you think it can turn things in my next application? Because apart from the scholarship amount of CAD$ 20,000@for 4 years and personal savings of maybe CAD$ 20,000 I cannot get any additional funding again as I am applying for the study permit alone . Secondly, regarding ties to Ghana, it will be difficult for me to resign from my current job in Oman and go and live in Ghana in the name of showing ties to Ghana because of the Canadian permit application since I do not have any job in Ghana, except my small business I have recently established there . Whats your taught ?
One thing that is happening right now is that irrespective of the fact that they’re talking about your funds, they might be questioning your immigration status. You said clearly that you did your Masters in Oman and got a job there afterwards which clearly shows that you didn’t return after your studies. What shows that you wouldn’t do the same thing in Canada? Clearly they are not seeing a tie. Your business can be easily run by anybody in Ghana without your physical presence. It’s even common now due to COVID 19. Let me help you with some points to show your ties to Ghana which are very simple but great.
1. I’m not sure of your proposed thesis but if it’s for a development purpose, tell them that the data for your proposed research will be collected in Ghana ‘show them your detailed PhD proposal’
2. If you’ve traveled in and out of Ghana within the timeframe that you’ve been in Oman (the stamps will show), explain that you came because of your business(expatiate)
3.Are your funds locally held? If not, create a bank account in Ghana and take the statement from Ghana (financial ties)
If you need any further explanation, you could ask.
Thank you so much for these valuable information. I will incorporate them :
1. Yes, I can link my thesis between Canada and Ghana via the proposal.
2. I visit Ghana 1-2 times every year , I can show all the stamps in my passport. I have also visited Vietnam and UAE while in Oman , i showed these to them in my first application.
3. As I mentioned before , I have savings of $18,000 , about 70% came from bank savings in Ghana , I showed both bank statements from Ghana and Oman to them in my first application .
To add to your point , I have some plot of a land and a house ( under construction) in Ghana, I will show those documents in my next application.
With regards to my immigration status , i feel it’s because I had previous visa rejection from US embassy. Do you have any idea on how I can respond/correct this issue in my next application?
Thanks very much.
The fact that you didn’t return back to Ghana after studying in Oman is a big red flag. Given that you have a wife and 3 children and a PhD is 4-5 years long there is an assumption that your family will likely want to come to Canada or at least you’ll need to support them from abroad. You probably don’t have enough money to pay your living and travel costs to Canada for the year with 18k.
Please, thanks very much , please what advise will you give to improve my next application?
Try not to add anything that would be a liability to your finances. For example, a building under construction would require you to spend money so I wouldn’t advice that. I think just the plot of land should suffice. Also, if your wife is in a strong economic standing, show that as well to establish the fact that your immediate family is not an economic burden to you; for instance your wife’s bank statement. You can also show her credentials (educational background, current job etc.) to establish the fact that she can be independent with/without you.
In your situation, you’re applying as a student/father so you should be able to satisfy them on both levels thus how your responsibilities as a student will not interrupt your responsibilities as a father; Clear this up as well.
Lastly, look at your application critically to understand anything that would raise concerns and give justification as if you were in an interview with the visa officer. Put all these explanations in your SOP under subheadings.
Example;
1. Educational background
2. Professional development
3. Why university of xxxx?
4. Why Canada?
5. The reason why I’m still in Oman
6. My immediate family situation etc
A previous visa refusal should not be a problem so far as it wasn’t a security concern. If the previous reason has been cleared up in your current application, everything should be fine.
You need more cash assets. Does your wife have savings? What about a parent? The fact that you have not returned to Ghana after your degree creates problems. You must show how your degree will help you on your return to Ghana. You must explain how you will support your family given that a PhD is a long course. Seems unlikely that you would miss 4-5 years of you children’s lives so explain why they will be remaining in Ghana and how you will be able to support them.
I have learn a lot from these valuable tips you have given me . Thank you so much . Please, can you share your email? I wish to share few things with you of which I cannot share them here .