I have always been proud of my country.
Canada is a beautiful land blessed with astounding natural beauty.
We as a country pride ourselves on being 'multicultural', and yet recently I have tasted the bitterness of discrimination.
I have been dating a wonderful guy from Russia for over a year now. He has graduated College and now works full-time on a work permit. He adores this country.
He has not seen his parents in over two years.
He cannot return to Russia - boys over 18 and up to 27 years of age are required to join the army for a year, something which he does not wish to do.
Both parents own the same grocery store in Russia; both have the profits and the means to travel to Canada. Both have relatives who they cannot leave behind in Russia. They have listed their relatives. They created a binder full of financial information and organized it.
However, now for the second time, a visa has been denied to them. The first time, they provided a reason, checking-off that the officer does not believe that my boyfriend has the money to support them.
We live very close to many tourists destinations. There are plenty of wonderful sights and sounds for them to experience.
Yet in order to apply for a Visitor Visa, one must satisfy an officer that they do intend to leave. One must provide proper documentation, carry an invitation from a Canadian citizen, and provide proof that they do not intend to remain in Canada.
On the first submission, it was checked off on the letter that the officer did not believe the host (my boyfriend) or the parents provided enough financial information. To resolve this issue, they quickly gathered as much supporting documentation as was possible, and submitted it. This time, rather than my boyfriend sending out an invitation, my own Canadian-born parents sent them an invitation.
On the second decline, the note stated no reason, except that they did not believe they would leave. They never requested an inverview, they never bothered to confirm anything with the invitors, they just simply declined.
I am disgusted that firstly, visitors have to prove their innocence - under the Charter Of Rights and Freedoms,one is innocent until proven guilty, not vice versa. However, this does not hold true when it comes to travellors.
I don't know what other options we have left now. It seems nearly helpless. His parents do not have a criminal record. They purchased their "there-and-back" ticket which they now have to cancel. They are in good health and purchased over-sea health coverage. They went and got professional advice on how to properly submit the visa. They listed all their relatives. They paid money for this lousy application. (Figures, Canada has no problem taking money from them.) They have no intention of remaining here.
I know a lot of people probably feel this way, but I don't believe their was any good reason for this rejection - none at all. I'm angry. I'm dissapointed. What else can be done? Are there any other possible options? We submitted everything we had. We tried everything.
Canada is a beautiful land blessed with astounding natural beauty.
We as a country pride ourselves on being 'multicultural', and yet recently I have tasted the bitterness of discrimination.
I have been dating a wonderful guy from Russia for over a year now. He has graduated College and now works full-time on a work permit. He adores this country.
He has not seen his parents in over two years.
He cannot return to Russia - boys over 18 and up to 27 years of age are required to join the army for a year, something which he does not wish to do.
Both parents own the same grocery store in Russia; both have the profits and the means to travel to Canada. Both have relatives who they cannot leave behind in Russia. They have listed their relatives. They created a binder full of financial information and organized it.
However, now for the second time, a visa has been denied to them. The first time, they provided a reason, checking-off that the officer does not believe that my boyfriend has the money to support them.
We live very close to many tourists destinations. There are plenty of wonderful sights and sounds for them to experience.
Yet in order to apply for a Visitor Visa, one must satisfy an officer that they do intend to leave. One must provide proper documentation, carry an invitation from a Canadian citizen, and provide proof that they do not intend to remain in Canada.
On the first submission, it was checked off on the letter that the officer did not believe the host (my boyfriend) or the parents provided enough financial information. To resolve this issue, they quickly gathered as much supporting documentation as was possible, and submitted it. This time, rather than my boyfriend sending out an invitation, my own Canadian-born parents sent them an invitation.
On the second decline, the note stated no reason, except that they did not believe they would leave. They never requested an inverview, they never bothered to confirm anything with the invitors, they just simply declined.
I am disgusted that firstly, visitors have to prove their innocence - under the Charter Of Rights and Freedoms,one is innocent until proven guilty, not vice versa. However, this does not hold true when it comes to travellors.
I don't know what other options we have left now. It seems nearly helpless. His parents do not have a criminal record. They purchased their "there-and-back" ticket which they now have to cancel. They are in good health and purchased over-sea health coverage. They went and got professional advice on how to properly submit the visa. They listed all their relatives. They paid money for this lousy application. (Figures, Canada has no problem taking money from them.) They have no intention of remaining here.
I know a lot of people probably feel this way, but I don't believe their was any good reason for this rejection - none at all. I'm angry. I'm dissapointed. What else can be done? Are there any other possible options? We submitted everything we had. We tried everything.
DD If it's true, it would resolve many issues for both of us.