Reasons for visitor visa denial-refused

[Dr Eng X]

It is really frustrating to have gathered all documents, filled them properly and to your best to finally receive a decision which takes the visa officer few minutes to refuse
The ugly thing is there is no formal way to appeal!! as shown:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=422&top=16

I found these are some of the common mistakes

1) Misunderstanding the test for issuing a visitor visa

A visitor visa (or temporary resident visa) application is required from citizens of certain countries because the Canadian government considers citizens of those countries are more likely than not to overstay in Canada (that is, there is a risk that they will not return to their home country).

As a result, the primary question in the visa officer's mind when reviewing such an application is this: “Will this person return to his or her own country the visitor visa expires?”

The evidence you submit should help to prove your case that you will return after your visitor visa expires.

There are of course other considerations, such as the ability to support yourself in Canada (which you should prove through bank statements or an invitation letter discussed below), inadmissibility, and so forth.

2) You submitted only the documents on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada checklist

As a recap, here are the documents that CIC requires for a typical visitor visa (though keep in mind documents can vary depending on your location and other circumstances):

- Forms
- Fees
- Photos
- Passport
- Proof of financial support
- Photocopy of your return ticket and/or travel itinerary
- Any additional documents required by the local visa office

Recall the test for issuing a visitor visa in #1, above. Do you think these documents alone will prove your case to the visa officer? Perhaps, but in many cases, perhaps not.

Often, submitting only those documents are not enough to make your case that you will return to your home country after your visit. Generally, it is wise to submit as much evidence as you can beyond the minimum required by CIC.

3)You didn't submit evidence of all of your connections to your home country

Many applicants do not take the time to consider all of their connections to their home country, and the evidence to prove it.

For example, obvious connections are things like property and employment. You should include copies (translated by a certified translator if necessary) of title deeds or lease agreements to property, and detailed employment letters or contracts that identify you as a permanent employee, the length of your employment, your role at the company, and when you are expected to return to your employment.

However, there are other connections that may be persuasive as well. Are you a leader or an active member in a community organization or church? Get evidence of your role and duties. Do you care for aged family members? Again, get evidence of your responsibilities.

Some connections to your country are tough to document, which leads me to reason number 4, below.

4)You didn't submit affidavits to support your application
A sworn affidavit is considered evidence. If you have friends or family who can support your claims of connections to your home country (for example), then you should have them swear affidavits to include with your application.

An affidavit is much more powerful than a simple support letter, as there are legal consequences for swearing a false affidavit, which makes them much more persuasive than support letters.

5)Your invitation letter was not detailed enough

As part of your reasons for coming to Canada, or to show that you'll have food and lodging in Canada, it is wise to get an invitation letter from your relatives (or friends) in Canada to support your application.

However, the letter should not be too brief. It should be detailed and clearly state that this individual will provide free food and lodging (if that is the case) for you during your entire stay in Canada.

It should include your full name and birth date, and also confirm the travel dates that you will be in Canada.

More than that, it is essential that the invitation letter be signed by the individual, and have a contact phone number and address in case CIC wishes to confirm this person's intention.

Like any immigration application, there is no guarantee of success, but avoiding these 5 mistakes will give your application a better chance of success.

Connections To Your Home Country

Some of the most important factors a visa officer will consider in assessing your application are the connections to your home country.

Why?

One of the main tests in issuing a temporary resident visa ( or visitor visa) is this: Will the applicant return to his or her country once his or her status expires?

In trying to answer this question, the visa officer will first look at your connections to your home country.

Employment

If you are employed, this is a powerful connection to your home country.

If you can, be sure to include a letter of employment and confirmation in that letter that your absence to visit Canada has been approved.

Family

If you have family in your country of residence, that is an important connection.

If you can, provide copies of the bio-data sections of their passports, along with copies of birth certificates to show relationships.

An affidavit is a good idea if you have no documents to prove the relationship. Your family member can swear an affidavit and state their relationship to you.

Property

Owning property in your country of residence is another powerful connection to your country that you can show.

If you can, provide copies of titles or other documents that show you own the property, and where the property is located.

Obligations

Do you have obligations in your home country? Perhaps you care for an elderly parent or other relative? Or perhaps you are a leader of a community or volunteer group?

Showing evidence of obligations at home will certainly help you show that you will return to your home country after your visit.

Previous Travel

Simply having travelled before is also a good sign that you will return to Canada after your visit.

Be sure to include copies of your passport pages showing your previous travels with your temporary resident visa application.

Supporting Yourself in Canada

Another critical factor you must address in your application is how you will support yourself in Canada. This section will address factors you should consider and think about the evidence you can provide.

Finances Available

How much money do you have available to you while in Canada? CIC will do a rough calculation of food and accommodation to determine if you have enough cash.

Provide evidence of cash in your bank, and have traveller’s cheques while crossing the border – don’t rely solely on credit cards or a visa officer might suspect you don’t have the funds for your trip.

Are there currency restrictions in your home country? Take this into account and find a way to address it.

Staying with Friends or Family

If you will be staying with friends or family, you won’t need as much cash for your trip. You will however need proof that your host will provide lodging and food.

Be sure to have your host in Canada sign a letter stating that you will be staying with them and that they will provide food and lodging.

The letter should state the amount if time you will be staying with them and have an address and contact phone number where they can be reached.

Ability to Leave Canada

The visa officer has to determine if you have the ability to leave Canada after your stay.

Be sure to have booked a return travel ticket to your home country, and that your passport is valid for your entire stay and return trip.

If you don’t have a return ticket because you are unsure when you want to return to your home country, be sure to show enough money to purchase a return ticket to your home country.

Should I reapply or appeal for a denied tourist visa?

Whether you should choose to reapply for a Canadian tourist visa or go ahead with the appeals process depends on your personal situation. In addition, it really spends on why your Canadian visa application was denied in the first place. For example, do you feel the visa officer processing your case make an error in denying your application, and there wasn’t a mistake in the application on your own part? If this is the case, you should appeal your Canadian tourist visa application denial to the Federal Court of Canada.

Note that this is a very difficult process and you will benefit greatly by having a licensed immigration lawyer on your side when you need to make effective arguments on your behalf in court.

If you have made a mistake on your original application, you could reapply with the proper information on the application. For example, you may have made a mistake on your initial application or forgotten to include a piece of the important supporting documentation necessary for the application be accepted such as proof of ties to your home country and proof that you can support yourself while in Canada. You will have to explain on your application why you all of a sudden have new information that can get you accepted.

 

[Dr Eng X]

My mother in-law just got refused. The letter stated:
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:
1. Travel history
2. Family ties in Canada and in country of residence
3. Length of proposed stay in Canada
4. Purpose of visit

For "1. Travel history": My mother-in-law is a house wife she did not travel before. It is true there is no travel history but that is why she will return back after her visit to her pregnant daughter (my wife)!
She has ties in her country of residence as she has another daughter, a son and a husband. There is no reason to prove any of that it is already included in the application.
For "2. Family ties in Canada and in country of residence": My mother-in-law is visiting her daughter since she is pregnant. We have submitted my wife's birth certificate which shows her relation to her mother (my mother in law)! I don't know what else to do to respond to points 1 & 2
For "3. Length of proposed stay in Canada" we indicated she will stay less than 6 months
For "4. Purpose of visit" we have submitted letters from 2 MD's proving she is pregnant and her expected delivery also that she has no family in Canada, she also has a young 2 year daughter whom if she delivers at night will have no place, we also indicated that she suffered psychologically after giving birth for first child (current 2year daughter)...in addition to all that she is suffering from back pain (sciatica) if all that are not a good reason then what else!!!

Please advise me

 

[steaky]

For "1. Travel history": My mother-in-law is a house wife she did not travel before. It is true there is no travel history but that is why she will return back after her visit to her pregnant daughter (my wife)!
She has ties in her country of residence as she has another daughter, a son and a husband. There is no reason to prove any of that it is already included in the application.
For "2. Family ties in Canada and in country of residence": My mother-in-law is visiting her daughter since she is pregnant. We have submitted my wife's birth certificate which shows her relation to her mother (my mother in law)! I don't know what else to do to respond to points 1 & 2
For "3. Length of proposed stay in Canada" we indicated she will stay less than 6 months
For "4. Purpose of visit" we have submitted letters from 2 MD's proving she is pregnant and her expected delivery also that she has no family in Canada, she also has a young 2 year daughter whom if she delivers at night will have no place, we also indicated that she suffered psychologically after giving birth for first child (current 2year daughter)...in addition to all that she is suffering from back pain (sciatica) if all that are not a good reason then what else!!!

Please advise me

1) MIL is a housewife is irrelevant. Even housewife can travel extensively. The visa officer suspect she has risk of overstaying for unknown reason.
2) Her visit to her pregnant daughter might be the reason of overstaying. Can't she say she would be visiting elsewhere in Canada in addition to visiting her daughter?
3) Staying less than 6 months is a long period of time. Why do she need to stay in Canada for such long period of time? What's in her itinerary in Canada and what she will be doing in Canada exactly?
4) Your wife need a psychologist and medical attention instead! Your wife psychological and back pain are not reasons for your MIL's purpose of visit.

 

[mikeymyke]

My mother in-law just got refused. The letter stated:
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:
1. Travel history
2. Family ties in Canada and in country of residence
3. Length of proposed stay in Canada
4. Purpose of visit

For "1. Travel history": My mother-in-law is a house wife she did not travel before. It is true there is no travel history but that is why she will return back after her visit to her pregnant daughter (my wife)!
She has ties in her country of residence as she has another daughter, a son and a husband. There is no reason to prove any of that it is already included in the application.
For "2. Family ties in Canada and in country of residence": My mother-in-law is visiting her daughter since she is pregnant. We have submitted my wife's birth certificate which shows her relation to her mother (my mother in law)! I don't know what else to do to respond to points 1 & 2
For "3. Length of proposed stay in Canada" we indicated she will stay less than 6 months
For "4. Purpose of visit" we have submitted letters from 2 MD's proving she is pregnant and her expected delivery also that she has no family in Canada, she also has a young 2 year daughter whom if she delivers at night will have no place, we also indicated that she suffered psychologically after giving birth for first child (current 2year daughter)...in addition to all that she is suffering from back pain (sciatica) if all that are not a good reason then what else!!!

Please advise me

You've made a lot of mistakes here.

1) No travel history, there's nothing you can do about this. They want to see some travel history so that they can see your MIL has obeyed immigration laws of other countries before, and won't violate any such laws here.
3) 6 months is way too long, you should be asking for a few weeks, especially if this is her first time applying
4) Purpose of visit is weak, as you keep focusing on the fact that your wife is pregnant, this makes it sound as if your MIL is here to take care of the baby. This is considered working illegally, as your wife could've hired someone working in day care.

 

[Bryanna]

Just to add to what steaky and mikeymyke have explained....

She has ties in her country of residence as she has another daughter, a son and a husband. There is no reason to prove any of that it is already included in the application.

Not true. The Family Information form merely states that family members A + B + C, etc live at the same address.

It does not establish/prove that any of them are dependent on family member A (applicant) who must return to take care of/support the other members.

she also has a young 2 year daughter whom if she delivers at night will have no place,

Unfortunately, this will not be considered as one of the reasons to grant a TRV because:
1. There could be other situations similar to this (apart from your wife's pregnancy) where someone may have to babysit your daughter.

2. You probably have friends/neighbors/babysitter who can take care of your daughter for a few hours


If you reapply for your MIL, any drastic change in the duration of her visit (from the current 6 months' stay) + purpose of visit (your wife's pregnancy)..... will raise red flags. So you must prove really strong reasons for your MIL to return to her home country


Cheers

 

[Dr Eng X]

Thank you all, obviously the visa office needs more than just the simple truth

1) Travel History
There is nothing I can do about her travel history. However, that is the truth she hardly go outside her city not only because she is a housewife but because of her nature and her strong ties to where she lives (all her family; husband, son, daughter, brothers and most of her sisters!) however if you have any ideas in this regard please share

2) Family ties in Canada and in country of residence
Obviously this point is mainly about "family ties in country of residence". So, we needed to show more ties to her country of residence and I think point 1 plus other facts that we did not include in the application as she owns an apartment, her husband owns a building, ... I believe things like that would help...what do you think?

3) Length of proposed stay in Canada
If she is visiting then why not stay as much as she/we can that was our logic also she would enjoy more after the first few months of delivery however I can understand your reasoning...please share ideas

4) Purpose of visit
She can say anything but the truth (again) is she is visiting her daughter who needs her more at that specific time! Definitely, she will tour the city, see her daughter, her grand-daughter, see how they live...etc. Again, please share any ideas

It seems we were very sure that there would be no problems with her application since we have seen much more simple cases that got accepted without any reasons to visit but just to visit their children or grand-children ...

 

[CaroM8]

Sometimes, it is all about how you present your information. I'm not saying this to make you feel bad, but just as an example. My husband (who is from Central America) and I applied for his TRV in 2015 and it got approved with a multiple entry TRV (we were not married at the time). We did not have much proof, way less than some cases I've seen on here, but I think the way we prepared our application made the difference.

He did not have any travel history. We asked for a 6 months visit. His evidence of ties back home were employment (with letter from employer) and a small property (with papers to prove it). He had bank statements with roughly 4000$CAD available. His purpose of visit was to meet my family. I wrote a very detailed invitation letter for him, and so did my father because we were going to stay at his house for part of the time. My husband (the applicant) also wrote a very detailed letter of his intentions for this visit. We made a week by week itinerary of what we wanted to do while he visited, including a budget to show we had enough money to cover everything. As far as I can remember, that's basically what we had, and we were successful. Maybe we just got lucky, I don't know.

Maybe you should take another look at your application, and focus less on you and your wife's pregnancy, and more of the applicant herself. What can you do to make HER case better?

 

[Dr Eng X]

Thank you. It is true cic seem to care about how you present your application.
I am not sure if this is true but I feel that the application has been handled by more than one person and they do not seem to interact. For example I have spoken to a skilled worker immigrant with degrees from the United States however they asked him to either submit TOEFL or an explanation letter although if they look carefully at his documents they would have realized that he was only born outside US but have spent almost all his life in US and got 2 graduate degrees from a US university!!
These are some weird things I noticed:
The decision was made in few hours! Mother in law did the biometric on Friday and the decision was on Monday.
The decision was made by a different visa office! For example the visa office should have been Cairo, Egypt but the decision letter was from Ankara, Turkey

 

[bellaluna]

These are some weird things I noticed:
The decision was made in few hours! Mother in law did the biometric on Friday and the decision was on Monday.
The decision was made by a different visa office! For example the visa office should have been Cairo, Egypt but the decision letter was from Ankara, Turkey

Not weird at all. They are both within CIC's standard operating procedure. Unfortunately, a profile like your MIL's is refused, more often than not, which is why the decision was quick. Even if Cairo VO made the decision, pretty sure the result would have been the same.

Instead of trying to find the supposed faults in CIC's process, you might as well realize your MIL had a weak application, as what had been explained to you here...the areas for improvement have also been reasonably addressed.

 

[kat3onah]

$2,000 CAD is low considering that a ticket to Canada can cost as much as $1,000 CAD.