Temporary Resident Visa Refused : Applied for a PhD Interview. Please Help

[Hemant Katiyar]

Dear all,

I have been reading this forum from few days and it has been really helpful.
Although there are many posts about visa refusal, my problem seemed unique that is why I am starting a new topic
and would be grateful for any suggestions.

I have to go to University Of Waterloo for an interview regarding a Ph.D. position for 4 days.
I have a letter of Invitation from the university mentioning the same.
Visa for refused by the VO mentioning the reasons

1) He was not satisfied that I will leave Canada at the end of my proposed visit and in reaching this decision he checked the following
reasons:
a) My travel history
b) My personal assets and financial status
2) He is not satisfied that I have sufficient funds, including income or assets top carry out the proposed visit.

I showed in my account a total of Rs. 1.3 Lacks.
Though he has not explicitly mentioned that the sufficient ties to my home country is a problem,
still I am suspecting it as one of the reason.

Since this being a PhD Interview he might be worried about me staying if I get selected and this is the main reason I
started a new topic.

Now I have no property, I am working as a Research Scholar, just finished my Master's.
Does anybody have some advice for me to show the VO enough reason that I will come back after my interview.

Also my strategy for Second time application is:
1) Book the Tickets.
2) Include the suggestions (which I am seeking here) about showing enough ties.
3) After booking the Tickets I will still be having 1 Lacks Rs which I think are enough for a 4 day visit.

Waiting eagerly for the suggestions.......

Thank You

 

[amikety]

You aren't showing any ties to your home country (from what I can tell). You need to show ties to your home country to have any chance to get a visa.

 

[amikety]

PS: You may want to re-post in International Student. They may have better suggestions for you.

 

[Hemant Katiyar]

You aren't showing any ties to your home country (from what I can tell). You need to show ties to your home country to have any chance to get a visa.

Dear Mr. Amikety

Thank you for the suggestion, but I am in a bit of confusion here that what I can show as the ties to the home country.
I own no property, my research fellow job is going to expire this Dec, No job to come back to.
I understand I am making it hard on myself, but It seems I have no option.
Could you guess anything else that would count as the ties and outweigh these negatives I mentioned.

 

[scylla]

Are you leaving immediate family at home when you travel to Canada? Immediate family is your children and/or spouse.

 

[amikety]

Dear Mr. Amikety

Thank you for the suggestion, but I am in a bit of confusion here that what I can show as the ties to the home country.
I own no property, my research fellow job is going to expire this Dec, No job to come back to.
I understand I am making it hard on myself, but It seems I have no option.
Could you guess anything else that would count as the ties and outweigh these negatives I mentioned.

Have you ordered your case notes? The refusal you got was generic. It may not provide you with insight into your case. It would be better to get your case notes and read them over. You may be able to see items written by the officer.

I'm not sure how much you showed for your trip, but if you're staying in a hotel and eating out, I would budget $1500-2000 per week to be safe - then show CIC you have the funds available.

Scylla has provided a good tie for you. If you cannot fill those ties, then a visa may not be in your future.

 

[SenoritaBella]

1a) travel history - they are referring to recent travel. Have you been out of your country this year and returned home?
b) assets, financial status - budget to have at least $5000 in your account. Even if you are staying for just 4 days, the visa officer needs to know that if for any reason you were to stay longer(e.g. by applying to extend your stay), you won't work illegally to support yourself.

Do you have a spouse and children back home? This would be a significant tie to your home country.

Also, even if you were accepted into the PhD program, it would not be possible to apply for an initial study permit inside Canada. You would have to return home and do it from there.

I have to go to University Of Waterloo for an interview regarding a Ph.D. position for 4 days.
I have a letter of Invitation from the university mentioning the same.
Visa for refused by the VO mentioning the reasons

1) He was not satisfied that I will leave Canada at the end of my proposed visit and in reaching this decision he checked the following
reasons:
a) My travel history
b) My personal assets and financial status
2) He is not satisfied that I have sufficient funds, including income or assets top carry out the proposed visit.

Thank You

 

[Hemant Katiyar]

Are you leaving immediate family at home when you travel to Canada? Immediate family is your children and/or spouse.

Dear Scylla,

I am not married, just finished my master's. And have parents only for a Immediate family.
This really concerns me, I have no intention of staying after 4 days in Canada.
But I understand it looks like a hard task to convince a VO given my profile,
also this is once in a lifetime opportunity for me.
Gosh I really need help..
Do you have any idea how formal a letter to VO should be?
Can I explain him/her these things?
Thank You

Have you ordered your case notes? The refusal you got was generic. It may not provide you with insight into your case. It would be better to get your case notes and read them over. You may be able to see items written by the officer.

I'm not sure how much you showed for your trip, but if you're staying in a hotel and eating out, I would budget $1500-2000 per week to be safe - then show CIC you have the funds available.

Scylla has provided a good tie for you. If you cannot fill those ties, then a visa may not be in your future.

Dear Amikety,

I have a letter from the University mentioning that travel between Pearson Airport and University as well as Accommodation will
be taken care by the University during my stay. That's why I thought Rs.1.3 Lacks ~ 2,000 CAD will be enough to show.

It is really sad to hear you say that visa may not be in my future if i can't show the family ties , since, I really worked hard for 1 year for this
PhD position. There has to be another way. Please could you suggest anything else.. Thank You

Also, even if you were accepted into the PhD program, it would not be possible to apply for an initial study permit inside Canada. You would have to return home and do it from there.

Dear SenoritaBella,

I understand the point you are making but will the VO will understand this is my concern, and may be rejecting visa because of this reason.
Can/should I mention this in my letter to VO. - ---- Thank You

 

[SenoritaBella]

The other thing here is the visa officer may feel this interview can be done over the telephone, Skype, or by teleconference and not necessarily in Canada.
You may want to discuss this rejection with your school and/or the professor who will be supervising you. Ask if they can interview you by Skype(you can see each other on webcam).

The other thing you can do is find out whether an interview(in-person) is an absolute requirement for every PhD candidate at this university. That is, it is written on the school's website and you can print it off and include with your application. Also, you can ask them if they would consider providing you with a letter which explains why an in-person interview is required, why they can't do it over telephone or Skype, etc.

Many schools are not familiar with immigration matters and so if they realise how hard it is to travel to Canada from countries that require a TRV, they may be understanding of it or waive this interview.

 

[Hemant Katiyar]

The other thing here is the visa officer may feel this interview can be done over the telephone, Skype, or by teleconference and not necessarily in Canada.
You may want to discuss this rejection with your school and/or the professor who will be supervising you. Ask if they can interview you by Skype(you can see each other on webcam).

The other thing you can do is find out whether an interview(in-person) is an absolute requirement for every PhD candidate at this university. That is, it is written on the school's website and you can print it off and include with your application. Also, you can ask them if they would consider providing you with a letter which explains why an in-person interview is required, why they can't do it over telephone or Skype, etc.

Many schools are not familiar with immigration matters and so if they realise how hard it is to travel to Canada from countries that require a TRV, they may be understanding of it or waive this interview.

Dear SenoritaBella,

Thank You for your insightful suggestions.
But, the thing is this is not like a regular interview a University have.
I mailed a supervisor mentioning I am interested in his research and want to join as a PhD.
After that I gave a skype interview to him.
After the Interview he offered me to come visit his research group and also he wanted to know whether I can operate certain instruments which I mentioned to him
in the skype interview.
Hence the Visit.
The offer letter I got from the University says the reason for visit is "Interview for suitability for a PhD Candidate".

Though the visit is an absolute necessity, I can still get a letter from the Supervisor/University mentioning this necessity and why it can't be done over skype.
Again, Thank You very much

 

[SenoritaBella]

Yes, good idea to get a letter from the school about the necessity. Also, if you have your Skype log(of calls, emails, etc) and how you got to be offered this opportunity, include copies of it.

Dear SenoritaBella,

Thank You for your insightful suggestions.
But, the thing is this is not like a regular interview a University have.
I mailed a supervisor mentioning I am interested in his research and want to join as a PhD.
After that I gave a skype interview to him.
After the Interview he offered me to come visit his research group and also he wanted to know whether I can operate certain instruments which I mentioned to him
in the skype interview.
Hence the Visit.
The offer letter I got from the University says the reason for visit is "Interview for suitability for a PhD Candidate".

Though the visit is an absolute necessity, I can still get a letter from the Supervisor/University mentioning this necessity and why it can't be done over skype.
Again, Thank You very much

 

[jay_007]

hi ,

i had applied for TRV canada and got rejected and my refusal letter has only one REASON FOR REFUSAL ' No legitimate purpose of business travel '. Could anybody share if they have also being refused because of the same reason and what are the reasons for this kind of refusal and what to do inorder to overcome this reason, if i apply next time.

Travel History
I have a good travel history, visa of UK 3 times, 4 times been to europe, 2 times to canada and US and never over stayed or misutililised the durations. I have a valid 10 yr. US BUsiness visa. Also had previously got Canadian visa for 5 years multiple entry.

Documents Submitted
submitted all my documents but i by mistake missed my Bank statement and still the refusal letter didn't say anything about my financial funds being less or any other reason as my company was paying for the trip and also had two invitations from exhibitors.

the reasons i can think of are : -

1) i am unmarried - but got all the visas even the canadian visa earlier inspite of being unmarried.
2) Dual INTENT :- in 2008, had applied for PR but because of rules changed and my file was returned with a visa fees refund . in 2013 applied for visitor visa. Does this come under dual intent and could this be the indirect reason for denying visitor visa.
3) Also Like mention that i had applied for caips report and as per law they got to mention details why they refused my visa but it also had the same pre-formated line " no legitimate reason to travel " and no details.

seniors Please advice

 

[jay_007]

Have you ordered your case notes? The refusal you got was generic. It may not provide you with insight into your case. It would be better to get your case notes and read them over. You may be able to see items written by the officer.

I'm not sure how much you showed for your trip, but if you're staying in a hotel and eating out, I would budget $1500-2000 per week to be safe - then show CIC you have the funds available.

Scylla has provided a good tie for you. If you cannot fill those ties, then a visa may not be in your future.

a visa fees refund . in 2013 applied for visitor visa. Does this come under dual intent and could this be the indirect reason for denying visitor visa.
3) Also Like mention that i had applied for caips report and as per law they got to mention details why they refused my visa but it also had the same pre-formated line " no legitimate reason to travel " and no details.

seniors Please advice

 

[Jalex23]

hi ,

i had applied for TRV canada and got rejected and my refusal letter has only one REASON FOR REFUSAL ' No legitimate purpose of business travel '. Could anybody share if they have also being refused because of the same reason and what are the reasons for this kind of refusal and what to do inorder to overcome this reason, if i apply next time.

Travel History
I have a good travel history, visa of UK 3 times, 4 times been to europe, 2 times to canada and US and never over stayed or misutililised the durations. I have a valid 10 yr. US BUsiness visa. Also had previously got Canadian visa for 5 years multiple entry.

Documents Submitted
submitted all my documents but i by mistake missed my Bank statement and still the refusal letter didn't say anything about my financial funds being less or any other reason as my company was paying for the trip and also had two invitations from exhibitors.

the reasons i can think of are : -

1) i am unmarried - but got all the visas even the canadian visa earlier inspite of being unmarried.
2) Dual INTENT :- in 2008, had applied for PR but because of rules changed and my file was returned with a visa fees refund . in 2013 applied for visitor visa. Does this come under dual intent and could this be the indirect reason for denying visitor visa.
3) Also Like mention that i had applied for caips report and as per law they got to mention details why they refused my visa but it also had the same pre-formated line " no legitimate reason to travel " and no details.

seniors Please advice

What I don't get is why are you argumenting about all but the reason for refusal. The reason of refusal is clear and needs no interpretation.

Which documents did you submitted as proof of purpose of visit?

 

[SenoritaBella]

Dual intent is allowed (i.e. you can have a PR application in process and still apply for a visitor visa/study permit/work permit). The key is to satisfy the visa officer that you will leave at the end of your visit. It appears the visa officer did not have concerns that you will overstay(since you have had a Canadian visa before). Being unmarried has nothing to do with the refusal, for the same reason that you've been to Canada and left on time.

So the issue is they could not see a legitimate purpose for your travel. What was the business about? What were you going to do? Is it something that could only be done in Canada? Did the company(your employer) stand to benefit greatly from the skills your will acquire at this meeting/conference? Did your employer give you a letter explaining the purpose of this visit? Was this business visit something you could acquire skills which can be helpful to your own professional development( i.e. for example: if you have been a businessman for 10 yrs, but you want to attend a conference on how to start a business/sustain a business, then it does not make sense. Because with those many years of experience, the visa officer will be of the opinion, you are already qualified to do all that, so no real "legitimate purpose" of attending this conference). This is just an example, I'm not saying this is what happened in your case.

If you are self-employed, then did you provide everything mentioned above?