Too much delay in online TRV application in Egypt

[magued2001]

I have submitted my complete TRV application online through MyCIC account on 29 May 2013.

The official processing time of Cairo visa office has expired long time ago (4-6 weeks) and I did not receive any reply.

I am really disappointed because, despite the country's critical status, many people whom I know have submitted hard copy applications to VAC office long time after me and they have received their visas few days ago.

My travel arrangements are freezed for 2 months now and I should assist in and attend my cousin's wedding in Montréal, Quebec on September 1st, 2013, so time is too critical now for flight reservation and travel arrangements.

Can anybody advise what to do? I am thinking of going to the Embassy tomorrow..

 

[bonitaellada]

Hi Magued 2001

I submitted my application in person to the visa center mid June . Beginning July my dad was admitted to the hospital in critical condition in Canada. I urged the embassy for an emergency visa. Embassy closed beginning July for 2 weeks due to civil unrest. Yesterday I learned that foreign diplomats are on strike (including Cairo Embassy) they are not issuing visas until further notice. I'm still waiting. I need to be there as soon as possible.

Please let me know about your visit to the embassy today. Good Luck

 

[magued2001]

hi bonitaellada,

I hope your father gets better, I'm sorry for that.

I just got back from there. There's a kind guy in the old visa office in the embassy (where they do not take applications anymore, in giza tower instead). Hopelessly, he says the visa officers never meet anyone directly; the only way is to send email to:
cairo.visa@international.gc.ca
(I already sent to this email many times!)

I told him what if all deadlines are already expired, I am already waiting more than 60 days. He had nothing to do except to say "send email". Can you even imagine that he knows nothing about this strike which is already stated on their website?!

The only way out of this is to go ask to withdraw your passport, this may make them take action OR give it to you and hold your application (you loose if it is hold), however, this is not applicable in my case as the online application is all digital, you don't send the passport unless you are approved for a visa.

What I have left to do now is to send them an email again to urge them to take action.

Please don't forget about this post and tell me news, if any.

 

[bonitaellada]

Thanks Magued2001 for your good wishes and sorry that your visit was fruitless.

I will try to send an email to the address you posted but I'm not hopeful to get an answer since you already tried it to no avail!

I have one question. What do you mean by (you loose if it is hold)?
I'm thinking of going to the Visa Center. I know that they will not have any answers but I will ask what happens if I withdraw my passport, provided that they agree to give it back to me without jeopardizing my application.

Thanks again
Please keep me posted
Hope to hear good news for all

 

[magued2001]

You are welcome

Actually I told the guy about your case today, so what I meant by losing, when I asked the guy 'and what if they take the passport' he said the application will be on hold, meaning that you will not be given any visa and it's like cancelling your application! So you will loose your fees and your visa as well to start a new application some time after if the original application is expired while on hold too much.

You better send e-mail AND give them a call to ask (don't go in vain, just call - the VFS call centre answers our calls and there's good CS agents there).

This is my mobile number in case we need any urgent communication: 0122-724-1380.

I will keep posting updates if any.

 

[magued2001]

Can you imagine I received the answer on my online account inbox: refusal!

It is really very frustrating that those who will not break their visas are refused and those who go and break it are the ones accepted!

Just wanted to tell you that they answered today.

Good luck for you anyway..

 

[bonitaellada]

So sorry to hear that they rejected your visa. Maybe you can apply again.

Still waiting here and getting more and more depressed with all the bad news I'm reading on this forum!

thanks again for your help

 

[magued2001]

Any news about your application?

You know I have sent a complaint to the minister there, and my uncle in Canada sent him too.

 

[scylla]

Any news about your application?

You know I have sent a complaint to the minister there, and my uncle in Canada sent him too.

What evidence did you provide to show that you have strong ties to Egypt, will return home at the end of your trip and won't overstay your visit in Canada?

 

[magued2001]

1. Contract of my new apartment which still has monthly installments to pay.
2. My work in an international engineering consultant with a high-standard salary rate.
3. Social Media pages for a music band I'm leading in Egypt since the year 2000.

Isn't it enough?

 

[scylla]

1. Contract of my new apartment which still has monthly installments to pay.
2. My work in an international engineering consultant with a high-standard salary rate.
3. Social Media pages for a music band I'm leading in Egypt since the year 2000.

Isn't it enough?

That's not very much. #3 isn't worth including, in my opinion.

Do you own any property or other assets that you can include? Do you have any immediate family (spouse / children) in Egypt that you are leaving behind while you travel to Canada? Did you include a letter from your employer confirming that you are taking a holiday and specifying when you will return? Have you traveled several times outside of Egypt before to countries where you required a visa to enter?

 

[se7en]

I read somewhere today a few Canadian embassies are closed until further notice. Egypt is one those embassies

 

[bonitaellada]

Hi Magued

I got my visa yesterday and I'm about to travel. Dad is still at the hospital but started improving.

A scylla mentioned, submitting strong evidence is very important. But then again, it's up to the officer to grant you a visa or not.

I've been traveling to canada at least once a year and still there is no guarantee that my visa will be approved every time I apply.

Can you send a complaint to the minister there in case of refusal? please share how you go about it.

I'm planning on applying again as soon as I come back to Egypt after few weeks since the visa needs few months to be processed and I need to have one ready at all times. I've learned my lesson to apply early on! It took me almost 2 months this time to get the visa while it used to take me 3 weeks tops in previous years.

Good Luck in case you decided to apply again soon

 

[magued2001]

Hi bonitaellada,

Happy for you, and for your dad's improvement

There's no rule really, what is enough for me to stay in Egypt isn't enough for the officer.

I already sent it and my uncle in Canada sent him too. I will inform you if I get any reply.

Didn't you submit for a multiple visa? my mother had one valid for 5 years. That's better.

Have a safe trip