TRV for Thai wife of British citizen rejected

[ashconnor]

British citizens can visit visa free but I needed a visa for my wife.

I intended to travel with my wife to Toronto this month and applied for a tourist visa for her to accompany myself.

Her status in the UK is FLR(M) which entitles her to live and work here in the UK.

I submitted a TRV visa online to Canada and they refused the initial visa - I'd left out her UK identity document which proves her immigration status and my own passport. The second submission included these documents as well as a hotel booking and expanded explanation of her travel history - she's previously visited Singapore, Philippines, Korea, Italy, France and the UK.

Also submitted:
- Marriage certificate
- Bank statements for a joint account along with 6 months of pay slips
- Evidence of $10,000+ CAD in savings

Things to note:

- I didn't put her status as permanent resident because FLR(M) isn't - the only option that applied was 'Other' and I entered FURTHER LEAVE TO REMAIN as the status.
- My wife is currently unemployed as she finished university 2 months ago
- I'm a British citizen

The visa was rejected the second time and I've attached a screenshot for the reasons why.

What baffles me is that they seem to have completely disregarded me in this application, taking only my wife's details into consideration which alone does not make a strong case.

 

[Jalex23]

What baffles me is that they seem to have completely disregarded me in this application, taking only my wife's details into consideration which alone does not make a strong case.

Yup that is correct. As she is a temporary resident in the UK then what matters are HER ties to the UK. From CIC's point of view she can remain in Canada with little to no effort, nothing really ties her to the UK as she isn't studying not working. (No, your marriage doesn't count).

First get her a PR, or at least a job... then reapply.

 

[ashconnor]

Yup that is correct. As she is a temporary resident in the UK then what matters are HER ties to the UK. From CIC's point of view she can remain in Canada with little to no effort, nothing really ties her to the UK as she isn't studying not working. (No, your marriage doesn't count).

First get her a PR, or at least a job... then reapply.

That's what I thought.

Thanks.

 

[ashconnor]

I've wrote to the Canadian High Commission here in the UK to ask for clarification on 3 of the rejection points:

* Your travel history
* Your immigration status
* Your family ties in Canada and in your country of residence

I'd like to know if they only allow visas for people who have travelled to the US, have PR status in the UK and have family in their resident country other than their husband. That's the only explanation I can think of.

 

[Jalex23]

I'd like to know if they only allow visas for people who have travelled to the US, have PR status in the UK and have family in their resident country other than their husband. That's the only explanation I can think of.

They give TRVs to anyone who con prove ties to their country of residence. One tie would be if she was still studying or had a well landed job. PR is also a good tie, but it is not required. Other ties could be direct family living with her, investments or at least a job offer.

As she doesn't have any of those she can' prove ties, therefore the refusal.

Think of any good tie (not your marriage) and she will surely get the TRV.


** CIC takes long to answer and usually answers in a generic way.