TRV refused- "immigration status in country of residence and purpose of travel"

[bm12]

Hello,

I am an Egyptian citizen residing in Australia on a study permit that expires in 2019 currently enrolled in an Australian university. I have a valid USA visa that expires 2020, traveled to UK before, have enough funds $16000 and stated that I have $6000 as funds for my visit. I have been denied a visitor visa to Canada. The refusal letter stated that they were not sure I was coming back marking the reasons "immigration status in country of residence and purpose of travel". I got invited by my best friend, a Canadian citizen living in Montreal, a student as well. The duration of stay was a month and a half during the christmas season during which I will be accommodated by her family. The purpose of travel was marked as visiting friends and tourism on the IMM document and was visiting friends and spending christmas in Montreal in the invitation letter.

Things that I did not mention in the application and might help:-
My sister is a permanent resident of Australia, my brother in law and nephew are Australian citizens.
My mom and I are applying for a family Visa in Australia. Lawyer said she can provide a proof.
Christmas season in Australia is considered as the summer vacation.

I really had plans and need help to re-apply
what to mention in the application and what's not to mention?
would making an affidavit help?
would making the duration 3 weeks instead of a month and a half help? is it even possible to change the duration stated in the first application?
would stating that I am travelling to the US and coming to Canada as a side trip help? and again, is it even possible to change what is said during the first application?

 

[Jalex23]

Things that I did not mention in the application and might help:-
My sister is a permanent resident of Australia, my brother in law and nephew are Australian citizens.
My mom and I are applying for a family Visa in Australia. Lawyer said she can provide a proof.
Christmas season in Australia is considered as the summer vacation.

Are you a minor? If so then this will help a lot. If not then this is irrelevant.

I really had plans and need help to re-apply
what to mention in the application and what's not to mention?
would making an affidavit help?
would making the duration 3 weeks instead of a month and a half help? is it even possible to change the duration stated in the first application?
would stating that I am travelling to the US and coming to Canada as a side trip help? and again, is it even possible to change what is said during the first application?

You should state your plans honestly and without trying to outsmart CIC.

It is hard to change what was said in the first application as CIC would think you are trying to say waht they want to hear. Six week sounds like a lot of time for a "visit".

You should focus on showing you are going back to your country of residence. School enrollement mentioning courses that will be taken, dates when you are expected to go back to school, a letter of your university where it states you are a good student, with good record and trustforthy (maybe a teacher or a supervisor). Also who is this friend? You have to include why he invited you, how did you meet, what are you planning to do, why he has so much time (6 weeks) to invest in you. All of this should be crystal clear for CIC to evaluate.

 

[bm12]

Are you a minor? If so then this will help a lot. If not then this is irrelevant.

no I am not

You should state your plans honestly and without trying to outsmart CIC.

even if I provided an explanation letter? stating for eg. taking into consideration the visa officer's concerns I have made the following changes to my trip. As previously mentioned in the refused application, I had intentions of visiting the US. I reconsidered and decided that combining both trips would be the most convenient option that would enable me to visit my friend and experience the white christmas as well as visit New York and spend NYE in Times Square. I will be going to America for a month from xxx to xxx. During which I will be spending the Christmas week in Canada from xxx to xxx.

I think this will make the visa officer convinced that I will not overstay. Since I cannot apply for a refugee status after going to the US first.

It is hard to change what was said in the first application as CIC would think you are trying to say waht they want to hear. Six week sounds like a lot of time for a "visit".

I guess in order to get a chance for acceptance, something must be different?

You should focus on showing you are going back to your country of residence. School enrollement mentioning courses that will be taken, dates when you are expected to go back to school, a letter of your university where it states you are a good student, with good record and trustforthy (maybe a teacher or a supervisor). Also who is this friend? You have to include why he invited you, how did you meet, what are you planning to do, why he has so much time (6 weeks) to invest in you. All of this should be crystal clear for CIC to evaluate.

I already did. I provided University confirmation of enrollment for past and future semesters.
she is a family friend from childhood.

 

[Jalex23]

even if I provided an explanation letter? stating for eg. taking into consideration the visa officer's concerns I have made the following changes to my trip. As previously mentioned in the refused application, I had intentions of visiting the US. I reconsidered and decided that combining both trips would be the most convenient option that would enable me to visit my friend and experience the white christmas as well as visit New York and spend NYE in Times Square. I will be going to America for a month from xxx to xxx. During which I will be spending the Christmas week in Canada from xxx to xxx.

This is fine. Provide evidence that supports your arrangements.

I think this will make the visa officer convinced that I will not overstay. Since I cannot apply for a refugee status after going to the US first.

Why would you mention refugee? Why not work? Be careful on what you write, a simple statement like the one above can raise a lot of eyebrows.

I guess in order to get a chance for acceptance, something must be different?

Yes, and that should be the evidence that supports your claims. CIC expects to see a much more solid application, not one crafted to meet their "concerns". So if you provided one university letter, provide another one with more details, if you provided 6K of funds, then maybe provide evidence of 10k... and so on...

she is a family friend from childhood.

Are you a guy? If so you must also provide evidence you are not flying to get married and start a family sponsorship from Canada. It is very common the use of a PR anchor to do so... so this raises concerns. Provide evidence of friendship. (If not then disregard).

 

[bm12]

Thanks a lot for your efforts

So, would you recommend changing the duration or leaving it as is?
Also, I am a guy and she invited me and we are close in age ... this as you said may raise concerns.. in the first application she got her parents to sign that they are going to accommodate me during my stay attaching their proof of citizenship as well. Would making her dad invite me instead of her be considered as changing anything? (I met her and her family in kuwait)
and if I have to provide the invitation from the same person (the girl) how to prove that she is just a friend? do you have any recommendations?

 

[Jalex23]

So, would you recommend changing the duration or leaving it as is?

I'll recommend being trustful and fully disclose your intentions.

Also, I am a guy and she invited me and we are close in age ... this as you said may raise concerns.. in the first application she got her parents to sign that they are going to accommodate me during my stay attaching their proof of citizenship as well. Would making her dad invite me instead of her be considered as changing anything? (I met her and her family in kuwait)

Are you visiting her parents or her? Now it seems you are trying to feed CIC with what they want to see.

and if I have to provide the invitation from the same person (the girl) how to prove that she is just a friend? do you have any recommendations?

This varies for each case. Maybe how you two meet? Evidence of how you remain in touch? Why are you so good friends that her parents are willing to bare with your expenses for 6 weeks? Something like that.