TRV Refused, not entirely sure why.

[daveronk]

Ok, sorry this is another single post user coming for help. My friend from Russia applied for a TRV and was refused for the following reasons:

Travel history
Purpose of visit
Current employment situation
Personal assets and financial status

Here's what I don't understand so much and would like some help with. She has a fairly decent travel history, it isn't blank, there are a few "first world" countries on there (a few Scandinavia's for example). I don't really know what to say about the purpose of visit, we stated it was mostly to see a friend and also to see a new country she hasn't yet been to and would like to, I'm not entirely sure what is so unbelievable about that. Current employment situation: she's employed and had a letter from her employer saying that it is fine to take some time off as it's a lot quieter in the summer months and that she'll be coming back to work when she returns. Personal assets and financial status: no assets as in property etc, she's 23.... Not many 23 year olds have assets like that, and we have said in the invitation letter that she will be staying with me free of charge but will be taking care of food and transport herself.

I've read on here that sometimes reapplying immediately after with an additional letter emphasising the parts which take care of their concerns can be of use, so I'm curious if this is one of those situations.
I look forward to hearing from anyone who has some useful information, because I am really at a loss!

 

[scylla]

How long a visit did she request? How much of a bank balance did she demonstrate?

 

[daveronk]

How long a visit did she request? How much of a bank balance did she demonstrate?

Two months was requested but not listed as a reason for refusal, seems odd that if that was the reason they wouldn't say so. Her bank account has about the equivalent to $5000CAD.
Thank you for the response.

 

[scylla]

Two months is too long and demonstrates a lack of ties to her home country. Length of travel is never listed as an official refusal reason. However you can probably safely assume the length of her trip has contributed to the 'purpose of visit' refusal reason and also 'current employment situation'. A two month visit makes CIC concerned she has plans to remain long term and isn't a genuine visitor (purpose of visit). Additionally, if she can two two months off work, CIC doesn't view her job as a real tie to her home country (current employment situation).

If you reapply, go for 2-3 weeks instead.

 

[daveronk]

Two months is too long and demonstrates a lack of ties to her home country. Length of travel is never listed as an official refusal reason. However you can probably safely assume the length of her trip has contributed to the 'purpose of visit' refusal reason and also 'current employment situation'. A two month visit makes CIC concerned she has plans to remain long term and isn't a genuine visitor (purpose of visit). Additionally, if she can two two months off work, CIC doesn't view her job as a real tie to her home country (current employment situation).

If you reapply, go for 2-3 weeks instead.

Okay, thank you for this. Would you recommend reapplying immediately, rectifying the proposed dates and emphasising the other reasons, or waiting a little while?

 

[scylla]

Okay, thank you for this. Would you recommend reapplying immediately, rectifying the proposed dates and emphasising the other reasons, or waiting a little while?

Hard call. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. You can certainly give it a try.

 

[daveronk]

Hm well, okay. Thanks for your help, it's good to know what the problem is. Is it ever worth attempting beyond the second time if it were to be refused again? I've read that reapplications don't often look too good and don't know if that would just be setting ourselves up for failure.

 

[scylla]

If she's refused a second time, you would want to wait quite some time before trying again (at least six months - better more) and wait until something significant changes in her profile so that she can demonstrate stronger ties.