TRV Rejected - Dubai Applicant

[Techwhiz95]

Hey Guys,

So I'm a Marketing Manager from India working in Dubai for the past two years. I was born here in the United Arab Emirates and lived here my entire life. Applied for a TRV Online for a two week trip which I believe is processed at the Abu Dhabi Embassy. 32 Days later, I received refusal for the following reasons -

Travel History
Very Odd. I've been to 18 countries across the world including the US, Schengen Region and the United Kingdom. Not one visa refusal. Not one incident of overstay. All visas + exit/entry stamps were attached. I even mentioned I had gone to the US in March 2019 for a few weeks since I hold a B1/B2 Visa valid till 2028.

Proof of Ties to Canada and Country of Residence

Live in Dubai with my parents and siblings in a house here as a joint family. Father moved to Dubai roughly 40 Years ago. He runs a business here. Attached tenancy contract of our apartment.

My sister passed away in November 2018 so I had mentioned that there was no way I was leaving my parents behind and moving to Canada as they always need me by their side.

I included an invitation letter from a relative of mine in Toronto. And Invitation from childhood friends of mine from School who stay in Montreal.

Personal Assets and Financial Status

Showed a total balance of CAD 12K. Salary Certificate from Employer. Leave Approval from HR. Credit Card Statements. Mutual Fund Statement in India. NRO and NRE Accounts in India.

I'm only 24 years old so I don't own a house. But I've just been fulfilling my dream of traveling the world and it's rather upsetting this happened.

Documents Submitted
Purpose of Visit Letter
Travel Itinerary
Trip Cost Estimate - CAD 3K for 14 Days
Salary Certificate and Leave Approval
All Previous Visas (US + Schengen +UK) all with entry and exit stamps
Bank Statements
Credit Card Statements
Mutual Fund Statements
Invitation Letter from Relative
Invitation letter from Friend

Being an Indian with a Valid US B1/B2 and having visited New York in March 2019, technically my application should have been processed under CAN+ but clearly that didn't happen. Although I do have to state I did not request them to process it under CAN+ since I assumed it would happen automatically.

Would appreciate anyone's advice as for a guy who's so passionate about traveling, I can't just be refused just like that. I've never been refused a visa and now this is like a big black mark on my records.

 

[Techwhiz95]

Oh and for UAE, I did attach my Residence Visa Copies, Emirates ID Copies and Work Permit.

 

[kat3onah]

You can request for the GCMS notes to see what the Visa Officer wrote regarding your refusal.

Below is my personal take.
Travel History
>> A bit odd since you are well travelled.
Proof of Ties to Canada and Country of Residence
>> I don't get it why you need to attach 2 sets of letter of invitation? Might gave the Visa Officer an impression that you can count on a lot of people in case you plan to overstay/illegally migrate (even if you don't intend to).
>> How many relatives do you have in Canada? How many friends did you declare on the TRV form? It appears that you have strong ties in Canada.
>> The fact that you live all your life in UAE weakens your ties to India which is your home country.
Side note : If you follow this forum you'll see a lot of Indians from UAE being rejected because they live outside India.
>> You are single and has no dependents.
>> Might as well check the expiry of your Residence Card since this only renewable every year.
Personal Assets and Financial Status
>> You need to build up / top up on your savings. $12,000 CAD might not be enough on the Visa Officer's standard.

Would appreciate anyone's advice as for a guy who's so passionate about traveling, I can't just be refused just like that. I've never been refused a visa and now this is like a big black mark on my records.

This not true. You can always re-apply. Just address the reasons why you were refused. Now, you need to declare the initial rejection every time you apply for a TRV. I was rejected as well when I first applied for a TRV but I applied again and was granted the TRV on my 2nd try.

 

[Techwhiz95]

Okay so in my next application I'll just attach one invitation letter then. Basically its two relatives and their three children so 5 in total I guess. I mentioned two friends on the application. One in Toronto and One in Montreal.

VISAs in UAE are issued for either 2 or 3 Years depending on the category of the visa. I am an employee hence I've gotten 2 Years.

What would be an idea amount to show for a trip of two weeks? I've read through the forums that the thumb rule is 1000 CAD per week. I estimated the trip to be 3000CAD for two weeks and showed an available balance of 12000CAD.