VISITOR VISA REFUSAL- SOUTH AFRICAN TO CANADA

[raqnrob]

Applying for a visitor visa to visit my girlfriend is Canada has proven to be very difficult. Currently my girlfriend who is a Canadian is staying with me in South Africa. She wants me to come visit for Christmas. We had been working together to put together a seamless application package. Even purchased my round trip tickets to and from Canada, which cost over $1000.00 CAD. I sent my application confidently in on October 28th, by the 31st it was rejected on these grounds…

"You have not satisfied me that you would leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident. In reaching this decision, I considered several factors, including:

Family ties in Canada and in country of residence

Purpose of visit

Current employment situation
Personal assets and financial status


I am not satisfied that you have sufficient funds, including income or assets, to carry out your stated purpose in going to Canada or to maintain yourself while in Canada and to effect your departure."

Does anyone with a similar situation have any advice?

I am currently unemployed but have been actively looking for a job and luckily a day after I submitted my application I got a job offer, and they are willing to let me go to Canada for vacation and hold the job for me until I return. I wanted to change my application and include that but it was refused so quickly.

Does anyone know how to prove strong family ties ? I am very close to my family but how do you really go about putting that on your application ? I currently live with my mother and we are co-dependant on each other.

I really do not know what to do, I want to re-apply with my new job information and perhaps whatever documents or letters I can give to prove I will be returning to my family and life in South Africa.

Thanks so much in advance for anyone who can provide help !

 

[scylla]

You need to show stronger ties to South Africa. I wouldn't bother reapplying until you have been in your job for at least a few months (I would go with six months). If you reapply now, you're pretty much just guaranteeing yourself another refusal. When they are taking about family ties to your home country, they are typically speaking about very strong family ties like a spouse or children. CIC most likely won't view your mother as a strong family tie.

Do you have any assets in your name? Property? Bank accounts? Etc.? I would include evidence of those next time as well.

How long did you say you wanted to visit Canada for? This can also factor into refusals.

 

[raqnrob]

Thanks for your response Scylla,

My intention was to stay until end of april. If I were to re-apply with the trip reduced to say beginning of February, December 8th to February 1st for an example, and include the offer from my hiring company that states the conditions of allowing me to take a vacation in Canada before starting when I return in Feb. In your opinion would that raise my chances ? I do not want to give up yet, I know its silly but I really want to do this for my girlfriend.

I have a bank account, but no property or assets.

 

[scylla]

That's far far far too long a trip. It's no wonder you were refused.

The trip reduction you have suggested isn't enough. If you want to reapply again now, you should ask for a three week trip maximum.

Asking for anything longer just show that you really have no ties to your home country and will end in another refusal. The job offer will be useless - as will any other ties you try to show.

Good luck.

 

[raqnrob]

Thanks Scylla,

My girlfriend, who is Canadian doesn't know anything about applying for visas had wanted the longer visit and thought it would all be fine. I guess not. I am going to reduce the time by a lot then, just for Christmas and hopefully that will work.

Cheers

 

[Msafiri]

Thanks Scylla,

My girlfriend, who is Canadian doesn't know anything about applying for visas had wanted the longer visit and thought it would all be fine. I guess not. I am going to reduce the time by a lot then, just for Christmas and hopefully that will work.

Cheers

I'm with scylla on this one. While the new job offer improves your situation its my humble opinion that its not by enough to cross you over the threshold of being a bona fide visitor that will return to RSA. How much in Canadian currency is the entire trip costing you including air fares, accommodations etc? What are your funds? What's your salary going to be? Is this a full time job? Are the funds you will spend a realistic number when viewed as a proportion of your available funds? Its better to work then re-apply at least 6 months after employment as this will significantly improve your chances. My reading to is that the Visa Officer wants more solid proof of financial documentation so you may have to include not just your pay stubs and bank statements but also tax records (filing depends on your total annual income/no of employers).