1- Her travel history: she's a citizen and resident of Cuba and has never travelled abroad before. Cuba very recently opened it's borders and now allows it's citizens to travel freely as long as a Visa is obtained from the visiting country. She doesn't have a travel history based on this. Can we just submit a letter explaining? Will that suffice?
yes this will be a valid point.
2- The purpose of her visit: my husband and I enclosed a letter for her to submit with her application clearly stating the plans we had. We didn't include specific places... just general (visit odd places in and around the city we live in). Should we specify places we intend on going? Will it help if she also submits a letter explaining why she wants to visit (this wasn't included in the original application).
yes this will help,write complete program, where she would stay, ownership of apartment or lease, sight seeing, fun recreation, family reunion, show financial strength of hosts.
3- Her current employment situation: she submitted a letter from her employer indicating that she currently works for company ABC. I'm not sure how much more details was included. Would it help to have a letter specifying the dates she started, how much she's currently getting paid, and also stating that they are allowing her to take a vacation during the dates specified on her app and that she will be returning to work on such-and-such a date?
this is weakest point, they want good salary, tax papers, bank statement, certificate of deposit, property ownership. they call it links to home country, these link take back a candidate to home country.
4- Her personal assets and financial status: she doesn't own any property as she lives with her parents and she doesn't have a bank account (this is commonplace in Cuba). She does however have a full time job and makes a monthly salary. Should she submit something indicating this? We (my husband and I) have also indicated in our letter of invitation that we would take full responsibility for her expenses and finances for the duration of her trip. We also included T4s showing our income as a family.
the parents property is considered as child property because child has inheritance right to property. Bank account and savings are important point. Even if u will say that u will pay for her, from returned ticket to medical, food , travel, insurance etc etc visa officer will not be impressed, he wants to see that invitee is also well off in home country.
As mentioned above we want to re-apply and we fully understand that it doesn't guarantee a positive outcome even if we submit new information but we want to try. That way we can say we tried, accept it and move on.
Very little chance that VO will change his mind. this is my personal opinion, but u may try your luck. wish you good luck.
