applying for visitor visa 15 years after refugee refusal

[anamae]

I lam from Panama and left Canada in 1994 after being refused refugee status. I have now settled in Spain and would like to attend Olympics by end of February. Since the application form asks about any previous entries and departures from Canada, I wonder if records are kept these long and should I come clean? I can proof current permanent ties (job, funds, common-law partner).Thanks for any advice.

 

[Karlshammar]

Yes, they keep records for that long.

Are you a Spanish citizen? In that case you are visa-exempt.

[anamae]

Thank you for quick reply. No, I'm not Spanish citizen, that's why I wonder if it's worthwhile to go through all the red tape of sending application, passport and other docs to Paris office for visitor's visa and then be rejected.

[Karlshammar]

Ah, I see. Well, you can always give it a whirl; it's not that expensive.

You can also get a package deal from a tour operator. From what I've heard, it's much easier to get a visa when you have it done that way, because it shows that you are truly only going for tourism purposes. There are no guarantees, though.