I've never traveled outside Egypt before

[bishoybasily]

Hello all,

What is my success rate and how can i build a good application ?

I'm 27 years old male and i work as a software developer.

Here is a summary of my status,

The good part:

I have a well paid job, my father passed away 8 years ago and i live with my sister (a medical school student) and my mother (don't work).
I'm willing to travel to attend a conference for just 2 days (it is like a workshop or a training on some technologies / tools that i use constantly in my current job), i got an invitation letter from the association organizing this event and i also got a letter from my company that they will sponsor the whole trip including the travel and the accommodation costs, i own an apartment since 2014, i also own a car which i bought it with a loan and i'm still paying its installments.

The bad part:

I've never traveled outside egypt.
My bank account has around 6000 CAD at the moment.

 

[bellaluna]

The bad outweighs the good by far.

Applying for TRVs for conferences is harder than applying for tourism, IMO. Your company has to show why sending you to this conference is essential to their business, maybe like a convincing letter from the owner/supervisor or something. Why is it only available in Canada? Can't it be taken locally or elsewhere? Stuff like that.

 

[bishoybasily]

The bad outweighs the good by far.

Applying for TRVs for conferences is harder than applying for tourism, IMO. Your company has to show why sending you to this conference is essential to their business, maybe like a convincing letter from the owner/supervisor or something. Why is it only available in Canada? Can't it be taken locally or elsewhere? Stuff like that.

Yes i i'll include a letter from my company to show that this training is beneficial for me the letter also will state that the company will cover all the trip costs, this event is being held in canada and america, the upcoming american one will be on may 2020

 

[visatest]

Yes i i'll include a letter from my company to show that this training is beneficial for me the letter also will state that the company will cover all the trip costs, this event is being held in canada and america, the upcoming american one will be on may 2020

It has to be more than a benefit to you. It has to be essential for your company. Will they say this? It is what you need. No conferences the same in the Far east, Thailand etc, etc.? If there are you must be prepared to say why it is essential and why Canada is the only sensible venue.
In addition, the fact that you have never been in a, "five eyes" country is a complicating factor. They will be somewhat more apprehensive at the border.

 

[bishoybasily]

It has to be more than a benefit to you. It has to be essential for your company. Will they say this? It is what you need. No conferences the same in the Far east, Thailand etc, etc.? If there are you must be prepared to say why it is essential and why Canada is the only sensible venue.
In addition, the fact that you have never been in a, "five eyes" country is a complicating factor. They will be somewhat more apprehensive at the border.

Could you please check the letter content for me or suggest any modifications ?

-------------------------------------------------------------
September 06, 2019

To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is to verify that {company name} is interested in having {my name} to attend the {conference name} On December 2nd and 3rd 2019.
This training would be necessary for them to perform their job duties at Cairo office, Since this area of software development is growing too fast, {company name} believes that having one of its engineers getting this hands on experience by attending such a valuable workshop is essential to keep up to date with the new trends specially when this knowledge being transferred later to the rest of the other team members.
{conference name} is being held in so many cities around the world but at the moment Toronto is the only left city in the 2019 Tour.
{company name} will be covering all the trip costs including accommodation and travel costs.
It is planned that {my name} returns to Cairo office to continue working on December 08, 2019.


Yours faithfully,
-------------------------------------------------------------

 

[bellaluna]

Still pretty vague, IMO. You can draft it yourself, of course, but the best option is to have your supervisor or decision-maker say it in their own words. Or don't you have any documentation (emails, memos) from your company about discussing sending you to this conference?

 

[visatest]

Could you please check the letter content for me or suggest any modifications ?

-------------------------------------------------------------
September 06, 2019

To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is to verify that {company name} is interested in having {my name} to attend the {conference name} On December 2nd and 3rd 2019.
This training would be necessary for them to perform their job duties at Cairo office, Since this area of software development is growing too fast,(drop the too) {company name} believes that having one of its engineers getting this hands on experience by attending such a valuable workshop is essential to keep up to date with the new trends. (. Full stop) specially (especially) when this knowledge (will) being (be) transferred later to the rest of the other (drop other) team members. (be ready to explain how you will deliver it).
{conference name} is being held in so many cities around the world but at the moment Toronto is the only left city in the 2019 Tour. (drop this sentence you are giving too much info for the CBSA to digest. It is also a point that could get you blocked by the CBSA saying, "go to one next year close to home".
{company name} will be covering all the trip costs including accommodation and travel costs.
It is planned that {my name} returns to Cairo office to continue working on December 08, 2019.


Yours faithfully,
-------------------------------------------------------------

Ok I eliminated the passive voice, made it more concise and took the, "gotcha" questions out. Never ever, over explain things to a Border agent; they get suspicious . Another point, when you are around the CBSA do not touch your face or head. They take this as a sign of lying (really, they learned it from the US).

 

[bishoybasily]

Still pretty vague, IMO. You can draft it yourself, of course, but the best option is to have your supervisor or decision-maker say it in their own words. Or don't you have any documentation (emails, memos) from your company about discussing sending you to this conference?

Still pretty vague, IMO. You can draft it yourself, of course, but the best option is to have your supervisor or decision-maker say it in their own words. Or don't you have any documentation (emails, memos) from your company about discussing sending you to this conference?

Sir, It was a verbal discussion, and i'm the one who requested this in the first place and they promised to support.

 

[bishoybasily]

Ok this might be a bit rough but here is what I will do. I will go over your paasageand put in what I conder better wording. This will be in brackets.

To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is to verify (confirm) that {company name} is (dependant) in having {my name} to attend the {conference name} On December 2nd and 3rd 2019.
This training would (will) be necessary for them to perform their (required) job duties at Cairo office, Since this area of software development is growing too (drop the too) fast, {company name} believes that having one of its engineers getting this hands on (becoming competent drop getting this hands on) (put "through the" in here) experience of attending such a valuable workshop (.) It is essential to keep up to date with the new trends. specially when this knowledge being transferred later to the rest of the other team members.
{conference name} is being held in so many cities around the world but at the moment Toronto is the only left city in the 2019 Tour.
{company name} will be covering all the trip costs including accommodation and travel costs.
It is planned that {my name} returns to Cairo office to continue working on December 08, 2019.

Thank you so much sir, i really appreciate this.