Dear CanadaVisa.com Forum members,
I thought I would share with you today a truly unfortunate experience with the Thailand CIC office and most welcome any thoughts or suggestions. It's a long story, but I'll condense it to make it easier to read.
-I, a Canadian citizen was stationed abroad for many years to study and some work, where I met my girlfriend in Thailand. At the time, she was looking to begin a medical school program in Bangkok, but I convinced her to take a look at Canada first. She is 19, an excellent student from a royal college, comes from a fairly well to do family with mostly land assets, but whom would have enough income to provide for her tuition for some preliminary certificates or diplomas in academic English, pre-health or nursing, until either she became a permanent resident or returned to Thailand as a mature student and gain preferential entry to a medical school program there.
Attempt #1: Visitor's visa.
We attempted to have her visit, see a bit of the country and tour some Universities or Colleges. I submitted an invitation letter. REFUSED: Reasons - purpose, finances, ties to home.
Attempt #2: Visitor's visa.
We enrolled her in a 3-month Academic English Program at U of T, booked a flight and provided proof of about CAD$6,000 assets on top of tuition for a 5-month term, I submitted an invitation letter. REFUSED: Same reasons.
Attempt #3: Visitor's visa.
We enrolled her in a longer, 5-month Academic English Program at U of T, provided proof of about $10,000 assets and land assets on top of tuition for a 5-month term, I submitted an invitation letter. REFUSED: Same reasons.
Attempt #4: Study permit
We enrolled her in a 8-month, full time Academic English Program at U of T, took out an annually renewable loan for CAD$35,000 assets and land assets on top of tuition. Provided an invitation letter notarized by a local City Councilor. REFUSED: Same reasons!
Hired a law firm
Attempt #5: Study permit
We enrolled her in a 2-year Academic English Program joint with a Pre-Health program certificate at Seneca, which costs ~$20,000/year for both tuition AND living costs, more than covered by the annual loan. Took myself out of the application so that 'purpose' is no longer cited. Law firm provided a covering letter explaining how she should satisfy each refusal point.
REFUSED: Finances only.
The law firm - arguably one of the best in the country, was truly surprised by the decision. We now have the option to investigate any internal 'happenings' at the office there or conduct a judicial review, but it's going to be very expensive...
After over one extremely painful year and five attempts, a poor young lady is sitting with nothing to do while she could be studying and brightening her future. We're at the point where she must consider starting school in Bangkok at her next chance, forfeiting a chance to be together but more importantly, a contribution to, and participation in a great education system here. If there was some way to make it work, we would seek a last chance. Otherwise, we have no choice but to close this very sad and unjust chapter until she finishes medical school in Bangkok in...6 years.
Any thoughts or suggestions most welcome.
Thank you,
Atmosphere99
I thought I would share with you today a truly unfortunate experience with the Thailand CIC office and most welcome any thoughts or suggestions. It's a long story, but I'll condense it to make it easier to read.
-I, a Canadian citizen was stationed abroad for many years to study and some work, where I met my girlfriend in Thailand. At the time, she was looking to begin a medical school program in Bangkok, but I convinced her to take a look at Canada first. She is 19, an excellent student from a royal college, comes from a fairly well to do family with mostly land assets, but whom would have enough income to provide for her tuition for some preliminary certificates or diplomas in academic English, pre-health or nursing, until either she became a permanent resident or returned to Thailand as a mature student and gain preferential entry to a medical school program there.
Attempt #1: Visitor's visa.
We attempted to have her visit, see a bit of the country and tour some Universities or Colleges. I submitted an invitation letter. REFUSED: Reasons - purpose, finances, ties to home.
Attempt #2: Visitor's visa.
We enrolled her in a 3-month Academic English Program at U of T, booked a flight and provided proof of about CAD$6,000 assets on top of tuition for a 5-month term, I submitted an invitation letter. REFUSED: Same reasons.
Attempt #3: Visitor's visa.
We enrolled her in a longer, 5-month Academic English Program at U of T, provided proof of about $10,000 assets and land assets on top of tuition for a 5-month term, I submitted an invitation letter. REFUSED: Same reasons.
Attempt #4: Study permit
We enrolled her in a 8-month, full time Academic English Program at U of T, took out an annually renewable loan for CAD$35,000 assets and land assets on top of tuition. Provided an invitation letter notarized by a local City Councilor. REFUSED: Same reasons!
Hired a law firm
Attempt #5: Study permit
We enrolled her in a 2-year Academic English Program joint with a Pre-Health program certificate at Seneca, which costs ~$20,000/year for both tuition AND living costs, more than covered by the annual loan. Took myself out of the application so that 'purpose' is no longer cited. Law firm provided a covering letter explaining how she should satisfy each refusal point.
REFUSED: Finances only.
The law firm - arguably one of the best in the country, was truly surprised by the decision. We now have the option to investigate any internal 'happenings' at the office there or conduct a judicial review, but it's going to be very expensive...
After over one extremely painful year and five attempts, a poor young lady is sitting with nothing to do while she could be studying and brightening her future. We're at the point where she must consider starting school in Bangkok at her next chance, forfeiting a chance to be together but more importantly, a contribution to, and participation in a great education system here. If there was some way to make it work, we would seek a last chance. Otherwise, we have no choice but to close this very sad and unjust chapter until she finishes medical school in Bangkok in...6 years.
Any thoughts or suggestions most welcome.
Thank you,
Atmosphere99
