Online application, paid but refused. Any chance to reopen the application?

[zan]

Hi experts,

Really need helps here. I am Zan from Malaysia and studying in Japan. I will attending an conference in Toronto for a week. I applied visitor visa for me, my wife and son on 18 Feb 2013 via CIC online system and on 20 Feb 2013 got reply from CIC our application were refused due to factor related to:
- Your family ties in Canada and in your country of residence
- Your current employment situation
- Your personal assets and financial status

I attached all the required documents including letter of invitation, financial support details etc..

They already charged me $225 (3 persons) for the fee without any revision stage? Is there any chance that I can revise my application? How can I provide additional information to them?

Please help me on this.

 

[Pippin]

Unfortunately, the fees are non-refundable. If the VO made an error, they did not use documents you included which WOULD have proved you met the reason(s) for refusal, you can write a reconsideration letter. Response to that takes MONTHS. You cannot add more documents to the original application, unless they specifically ask you to do so. You may find it best to reapply with stronger application and support documents. Prove you have STRONG reasons to come back to your country. Show good financial/property documentation. Show your job and that you are expected to return to work (letter of approval for leave from manager?) Include any travel history. This is useful to show the VO you have the resources to travel, especially if it is a holiday rather than business travel. Taking your family with you, rather than leaving them at home, actually weakens your ties to home. Good luck.

 

[zan]

Thank you Pippin for your reply and detail explanation.

That was very unfortunate since I am just a student here. It's unbelievable even such 'screening' stage, i would say (not processing), cost applicant that much. Thinking of canceling my plan to the conference

 

[Pippin]

That is sickening to lose $225 on your application. The only positive thing is that you did not wait for two months to get the same response. You might try applying for a single visa for yourself to attend with more success. Get a letter from your school or whoever would be most appropriate authority to state why they want you to attend the conference. Include your marks to show you are a dedicated student. Include copy of fees paid for next term to show intent to continue schooling. Anything you can provide that proves you have more reason to leave Canada than you have to stay. This is the reason I suggested traveling without your family (although I fully understand that you would want to have them with you). The fact you are studying outside your home country weakens your ties to your home country to begin with. I hope that makes sense of the "nonsense" involved in this whole visa process. There is only one stage in a trv. I understand the officer takes mere minutes to review the application and says yes or no at that point. If they had to send requests back to every applicant for more information nothing would get done. I know from our friend's experience that this is not easy to take.
Do not reapply unless you are able to provide solid proof that you can overcome the reasons for refusal. Good luck.

 

[zan]

Thanks again Pippin for your suggestion. Really useful details, for others as well. I will discuss with my school on this and reapply as if I get several supporting docs. Thanks!