Seeking Guidance on Canadian Visa Refusals for Medical Exam Visit

[drklrathi]

Good day everyone,
I hope to find some helpful guidance from this forum regarding a visa issue I'm facing.
I need to travel to Canada to appear for a postgraduate professional medical examination. However, my Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) has been refused twice, both times for the following reasons:

1. I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay.
2. The purpose of your visit to Canada is not consistent with a temporary stay given the details you have provided in your application.

While I can understand the first reason — possibly due to insufficient evidence of strong ties to my home country — I am struggling to understand the second.

In my first application, I selected the visa category: Visit Canada as a tourist.
In my second application, submitted through a visa consultant, I selected: Visit visa – Attending meetings, events, and conferences in Canada.
Despite the change, both applications were refused for the same reasons.

All relevant documents — including the official invitation letter and reference materials detailing the exam — were attached to my application.
I am genuinely confused about how to properly reflect the purpose of my visit — which is to attend a scheduled professional medical exam — in a way that aligns with the expectations for a temporary stay.

Any advice, shared experiences, or guidance on how to better approach this situation would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Naturgrl]

You have two refusals so no point in applying again for some time. Get GCMS notes. Citizenship? What exam and is this for immigration and work purposes? If so, IRCC believes that you will not leave because you intend to immigrate or work.

 

[drklrathi]

You have two refusals so no point in applying again for some time. Get GCMS notes. Citizenship? What exam and is this for immigration and work purposes? If so, IRCC believes that you will not leave because you intend to immigrate or work.

Thank you for the prompt response.

Both of my previous applications were submitted last year, and I’m now considering submitting a new application this year.
The exam I’m planning to take is a Physician's Fellowship exam. It's not for immigration purposes—it's solely intended to enhance my professional profile.
I understand your point regarding IRCC’s concern that I may not leave Canada due to perceived immigration or work intentions. However, my main confusion lies in determining the appropriate visa subcategory to apply for in this context.
Would you be able to advise on which visa type would best suit this situation?

 

[Naturgrl]

Thank you for the prompt response.

Both of my previous applications were submitted last year, and I’m now considering submitting a new application this year.
The exam I’m planning to take is a Physician's Fellowship exam. It's not for immigration purposes—it's solely intended to enhance my professional profile.
I understand your point regarding IRCC’s concern that I may not leave Canada due to perceived immigration or work intentions. However, my main confusion lies in determining the appropriate visa subcategory to apply for in this context.
Would you be able to advise on which visa type would best suit this situation?

Tourism. You are not coming for a business meeting. But still makes no sense to come to Canada for the exam. Take it in another country.

 

[drklrathi]

Exam is conducted by Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and there is no exam centers out of Canada unfortunately.

 

[scylla]

Good day everyone,
I hope to find some helpful guidance from this forum regarding a visa issue I'm facing.
I need to travel to Canada to appear for a postgraduate professional medical examination. However, my Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) has been refused twice, both times for the following reasons:

1. I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay.
2. The purpose of your visit to Canada is not consistent with a temporary stay given the details you have provided in your application.

While I can understand the first reason — possibly due to insufficient evidence of strong ties to my home country — I am struggling to understand the second.

In my first application, I selected the visa category: Visit Canada as a tourist.
In my second application, submitted through a visa consultant, I selected: Visit visa – Attending meetings, events, and conferences in Canada.
Despite the change, both applications were refused for the same reasons.

All relevant documents — including the official invitation letter and reference materials detailing the exam — were attached to my application.
I am genuinely confused about how to properly reflect the purpose of my visit — which is to attend a scheduled professional medical exam — in a way that aligns with the expectations for a temporary stay.

Any advice, shared experiences, or guidance on how to better approach this situation would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

You should be applying for a TRV to come to Canada to take an exam. The business visa was the wrong application. Since you already have two refusals, don't apply again until you can strengthen your application. Order GCMS notes first.

You haven't provided enough details in your post for us to really comment on how to change / strengthen your application.

- Where did you apply from? Is this your home country or are you living in this country temporarily?
- How much did you show in proof of funds?
- What evidence did you show to demonstrates ties to your home country?
- How long a visit did you request for the purposes of the exam?
- Do you have previous travel to countries requiring visa such as the US / UK?

 

[drklrathi]

You should be applying for a TRV to come to Canada to take an exam. The business visa was the wrong application. Since you already have two refusals, don't apply again until you can strengthen your application. Order GCMS notes first.

You haven't provided enough details in your post for us to really comment on how to change / strengthen your application.

- Where did you apply from? Is this your home country or are you living in this country temporarily?
- How much did you show in proof of funds?
- What evidence did you show to demonstrates ties to your home country?
- How long a visit did you request for the purposes of the exam?
- Do you have previous travel to countries requiring visa such as the US / UK?

- Where did you apply from? Is this your home country or are you living in this country temporarily? I am originally from Pakistan but have been living in the UAE for the past 13 years.
- How much did you show in proof of funds? Trust me, I provided more than sufficient proof of funds to support my visit.
- What evidence did you show to demonstrates ties to your home country? While I do not own property in the UAE, my strong ties include my family living here, my children’s school enrolment, my wife’s stable employment of over 10 years, and our valid tenancy contract etc.

- How long a visit did you request for the purposes of the exam? I requested a short visit of just one week for the purpose of the exam.
- Do you have previous travel to countries requiring visa such as the US / UK? Yes, I hold a medical license to practice in the UK and have visited on visit visa there once. I also possess a valid US visit visa.

 

[scylla]

- Where did you apply from? Is this your home country or are you living in this country temporarily? I am originally from Pakistan but have been living in the UAE for the past 13 years.
- How much did you show in proof of funds? Trust me, I provided more than sufficient proof of funds to support my visit.
- What evidence did you show to demonstrates ties to your home country? While I do not own property in the UAE, my strong ties include my family living here, my children’s school enrolment, my wife’s stable employment of over 10 years, and our valid tenancy contract etc.

- How long a visit did you request for the purposes of the exam? I requested a short visit of just one week for the purpose of the exam.
- Do you have previous travel to countries requiring visa such as the US / UK? Yes, I hold a medical license to practice in the UK and have visited on visit visa there once. I also possess a valid US visit visa.

Your profile does look fairly strong. Apply for GCMS notes and see what they say. They should take 30 days to arrive.

 

[drklrathi]

I will apply for the GCMS notes and keep you all updated.
Thanks everyone for sharing your insights on this matter.

 

[canuck78]

I will apply for the GCMS notes and keep you all updated.
Thanks everyone for sharing your insights on this matter.

Although you have fairly strong profile it make no sense for you to take this exam unless you have intentions of coming to Canada. Taking the exam does not benefit you in any way if you are a practicing MD in the UAE or anywhere else in the world. Given that fellowship doesn’t actually lead to licensing in Canada you would have to redo your residency or equivalent and spots are very limited and are primarily in a few specialities and a large portion in French. If you have school aged children it would make zero sense to come to Canada and try to get licensed as an MD with current licensing system.