Visa to attend a conference

[Hanna mulugeta]

Hi
I am an Ethiopian citizen. I have applied for my visa to attend as a speaker at the women deliver a conference in Canada. I have been denied for the following reasons

"I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident, as stipulated in paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR, based on the purpose of your visit.

I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident, as stipulated in paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR, based on your family ties in Canada and in your country of residence."

I am a little confused because I do not have any blood relatives or family ties in Canada. And the purpose of my visit is conference. I am also a final year university student with no reason to stay after the conference. Is there a different way to apply for conferences other than visitors visa?

I hope to here from you soon
Warm regards

 

[21Goose]

You applied for the correct visa.

However, the issuing officer is not convinced that you will leave Canada once your conference is over. If you want a visa, you will need to strengthen your application on two fronts

1. Purpose of visit - you need to prove that this conference is a compelling reason to visit Canada. Do you have an invitation from the conference? Is it a big, well-known conference, possibly hosted by a university? Or is it a very small conference? Provide some more information.

2. Family Ties - You need to show strong ties to Ethiopia. If you're single and don't own any property, or have any compelling reason to come back, this will be difficult for you. However, it's not impossible. For example, let's say you are attending a very good university in Addis Ababa, you're in the final year, and you have very good employment prospects in Ethiopia. If you can say something like this, it will help show that you will come back.

I know you're saying you have no reason to stay, but you need to prove that. Unfortunately for you, lots of people from African and Asian countries use "conferences" as a pretext to get visas and then end up overstaying.

Can you think of very strong reasons that will show that you have no intention of staying in Canada? List a few here and we can help you strengthen your application.

 

[canuck78]

Hi
I am an Ethiopian citizen. I have applied for my visa to attend as a speaker at the women deliver a conference in Canada. I have been denied for the following reasons

"I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident, as stipulated in paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR, based on the purpose of your visit.

I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident, as stipulated in paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR, based on your family ties in Canada and in your country of residence."

I am a little confused because I do not have any blood relatives or family ties in Canada. And the purpose of my visit is conference. I am also a final year university student with no reason to stay after the conference. Is there a different way to apply for conferences other than visitors visa?

I hope to here from you soon
Warm regards

Has the conference paid for your flight and all your expenses? Have you travelled to other countries that require a visa like UK, US, Schengen region, Australia, etc. How much savings have you personally shown? As a student I imagine you don’t have a ton of strong ties to Ethiopia like a spouse and children, a home or other property in your name.

 

[Hanna mulugeta]

Thank you so much for your response. But when I try to reply back to you it says my message is a spam

 

[21Goose]

Thank you so much for your response. But when I try to reply back to you it says my message is a spam

Just post your reply here?

 

[Hanna mulugeta]

I do not know how to incorporate this information when I send my application via an IOM office I was wondering if I should reapply?i have only received an email but haven't taken my passport back yet. What is the process? And will I make it to the conference if I start the process now,as my flight is booked for may 31st?

 

[Hanna mulugeta]

I couldn't send u my full reply because it's saying its a spam and couldn't let me send it. Maybe it's because it's a long response?

 

[21Goose]

I couldn't send u my full reply because it's saying its a spam and couldn't let me send it. Maybe it's because it's a long response?

Try writing it in two parts and posting two separate posts.

 

[Hanna mulugeta]

Yes I do have invitation letter, and the conference is the world's largest conference on gender equality and health rights.the ambassador of Canada has invited us to the resident to discuss about the conference would attachingthe invitation letter help? my expense is covered by an organization I have been volunteering for the past two years. It has a very good record in returning stuff members as well as volunteers from US and UK but I haven't traveled to those places my self. I do go to the best science and technology university in Addis. But I do not know how to incorporate this information with the application as am applying through an IOM office and not an embassy.there is no interview. I would also like to know how long it will take to get a response if I reapply now.I have to be leaving the country on the 31st. Also with this information is it worth to try again?
Thank you for your guidance

 

[21Goose]

Yes I do have invitation letter, and the conference is the world's largest conference on gender equality and health rights.the ambassador of Canada has invited us to the resident to discuss about the conference would attachingthe invitation letter help? my expense is covered by an organization I have been volunteering for the past two years. It has a very good record in returning stuff members as well as volunteers from US and UK but I haven't traveled to those places my self. I do go to the best science and technology university in Addis. But I do not know how to incorporate this information with the application as am applying through an IOM office and not an embassy.there is no interview. I would also like to know how long it will take to get a response if I reapply now.I have to be leaving the country on the 31st. Also with this information is it worth to try again?
Thank you for your guidance

All of this information should be included in a letter that you attach to the application. There's no interview, just explain everything clearly in the letter. If you reapply in the next few days with a strong letter of explanation, there's a good chance that you can get the visa before the 31st.

You should attach a copy of the invitation letter, and a copy of a letter from the organization that is sponsoring you.

If this is the conference - https://wd2019.org/program/, and you have been invited to speak by the organizers, and your trip is being sponsored by a large and reputed organization.. you really should have included all this info!

Get cracking on writing a letter that shows the visa officer you're not going to a tiny little conference.

 

[Hanna mulugeta]

Yes that is the conference. I attached an invitation letter but not the rest of those. I will try this again thank you so much . Do I go through the same fee and biometrics process?

 

[21Goose]

Are you listed on this page - https://wd2019.org/speakers/ ?

If yes, make sure to include a link/screenshot of the page. If you're literally on the same page as the Prime Minister of Canada... you ought to get a visa. Even if you aren't a main stage speaker, make sure to include the fact that the PM is speaking at this conference, and you've been invited to speak as well.

 

[21Goose]

Yes that is the conference. I attached an invitation letter but not the rest of those. I will try this again thank you so much . Do I go through the same fee and biometrics process?

The fee, yes. I think you may be exempt from the biometrics since you've already submitted that.

 

[Hanna mulugeta]

I am not a main stage speaker but yes am listed. I will definitely try again thank you so much you have been very helpful!

 

[21Goose]

I am not a main stage speaker but yes am listed. I will definitely try again thank you so much you have been very helpful!

Good luck. I hope you get the visa.