₦airaland Forum

Thanks @OmoBendel24. I thought it was sound as well until I got the refusal mail. To answer your questions, I’ve never overstayed or abused any of my visas and the hospital bill was reasonable; think about 10k or a little more.

I’ll think about next steps in January, as for now I’m in a grateful mode for making it to 2020 by God’s grace.

OmoBendel24:
Profile comes across as pretty sound, and strong. But then, were these in-laws’ details stated in your application, and how did they get into Canada? There may be a strong perception by the VO of deliberate dissociation of self from them for evasive reasons due to one shortcoming or the other, and even a personal ulterior motive.

Have you ever overstayed your visa/approved POE days elsewhere? Payments for son’s birth, how reasonable were the figures paid?

Wow! Good to be back on this thread, just finished doing catch-up....

Big congratulations! So happy for you. Seems like a miracle if you ask me.

Angie32:
Guys Approval Alert!!!!!!! I wanted to get my passport in hand before I give my testimony!
Okay so I applied to honeymoon with my husband who is a permanent resident. Before I applied, I read numerous stories of how people who applied to visit their spouses get rejected due to the visa officer perceiving they would not return.. so many cases like that and I was shaken but I prayed to God and asked him to go before me as it was not my intention to remain there...I braced up and applied anyway. BVL came after passport request and I was surprised lol ... this just goes to say the procedure is not set in stone as anything can happen before anything.. please see timeline below
Date of Submission -Oct 8th
AOR - Oct 8th
Biometrics Instruction Letter- Oct 9th
Biometrics done- Oct 9th
Eligibility review- noticed on the 6th of November(Not sure when it started)
Passport Request - November 25th
BVL- November 26th (lol)
Passport Submission- November 25th
Passport Collected- December 9th
I am so elated !
Thank you guys for your help!

Thanks @makylove101. It guess I will have to include those additional documents you mentioned if I reapply.

makylove101:
So sorry@ty01. I am a bit shocked to hear this especially given all the documents you submitted. I only added school fees receipts for my son as back up. Plus the HMO cards is part of our benefits at the office so I thought i'de throw more light on my LOE since it covers international use as well hence no need for a travel health insurance. I also stated that I wasnt pregnant at the moment and wouldn't be needing any medical services for the trip given that we just had our son in 2018. Maybe that helped...I cant say for sure.

Thanks for your insight. I think I did not express myself correctly as I DO NOT have a brother in Canada. I only have a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law.

All the same your insight is deeply appreciated and I agree with you that not seeing my in-laws might have been a strange one especially after traveling all the way from Naija. But the truth of the matter is that I never intended to see them as I saw them just recently in Lagos.

I’m looking forward to the gcms notes and would share same on the platform.

Thanks again for your insight and best wishes.

NothingDoMe:
Sorry about the refusal.

I am intrigued by your application so please permit me to extrapolate based on the information you provided.

You stated that you wont be visiting your brother while in Canada and you used the words "strictly for vacation". If that was actually how wrote it, then it could give a wrong impression that you are desperate enough to "deny" your brother to visit Canada especially if the two of you are in constant communication.

Further stating that you'd have challenges moving your family from Calgary to Toronto also gives a wrong impression. You've navigated 20 countries successfully and some of those countries with your family. Navigating calgary to toronto shouldn't be stated as a challenge.

I believe your letter played a huge role in this refusal. Maybe you were trying to avoid a refusal from family ties in Canada. I don't think it would have been a problem considering your excellent profile.

I wish you success in your next application.

Thanks @Ozz. I will let you know the content of the gcms notes to calm your curiosity .

I might try the invitation letter approach if I decide to reapply, just that I typically don’t like to ask anybody for invitation letter as you don’t know what people are up to. I wouldn’t want other people’s act or actions abroad affect or taint my records.

Thanks again bro.

Ozzz:
@ty01, so sorry for the refusal, your refusal touch me,
as for your documents submitted I don't see any issues oo, I really dunno how they judged your application, your documents are on point.....

however if I must pick something may be you should have used an invitation from your in-law, but then again that isn't your plan to go see them maybe they used reverse psychology, so I give up, go flex dubai, I heard it's 3days to get dubai visa.

Finally Am curious to know what the GCMS notes will report..

All the best man..

Thank you bro. You are a good man with a kind heart. I am not thinking of anything Canada for now as I don’t even know what to add to my application. I’ll apply for the gcms notes just to understand the VO’s thought process and then decide on next steps. Thanks again!

jj17cv:
@ty01

Sorry to hear your refusal don't stress your self your documents is well package with stronge travel history ....I dont blame them ppl are rushing them meanwhile they are just denied innocent applications whoever apply for Canada visit now is 50/50 know matter how documents you package .....Just relax reapply next year and go for paper route

Demicoker:
Now na American babies,Nairobi Kenya,not enough ties,nothing we no go hear for this Canada visa

Trafalgar Square, London.

Demicoker:
Hmmm, na wa ooo,where was your application treated?

Hello All,

Just as I promised, I am here to provide feedback on my Canada visa application.

Summary is that I was refused with just one singular claim that they are not sure I will leave Canada after my visit. This decision is ridiculous and baseless and I think this Canada visit visa thing is fast becoming a gamble and a game of luck.

Please I apologise if I sound pompous and proud, it is never my intention, I just want to say some things to help others and bring home my point.
Documents submitted:
1. Employment letter and promotion letters over many years
2. Very strong travel history: been to over 20 countries (US, UK, Singapore, Belgium, France, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, South Africa, etc. Some of these are family vacation.
3. Letter of introduction from my employer stating that my leave days and that I’ll be paid while I’m away.
4. 6 months Pay slips.
5. 6 months bank statement with millions as bank balance.
7. 4 months BOA account statement.
8. Itinerary for 10 days.
9. Hotel and flight bookings.
10. US and Nigeria passport of my son + Receipts of all hospital bills.
11. Two family pictures.
12. Budget showing amount available for the trip, expenses for the trip and the estimated balance after the trip which was in millions as well.
13. Birth certificates for the kids..
14. Two CofO
15. Police character certificate
16. A very compelling cover letter.
17. Etc.

I have a brother and sister in law who are permanent residents in Canada which I was upfront with. I stated this in my cover letter and told the VO I won’t be seeing them because the trip is strictly a family vacation and the logistics of moving ourselves from Ontario to Calgary may be too demanding. Perhaps that’s why the VO didn’t raise my tie to Canada as a problem.

In my opinion I believe I have put up a good application, but perhaps I was wrong. This is the first ever VISA refusal I have got in my life and it’s just hilarious to think I’ll decide to leave my good job for that cold; I might appeal this decision. For now, I will just jejely carry my family to Dubai for the Christmas break and think of next steps later..

Thanks to @ozzz, @jj17cv and a host of others for their contributions and insights. God bless you all.

jj17cv:
@goldosa
Tell ur cousin Canada is not heaven all this agent are mout wash don't mind them oooooo .he should be careful


@ty01

Howfar any update another week is going

Hey bro BVL just dropped now. Do they work on Sundays?
Hoping for the best tomorrow!!! Interestingly I’m not nervous at all; I’m just calm, anyhow it goes, God dey!

Awani007:
@ty01 @jj17cv @ozzz pls I’ll need ur candid advice on my last post pls

You have to be careful with agents. 99% guaranteed visa is impossible when you are not the Canadian government or Immigration personnel who will issue the visa. That alone is a red flag. I won’t advise you pay such amount of money to any agent when you can do it yourself.

Gbemzow:
Praise the lord with me, i just picked up my Visa now, valid till passport expires Thank you all for your beautiful contributions on this platform. Good luck to other applicants expecting their Visas. I will update us on all the documents I submitted when I get home. Gods blessings

I love this. Congrats!!

Franeby:
Hello everyone, pls i have a question.. so my agent filled my application(which i now know i should have done myself). I joined Nairaland not too long ago.

Heres my dilenma. I asked her recently to forward me d soft copy of the application so i can go through it and then i observed where they asked if uve ever been denied a visa or entry into any country before, she filled no. but in my case in 2008/9, i applied for a student visa to the US. upon my interview, d consular asked me to go get some documentation i didnt have at the time from my school and reapply but i never went back to the embassy because by the time, i got the info, my life had progressed here in Nigeria so i was no longer intrested.

I applied for my Canadian visa, August 7th, got a mail October 30th asking me to make formal payment arrangement with a canadian health authority and revert, which i have done and waiting for their reply.

Realising this error in my application- pls what do u advise i do? i will really appreciate your response..

Thank you.

Your visa was not denied; it would have been classified under either of these two:
1. ‘not approved because it was incomplete’ or
2. ‘cancelled’

The agent should have explained your peculiar situation in the form or via a cover note. You can still contact them and explain your situation as your case does not necessarily involve sending additional supporting documents. Alternatively, do nothing as I do not think this omission would count against you.

jj17cv:
@ty01

My friend is worry how long this ppl are going to do this eligibility review the application since on the 4th of Nov

Please tell your friend to take it easy and learn from me. I used to check my account about 10 times a day and refresh email almost 5 minutes before now. Two days ago, my wife said I was just rolling up and down on the bed and talking about the Canada application in my sleep. After that episode, I told myself I would not let it bother me again, Habba, Canada na heaven ni??!!!. If they like they should eat it. Just that I would love to travel for Christmas, even if it’s Dubai.

To be honest I’m no longer optimistic about the application again sef. I didn’t include school receipt and health insurance card in the uploaded documents.

Fingers crossed, I’ll update the house anyhow it goes. Thanks again bro for always following up.

kennyliza:
Hello @ty01, to answer your questions:-

1. I read you ticked yes about your husband’s refusal, but did you also tick yes for yourself as being denied a US visa in the past?-Yes, I did as I stated in d form that I have been denied uk and usa visa before

2. Did you include reasonable hospital bills for your daughter’s birth. Recall she’s still very young so they expect your bills should be accessible and may want assurance you didn’t take free medical treatment form their neighbour (US)- NO, I did not include the payment receipts and No we did not access their free medical treatment as paid in cash full

1. Good that you ticked yes.
2. Including payment receipts is the evidence that you have in your possession to prove that you did not access their free medical treatment. Recall I said ‘reasonable hospital bill’. If the amount on the receipt is too low, it may be deemed a part of it was paid from US tax payers fund.

In my opinion, your application is good and you stand a good chance of being granted the visa. My overall advise is that you should include a detailed cover note in your next application. State the reasons for your past refusals. UK will always state it, hence there’s no excuse that you don’t know it. Not that Canada does not have access to this info; you stating it upfront gives an indication of an open and transparent applicant. Also include copies of your US receipt. Give an indication of how much you paid and tell them the ones you attached are those you can find. Please get the gcms notes before you reapply.

All the best and come back to encourage others when you get the visa.

makylove101:
@favored gal, I would hate to think so. It didnt happen in my own case so am thinking that might not be it. But who knows.

Yes it didn’t happen to you because you did the right thing. You sent the receipts of your US medical bills and got a medical insurance for your intended Canada visit.
Anyone who has an American child about 8 years and below and is applying from Nigeria should do the same to avoid rejection. It’s better to err on the side of caution.

kennyliza:
Hi@Ozzz, lol...no vex, just on a quest of getting this visa oooo
In respect of d documents submitted, they are:-
- Family/group application (I, my husband and my daughter(a US citizens )
Primary Applicant(Husband)
- Travel history (Study in Uk hence scanned all his Uk Study visas, been to US twice in 2 visas,Dubai once ) ,All border and visa stamps scanned in last 10yrs.
-Passport biopage
-forms filled, (family info IMM5645, use of fam rep. Imm5713,),
-filled “yes” as he had been denied uk,usa visa before eventually been given
- our Marriage certificate
- passport Digital photo according to requirements
-Purpose of travel-Vacation with accomodation and flight booking 2weeks,
-Travel Itinerary
*Proof of Funds (Submitted N6M in husband salary Acct, Over $10k in dollar acct), 4 months Bank statement, letter of introduction from employer,
*Additional docs( one landed property)

Spouse(Myself)
*Required forms were filled
*employee id card scanned, introduction letter from my company, 4months payslip, letter of promotion
*travel history (US and Dubai )
*Visa and border stamps all scanned For both trips .My US visa expires next month
*Digital photo
-close with 1.2M on my salary account
- baby certificate and bio data page

Those are d documents we submitted, please kindly guide me what else is missing so that we change d mind of d Canada VO when applying for d third time

@kennyliza

Two questions:

1. I read you ticked yes about your husband’s refusal, but did you also tick yes for yourself as being denied a US visa in the past?

2. Did you include reasonable hospital bills for your daughter’s birth. Recall she’s still very young so they expect your bills should be accessible and may want assurance you didn’t take free medical treatment form their neighbour (US).

mim1031:
I’m not sure this is about naija banks � I submitted my application August 28th, Biometrics on September 3rd and they are yet to start my eligibility review � I sent several mails, no response
I applied from the UK and processing was meant to be 53days�

Oh wao! I’m speechless...

Angie32:
Not sure... eligibility review takes two weeks ... I really don’t know what’s going on these days...

This wait is tiring and frustrating. I’ve never waited this long for any visa. Eligibility review started since 5th of November. At time I feel like withdrawing the application sef. Its either they are inefficient or our Naija banks et-al delay in responding to the embassy’s confirmations and enquiries.

jj17cv:
@ty01
Don't worry he go drop both Bvl and passport request together by God grace

Amen bro

Angie32:
@ty01 hi!! No BVL yet?

Not yet oooo; I dey refresh my mail almost every second .
I’m very optimistic it’ll come this week though. Thanks for checking.

goldosa:
GOOD MORNING GREAT MINDS, PLS IN MY APPLICATION FORM I ONLY FILLED THAT I WAS DENIED CANADA VISA WITH THE SPECIFIC DATE AND APPLICATION NO, AND ALSO STATED THE REASONS BUT I DIDNT MENTION US VISA because I NEVER KNEW IT WAS IMPORTANT. PLEASE IS THERE AN PROBLEM WITH THAT, AND IF YES WHAT CAN I DO? because MY APPLICATION IS STILL VERY EARLY. THANK YOU GREAT PEOPLE.

US and Canada share immigration information. I can bet, they are aware you were denied. Your refusal is almost guaranteed if you do not act now. You had better send them additional information and explain that you not including your previous US refusal was an oversight. Please act now before the decision is made.

dotunfelix1:
Pls when can i reapply?

I would not advise that you apply now. You need to address the concerns raised:

1. There are transactions in your account that the ECO could not understand the source. You need to address that.

2. The ECO clearly stated that you’ve not been out of the country in the last 10 years. Please go to Dubai, France and build some travel history first before reapplying.

3. The budget for your trip versus your account balance is not in sync. I presume your budget is almost your entire account balance. You can’t spend almost everything in your bank balance on a trip; that’s a red flag, except you have a sponsor or you have a good travel history.

I have budgeted 1,800 pounds for a 7 days London trip before and got the visa, hence I do not subscribe to the fact that your budget is too high. It’s all a function of that budget versus your income and your account balance.

Once you address those concerns, please return to this forum and revalidate your application before submission. There are a number of amazing people here who will be willing to help you critique your application before you submit.

All the best.

priscyspecial:
Hi everyone,
I got my visa today Glory to God.
I applied and believed God and he answered.

Congrats!

Please don’t be worried. This just means they need to do some further review and confirmations on your application. Your application will take more than the 15 working days initially budgeted for.

rooneycole:
Thank you for your visa/entry clearance application which has been received and is under consideration. We aim to process non settlement applications within 15 working days and settlement applications within 60 working days (unless you have opted for a Priority Visa service).

We are unable to resolve your application within these customer service targets, as the processing of your application has not been straightforward. Please be assured that we will continue to progress your application to enable a decision to be made as soon as possible.

Please do not attend the application centre until you have been contacted by the VAC.

Kind regards
Croydon DMC

Pls gurus is the house, I need more explanation on this email . I'm really worried!!!

I can only speak to France and Germany. Germany took 2 weeks and 3 days to get the visa. I applied for 2 days but was given one year ; I was interviewed.

France took exactly 10 days. I applied for two weeks vacation and I was given 6 months multiple entry visa. No interview required.

You can use the the Nairaland links below for further info:

France: https://www.nairaland.com/1106291/securing-visa-france-applying-nigeria/107

Germany:
https://www.nairaland.com/2851626/general-german-business-tourist-visas/15#83175935

I’ll suggest you perform a thorough internet search as well before applying.

All the best.

Calypso1234:
Am interested in any of Italy, Germany, Spain or France.

Calypso1234:
Good day house,
Please anybody with the Nairaland trend link on how to apply for a Shengen visa?
I submitted a Canada TRV application for my family (myself, wifey & son) on 11th of October & since their timeline is at least 72 days, am thinking of applying for a Shengen visa while waiting for Canada. Pls I need the Trend link so I can read up, I don’t trust all these agents scattered all over Lagos.

Which of the Schengen countries are you interested in so we can advise appropriately. Even if your Canada visa is approved today, you have up to a month grace to submit your passport and most Schengen are approved within a month. Hence I believe you’re good to go if you submit your Schengen application by next week.

jj17cv:
@Ozzz
Am happy for u more to come ooooo


@ty01

Any update

No update yet. I have a feeling it’ll be next week. Thanks for checking.

Congrats bro!

Ozzz:
Hi nairalanders, hope our day aint stressful, so I have another update on my application.

I got 3 ghost mails yesterday. so I went down for passport collection. I have picked them up.
Things to note, @Angie32, it was London that processed the application however it was stamped in Lagos.

*How do I know this, London is boldly written as place of issue.
*Secondly, why I feel it was stamped in Lagos is because, Vfs sent mails saying passport was sent from the VAC to Lag office, and when it was stamped they sent it back to the VAC.
*Then the visa start date is the day your review of eligibility ends and the visa spans till a day to passport expiry.
*submitted passports Nov 6, picked up on the 13th.. which is 8days rightly, or 5 working days cos Saturday and Sunday is weekend and Monday public holiday.
*So in total this online application took 57days.

Hope this helps us all, especially online applications.

My friend who recently got the new 10years validity passport got a 10 year canada visa stamped on his passport. That’s indeed good news!

Based on what I have read here, the chances of getting a Canada visitor visa on a virgin passport with no travel history is extremely slim.

Also student visa isn’t what you wake up and just apply for. It requires some preparation. For example, do you have an admission from a school in Canada? Have you written and passed the relevant prerequisite exams? Do you have enough funds for your tuition and up keep or a sponsor? Please check the student visa page to have a better view of their requirements.

Ken124:
Good day guys, I want to apply for visiting visa in Canada, thou my funds are in money market can that be used as well.

PS: I haven’t travelled out before, I just want to try my luck . Should I apply or just go through student visa

I totally agree with you.

Once you declare that your spouse lives aboard, embassies (including Canada) rarely approve such visit visas except in emergency situations where the spouse just had to travel because of possible extreme situation of the husband/wife abroad. On a good day, they expect such spouse to explore spousal visas which take more time but have a higher success rate.

Ozzz:
@obilec, Now it's clearer, your husband is your Canadaian (strong) tie. So the Visa officer is probably thinking if you join him, you may end up overstaying and violating the visit visa policy. (As no job nor school can stop the bond of a married couple )
So therefore, just as @Nothingdome has rightly proposed, the spousal sponsorship has been designed for this kind of scenario. I think you should ply that route.