Study Permits are refused often when individuals apply on their own, as a strong case was not made to convince the visa officer to approve the visa.
Why was I refused a Student Visa to Canada?
Citizens from visa-required countries must ensure a strong application is prepared in order to convince the visa officer they are a good candidate for a Student Visa. Visa-required countries have been flagged by Canadian Immigration, and citizens from these countries must go through a much more rigorous screening process than citizens from visa-exempt counties. Every Student, Worker, or Visitor from a visa-required country requires a TRV visa in their passport (travel authorization) before they are allowed to board a plane and travel to Canada. When a candidate applies for a Student Visa, they will be automatically issued a TRV visa as well.
The Student Visa application process is a lengthy one. The application requires detailed personal and family information. In addition, many documents must be provided to strengthen and support the application. Unlike US visas that have an interview, Canada’s screening process is only done by a paper application with no interview. It is extremely important to prepare a strong application as the visa officer will make a decision solely based on the information provided in the application; they will not request any additional information.
Many individuals do not understand the process and there is a high rate of refusal when an individual applies on their own. After receiving a refusal, the individual has been flagged and any subsequent application must be as strong as possible in order to have any chance of approval.
Reasons for Refusal:
- Study Plan: Without a detailed and logical study plan, the officer will not be convinced the main purpose of coming to Canada is to study. There must be a logical progression of studying if a person already has previous post-graduate education or work experience. The choice of program in Canada must make sense for the student, or a proper explanation must be given how their diploma in Canada will help them when they return to their home country. This is the most common reason for refusal.
- Proof of Finances: Tuition in Canada starts at $15,000 CAD per year. The Canadian government wants to ensure a student has the financial support to pay for their tuition and living expenses. A bank statement with a minimum of $30,000 CAD equivalent needs to be provided as evidence.
- Lack of Travel History: If a person has not traveled anywhere outside of their home country before, they will be refused a visa if they apply on their own. Our firm can overcome this reason by making legal arguments and referencing a Federal Court Case in the application.
- Strong Family Ties to Canada: surprisingly, having family members in Canada can be a reason for refusal, and individuals applying on their own can be refused. Our firm can overcome this reason by making legal arguments and referencing a Federal Court Case in the application.
- Lack of evidentiary documents
- Illegal Status in Country of Residence
- Lack of Employment Prospects in Home Country: if student is older
- Current Employment Situation: if student is older
- Personal Assets
- Documents that do no appear authentic
- History of overstaying status on a previous visit to Canada
- Other Reasons
Other Reasons for Refusal that apply to all visitors to Canada
- Criminality (having previously been charged with a crime)
- Misrepresentation (having misrepresented information to Canada immigration previously and received a ban)
- Previous Deportation: for overstaying visit illegally
- Medical Inadmissibility: have a contagious disease that is a threat to Canadians
- Human Rights Violations: previously served in the military for a country that has been deemed to have participated in war crimes. Additional documents must be provided to overcome this inadmissibility.