What are Your Options if Your Canadian Visa Was Rejected

The Great White North has a wealth of opportunities, making it an ideal country for you and your family. So you've taken the step to apply, but unfortunately, your application was rejected: what are your options?

In this article, we outline the potential reasons for your Canadian visa application being rejected, how you can recover from this and the alternate options available to you.

Why are Canadian Visas being Rejected?

There are several reasons why your application was rejected, depending on the type of immigration program you applied to and the individual's situation. Either way, we have highlighted the main reasons below:

Failure to provide accurate supporting documents

Providing accurate supporting documents aims to validate the information you provided on your application. However, providing inaccurate documentation could suggest that you may have been dishonest or that there's a lack of thoroughness on your part, which could delay processing times. As a result, your application will be returned or rejected.

My Canada Visa Application was Refused Based on my Financial Status

The ability to prove your financial status is of utmost importance as you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to finance your trip and yourself once you arrive in Canada. Your Canadian visa application must show that you have enough funds to pay for your travel expenses to Canada.

Ideally, you must show that you can uphold the costs during our visits, such as accommodation, meals and general living expenses, and sufficient funds to pay for your travel expenses back to your home country when it's time to return. The only way to prove this is through the relevant financial documents showing the applicant can financially support themselves.

Failure to Adhere to international Security Standards

If you're not allowed to enter Canada, you are deemed "inadmissible" to Canada, which plays a vital role in your Canada visa application. According to the official Canadian government site, we breakdown the reasons that make you inadmissible to Canada:

• Attempting to overthrow the government or acts of violence or terrorism.
• The person is violating international human rights such as war crimes or committing a crime, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, being involved in organized crime and smuggling or money laundering.
• They are violating people's physical health by endangering public health and safety or overusing the benefits of social services since some applicants are exempted.
• Failure to show you cannot support yourself and your family members (if any).
• When you are dishonest in the information, you provide and misrepresent yourself or outright provide false information.
• Failure to comply with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) or having a family member who is inadmissible to Canada.

If you're uncertain whether you are inadmissible to Canada or need some guidance on the way forward, contact our knowledgeable Canadian immigration experts today.

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My Canadian Visa was Rejected based on Failure to meet Health Standards

When you cannot enter Canada based on failure to meet health standards, you are deemed medically inadmissible, which is relevant for those who want to live and work in Canada. Let's take a look at three possible reasons for medical inadmissibility:

Danger to public health:

You must submit your immigration medical exam results and possible laboratory test results by any physicians and other specialists you need to see.

You will be assessed on whether or not you have infectious diseases, such as active tuberculosis or active syphilis, the risk of spreading the disease, and how it could affect other people living in Canada.

Danger to public safety:

Your Canada visa application may be rejected if your health condition could pose a risk and endanger the public's safety. The risk of a sudden loss of physical and mental abilities or unpredictable or violent behavior will dampen the factors influencing this decision.

Excessive demand for health or social services:

Your Canadian visa application may be rejected if your health condition could cause excessive demand for Canada’s health or social services, which will depend on your medical results.

Your situation could cause excessive demand if it needs to be treated by social services and could affect service waiting times. Additionally, if your condition requires and exceeds the demand cost of services needed.

My Canadian Visa was Rejected based on the Purpose or Intention of the Application

There are situations where the intention or purpose of the immigrant could be more explicit - perhaps there needed to be more information provided on the application, which should state why the person wants to come to Canada. It is, therefore, essential to be very clear about your intentions or purpose when applying.

One of the best ways to do that is to write a flawless immigration reference letter.

How do I Justify Family Ties for a Canadian Visa?

It is common for your application to be rejected based on weak family ties. If you are visiting and have a relative in Canada, this could work in your favor since you may not want to return to your home country. Should you have no relatives in Canada, the immigration officer would believe you have more reason to return to your home country since no family member would keep you there.

However, the applicant must explain the nature of the family ties and motivate why they have reason to return to their home country. Whether you're applying for temporary residence or a study permit, you must show that you will return to your home country once your visa expires.

My Canada Visa was Rejected based on my Current Employment Status

Applicants must prove that they can sustain themselves financially, and the best way to do so is to prove that they are currently employed at the time of application. Unemployed applicants will be considered high risk and are more likely to break the condition of their visa or overstay their travel. In addition, employed applicants also show that they have reason to return to their home country since they have a job awaiting. The same scenario applies to self-employed persons or students who must return to their home country.

Here’s a breakdown of the settlement funds you would need for Canada PR.

There's a fine line between the reasons mentioned above, which would lead us to the following reason for a visa refusal being rejected based on the lack of employment in the home country.

My Canada Visa Application was Rejected due to Employment Prospects in the Country of Residence

As previously mentioned, applicants must prove that they can financially support themselves. In turn, for the applicant to show that they are employed, they must provide proof of where their funds come from.

However, a high unemployment rate in the country you're currently residing in can affect your visa application. If the immigration officer feels there's a risk of losing your job during your travels to Canada or the applicant won't get a job if they are currently unemployed, then this can be solid grounds for refusal of your application.

My Visa Application was Rejected based on the Length of Stay

If the immigration officer is unclear about the length of your stay, your application may be rejected. You must stipulate on your application the length of your proposed stay - most people state six months since visitors are allowed to stay up to six months in Canada (unless stipulated otherwise by Canada Border Services Agency).

While this length is often taken for granted and seen as the standard period, it is advised only to request the correct length of the proposed stay to ensure your application is accepted. Alternatively, it can be viewed that the applicant will overstay their time.

However, if you are on certain temporary visa programs, you can extend your time in Canada, provided you apply well enough in advance. Here is a breakdown of how to extend your time on a Temporary Residence and a Working Holiday visa.

Failure to Meet the Program Criteria

While this one may seem obvious, many people will apply to an immigration program without double-checking if they meet the eligibility criteria of the program. Therefore, we urge candidates to double-check if they qualify and meet the program requirements before applying. Whether you're an international student or a skilled foreign worker, you must ensure that you are applying to a program suitable for you.

While there's an abundance of Canadian immigration programs and visas to choose from, it's easy to be confused about an appropriate program. Because of this, we advise you to contact our immigration experts, who can advise you on the right program.

Understandably so, depending on the nature of the immigration pathway or circumstances of the individuals, endless factors could lead to the rejection of your visa application. However, we have mentioned the main factors above. But with the proper guidance and support, you have alternative options or immigration pathways you can explore. Or you may be eligible to appeal the refusal or reapply.

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How to avoid your Canada Visa Application being Rejected

You may be eligible to appeal the refusal or reapply for your visa application. But for now, let's take a closer look at how to avoid your visa application being rejected. The steps are as follows:

• Step 1: Ensure that you are Eligible before Applying
• Step 2: Avoid Canadian Visa Refusals through your Rejection Letter
• Step 3: Appeal your Application or Reapply
• Step 4: Get Professional Assistance from our RCICs

Step 1: Ensure that you are Eligible before Applying

Candidates must ensure they can meet the program requirements before applying. Failure to do so may result in a delay in processing your application and, eventually, rejection. You want to avoid this with the proper support and guidance. Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) are knowledgeable and up to date with the current trends, regulations and changes, so feel free to lean for support.

Step 2: Avoid Canadian Visa Refusals through your Rejection Letter

Applicants will receive a rejection letter which will also reveal the reasons and information about what caused the rejection in the first place. Pay close attention to the clues in the letter and make a mental note of any information you can execute in your next application that will avoid rejection. You can also request access to the notes made by your immigration officer while evaluating your application.

However, a different immigration officer may have a different view when evaluating your next application. The idea is to correct the initial mistakes on your application. If there's any new information, include an explanation of why the new information was not provided on the previous application.

Either way, our RCICs can assist with evaluating your application and advise on how to improve to increase your chances of success.

Step 3: Appeal your Application or Reapply

Suppose you want to live and work in Canada and apply for a temporary resident visa. In that case, applicants must undergo no formal appeal process if their visa application is rejected. However, the applicant can reapply if they can identify their mistakes based on the previous application or if their situation has changed with new information, avoiding rejection of their application.

Different visas may have different appealing options, but we advise you to ask our RCICs how long you have to file your appeal and which appealing option will be best. Alternatively, you can file a new application, and the process may vary, depending on the type of visa program. Before reapplying, try to understand why your application was rejected in the first place so you avoid consecutive rejections.

Step 4: Get Professional Assistance from our RCICs

Professional assistance, such as an RCIC or an immigration lawyer, can make the process clearer and simpler. This way, you will know what critical information your application lacks, and it will help you get the right documents in place that validates the information you provided. Furthermore, an immigration lawyer has a good understanding of the laws around Canadian immigration and can guide you in the right direction as a way forward.

Other Immigration Programs

Below we highlight some of the most popular immigration pathways you can apply to once your visa is approved. The pathways below highly accommodate various circumstances and situations. These are as follows:

Express Entry System

With highly versatile immigration programs under the Express Entry system, you can explore the following programs:

• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program

The system is points-driven, and candidates who accumulate the right Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) will receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA).

Find out more about creating an Express Entry profile here.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The PNP is province-driven and employee-driven since it allows employees to select talent from abroad to fill an occupation. If you want to live and work in Canada through this program, you should select a province that falls short of the skills you have to offer so you can fill the labour shortage in the province/region.

You may or may not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from your employee. Explore this useful guide about LMIA-exempt work permits here.

You can live and work in Canada regardless of your application being rejected since there are always alternate options and measures you can take to prevent the consecutive rejection of visa applications. To ease your plight, contact our immigration experts today.

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FAQs

Can we Reapply for a Canada Visa?

Yes. You can only reapply if you have new information that will increase your chances of a successful application. However, you cannot reapply with the same information as your previous application.

Can a Rejected Visa be Approved?

Yes. Your visa will be reconsidered if you can prove through evidence or the right supporting documents that you are eligible, depending on what you got rejected for initially. However, we advise you to read your rejection letter carefully, which will reveal the clues of why you got rejected in the first place so you can avoid it.

Is a Canada Visa Difficult to get?

The first step is to ensure that you are eligible and to provide the necessary supporting documents. Secondly, you want to ensure that you have all evidence that validates the information you provided on your application. Once you receive an acceptance letter, the worst is over. However, we advise that you consult with an immigration expert to maximize your chances of having a successful application.