Applying for a Canadian Visitor Visa? Considerations and Tips for Avoiding Refusals

There are a variety of reasons that you may be looking to visit Canada – visiting family, coming for a workplace conference, attending a specific event, or exploring one of Canada’s provinces or territories. No matter your reason, we know that applying for a visitor visa can be a source of stress for those who looking to ensure that they can be reunited with their loved ones or attend an important event. 

If you’re looking to apply for a visitor visa to visit Canada, here are a few suggestions to consider, including tips to limit your chances of refusal:        

(i) Tailor your Application to the Purpose of Your Trip

When putting together your visitor visa application, there is not a one-size-fits-all template for success. In your application, you want to be clear about the reason for your visit and length of the trip. You also want to ensure that you provide documentation that specifically supports the purpose of your visit.

Depending on the country that you are applying from and the visa office that is processing your application, there may be different requirements for your application. Different supporting documents may need to be provided depending on whether you are visiting family, coming for a work trip, or just coming for tourism. The length of your stay and cost of flights from your home country may also be important to understand the amount of funds need to be demonstrably available to show that your trip is financially viable.

(ii) Demonstrate your Ties to Your Home Country           

In any temporary resident visa application—be it a work, study, or visitor visa—an Immigration Officer will be assessing whether the purpose of your visit is truly temporary. In making this assessment, the Officer will assess what your connections are to your home country, considering things like family, education, work, and/or financial establishment. An inability to show these ties to one’s home country is a common reason for refusal. Showing your establishment in your home country demonstrates that you are likely to return at the end of your intended stay.

(iii) Address Your Previous Travel History and/or Visa Applications

You may, or may not, have previous travel history outside of your home country. If you do, you may be able to leverage this in support of your application. Demonstrating that you have previously travelled and abided by the conditions of your stay, either to Canada or any other country, can help an Officer come to the determination that you will likely return home, as you have in the past.

On the other hand, if you have previously travelled and not followed immigration guidelines and/or have visitor visa refusals, you will likely need to address these issues in your application. Providing explanations about past non-compliance/refusals and how your circumstances are, or will be, different with your new application may be key to your application’s success.

(iv) Read Carefully and Avoid Misrepresentation

Misrepresentation—providing false information or failing to disclose information in your application—is a common reason for refusal and can often have costly consequences. Individuals found to have misrepresented (and their family members by association) risk facing restrictions on being able to enter Canada for up to five years.

Of course, it is important to be truthful in your application. Many people lead with this intention but answer a question inaccurately by accident. Even these minor errors can result in a finding of misrepresentation. To avoid this, it is imperative to read all forms and all information submitted in support of your application carefully. This is especially true if you are signing forms/documents that have been translated to you. It is hard for an Officer to determine if a mistake was truly made or if wrong information was intentionally given, so it is best to give your application the time and care it needs.

Are you in the process of submitting your visitor visa application now, or do you have already received a refusal from a past application? Should you require any support, our team of experienced immigration professionals is here to help. We understand that individuals and families make the trip to Canada for many reasons that are important to them. Our team has extensive experience in preparing visitor visa applications as well as exploring options for navigating refusals. Contact us today for assistance.