5 reasons for Canadian study permit high rejection rates...

Hello again and welcome back to my blog.

Today, I write out of deep concern with regards to the growing rates of visa refusal for study permits to Canada.

As at May this year, nearly four out of ten applicants (39%) who applied for Canadian study permits were rejected and this is on the increase.  It is now almost seven out of ten applicants! This compares to an overall rejection rate of roughly 28% in 2014. Recent data released (as sourced from ICEF Monitor & IRCC) shows that from 2014 through 2018, the total foreign enrolment in Canada grew by over 73%, making the country the world’s fastest-growing study destination over those five years.

Due to this massive influx of students to Canada, it is understandable that the Canadian High Commission do not believe that ‘all’ students are genuinely going to study but using study as an escape route for relocation - particularly African Students. Hence, most times visa refusal letters carry the following lines:

Dear Abu Benjamin Cardos,

Thank you for your interest in studying in Canada.

After careful review of your study permit application and supporting documentation, I have determined that your application does not meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). I am refusing your application on the following grounds:

·         I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay, as stipulated in subsection 216(1) of the IRPR, based on your family ties in Canada and in your country of residence.

·         I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay, as stipulated in subsection 216(1) of the IRPR, based on the purpose of your visit.

·         I am not satisfied that you have sufficient and available financial resources, without working in Canada, to pay the tuition fees for the course or program of studies that you intend to pursue.

You are welcome to reapply if you feel that you can respond to these concerns and can demonstrate that your situation meets the requirements.

All new applications must be accompanied by a new processing fee.

Sincerely,

High Commission of Canada

This letter explaining why your visa has been refused or rejected doesn’t always provide all the information explaining why it was denied. However, based on our experience with visa applications, there are 5 major reasons why an application for a visa may be rejected as well as some ways to reduce the chances of a rejection:

1.        Insufficient proof of finances and inconsistent income...

It is important to show enough – most times over and beyond the full tuition as well as living expenses for the whole academic year. It is also important to have made a great deposit payment for your tuition or have paid tuition fees in FULL to strengthen the visa application. If the student has siblings, (in order words, the Parents have other dependents) bank statement should show that there would still be enough for others back at home. If it is a Salary account, consistent inflow is advised as large inputs of funds might look suspicious hence steady savings is recommended. Although fixed deposits, pensions or company accounts are fine and can serve as additional financial documents, liquid cash in terms of savings or current accounts are preferable.

2.      Failure to provide sufficient and accurate supporting documentation...

The checklist of documents required for the application are usually highlighted online. However, some documents not stated such as bank letters, visa pages, personal statements especially if there has been gap years or a change of field of study for mature students, affidavit of support letters etc. should be included to strengthen the visa application.

3.      Failure to acknowledge a previous visa refusal to any country at all – particularly within the last ten years...

If you had once being refused a visa to any country particularly within the last ten years, it would do a lot of good to acknowledge it in the section required in the visa application form. Failure to do so could lead to a visa refusal.

4.      No Travel History or a history of overstaying...

Much as it is not wrong not to have traveled before, it is important to show that you can be trusted to enter another country (even if it is Ghana) and return to your country. Although it would be preferable to have traveled extensively to other European countries or the USA. However, those who have traveled before sometimes do not show these documents in form of their stamped visa pages which could lead to a visa refusal.

5.      Failure to show ties to home country...

Most times, the refusal letter states…

‘I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay, as stipulated in subsection 216(1) of the IRPR based on your family ties in Canada and in your country of residence’…

This is most often a generic statement that comes with almost every visa refusal. Even if there are no family ties in Canada, you must be able to prove that you have ties in Nigeria being your home country and there is a reason for desiring to return (even though you might not want to). Documents to prove this could be Parents Assets/Property documents, Company documents from CAC where children are directors (or not directors), course of study in Canada must have potentials for employment in Nigeria or any other letter/document with plans to do something back home in Nigeria would be required.

These 5 reasons are by no means exhaustive but are the most common reasons for refusals. 

However, should you require help or know someone who requires help with the Canadian visa application or re-application which includes general application advise, documentation packaging, online application completion and guidance, letters drafting, Affidavit of Support templates, Family applications etc., Please feel free to contact us via WhatsApp or direct calls on +44 (0)7496854781. 

Till I come your way again with my next blog…Keep reading, comment and please share!

Yejide Akiode