Dear Editor,
I recently applied online for a Canadian tourist visa and received my rejection letter over a week later via email. This refusal letter should have quietly halted all daydreams of seeing Niagara Falls (from the Canadian side), the famous CN tower and other tourist attractions in Toronto this August on a side trip (one week), while in New York, had I not read the reasons for my refusal which left me thinking that the visa process is more like a lottery game rather than a thorough examination of documents and fair decision-making.
To begin with I submitted a bundle of documents which included pictures of all visas and immigration stamps in my present and previous passports, bank statements, hostel reservation, an itinerary and even pictures of my plane tickets to and from the USA (my main destination) for which I possess a tourist visa with a 10 year validity. I travelled a few times to New York during my vacations and never overstayed, nor have I ever overstayed in a country to which I was granted entry. I previously travelled to Western Europe. I possess a Schengen visa with a 3 year validity period. In addition, I have visited other countries nearby so the world of leisure travel is not new to me.
Under the broad heading, “You have not satisfied me that you would leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident” several reasons were cited, two of which seem to have been pulled out of a magician’s hat since I cannot fathom how these are applicable to me. I have a middle class public servant’s job which I have toiled away at for over nine years, yet two of the reasons for refusal were “Current employment situation” and “Employment prospects in country of residence”. How should I interpret this information?
Another reason proffered for refusal was “Family ties in Canada and in country of residence”. In this globalized age people are more aware of the world thanks to the internet. Many persons including Guyanese travel to experience different cultures and to visit various tourist attractions which they may have read about or seen on the television and internet. Why should I want to visit a country only if I have relatives there? I have visited many countries where I do not have relatives or friends yet have indulged in the local food, culture and scenery, and enjoyed the tourist attractions. In my own country I have immediate family members with whom I live; don’t they count as ties? Due to the fact that persons who apply for Canadian visas are not given an interview with an immigration officer these generalized, vague reasons for refusal are wide open to a host of different interpretations.
Lastly, I was informed that what I can only assume was my lack of “Sufficient Personal assets and financial status” painted me unfavourably in the eyes of the immigration officer. I presented more than the required funds for my planned five days in Toronto from New York by overland transport. My itinerary included three tourist items offered on Viator, a hop-on hop-off tour; Toronto city pass; and a half-day tour to Niagara Falls, all of which amounted to less than US$200 plus my hostel stay for the week ($150). As a young university educated person in Guyana which is considered a third world country, I am sure the immigration officers are aware of the fact that my salary is a pittance when compared to people in wealthy countries. However, I am law abiding and save my little disposable money to indulge in my greatest love, which is travel. Due to the proliferation of cheap accommodation in the form of hostels and guesthouses, budget airlines and in-depth planning and research online, I am able to treat myself to a ‘backpackers’ vacation once a year. Travel is not only for the rich; each year thousands of students and backpackers with very little money from Europe, Canada and the USA descend on the globe to explore.
For me to accumulate noticeable wealth in my present job even though I have a university degree, I would need to participate in illicit activities, which would most likely land me on the cover of the daily newspapers if my story and/or I were deemed sensational enough.
Editor, while I fully appreciate the fact the foreign embassies are under no obligation to grant visas, can deny or accept whomever applies without having to justify their decisions, and that being granted a visa is a privilege, I feel that the reasons given for my refusal are too vague and ambiguous. I am left wondering how I can better my chances if I choose to apply a second time. Since an appeal is not possible unless I am willing fork out thousands of dollars ‒ not Guyanese dollars by the way ‒ to hire a lawyer and take my matter before a federal court then what is left is speculation. Also, getting access to my case file which is a simple and inexpensive procedure requires me to be present in Canada or give consent to someone in Canada to act on my behalf and therefore be privy to my personal and possibly embarrassing details of my file and rejection.
I feel that when a visa application is rejected the reason(s) offered should at least be sound, specific or even relatable to the particular applicant, so as to guide the person on what changes need to occur or what can be done differently in the future to boost the chances of securing a visa, especially when face-to-face interviews are not conducted.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
