Student Visa Rejected?
Why and How to Overcome Them?
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Year of Publication: 2020
This document is NOT an official guide, this is just for reference ONLY. We do not take responsibility of using this file. For official guideline, please visit:
ভিসা পাওয়াটা অনেক সময়ই ভাগ্যের ব্যাপার। যার সহজে ভিসা পাওয়ার কথা সে ভিসা নাও পেতে পারে, আবার যার পাওয়ার কথা না, সে পেয়ে যেতে পারে। চোখ আর কান খোলা রাখুন, দেখুন কারা ভিসা পাচ্ছে, কারা পাচ্ছে না। গুগল করতে শিখুন, রিভিউ গুলি পুড়ুন এবং তার পরে নিজেই সিধান্ত নিন।
This document is written for any prospective students who got one or multiple rejections or students who be applying for visa soon. This will help you analyze your current situation and decide whether or not to reapply and if you re-apply, what preventive measures that you need to take.
GCMS/CAIPS NOTES
First of all if you get a rejection, you should apply for GCMS Notes under the Information Act. It gives details of your study permit rejection cause and what the visa officer has written about your previous cases.
Someone from Canada (any status) needs to apply for this on behalf of you. It requires 5 CAD$.
How to make a request under the Access to Information Act?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_E_dq_uLVo
Some more links:
1. How to apply GCMS notes step by step: https://youtu.be/_ucOMFbc5QU
2. Imm 5744 GCMS Notes Content Form IRCC full information: https://youtu.be/lpTMM4xdz18
Who can apply for GCMS on my behalf?
Answer: If you give consent, anyone (with any status) currently residing in Canada (have an address) can apply for GCMS notes on your behalf. Remember, it just costs 5$.
Read more details here:
https://atip-aiprp.apps.gc.ca/atip/requesterInformation
If you do not have anyone in Canada, you can use online services (Google-GCMS Notes Canada). However, we can not guarantee that your personal information will not be misused if you shared with someone without knowing them. The best advice is to find a friend or a relative in Canada and apply through them.
This is the standard rejection letter that everyone gets. There are several boxes. This is the letter that students get with their refusal letters. Now a description format is used but the reasons are same:
A poorly prepared application, either by you or someone else may lead to rejection. Yes, some students still got the visa but they are the lucky ones. Exception can not be example. If your application falls under any of the points mentioned below, you will get a rejection unless you are very very lucky. You need to make sure you do not make these mistakes.
Visa Application: 10 Common Mistakes
১। Biased Information = Profile Mismatch:
You applied to a program which does match your previous education and/or job experience or future career aspirations.
This happens when you look for programs that are very flexible (non-competitive programs) or you consulted someone who only tells you to apply to certain programs. This kind of biased information by passes your true potential to apply a program that is beneficial to you.
What is Profile Mismatch?
Your previous profile (education and employment) does not match with your future studies.
Even if you are applying to a new subject, you have not clearly described why is that subject important for your future career. Many students choose a program where it is possible to get an offer letter whatever is the profile. You need to remember, easier the admission (no need to have any profile), harder the visa.
You have no clear study plan or one that makes sense. A study plan will convince the Visa Officer of your sincerity (you really want to study this subject - you are not using to just enter Canada), the authenticity of your future plans (Does the degree make sense for your future?) and that you are not just bluffing (common sentences used by many people, copy-paste, mostly fake lines).
You emphasize too much that you intend to work part-time in Canada while “studying.” Remember, the application is for a STUDENT VISA not for a WORK PERMIT. The mentality of the Visa Officer is this: are you a student or a job searcher? If you want to study, prove that you will just study.
Here are some tips:
1) Select a program that matches your previous education and/or job experience or future career aspirations.
Read more: http://www.pbscu.ca/selection.html
2) Apply by yourself. Select and apply programs based on your qualifications.
3) Write a strong Study Plan: A well-written and individualized study plan can help you convince a visa officer.
How to Write a Study Plan (SP) for Visa?
Read more: http://www.pbscu.ca/study-permit.html
২। Language Proficiency/ESL:
Applying to a program with a very low IELTS requirement which does not match previous background or experience. Sometimes, applying to ESL programs. The visa rate of ESL from Bangladesh is very very low.
IRCC highly recommends language testing result to be submitted, However, language testing submission is NOT mandatory for the visa. They prefers IELTS but also accepts TOEFL and PTE academic.
IRCC designated language-testing organizations:
Yes, many people went for ESL, but many got rejections too. Many got visa showing Medium of Instruction Certificate. Many students still got a rejection with “language abilities”. If your study plan is weak, full of grammatical mistakes, copied from someone else, it does not show a strong proficiency in English, you may get a rejection based on language proficiency. However, we have never seen (and its not a requirement) that a person got rejection solely because of IELTS/TOEFL score. But it can help you to secure a visa.
Here are some tips:
1) Avoid ESL and non-designated tests, if you can.
2) Write IELTS/TOFEL/PTE Academic. A 6.0 score in every band will make your visa process smoother.
৩। Information Hiding and Misinterpretation:
If you hide any information or misrepresent, you will either get a rejection (if lucky) or a 5 year ban. The excuse that someone else told you to hide or fake information or you "forgot" will not help your case.
Hiding Information:
Some students hide that they have a degree like an MBA. Rather, they fake job certificate to cover up the gap. IRCC check background check thoroughly including social media profiling. Therefore, hiding information is very dangerous and it is treated as criminal activity to "misrepresent" the visa officer.
Some students hide previous visa rejections. But countries from the 5 eye list share all information.
More about Misrepresentation:
Read more about 5 eyes here: https://en.wikipedia.or/wiki/List_of_people_under_Five_Eyes_surveillance
Here are some tips:
1) Honestly is the best policy. Tell the truth with a good explanation.
Don’t forget: Immigration authorities have a computer that tells all.
2) Explain your degrees and aspirations in your Study Plan.
3) NEVER hide any visa rejections.
Document Fraud: What are the things can lead to 5 Year Ban? = Misrepresentation
Over the years, we have seen students fake these documents and got rejections and/or 5-year ban for Canada.
Fake Offer Letter
Fake Tuition Fee Payment receipts
Fake Employment Letter from Fake Employer: Provides an experience certificate by managing a company
Fake Bank Statements
Fake Degree Certificates
Matching Fund: Show funds from someone with similar (matching) name using bank officers
Loan against FDR: Loan and open multiple FDRs in multiple banks against one FDR
"So-Called" Education Loan: Manage a loan from a person or a bank, transfer the money to sponsor's account, keep it for 3-6 months with 10% interest.
Fake IELTS Result Cards: IRCC now check each and every IELTS results online.
Fake Tax Papers
Fake Land Sale Papers: Fake other peoples land sale papers and show the money as their sponsor's.
Here are some tips:
1) Never fake any documents. Remember, immigration fraud if caught and proved, Canada can even take away your Canadian citizenship. Therefore, these has lifetime implications. Read Here:
2) Show only genuine money. In need, add multiple sponsors. If your money has no proper source = it has no value to the visa officer.
3) Do not take a risk. A 5-Year ban can last a bad impression forever.
4) As some people are doing fraud with land sale papers, if your money is genuinely coming from land sales, make sure you add as many proofs as possible (like original land ownership, contact info of witnesses, letter from the bank confirming money deposited from a land sale etc.).
a. Original land dead
b. Land development fees receipt
b. Tax paid receipt
c. Mutations paper
A. Sell land dead
B. Land sell Money receipt from sub register office
C. Gain Tax paper
৪। Money or Sponsorship:
Canada wants students who are willing to study and pay for their expenses so that the students do not become a burden to Canadian Society. No-available-cash means your intention is not to study but to work in Canada… or worse, apply on a refugee status.
These reasons can lead to visa rejection if you are self-funded:
You have not shown sufficient amount of money.
You have borrowed money and the pattern clearly shows that money will be gone from the account once you get the visa (like deposited 2 weeks ago from unknown sources).
Your money is not legitimate - you did not mention the source of the money and whether money is tax-paid.
You showed “Matching Fund” or fake bank statements ---- This will actually lead to 5 Year Ban.
Some students manage some companies to sponsor them with the contract that they will give them some money if that works out. But students forget students barely returns from Canada as its an immigrant friendly country. Therefore, a company sponsoring you to do a low-quality degree in Canada and expects you to come back to work for them = Not a good idea. VO understands what is happening here.
Here are some tips:
Only money does not give you the student visa. Some students got rejected showing 1 Koti Taka, some got the visa showing 15 Lakhs (self-fund). The key difference is the legitimacy of the money. For non-SDS students, legitimacy of the money is very important.
Read some of our guidelines on how to show money:
How to Show Funding for Student Visa?
How to Show Tax Papers for Student Visa?
http://www.pbscu.ca/study-permit.html
৫। Study Gap/Immigration Intent:
Many students have misconception about study gaps. Sometimes rather explaining them in the application, they either fake documents or provide false information which leads to a visa rejection or a 5-year ban.
Here are some tips:
1) Be honest and explain your gaps. Here is a good guideline on this:
How to Overcome Study Gap Issues?
2) It’s not difficult to overcome Study Gap issues. Many students got the visa with huge study gaps. Do not listen to anyone with rumours like, you have gap, you will not get the admission or visa or you have gaps, so you need to apply to a university with high tuition fees. This are all false.
3) If you applied for immigration, honestly explain in your cover letter that you do have dual intent, however, your main aim is to get an education in Canada so that you can enter the Canadian job market comfortably.
৬। Fresh Application vs Credit Transfer:
Some students who are studying in the 2nd/3rd year apply as a fresh candidate, rather as a credit transfer student. In most cases, these lead to a rejection. Some students even hide they are currently studying somewhere. During background checks these information are found and this leads to a rejection or a 5-year ban. Some students also apply to Foundation Courses although they have been studying in 2nd/3rd year in Bangladesh. This sometimes also leads to rejection.
Here are some tips:
1) If you are studying in your first year, you can try to apply as a fresh candidate but with a well-written study plan. If you are in your 2nd/3rd year, you should try to transfer your credit. Whatever credits you get, you visa process will be smoother.
Here is a guideline on how to transfer your credit:
Undergraduate Credit Transfer Process
http://www.pbscu.ca/under-graduate.html
2) How to Overcome Study Gap Issues
৭। Country Ties or Family Ties in Canada and Your Country of Residence:
Family ties are also known as Country ties. This is one of the most common reasons for rejection.
Some scenarios where this had been an issue:
Someone applied to an institute for a course for which you do not need to come to Canada. Her husband is a student at the same city (case -1). His sister and whole family is living in that city (case-2). You can easily guess what’s the issue here - this person will never go back.
Someone’s parents and all brother and sisters live outside of Bangladesh. Sponsor is also from the USA. Do you have any reasons to go back to Bangladesh?
Showing spouse a country tie: While it is very easy to get OWP for spouses nowadays, some of you applied alone to show country tie and some of you got the visa tricking visa officer that you are leaving your spouse (even children) back home to study in Canada so you definitely will go back home. Right after getting the VISA, your spouse applied and got OWP. Recent OWP applicants are seeing all rejections or getting the visa after 6 -12 months, some even after 2 years. Visa Officer understood what you are trying to do. Some of you had genuine causes like had limited money or personal issues. But how would you explain that you got money for your spouse right after getting your visa? Some even showed the same money - mistake! For some, many are suffering, including genuine students and their spouses. In 2020, we have also seen some students who have applied alone with a very good profile also got study permit rejection for typical reasons. It seems VO is taking this very negatively.
Here are some tips:
(1) If you have your spouse living in the same city or if you have blood relatives (parents, siblings) in Canada, first of all do NOT hide this information. It is very easy to connect you with your blood relatives because when they become residents they did submit all their siblings information. ou may get visa hiding such information, but with the advancement of security screenings, it not tough to find out your siblings information. Even if you you pass that and come to Canada, you can never use that siblings information, because they will catch it. And any misrepresentation may lead your deportation. NEVER Lie or Hide information.
(2) The most fruitful way to solve this issue is to write a strong “Study Plan”. Tell clearly when and why you will be back to Bangladesh.
(3) Try to show a sponsor who is in Bangladesh with money + property. This will significantly increase your country tie. Because this means someone in Bangladesh is willing to invest on you. You can show one sponsor (secondary) from the USA/Canada and one (primary) from Bangladesh.
(4) Make a property evaluation for any properties that you have or your sponsor have.
You can read how to do that from here:
Asset Evaluation:
http://www.pbscu.ca/study-permit.html
(5) In your study plan, make sure you add some voluntary works that you did in Bangladesh to showcase that you care for Bangladesh.
(6) If you have a public job and you take a leave from it for higher studies, that’s a very strong country tie. If you can manage a letter from your boss to showcase your skills and why your company will be delighted to have you back in Bangladesh in the future.
(7) You can show that you have invested in business, or any other funds. For this you need to come to Bangladesh.
(8) Always apply with your spouse and kids, unless there is genuine reason. Explain that reason in your cover letter with 2-3 lines.
It only takes 4000$/person to apply for your family members and Visa Officers respects honesty.
Here is our guideline on how to apply with family:
৮। Immigration Status in Country of Residence:
Now, this is a tricky one, very few got this one tick-marked. Let us explain this with an example: you are a Bangladeshi citizen, but currently in Malaysia. Your country of residence is Malaysia. Now, you have applied from Malaysia through online or through VFS, if your status in that country is shady (means you went with a visa but misused it for some reason) or you failed at several courses and that country’s university is now kicking you out and you want to come to Canada, you will probably see a rejection. Similar examples have been seen from the UK, the USA, Turkey, Korea etc. If your status is solid, apply locally, there will be no problem.
Here are some tips:
1) If you are in a similar situation, go back to Bangladesh and apply fresh. Be honest.
2) A strong study plan can overcome anything!
৯। Criminality or being tagged as a potential threat to security:
You have a questionable record in Bangladesh. Some files go for secondary clearance to check everything about you, including your social media profile. "Social media profiling" is very common-a-days. Security agency officers and visa officers roam around different FB groups/You Tube/Twitter to gather information about current trends and techniques. Like for example, many students faked documents and somehow entered Canada back in 2018. When some fraudsters started to post YouTube videos on how to fake documents, they are now more strict and somehow found out how students are faking. So, social media (FB, Twitter, YouTube, Blog etc) is a good source of information for them. If you are a genuine and honest student, do not worry about this. Let them do their work.
Here are some tips:
1) Ask yourself - you know what to do!
2) If you want to study in Canada and preparing documents for that, try to avoid promoting that you are also an immigrant seeker. Like you post in some immigration groups about immigration issues at the same time posting in student groups about the student visa. Be careful about social media profiling.
3) Do not use multiple FB social media profiles. When security agencies see that a person has multiple fake profiles, it can generate suspicion about the person's motive and in some cases the secondary clearance will take a significant amount of time to complete due to the presence of multiple fake profiles. How do they know if you have fake profiles? You can google about that.
১০। Travel History:
This is one of the most common reasons of visa refusal. However, we have never seen anyone getting rejected just for travel history. They add this with multiple other reasons. There are significant number of cases where we have seen students getting visa who have never travelled outside of Bangladesh.
Travel History matters little unless:
(1) You have travelled to a country where you can stay to become an immigrant, marry a person to stay in that country, or claim refugee. If you came back from such countries, that’s a significant travel history. Examples of such country are the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, etc.
(b) You have travelled to Bhutan, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, etc. This basically has no value.
Here are some tips:
1) Try to visit the USA or the UK, if you have the chance. Visiting India may not help your cause.