HOW TO GET VISA APPROVAL AT FIRST ATTEMPT.

On September 18, 2024 the Government of Canada announced some changes to strengthened its Temporary Residence Programs including International Students Study Permit. The aim is to protect the citizens and immigrants most especially tp ensure only genuine and financially capable applicants are allowed into the country and also protect facilities, infrastructures and the likes.

Therefore, a decrease in numbers of temporary residents to be allowed to 5% of Canada's total population as against 6.5% starting from 2025 till 2027 when it could be reviewed again. Then, to reduce Student visa by 30,000 from about 475,000 in 2024 to about 425,000 or so in 2025.

The reality is that, for now not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to, just like not everyone who wants to stay in Canada will be able to, but hope is not as some of the new policies might not stand the test time or how would one justify that a graduate of two years program taught in English from a Canadian university to still write a test of english to qualify for Post Graduate Work Permit. Even at that, the opportunities are still there and enough to go round, but every study permit applicant must come well prepared to convincingly justify his/her investment in studying in Canada, should proof financial capability with little or no dependency on Government of Canada and strong home ties that would facilitate the applicant's return to home country at completion of study or visit .

In that wise, this is not a period for visa applicants to take chances or over look any document as one need to prove his/her financial capability and intention to return beyond doubt and stay above other applicants vying for same limited visa category permit. So, a well-written statement of purpose, evidences of financial status to fund the trip/study, home ties with relevant supporting documents are vital in addressing such reasons. A review of the following questions could help you determine how to address the issues related to you and write a good statement of purpose.

Why is canada your prefered country to study? What are the job prospects for you in Nigeria after completing your intended course of study? Is the program/course worth the cost you're about to invest or of what benefit is it going to be to you?. Give detailed and submit sufficient employment documents like an employment letter, pay slips or salary account statements showing your monthly salary, Work ID, Letter of Introduction from your employer, Letter of Acceptance of study leave granted to you, CAC registration if self employed, business statement of account, tax payment evidence, audited report and other documents that can show viability of the business.

There are other reasons why a Visa Officer might have an issue with your intention to genuinely pursue studies in Canada. One of such reason is redundancy concerning previous education (study gap). So, give good reason for your study gap and what you were able to do during the period, like skill(s) acquired, seminars or trainings attended etc .

Funding is another major consideration, you must show evidence of sufficient fund available to you to cover your tuition, living expenses, transportation. Sufficient funds depend on the type of sponsorship and ability to demonstrate reliable sources of income. For example, you must show funds for the tuition fees and living expenses for the entire duration of your program if you have no sponsor (self sponsored), OR show funds for one year and a reliable source(s) that can generate funds in your absence for the subsequent year (reasonably explain how you're going to fund the subsequent year).

On the other hand, if you are using a sponsor, you can show just the cost of education for one year, regardless of the duration of your studies. It is noteworthy that showing just the minimum required fund is not recommended as it is unconvincing for the sponsor to spend all the funds on your education.

Meanwhile, if the Visa Officer believe that the fund on account might not be available or accesdible to you for your studies, your application might be refused under IRPR 220(a) and (b), which are insufficient funds for tuition and living expenses, respectively. A VO can refuse an application for insufficient funds, even if the balance is enough to cover the cost of education if;

1. there are lump sums on your account with no reasonable explanation with documents to back up the source(s) of such funds.

2. Inability to demonstrate with documents the relationship between your sponsor and you, and if the sponsor is a third party, the incentive for the sponsorship (i.e what the third party stand to benefit from sponsoring you).

3. The bank account submitted was opened recently

4. If it is a corporate account with poor cash flow and/or failure to show the sponsor is the business's sole owner and has access to the account as sole signatory.

5. Source of income/deposit, especially recent lump sums on account is not convincing..

Having mentioned all that, meeting the financial requirement without supporting documents as per the source/s of the funds could paint a different picture (intention not to return or inaccessibility to the fund). Furthermore, if your submission does not show strong ties in Nigeria, you might be denied. Note that financial buoyancy is a strong home tie, so document your landed assets, if any, and prepare an excellent financial table of your assets supported by a valuation report.

Valuation report is a document prepared by a firm of registered/certified estate surveyors and valuers and it shows the amount of wealth you own in landed property(ties) in your homeland which will make a strong pull factor for your return to your homeland once the purpose of your visit/study is over. That may show your economic status in your home country and eliminate doubt of your return and one point of visa rejection.

Also, it could serve as a support document to your proof of fund which are usually liquid assets such as bank deposit etc. It will make lots of senses if you have good financial status as confirmed by your bank statement of account and property or assets valuation report to corroborate your status.

In addition, all over the world people liquidate landed assets into cash to meet up with desired need (It shows you have means through which funds could be raised by you if the need arises). On another hand, valuation report together with a duly executed deed can be presented to butress sale of landed property to proof source of lump sum or deposit on account. So, it is a very important document you need to submit and it is multipurpose.

In conclusion, hope should not be lost on your desire to study in Canada, with a well-articulated SoP, showing solid ties in Nigeria which is paramount and suffient fund on account, your chances are higher. Also, the level of your involvement in the society can be used as a tie. So, if you belong to any social or religious group, get a letter stating you are an active member.

For further enquiries especially in getting a certified valuation report, contact +2348032296562, +2349049045703 (WhatsApp)

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