Immigration Corner | I Don't Want To Be Denied Again

Dear Miss Powell,

I applied for a visitor's visa, but was refused one as they said I didn't have enough ties. What does that mean? I want to visit my family in December, but I don't want to be rejected again.

Dan

Dear Dan,

When you apply for a temporary resident/visitor's visa, it is up to you to convince the immigration officer that you are not a flight risk and that you have intentions of returning to your home country at the end of the time granted for you to visit. To do so, you will need to establish that you have sufficient economic and social ties to your home country.  I will outline some tips on how to prevent your visa application from being denied by establishing economic and social ties to your home country.

Economic Ties

There are several ways to establish economic ties. You should include as many of the following proofs with your application:

1. Stable, permanent job, preferably with the same employer for a minimum of one year. To prove that, you will need to submit a letter from your employer on the company's letterhead. It should include information about the period of time that you have been employed, salary, and the vacation time that you are entitled to.

2. If self-employed, you should show copies of your business registration or incorporation and tax returns.

3. Bank statement that shows you have sufficient funds to pay for your ticket, trip, and not be financially burdened at the end of a vacation. The bank statement should also state the date when you opened the account.

4. Registered land title. If you have unregistered land, then you will need to show receipts for payment of property taxes in your name or a letter from a justice of the peace.

5. Rental contract/lease if you do not own the property that you live in.

6. Vehicle registration/title.

 Social Ties

Many people emphasise the economic ties and ignore the social ties. Social ties are very important, and so you must include proof of this.

It is important to emphasise that you have a community of people to whom you are responsible and who rely on your return to Jamaica at the end of your vacation.

So you should include the following:

1. Birth certificate of children;

2. Marriage certificate;

3. If you are not married, but in a stable committed relationship, you should include a statutory declaration of common-law union and proof of joint property or bank accounts.

4. Membership in various community groups. If you are on the executive/board, get a letter from the president or one of the executives of the group.

5. Professional membership certificates.

You should note that this list is not exhaustive, and there are several other things you could include to show proof of social and economic stability in Jamaica.

Don't forget to include details about the purpose of your visit and who you will be staying with. A detailed invitation letter should be included. If you are staying at a hotel, you should show proof of hotel reservations. Just remember to present documents that show that you can afford the trip as well as proof that you have a stronger connection to Jamaica than to Canada that would motivate you to return at the end of the time granted. Good luck!

- Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator and notary public who is a member of the Jamaican and Ontario, Canada bars, with office located in Ottawa, Ontario. Send your questions and comments to info@deidrepowell.com. Visit her website at www.deidrepowell.com to find out if you qualify under express entry. Call 613.695.8777 or 876.922.4092. Find her on Facebook: jamaicanlawyer.