One common reason Canada visa officers use to deny a visa is that; “You do not have significant family ties outside Canada”.
When my friend applied to study at the University of Manitoba, he received this exact response.
They explained further that because of his weak family ties, they could not trust that he’d leave at the end of his program.
Although, Canada as a country appreciates visitors, they, however, love to see you go back to your home country at the end of your stay.
And, one of the ways to prove to the visa officers that you’ll leave Canada at the end of your stay is to provide proof of strong family ties outside Canada.
If you get this reply after submitting your visa application, here’s what it means and what to do next.
What does “You do not have significant family ties outside Canada” mean?
The phrase “You do not have significant family ties outside Canada” means that the Canadian visa officer is concerned that you do not have enough family-related reasons to return to your home country when your time in Canada is up.
In visa applications, if you have strong family connections (like close family members, a spouse, or children) in your home country, it shows that you’re more likely to come back after your visit instead of staying in Canada for an extended period or permanently.
Simply put, the officer is not convinced that you have good reasons to come back.
Read also: How to retrieve a DS 160 form after submission
Without strong family ties, you have little to no reasons to go back home, meaning, your chances of overstaying your visa in Canada are high.
For example:
- If you are single, without close family members like parents or siblings in your home country, it’ll raise concerns.
- If most of your immediate family – like your parents or siblings – already live in Canada or another country, you’re very unlikely to return home.
- For a student applying to study in Canada, if you have no spouse, immediate family member, or children back home, the officer will see this as a lack of family connections that would make you want to go back home.
In general, these family ties help confirm to the officer that you’ll leave Canada when your visa expires.
Before you submit your visa application, go through it, and ensure you have demonstrated strong family ties.
Why the family ties is significant to the visa officers
As I already stated, Canada is a very welcoming country, however, they want visitors to go back when you’re done with what brought you to the country.
When you show proof of strong family ties during your visa application, it’ll serve as evidence of your intent to return.
Like if you have a spouse, children, parents, or other immediate relatives, you’d love to go back and meet them after your stay in Canada.
Immigration officers use this to assure themselves that you’re coming back.
Read also: Your application has been submitted to UKVI for processing
Therefore, whenever you get the reply that you do not have significant family ties, it is because the visa officer feels your connection to your family is not strong enough to make you come back.
How to prove family ties for Canada visa
If you’ve been told that you do not have significant family ties outside Canada, here’s what to do before you reapply:
- Clarify your family relationships: If you do have family members who rely on you, like elderly parents or younger siblings, include evidence of their dependency on you and your responsibility toward them.
- Include marriage certificate: If you’re married, attach your marriage certificate to your application. It shows you have a spouse in your home country, and will strengthen the case that you’ll return.
- Include children’s birth certificates: If you have children, add their birth certificates, it’s a proof that you have family responsibilities back home, and will return after your stay.
- Family photos: Including photos with family members like at family gatherings or events, will make your family relationships clear and give a personal touch to your application.
- Get written statements from family members: A letter from your spouse, children, or other close relatives where they expressed how they rely on you or expect you to return can go a long way.
- Letters from employers: If you have a job at home that supports your family, getting a letter from your employer will show you intend to return to work after your stay.
- Custody or guardianship documents: If you have legal responsibility for a child, elderly parent, or another family member, submit documents showing this. Its a proof of family obligations.
- Submit your bank statements showing family dependents: Include bank statements showing that you financially support your family members in your home country and will return to them after your stay.
- Proof of family-owned property or business: If your family owns property or a business in your home country which you take care of, include evidence of it. It suggests you have a reason to return to help manage these businesses or assets.
- Evidence of community role back home: If you have a duty or role in your community, provide evidence of it, it shows you have a role to come back to.
If you have weak family ties or can’t provide any further evidence of your family ties, focus on showing evidence of other commitments instead;
Read also: I am not satisfied that you have a legitimate business purpose in Canada
Like your career goals, community involvement, and financial ties to your home country.
You can also include letters from organizations back home, clubs, or religious groups you belong to in your home country.
If you have a stable job with prospects of advancement, a strong employment history, or an official leave of absence, you can use them as a compelling reason to return home.
Read also: How to book an appointment for a Passport in the UK.
Finally, being a member of community organizations or clubs in your home country, especially if they engage in regular activities also serves as proof of a strong family connection to your home country.
From the Admin
What do significant family ties in Canada mean?
Significant family ties in Canada” means that you have close family members who live in Canada, like a spouse, children, parents, or siblings.
With your close family in Canada, you’d likely want to stay beyond your visa period, which visa officers frown upon if you apply for a temporary visa.
Read also: How to retrieve a DS 160 form after submission
For example, suppose your spouse and children live in Canada, or you have parents who rely on you.
In that case, these ties are considered “significant” because they could influence your decision to stay in Canada rather than return to your home country.
If you’re applying for a temporary visa, visa officers prefer you have strong family ties (outside Canada) – that way, you’d want to return to your home country after your stay in Canada.
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