Foreign National Gets Her Canadian Visitor Visa Approved…and Isn’t Happy About It
Disappointment thrives where gratitude is absent
In my naivety, I assumed that corporate applicants would automatically be either happy, pleased, grateful, or thankful to receive a Canadian visitor visa.
After all, these visas open doors to networking, business deals, corporate trainings, international exposure…
You know—all the things people usually want for their careers.
Especially for someone applying for the first time…
But one client’s reaction surprised me.
Instead of being happy for her application approval—she was disappointed.
Two Colleagues Applying for a Canadian Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
This situation starts off with two clients—let’s call them Colleague #1 and Colleague #2.
They both:
- work for the same company,
- live in the same country,
- and are both applying for a visitor visa to attend a training session in Toronto.
I submitted Colleague #1’s application first to IRCC.
Colleague #2’s application went in a few days after.
Two Different Timelines for Each Application
Despite being second in line, Colleague #2 received his approval first!
Two weeks passed before Colleague #1 finally got her approval letter.
Colleague #1 is not Happy…
She wasn’t impressed.
Because her colleague received his Canadian business visitor visa 2 weeks before her.
I told her: “Well, on a positive note—you were granted the visa and you will make it to your training session. Bon voyage!” (rolling eyes)
IRCC Reviews Applications on Merit—Not First Come First Serve Basis
Even if two people apply at the same time, from the same company, their cases will be assessed on their own merits.
IRCC does the following:
- Reviews the applicant’s credibility
- Checks for inadmissibility
- Assesses the purpose of travel
- Evaluates ties to home country
- Decides the likelihood of returning after the visit
It’s Best to Focus on Getting an Approval and the Benefits of It
Instead of asking, “Why did they get theirs first?” it’s best to focus energy on:
- You were approved.
- You’re now eligible to travel to Canada—often with multi-entry access.
- You will be exposed new opportunities in Canada.
- You overcame a hurdle that many applicants don’t.
Visa processing isn’t a race. It’s a layered, dynamic system with many moving parts.
By focusing on the outcome rather than the timeline, you’ll reduce stress and gain the clarity you need for a confident, forward-thinking immigration journey.
My blogs
Drawn from real-world experiences handling numerous visa applications in a fast-paced corporate environment—each insight and tip shared here comes from actual cases, which entail downfalls and victories.
Disclaimer: The above writing is not intended to be a source of legal advice. Please seek legal advice and use your own good judgment before choosing to act on any information provided above. If you choose to rely on this article, you do so entirely at your own accountability.
Keep reading
Planning a business trip to Canada?
Book a consultation with a licensed RCIC to review your situation.
Book a Consultation →