17 replies to this topic

[SkillClear]

High Commissions often have localised policies - I have even known them have their own (incorrect) interpretations of the rules that have caused all sorts of problems.

They could cause an overstay if, for example, you had a couple of days visa status left and they were going to take 3 weeks to process your application - you would end up in a country for which you did not have a valid visa.

I haven't said this just for the sake of using my keyboard. My advice is based on very many years of experience dealing with High Commissions. If you apply with only days of visa status left they are very likely to refuse to accept the application. According to the OP, Worldbridge didn't even want to take his application with one year of work permit status remaining...

[Andrew_]

SkillClear, on 31 October 2012 - 10:01 AM, said:

They could cause an overstay if, for example, you had a couple of days visa status left and they were going to take 3 weeks to process your application - you would end up in a country for which you did not have a valid visa.

Ah okay.  I was assuming that Canada had the equivalent of category 3C leave, so this wouldn't happen.

Quote

I haven't said this just for the sake of using my keyboard. My advice is based on very many years of experience dealing with High Commissions. If you apply with only days of visa status left they are very likely to refuse to accept the application. According to the OP, Worldbridge didn't even want to take his application with one year of work permit status remaining...

Sure, I'm for sure not questioning your credibility, rather your experience.  Although seems that Worldbridge said no because of the type of leave he has there (which they are wrong about, as we have seen), not the length of his leave specifically.

[SkillClear]

Over 15 years experience and I have dealt with a surprising number of staff at High Commissions at a variety of levels and met a couple socially (and unintentionally)! I have know High Commissions refuse applications for all manner of reasons, correctly or otherwise. As a general rule they will want the applicant to have at least 3 months valid and suitable status remaining - the most recent example of this was in Switzerland, although I did get around this on the basis of an existing Swiss visa extension application being in process and a COS expiry being imminent. They did specifically say that they would not accept the application in the first instance though.

Again, I don't say things for the sake of it - any advice that I give is either part of the rules OR based on real experience of what can happen (and sometimes both).

[Victoria]

I agree with Dean.

And Worldbridge are idiots.

[SkillClear]

I did enjoy my experience being questioned though.  

[Victoria]

Andrew, category C leave wouldn't be relevant anyway, as the application wouldn't be with the home office of the country where he resides.

[Daniel K]

I got a reply from WorldBridge.  They apologized for the mistake and agreed that a work permit is a long term visa which entitles me to be able to apply from Canada.

Thank you very much again for your help!  Without you I would hardly succeed.

[SkillClear]

You are welcome. Let's hope the application is approved after all that!