What should I do if I no longer have an old visa refusal document?
I'm a Zimbabwean national and I was denied a Canadian visa on the 19th of February 2008.
I have written to the Canadian Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa requesting a copy of a refusal letter as I am applying for an Irish visa.
The Embassy has informed me that the physical file has been destroyed.
Would it be a problem if I submit my application without a copy of refusal letter?
Best Answer
You should submit your application, with as many details of the denial as you remember.
You are not the first person who has mislaid, never got or plainly thrown away the denial letter. It is quite a normal thing even.
As long as you are open about the fact you got a denial, and tell when (as good as you can) so they can check back if they feel the need.
In 10 years your circumstances will have changed and the visa officers know that. So they will have to look at your application as a new one, not based on the result of what someone else decided in the past.
One thing they will be sharp on, if you are caught on a lie, it will be much harder for you to ever get a visa again, as they do not accept people who lie.
So tell the truth, but also tell that you do not know, if you do not know anymore.
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Does previous refusal affect future visa application?
Even if you have been refused with a visa in the past, if you mention the truth, you will be able to explain the visa refusal reasons behind it, and might even be able to convince the officials with new correct information and documents. In most cases, visa related information is shared between countries.How long does the UK embassy keep refusal records?
If the refusal is based on misrepresentation, we'll keep your fingerprints and photo for 10 years. If the refusal is based on health concerns, financial reasons or non-compliance, we'll keep your fingerprints and photo for 5 years.How do I reapply after visa refusal?
To reapply, you must complete a new application form, pay the application fee, and schedule an appointment for a new interview. Review the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to reapply to learn about any reapplication procedures.Do embassies know about visa refusal in other countries?
The embassy doesn't track your refusal, CLASS does. That's a database accessible to every American consular officer in the world at the click of a mouse, so it's not just the embassy where the visa refusal takes place.Can I Apply for a Visa if I Was Refused Before?
More answers regarding what should I do if I no longer have an old visa refusal document?
Answer 2
Tell them.
Instead of sending the visa refusal with your application, write a note saying:
- you're perfectly aware it should've been included
- you don't have it
- you asked for a copy
- they claim not to have it either
They won't expect you to work miracles, they expect you to be honest. So be honest. Provide them with the details you have (like you have posted here), tell them you can't include the refusal letter and that's it. there's nothing more you can or should do.
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