I have an old Philippine passport which isn’t expired yet and is linked to my approved canada ETA. But I changed my passport since I got married. I am now applying for a new ETA but I got refused of an ETA stating:
Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). I am refusing your application on the following grounds: • You do not meet the eligibility requirements necessary to make an application for an electronic travel authorization as per 7.01(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, as our records indicate that you did not hold a Canadian temporary resident visa at any time during the 10-year period immediately preceding the day on which you made your application, or you did not hold a valid United States nonimmigrant visa on the day in which you made your application.
I also have a valid US Non immigrant visa on my old expired passport but with my single surname on it. I have a trip on the 27th and I don’t know what to do because my husband and son already has an ETA and we have a ticket already. Please help!!
Questions Answered:
The refusal of your ETA application is based on not meeting the eligibility requirements due to not holding a Canadian temporary resident visa or a valid US nonimmigrant visa during the 10-year period preceding your application. This means that you need to have had one of these visas within the specified timeframe to be eligible for an ETA.
Having a valid US Nonimmigrant visa on your old expired passport with a different surname may complicate your application process. While having a valid visa is a positive factor, the discrepancy in surnames could raise questions about identity verification.
Potential Strategies:
Contact the Canadian immigration authorities: Reach out to the Canadian immigration authorities to explain your situation and inquire about alternative options for obtaining authorization to travel to Canada. They may provide guidance on how to proceed given your circumstances.
Legal assistance: Consider seeking legal assistance from an immigration lawyer who can review your case in detail, provide advice on the best course of action, and potentially assist in resolving the issues with your ETA application.
Travel with supporting documents: If you decide to travel to Canada despite the ETA refusal, ensure you have all relevant documentation, including your old passport with the valid US Nonimmigrant visa, marriage certificate, and any other supporting documents that may help establish your identity and eligibility for entry.
Things to Discuss with a Lawyer:
Identity verification: Discuss with a lawyer how to address the surname difference on your US Nonimmigrant visa and its potential impact on your ETA application.
Appeal process: Inquire about the possibility of appealing the ETA refusal decision and the steps involved in doing so.
Alternative travel options: Explore with a lawyer any alternative travel options or visas that may be available to you considering your current circumstances.
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