A couple applied together — husband for a study permit, wife for a spousal open work permit — with complete financial documents, and were refused. The husband has two sisters living in Canada, and the thread zeroed in on that:
- Understand what the officer saw. With two siblings settled in Canada, the officer likely concluded the couple would not leave after studies. Members said that unless the file shows strong home ties, reapplying with the same evidence will bring the same refusal.
- Rebuild the file around home ties, not just finances. Financial sufficiency wasn't the issue — demonstrate concrete reasons to return (assets, career, family responsibilities at home).
- Consider applying alone first. One suggestion: the student applies solo so the remaining spouse strengthens home ties, and the spouse joins later once the permit is granted.
- Consider skipping the study route entirely. With strong family presence in Canada, members felt a study permit had low odds and suggested economic immigration instead — Express Entry / Federal Skilled Worker — where intent to stay is not a negative.
Note: there is no formal 'appeal' for most study permit refusals — the practical path members described is a stronger reapplication or a different immigration stream.