Visa is granted on basis of how truthful you are.
How do they know? All phone calls,internet activity, sms messages and your network of associations are recorded forever from year 1995 onwards.If they want to grant you visa, they ask them to check who your circle is? your old records online? That is why one shouldn't talk anti-west online ever if they wish to visit western country.Also, if you applied immigration, they send in people who become your friends to check your view thats why you see so many NGOs in Pakistan. The NGOs work force have lot of people in unis,work pleaces to check this.When i lived in Canada, every 4 out of 5 Pakistanis living in Canada were collecting my political views to report it.
"Everything you say or do online will be used against you"(during the visa process).
This is generally what we know as security clearence.Similarly, they can know how many job positions you lied about just by checking the above phone calls, numbers,contacts,messages.
So, first thing is if you were always neutral in online comments(no anti-west comments) and didn't lie about stuff on the visa forms you will be alright.Don't lie everything is recorded.
Other factors:
How many of your family members live overseas?
Do you have child who is a citizen of western country?Requesting visas to visit for prupose of family reunification is guranteed under Convention of Rights of Child (except USA who refused to sign this agreement).
Are you visiting to see your old family members?
Have you lived in western country and didn't commit any crime?
The list is too long but long story short, your internet.phone calls should always be with right people and you have enough money.Remember everything digital is recorded and stored forever.
