Canadian Immigration Visa Refusals: The Options Available

If your Canadian immigration visa application has been refused or rejected for any reason, then there are still a few options available to address the refusal.

What Are Some Reasons That Your Canadian Visa Application is Refused?

The most common reasons for a Canadian visa rejection are:

• Failure to provide proper documentation
• Failure to demonstrate required financial resources to support yourself and your dependent in Canada during your stay
• Failure to demonstrate your clear intention for residing in Canada
• Failure to clear inadmissibility on security grounds, criminality, or human and international rights violations

There are many other reasons why your application can be refused. Based on the type of application, you can appeal the refusal or re-apply for the visa.

What Are Your Options If You Received a Visitor Visa Rejection?

For a temporary visitor visa, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does not provide a reason for rejection in the refusal letter. However, you can make a request to access the visa officer’s notes regarding the reason for your refusal. 

You can decide on what action to take based on the fairness of the decision against your eligibility for the visa and the documentation provided to support your application.

If you think that a mistake has been made or supporting documentation was disregarded, you can Request for Reconsideration. A request for reconsideration must be made within a 10 day period.

If you can not apply for reconsideration, then reapplication can be an alternative to overcome the reasons for the previous refusal. You’ll have to provide additional documentation and information to clarify the issues. 

If your application is refused again, then you can appeal for a judicial review to the Federal Court of Canada.

What Are Your Options If You Received a Study or Work Permit Refusal?

If your temporary study permit was rejected by the government body of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you can redress the refusal in the following manner:

• Appeal the decision: If you think your study permit application was refused due to an error or unfair processing, you can request for restoration to the Case Processing Centre (CPC). 
• Submit a new application: If the reason for refusal is valid, you will be required to apply again. This provides you an opportunity to resolve all the missing information in the first application.

If your temporary work permit is rejected, it is important to know if it was refused because of failure in the application or returned because the program quota is full.

If the quota for the program you applied for has been exceeded, then reapplication is not an option. 

However, if your application was refused because of a lack of proper documentation or missing information, then you can reapply with a complete application.

What Are Your Options If You Received a Rejection for Your Immigration Visa for Permanent Residency?

If your application for permanent residency has been rejected, then you can appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) or the Federal Court of Canada within a certain time period. 

You can appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) if your family sponsorship application was rejected, you were issued a removal order, or you were unable to meet your permanent residency obligations and your permanent residence was revoked.

However, appealing for a judicial review should be used as a last resort. An immigration litigation lawyer can guide you through the process. 

The Federal Court of Canada can not provide you with permanent residency. 

If the Federal Court approves your case, then it will be returned to the immigration authorities for reconsideration. 

You will be required to adhere to the strict guidelines for appeals and reviews.