Visitor visa, study permit and work permit refusals should be analyzed against the application record and the officer’s reasons before deciding whether to reapply, request reconsideration or consider Federal Court judicial review.
Officer decision notes now accompany most refusals
IRCC has provided officer decision notes with refusal letters for most temporary resident applications since July 29, 2025. Covered applications include most visitor visas, Super Visas, transit visas, visitor records, study permits and extensions, and work permits and extensions. IRCC lists exceptions, including eTAs and temporary resident permits.
Refusals we review
- Visitor visa, Super Visa and transit visa refusals
- Study permit and study permit extension refusals
- Work permit and work permit extension refusals
- Temporary resident permit refusals
- Concerns about purpose, finances, ties, employment, credibility or admissibility
Restoration of temporary resident status after a refusal
Restoration is not an extension of maintained status and is not available in every case. Eligibility generally depends on the type of status lost, compliance with the applicable conditions and applying within the prescribed period. A person who stopped studying, stopped working or allowed status to expire may face different consequences depending on the facts. Restoration does not itself authorize study or work while a decision is pending. Review the original permit, the date status was lost and any previous refusal before applying. See our PGWP guidance and book a consultation.
Status and restoration after an in-Canada refusal
Where temporary resident status has been lost, restoration may be available in qualifying cases. The general restoration period is 90 days, and a person who has lost worker status normally cannot work while a restoration and new work permit application is pending. The precise status history and any maintained-status period should be reviewed before further action.
Choosing the next step
A stronger reapplication should materially address the reasons for refusal. Reconsideration is discretionary. Judicial review has strict filing deadlines.
Reapplication, Reconsideration or Judicial Review?
These remedies serve different purposes. A reapplication should correct or materially strengthen the immigration record. A reconsideration request is discretionary and does not preserve another legal deadline. Where the legality or fairness of a federal immigration decision must be challenged, Federal Court Judicial Review may need to be assessed promptly. Federal Court proceedings through Fourth Dimension Immigration are handled by FDI's in-house lawyer authorized to practise before the Court. Book a consultation for case-specific review.
Immigration criteria, document requirements and public policies can change. Advice should be based on the rules and facts applicable when you apply.