My application was refused: can I still do something about it?

For a visitor visa, IRCC's decision explains why it was refused

“You’ll get our decision in your IRCC account. This will explain why we refused your application.”

“An explanation of why your application was refused will be sent to you, along with any original documents, including your passport.”

IRCC Help Centre: getting help after a temporary residence refusal

If you apply again, temporary residence biometrics are needed only once every 10 years

“Temporary residence applicants need to give their biometrics only once every 10 years. However, we can’t issue a visa or permit for more than 10 years from the date you gave your biometrics.”

IRCC Help Centre: do I have to wait before I apply again?

Usually not within 10 years for temporary residence

“Temporary residence applicants need to give their biometrics only once every 10 years. However, we can’t issue a visa or permit for more than 10 years from the date you gave your biometrics.”

IRCC Help Centre: biometrics after a refused visa or permit

Yes, with a new Express Entry profile

“To be considered in future rounds of invitations, you have to: ... a new Express Entry profile”

“meet the eligibility criteria”

“be accepted into the pool again”

IRCC Help Centre: do I have to wait before I apply again?

Usually yes: most permanent residence applicants give biometrics every time

“Most permanent residence applicants must give their biometrics every time they apply.”

IRCC Help Centre: biometrics after a refusal

Yes, you can ask IRCC for your personal information under the Privacy Act, free

“Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals, regardless of where they are located, can request access to their personal information held by federal government institutions under the Privacy Act .”

“There are no fees involved with the processing of a request under this Act.”

IRCC: how to make a Privacy Act request

You may ask the Federal Court to review it, and there are deadlines

“There are deadlines to apply for a review. ... If you want to apply for a review, you may want to get legal advice as soon as possible.”

“A review by the Federal Court is a 2-stage process:”

“You must show the Court that the decision was not fair or reasonable , or that there was an error.”

“If the Court gives leave, it means it agrees to examine the decision in depth.”

“If the Court returns your case to the IRB , your case will be reconsidered. This does not mean the IRB will reverse the original decision.”

Federal Court of Canada

Yes: authorized representatives can advise you and represent you

“explain and give advice on your immigration or citizenship options”

“represent you in an immigration or citizenship application or hearing”

“lawyers and paralegals who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society”

“citizenship or immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants”

“It’s your choice. Using one will not draw special attention to your application and doesn’t mean we’ll approve it.”

IRCC: check if a representative is authorized

Not yet: a misrepresentation finding can mean a ban of at least 5 years

“If you, your representative or your interpreter send false documents or information ... your application will be refused ... you could be banned from Canada for at least 5 years”

“You are responsible for all the information in your application, even if a representative completes it for you.”

IRCC: check if a representative is authorized

Only if IRCC finds your reason justified and issues a temporary resident permit

“Normally, if you’re inadmissible to Canada, you won’t be allowed to enter the country. If you have a valid reason to travel to Canada that is justified in the circumstances, we may issue you a temporary resident permit .”

IRCC: temporary resident permits

No appeal in the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class

“You can’t appeal our decision if you’re sponsoring them under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class .”

“If we refuse their permanent residence application, we’ll tell you ... why we refused it ... how to appeal the decision (if this applies)”

IRCC: asking the Federal Court of Canada to review a decision

IRCC's letter tells you why, and how to appeal if an appeal applies

“If we refuse their permanent residence application, we’ll tell you ... why we refused it ... how to appeal the decision (if this applies)”

“You must decline your right of appeal before we can issue you a refund.”

Immigration and Refugee Board: immigration appeals (Immigration Appeal Division)

Yes: your family member's application continues, with no guarantee it will be approved

“If you chose to continue processing the permanent residence application , you won’t get any processing fees back. Keep in mind, there is no guarantee that your family member’s application will be approved.”

“We’ll send you a letter or email to tell you that you’ve been refused.”

“When you applied, you told us whether you wanted to withdraw your sponsorship or continue processing your family member’s permanent residence application if you were refused as a sponsor.”

No: your sponsorship is withdrawn, and all fees but the sponsorship fee come back

“If you chose to withdraw your sponsorship , you won’t get the sponsorship fee back. You’ll get all other fees back.”

“We’ll send you a letter or email to tell you that you’ve been refused.”

“When you applied, you told us whether you wanted to withdraw your sponsorship or continue processing your family member’s permanent residence application if you were refused as a sponsor.”

Yes, you have 60 days to appeal a PRTD refusal

“If we refuse your PRTD application, we will send you a letter explaining why. We will also explain your other options for travelling to Canada. You will have 60 days to appeal our decision. The letter will explain how to make an appeal.”

“If you decide to appeal, you will keep your PR status until a decision is made on your appeal. You can’t apply for another travel document while you wait for an appeal decision. If you don’t appeal, you will lose your PR status after the 60-day appeal period is over.”

Immigration and Refugee Board: immigration appeals (Immigration Appeal Division)

You may be able to appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division

“If you received a negative decision on your asylum claim (legally known as a claim for refugee protection), you may be able to appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.”

“Once you have exhausted any appeal rights you are entitled to, you can ask the Federal Court of Canada to review the decision made on your case.”

“If you are told you must leave Canada, you may be able to apply for a pre-removal risk assessment if the Canada Border Services Agency says you are eligible.”

“In some exceptional circumstances, some people are allowed to become permanent residents for humanitarian and compassionate reasons.”

IRCC: options if your asylum claim was rejected

You may ask the Federal Court to review it, and there are deadlines

“There are deadlines to apply for a review. ... If you want to apply for a review, you may want to get legal advice as soon as possible.”

“Your removal order is on hold . You can stay in Canada until the Court makes a decision.”

“A review by the Federal Court is a 2-stage process:”

“You must show the Court that the decision was not fair or reasonable , or that there was an error.”

“If the Court returns your case to the IRB , your case will be reconsidered. This does not mean the IRB will reverse the original decision.”

Federal Court of Canada

Not for 5 years after a citizenship refusal for misrepresentation

“You cannot become a citizen if you’re prohibited under the Citizenship Act . For example, if ... you had a citizenship application refused for misrepresentation in the past 5 years”

“wait until the situation no longer applies before you apply for citizenship”

Your options depend on the refusal: a lawyer or licensed consultant can advise

“explain and give advice on your immigration or citizenship options”

“lawyers and paralegals who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society”

“citizenship or immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants”

IRCC Help Centre: what can I do if my citizenship application is refused?