A refusal letter feels final. Often it is not. The options depend on what was refused, where the application was decided and why.
Some decisions can be appealed to the Immigration Appeal Division, which can hear the case afresh. Examples include many refused family class sponsorships, certain removal orders and residency obligation decisions for permanent residents. Other decisions can only be challenged by asking the Federal Court for judicial review, which examines whether the decision was reasonable and fair rather than rehearing the whole case.
The deadlines are short. An application for leave and judicial review generally must be filed within 15 days of a decision made in Canada, or 60 days of one made outside Canada. Appeals to the Immigration Appeal Division have their own strict limits. Read the refusal carefully and get advice quickly.
What we help with
- Reviewing refusal letters and obtaining the officer’s notes
- Sponsorship appeals to the Immigration Appeal Division
- Residency obligation appeals for permanent residents
- Deciding whether an appeal, a judicial review or a new application is the better route
How it usually works
- 01
Get the reasons
We request the officer’s notes, which often explain the refusal in much more detail than the letter.
- 02
Choose the route
An appeal, judicial review or new application each has different costs, timelines and prospects.
- 03
Meet the deadline
We file what is needed before the time limit expires and build the case from there.
Related services
- Judicial ReviewChallenging an immigration decision in the Federal Court when the officer got it wrong.
- Permanent Residence & Express EntryRoutes to permanent residence, including Express Entry, the BC Provincial Nominee Program and humanitarian applications.
- Family SponsorshipSponsoring a spouse, partner, dependent child, parent or grandparent.