Trusted Immigration Consultation

Request for Reconsideration Canada

Learn about requesting reconsideration of an immigration decision.

Reconsideration Request in Canadian Immigration

Receiving a refusal on a Canadian immigration application is disheartening, but it does not always mean the end of your journey. In certain situations, you may be able to ask the immigration officer to review their decision through a process known as a Reconsideration Request.

A Reconsideration Request is an informal administrative remedy. Unlike a formal appeal to a court or tribunal, this is a request made directly to the Case Processing Centre or visa office that issued the refusal. You are essentially asking the decision-maker (or their manager) to take a second look at your application because you believe an error was made or important information was overlooked.

It is important to understand that there is no statutory right to reconsideration in Canadian immigration law. It is a discretionary measure exercised by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Therefore, the request must be crafted carefully, respectfully, and with clear legal or factual grounds to be successful.

At Career Plus Immigration, we specialize in turning setbacks into second chances. We can help you assess whether a reconsideration request is the right strategy for your case and draft a compelling submission to the officer.

Many applicants search for reconsideration request Canada immigration, refusal review options, and IRCC reconsideration success tips. Submitting a concise explanation, supporting evidence, and identifying officer errors can improve your chances of reconsideration.

When to Submit a Reconsideration Request

Because reconsideration is discretionary, you should only submit a request if you have strong grounds. Simply disagreeing with the decision is not enough. You generally need to demonstrate one of the following:

  • Factual Errors: The officer made a clear mistake regarding the facts of your case (e.g., they stated you did not submit a document, but you have proof that you did).
  • Error in Law or Policy: The officer failed to apply the correct immigration laws or IRCC policies to your application.
  • Procedural Fairness Concerns: You were not given a fair opportunity to respond to a concern the officer had before they refused your application.
  • New Evidence: In some limited cases, if critical new evidence has become available that was not reasonably available at the time of the application, an officer may choose to consider it.

Eligibility for Reconsideration

Most types of temporary and permanent residence decisions can be the subject of a reconsideration request, provided the refusal was made by an immigration officer and not the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).

Common scenarios where reconsideration may be pursued include:

  • Temporary Resident Visas (TRV): Refusals of visitor visas based on travel history, funds, or ties to the home country.
  • Study and Work Permits: Refusals where the officer doubted the applicant’s intent or qualifications.
  • Permanent Residence Applications: Refusals based on eligibility, admissibility, or incomplete documentation.

Note: If your application was returned as “incomplete” rather than refused, reconsideration is usually not the correct pathway. You typically must re-apply.

The Reconsideration Request Process

Drafting a reconsideration request requires precision. You are asking a busy officer to reopen a closed file, so your argument must be immediately clear.

Step 1: Analyze the Refusal Letter and GCMS Notes
Before writing, you must understand exactly why you were refused. The refusal letter is often vague. We recommend ordering the Global Case Management System (GCMS) notes to see the officer's detailed reasoning.
Step 2: Write a Clear and Concise Request Letter
Your letter should be professional and factual. u
  • Clearly state the application number and Client ID (UCI).
  • Identify the specific error made by the officer.
  • Reference the specific documents already on file that prove your case.
  • Avoid emotional language; focus on facts and policy.
Step 3: Include Supporting Evidence
While the goal is to have them review the existing application, highlighting specific pages or re-submitting the document they missed is helpful. If arguing procedural fairness, submit evidence that proves you were not given a fair chance.
Step 4: Submit to the Correct Office
The request must be sent to the specific visa office or Case Processing Centre that made the decision. This is often done via the IRCC Webform.

Key Considerations

  • Act Quickly: There is no specific deadline for reconsideration in the law, but you should act as soon as possible—ideally within 10 to 30 days of the refusal. If too much time passes, the officer will likely refuse to reopen the file.
  • Discretionary Nature: The officer is not required to re-open your file. They can simply uphold the original decision.
  • Parallel Strategies: Often, the best strategy is to submit a reconsideration request and prepare a new application or an application for Judicial Review simultaneously, to ensure you don’t miss other deadlines.
  • Professional Help is Vital: Because there are no official forms for this process, the quality of your written submission is everything. Legal arguments must be sound and persuasive.

Your Journey, Our Expertise

A refusal is a major hurdle, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. Career Plus Immigration has a track record of successfully challenging refusals through targeted reconsideration requests. We know how to speak the language of immigration officers and highlight errors effectively.

Start Your Free Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

Urgent Immigration Matters
Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL)
Request for Reconsideration
Refused Entry to Canada
Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
CBSA Immigration Interview
Urgent Immigration Matters
Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL)
Request for Reconsideration
Refused Entry to Canada
Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
CBSA Immigration Interview

Callback Request

Have one of our qualified advisors contact you today.
Please keep me updated and send me information and news about Canada immigration and its Career Plus Immigration, event invitations, press references, and publications via e-mail. Detailed information on how we process your personal data can be found in IMMI NEWS' Privacy Policy, available here.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.