A request for reconsideration asks an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officer to review a refused visitor visa. There is no official government fee ($0 CAD), but this strategy is rarely successful unless the officer made an obvious, provable factual error.
Getting a refusal letter for a Canadian Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is frustrating and heartbreaking. Whether you were planning to visit family in Calgary, attend a conference in Toronto, or explore Vancouver, a rejection stops your plans immediately.
Many applicants wonder if they can simply ask the visa officer to change their mind. 🤔 This process is known as a reconsideration request. While it sounds simple, Canadian immigration law does not formally guarantee an appeal for temporary visas. This guide explains how to properly submit a reconsideration request and when it actually makes sense to do so.
The Step-by-Step Process for a Reconsideration Request in Canada
Because IRCC operates federally, the process is exactly the same regardless of which Canadian city you plan to visit. A reconsideration request is not a way to submit new documents you forgot the first time. It is strictly a tool to point out that the officer missed something you already provided.
Step 1: Determine if You Have Grounds for Reconsideration
First, you must have a valid reason. 🔍 A Canadian immigration lawyer will typically tell you that reconsideration only works if there was a clear “error in law or fact.” For example, if the officer refused you for not providing a bank statement, but that exact statement was clearly included on page four of your application, you have grounds.
Step 2: Order Your GCMS Notes
The standard refusal letter from IRCC is very generic. To find out exactly what the officer missed, you should order your Global Case Management System (GCMS) notes. These notes contain the officer’s private comments and will confirm if a genuine mistake was made during the assessment of your file.
Step 3: Draft a Concise Legal Letter
Your law firm will draft a highly focused letter to IRCC. ✍ This letter should not be an emotional plea. Instead, it must politely and professionally reference the exact document the officer overlooked, point out the specific page number, and request that the decision be reopened based on this factual error.
Step 4: Submit the Request via the IRCC Webform
There is no dedicated application portal for reconsideration. You must submit your letter and the highlighted proof through the IRCC Webform (the official online portal for communicating with immigration processing centres). Make sure to include your Unique Client Identifier (UCI) and application number.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Financially, asking for a review is the cheapest post-refusal option available, though it requires precise legal wording to be effective. 💰
| IRCC Processing Fee | $0 CAD | The government does not charge a fee to read a Webform message. |
| GCMS Notes Request | $5 CAD | Standard fee to access the officer’s detailed notes under privacy laws. |
| Lawyer Drafting Fee | $500 to $1,500 CAD | A Canadian law firm’s fee to review the file and write a compelling legal argument. |
- Federal Court Alternative: If reconsideration fails, your next step might be Judicial Review at the Federal Court of Canada, which typically costs between $3,000 and $6,000 CAD in legal fees.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Reconsideration is highly unpredictable. ⌛ IRCC is under no legal obligation to reopen your file or even respond to your request. If they do review it, you might receive a response in 2 to 8 weeks. Because of this uncertainty, many applicants choose to simply submit a brand-new visa application instead.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I add new financial documents to a reconsideration request?
Generally, no. A reconsideration request is meant to evaluate the evidence that was already in front of the officer at the time of the decision. If your financial situation has improved, you should file a completely new visa application.
Does a reconsideration request stop the deadline for Federal Court?
No. You have a strict 60-day deadline (if applying from outside Canada) to file for Judicial Review. Waiting for IRCC to answer a Webform does not pause or extend this legal deadline.
What happens if the officer agrees to reconsider?
If the officer admits a factual error, they will reopen your file. Your application status will change back to “In Progress,” and you will eventually receive a new decision or a request to send your passport for visa stamping.
Is it better to ask for reconsideration or reapply?
Most Canadian immigration lawyers advise reapplying. Reapplying forces IRCC to process the file and make a formal decision, whereas a reconsideration request can simply be ignored by the visa office.
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