If your application for a visitor visa, work permit or study permit was refused

Getting a refusal can be stressful and confusing, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t apply again.

Your refusal letter and officer decision note (if applicable) explain why your application was not approved. Before you apply again, it’s important to understand

• why you were refused
• if your situation may have changed
• what steps you can take next

On this page

• Reasons your application may be refused
• Before you apply again
• Getting help with your application

Reasons your application may be refused

In your refusal letter, we’ll provide the reason your application was refused. In most cases, the reason will refer to a specific section of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Below are some common reasons applications are refused.

You don’t meet the eligibility requirements of the permit or visitor visa category

The officer reviewing your application must be satisfied that you’re eligible for the permit or visa you applied for. If they refused your application, they may not have been satisfied that

• you meet all the eligibility requirements for the permit or visitor visa category you applied for
• you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and any accompanying dependants in Canada
• you have provided all necessary authentic and reliable supporting documents

The officer isn’t satisfied you’ll follow the conditions of your stay

The officer must be satisfied that you’ll respect the rules of your permit or visa. If they refused your application, they may not have been satisfied that you’ll

• leave Canada when your authorized stay ends
• follow the conditions of the period of your authorized stay

This may appear as one of the following on your refusal letter:

• “Inconsistent Purpose” or “Inconsistent with a temporary stay”
• “Assets”

You provided false information or documents

You’ll see the words “inadmissible for misrepresentation” in the last sentence of your refusal letter.

It could mean one of the following:

• The officer determined that you provided false information.
• You left out important information on your application or during an interview that could affect the assessment of your application, even if it was unintentional.
• You submitted false or altered documents.

It doesn’t matter if it was someone else who gave false information or documents. You’re responsible for all the information in your application, even if your representative completes it for you. If you misrepresent yourself, it can affect future applications and may result in a period of inadmissibility to Canada.

You may be inadmissible to Canada

Some people can’t enter or remain in Canada because they’re “inadmissible” under Canada’s immigration law, for reasons such as

• past offences or convictions in your country, or in Canada
• medical conditions
• security concerns

Find out what other reasons can cause you to be inadmissible to Canada.

Before you apply again

Whether you should apply again depends on the reason(s) stated in your decision letter. For example, you may want to wait before applying again if your letter refers to inadmissibility. Before you apply again, you may need to take steps to overcome the inadmissibility.

Make sure your situation has changed

Applying again with the same information usually won’t change the decision. Before you try to apply again, you should

• carefully review the refusal letter and any officer decision notes available to you
• deal with the reasons your application was refused
• show that your situation has changed or that you have significant new information to submit

If you apply again with the same information, you may be refused and won’t get a refund.

For example, you may want to apply again if

• your financial situation has improved
• your employment or education has changed
• you have new supporting documents that address the specific concerns identified in your refusal letter
• your purpose for coming to Canada has changed

Submit documents that clearly support your application

When you apply again, you must submit documents that clearly support your application.

When officers assess your application, they look for the connection between the information you put on your application form and the details in the documents you submit with your application.

Getting help with your application

You can use an immigration representative, consultant or lawyer to help you with your application. Hiring a representative is optional. You can complete and submit all immigration applications yourself. We won’t give your application special attention or guarantee faster processing times if you use a representative.

Learn more about representatives.

Nobody can guarantee that you’ll be approved

Applying with an immigration representative or other professional won’t increase the chances that your application will be approved. A representative can help you prepare your application, but the final decision is always made by an immigration officer based on the information that you provided in your application and the applicable immigration requirements. Application fees are not refundable once your application is being processed.