What to do when a Canadian visa or eTA is refused

1. Start with the decision letter and the reasons for refusal

If a Visitor Visa is refused, online applicants receive the decision in their IRCC account along with the reasons for the refusal. The first thing to do is read those reasons carefully and work out exactly which parts of the information and supporting documents you submitted were not considered sufficient.

To re-check the decision and the status of your application through official channels, see our guide to checking a Canadian visa.

2. Do not simply reapply with the same material

IRCC advises that if you apply again with the same information after a Visitor Visa refusal, the decision is unlikely to change. Simply resubmitting the same application, or hiring a new representative, does not automatically improve your chances of approval.

3. Identify what has changed and what new evidence you have

• Can the purpose of your visit be explained more specifically, or have your actual circumstances changed?
• Have your ties to your home country changed — employment, business, financial situation and so on?
• Do you have new documents that directly address the original reasons for refusal?
• Have any past criminal, medical or immigration inadmissibility issues been resolved?
• Can you objectively correct any inconsistencies, errors or omissions in the application?

Once you have addressed these points, you can review the process itself under how to apply for a Canadian visa.

Factors that frequently cause problems in Visitor Visa decisions

Visitor Visa applicants must satisfy the officer that they will leave Canada at the end of their authorised stay, must be able to cover the cost of their stay, and must be able to demonstrate ties that will bring them home — such as employment, housing, assets and family in their home country. For that reason, you should avoid explanations that focus on a single factor, such as "a large bank balance is enough" or "an invitation letter is all you need".

What to check if an eTA goes to further review or is refused

eTA applications are largely processed automatically, but depending on the answers you give, additional documents or a manual review may be required. Where there is a criminal or immigration history, incorrect passport details, or inconsistencies in the answers given, you should confirm exactly what has been officially requested and establish the facts before simply reapplying.

To check again whether what you need is an eTA or a Visitor Visa, see Canadian visa types and how they differ from the eTA.

Reapplying and judicial review serve different purposes

Reapplying means making a new application on the basis of new facts, changed circumstances or additional supporting evidence. A judicial review, by contrast, is not a simple "appeal" in which you ask a court to approve a new application; it is a procedure in which the Federal Court examines whether the decision-making process was lawful, fair and reasonable.

Reapplying

If you now have evidence that substantively resolves the original reasons for refusal, a new application may be worth considering. Before you apply, you should be able to explain clearly and in documentary form exactly what has changed.

Federal Court judicial review

IRCC advises that if you believe your application was not handled fairly, you may ask the Federal Court of Canada for a judicial review. According to Federal Court guidance, judicial review of an immigration decision first requires leave (permission), and the filing deadline after notification can be short. For matters arising outside Canada the guidance generally refers to 60 days from notification or from when you became aware of the decision, so if you need legal advice you should consult a qualified professional, such as a Canadian lawyer, without delay.

When professional advice is needed

• Where there is a history of criminality or inadmissibility
• Where misrepresentation may be an issue
• Where there have been repeated refusals
• Where the facts appear sufficient but you believe there was procedural unfairness or a legal error
• Where the judicial review filing deadline is a concern
• Where paid representation or immigration advice is needed, check whether the person is an authorized representative

FAQ

Can I appeal if my Canadian visa is refused?

There is no automatic appeal procedure in the usual sense for a Visitor Visa refusal. IRCC advises that you may consider reapplying where your circumstances have changed and you have new evidence, and that you may ask the Federal Court for a judicial review if you believe the process was unfair.

Can I apply again with the same documents?

IRCC states that if you reapply with the same information, the previous decision is unlikely to change. First check whether you have new facts or documents that directly address the reasons for the refusal.

Will using a representative make a second application more likely to be approved?

IRCC advises that using a representative does not improve your chances of approval or change the previous decision.

By when do I have to file for judicial review?

According to Federal Court guidance, for immigration matters a filing deadline of generally 15 days may apply where the decision was made inside Canada, and 60 days where it was made outside Canada. Check the exact starting point and any exceptions with a legal professional immediately.

If my eTA is refused, should I just apply for a Visitor Visa?

It depends on your nationality and on the reasons for the refusal. Do not assume that a Visitor Visa is automatically the answer just because an eTA was refused — first confirm which travel document you are eligible for and what caused the refusal.

Related pages

• How to apply for a Canadian visa — the process after addressing the issues
• Canadian visa types and how they differ from the eTA — re-check your eligibility
• Checking a Canadian visa — official status checks
• Contact us — help getting in touch with a specialist

Apply for a Canadian visa Check visa / eTA status