Reconsideration for Refusal Decision

A reconsideration request asks the same office to reopen a refused application and look again. It is a discretionary request, not an appeal, so it works best where something concrete went wrong: evidence you submitted was overlooked, an officer relied on a factual error, a document was mismatched to the wrong file, or new material information exists. Weak requests that simply disagree with the outcome rarely succeed.

Often a stronger new application is the faster route, particularly for temporary resident refusals where the officer's concern was thin evidence rather than an error. Reconsideration makes sense when the refusal itself was flawed, or when reapplying would repeat the same weakness. The two are not mutually exclusive in every case. We review the refusal letter and notes first, then recommend one path through a consultation.

Yes. The reasons recorded in IRCC's system, usually called GCMS notes, can be requested through an access to information or privacy request, and they often reveal far more than the refusal letter. Those notes drive strategy, because you cannot rebut a concern you cannot see. Requests take time to return, so start early. We can order and interpret them for you, so get in touch.

There is no service standard and no guaranteed reply, which is one reason reconsideration should never be your only plan. Some offices respond quickly, others never respond at all, and silence is not an appeal-triggering decision. Because of that uncertainty, we usually pair a reconsideration request with a parallel strategy, such as a rebuilt application. See our blog for refusal-related guidance.

Requesting reconsideration does not stop you from submitting a new application, and it is not a substitute for judicial review at the Federal Court, which has its own strict filing deadlines that keep running while you wait. If your refusal might be challenged in court, get the timelines confirmed immediately, because a discretionary request will not pause them. Speak with a licensed representative as soon as possible.