Reconsideration Request to IRCC - Immigration Lawyer
If your visa, study permit, or permanent residence application was refused, you may be able to submit a reconsideration request asking the IRCC to review the decision. At Ayodele Law, our immigration lawyers prepare detailed, respectful requests that identify errors and give your application a fair second look.
What Is a Reconsideration Request to IRCC?
A reconsideration request IRCC is a written submission asking the same visa officer or decision-making office to review your application again. If you are looking for an immigration lawyer near you or in Toronto to assess a refusal, this option may provide a faster and more cost-effective solution than going to court.
It is not an appeal or a judicial review, but an administrative remedy that can often resolve a refusal faster and more cost-effectively than going to court. This option may apply to visitor visas, study permits, work permits, and permanent residence applications where IRCC may have misunderstood documents or misapplied immigration policy. A reconsideration request provides a chance to correct errors before pursuing a judicial review or filing a new application..
Who Can Request IRCC Reconsideration?
A reconsideration request to IRCC can be made for:
Temporary Resident Visas (visitor, study, or work permits)
Permanent Residence (economic, family, or humanitarian categories)
Citizenship or Travel Document applications
Restoration of Status or Post-Graduate Work Permits
Because timing is critical, it is best to act within 30 days and consult an immigration lawyer for professional advice before your file becomes inactive. We assist clients in Toronto and across Canada, including individuals searching for an immigration lawyer near them after an unexpected refusal.
When Is a Reconsideration Request Appropriate?
A reconsideration request is most effective when an IRCC officer has made a clear administrative or factual error. Common examples include situations where required documents were submitted but overlooked, biometrics were completed on time but not properly linked, or a response to a procedural fairness letter was not considered before refusal.
Reconsideration is not intended to re-argue the merits of an application or ask an officer to change a discretionary decision. If your refusal is based on insufficient evidence, credibility concerns, or eligibility requirements that were not met, reapplying with stronger documentation may be the better option.
Because choosing the wrong strategy can delay your case or limit future options, it is important to assess whether reconsideration is appropriate before proceeding.
How Do You Submit a Reconsideration Request to IRCC? (Step-by-step guide).
| Step | Description |
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Write a Clear and Respectful Letter
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Address your letter to the IRCC office that issued the refusal. Include your full name, date of birth, UCI number, and application number. Keep the tone professional, courteous, and concise. |
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✓
Explain Why the Decision Was Incorrect
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Identify specific mistakes or oversights in the refusal. For example, if IRCC claimed you failed to submit biometrics but you have proof they were provided, reference the confirmation receipt or submission proof. |
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✓
Attach Supporting Documents
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Include your refusal letter and any materials showing IRCC’s error or oversight (e.g., webform confirmation emails, screenshots of uploaded files, or Visa Application Centre receipts). |
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✓
Submit Through IRCC Webform or Email
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Most requests are submitted via the IRCC webform. Upload all attachments together and save the submission confirmation for your records. |
There is no fee to submit a reconsideration request. However, acting quickly and submitting a well-supported letter increases your chances of success.
Reconsideration Request vs Judicial Review
A reconsideration request is an informal administrative remedy that asks IRCC to correct an error internally. A judicial review, by contrast, is a formal legal challenge brought before the Federal Court of Canada and is subject to strict deadlines.
In some cases, a reconsideration request is used as a first step before pursuing judicial review—particularly where an application cannot be refiled or an immigration stream has closed. However, filing a reconsideration request does not stop judicial review deadlines from running.
Understanding how these options interact is critical. An immigration lawyer can help you determine whether reconsideration, judicial review, or a new application is the most appropriate strategy in your case.
Reconsideration Request IRCC Sample Letter
Example (Excerpt):
Dear Officer,
I am writing to respectfully request reconsideration of my application (Application Number: XXXXXXX), which was refused on [date]. I believe the decision may have been based on an oversight regarding [brief explanation].
I have attached supporting documentation that clarifies this information. I respectfully request that my application be reopened and reconsidered.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[UCI Number]
[Contact Information]
What Happens After You Submit a Reconsideration Request?
Once a reconsideration request is submitted, IRCC is not required to acknowledge receipt or provide a response. There is no formal processing timeline, and in many cases, applicants receive no communication for several weeks or longer.
If IRCC agrees to reconsider the decision, the officer may reopen the application and either approve it or maintain the refusal. If no response is received after approximately 4 to 6 weeks, it may be appropriate to follow up or consider next legal steps.
Because reconsideration requests can be ignored or delayed, it is important to plan ahead—particularly where work permits, study permits, or permanent residence timelines are at risk.
Reconsideration Request IRCC for Visitor Visa
If your visitor visa application was refused for missing or incomplete documentation—even though you submitted it—consider filing a reconsideration request.
Common errors include IRCC failing to link uploaded files, misreading intent of travel, or overlooking strong family or financial ties. A well-written reconsideration request can sometimes resolve these issues without needing to reapply.
Why Choose Ayodele Law for Your Reconsideration Request to IRCC
At Ayodele Law, we help clients challenge unfair immigration refusals through precise, respectful, and evidence-based reconsideration requests.
- IRCC Reconsideration Expertise — We identify errors and legal grounds for review.
- Persuasive Legal Submissions — Requests are supported by evidence and policy.
- Strategic Timing — We act quickly to protect your options.
- Direct Lawyer Access — Work one-on-one with Tracy Ayodele.
- Next-Step Planning — Guidance if judicial review becomes necessary.
We combine legal precision and practical strategy to help ensure your refusal receives a fair second look.
From Our ClientsTracy has a wealth of experience in immigration law, and her deep understanding of the process was evident throughout my case. The team at Ayodele Law treated me with respect and kindness, making me feel more than just another case file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reconsideration requests are a narrow but important remedy in Canadian immigration law. Below are answers to common questions we receive from individuals who have had an application refused and are considering whether a reconsideration request is the right next step. Because timing and legal strategy matter, early advice can help you avoid losing important options.
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A reconsideration request is a written request asking Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to review a refusal decision due to a clear error, overlooked evidence, or a procedural fairness issue.
It is not an appeal and not a judicial review. Instead, it asks the same decision-maker to re-examine the file based on mistakes or fairness concerns identified after the refusal.
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A reconsideration request is most appropriate when you believe the immigration officer made a clear mistake or failed to consider documents that were properly submitted.
Common examples include refusals based on missing biometrics, documents uploaded on time but overlooked, or responses to procedural fairness letters that were not considered.
If your refusal was based on discretion or insufficient evidence, reapplying may be the better option.
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There is no formal deadline set by IRCC, but reconsideration requests should be submitted as soon as possible — ideally within 30 days of the refusal.
Acting quickly increases the likelihood that the officer will review the request before the file is fully closed or archived.
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No. A reconsideration request is an informal administrative request made to the same decision-maker.
An appeal or judicial review is a formal legal process, often before the Federal Court of Canada, and has strict deadlines. In many cases, a reconsideration request is used as a first step before judicial review.
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IRCC is not required to respond to reconsideration requests and often does not acknowledge receipt.
If there is no response after 4–6 weeks, you may follow up through the IRCC webform or consider filing an application for leave and judicial review with the Federal Court of Canada, depending on your situation and timelines.
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In most cases, reconsideration requests are strongest when they focus on errors or evidence that already existed at the time of the original application.
Submitting entirely new documents is less likely to succeed unless the information was unavailable at the time or relates directly to a procedural fairness issue.
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While a lawyer is not required, working with an experienced immigration lawyer in Toronto or near you can significantly improve the quality and strategy of a reconsideration request.
A lawyer can assess whether reconsideration is appropriate, identify legal errors, and ensure the request is framed in a way that protects your rights if judicial review becomes necessary.
Contact us
In person or virtual consultations available. Your case is important to us. We will get back to you within 24 hours of your submission.
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Telephone: 647-937-4330
Fax: 416-486-7747
Email: admin@ayodelelaw.ca