AC
Adam Cowley
We worked with Josh on a work permit re-application after we had some struggles trying to get it ourselves. Josh was a pleasure to work with and helped us get our approval in a timely fashion. We hope to work with him again soon.
After a refusal
Refused? Find out why, fix it, and file again properly.
We request the officer's notes, diagnose exactly what went wrong, and rebuild the application so the same thing does not happen twice.
Get your refusal reviewed
Overview
A refusal is not the end.
A refusal is not the end, but reapplying with the same file usually gets the same result. The officer's notes, called GCMS notes, show exactly what the officer doubted. We obtain them, address every concern head on, and file a stronger application. And when the refusal itself was unreasonable, a Federal Court challenge may be the better route.
Our process
How we turn a refusal around.
- Order the officer's GCMS notes to see the real reasons for refusal
- Diagnose the problem: eligibility, credibility, or documentation
- Gather new evidence that answers every concern in the notes
- Written submissions that walk the next officer through the file
- Responses to procedural fairness letters before a decision is made
- Honest advice on whether to reapply or challenge the refusal in Federal Court
How we work
A lawyer-led process, with our own software doing the assembly.
01
Initial consultation
Tell Josh what you are dealing with. You get legal advice on your actual situation, written next steps, and a flat fee for the work, before you commit to anything. We quote after we diagnose, never before.
02
Application preparation
You work in our secure client portal to assemble your file. Our software handles the document assembly, extraction, and cross-checking, which is why a lawyer reviewing every page personally still fits inside a flat fee.
03
A licensed Canadian lawyer reviews and files
A licensed Canadian lawyer reviews every page before it is filed.
Flat fees. Once you are a client, a reply within one business day. No surprises.
What to know
Our playbook after a refusal.
- 01
Start with the officer's notes
The refusal letter is boilerplate. The officer's actual reasoning lives in the GCMS notes, which take several weeks to obtain. Every good reapplication starts there, because guessing at the problem is how second refusals happen.
- 02
Diagnose before you refile
Files are refused on eligibility, credibility, or documentation. Eligibility problems need a different program. Credibility problems need corroboration. Documentation problems need completeness. Treating one like another wastes an application.
- 03
A reapplication is not a resubmission
The new file answers the previous officer's concerns directly, with new evidence and a submission letter that walks the next officer through exactly what changed.
- 04
The letter before the refusal
When IRCC doubts something mid application, it may send a procedural fairness letter with a short deadline. Your response decides the file. This is the moment to bring in a lawyer, not after the refusal.
- 05
Sometimes court is the answer
If the refusal ignored evidence or got the law wrong, judicial review may beat reapplying, and the deadline runs from the decision date. We assess both routes and tell you which one serves you.
Why us
Why work with us after a refusal?
Diagnosis before strategy
We never refile blind. The officer's notes tell us what to fix, so the next application answers the actual objection.
Reapply or challenge
Sometimes the right move is judicial review, not a new application. We advise honestly on which path serves you.
Credibility repaired
Once an officer doubts you, the next file has to be airtight. We make it airtight.
Speed when it matters
Refusals often come with deadlines attached. We move quickly so no option expires while you decide.
FAQ
Refusal questions, answered.
Do not see your question? Ask us directly. A member of our team will reach out almost instantly.
Ask a question- What are GCMS notes?
- The officer's internal notes on your file, obtained through an access to information request. They show the actual reasons behind the template refusal letter.
- Should I just apply again right away?
- Usually not. Without the officer's notes you are guessing at the problem, and a second identical refusal makes the third application harder.
- How long do I have to challenge a refusal?
- Judicial review deadlines are 15 days for decisions made inside Canada and 60 days for decisions made outside it. Reapplications have no deadline, but evidence goes stale.
- What about a misrepresentation finding?
- Misrepresentation carries a five year ban and needs a specific legal response, not a reapplication. If you are facing one, talk to us before responding to anything.
- Does a refusal hurt future applications?
- You must disclose it in every future application, and officers see the history. Handled properly, it becomes a footnote. Ignored, it compounds.
Trusted by clients across Canada.
Every matter is different. Results vary, and past outcomes do not predict future ones.
Meet our founder
Joshua Schachnow, B.Com., J.D.
Founder
Josh is a Toronto-based lawyer who has been practising immigration law for more than nine years. He has helped thousands of individuals and companies navigate Canadian immigration, from work permits to permanent residence, study permits, citizenship, LMIAs and more, and he built the software this firm runs on. Josh always puts his clients first, and believes quick and thoughtful communication is most important to making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Ready to get started
Get your refusal reviewed.
Send us the refusal letter and a few details about your application. A member of our team will reach out almost instantly to book your consultation, where a licensed Canadian immigration lawyer will tell you what went wrong and the strongest way forward.
Flat fees. No obligation. We follow up fast.