Is a reconsideration request the same as an appeal?

No. An appeal goes to a separate body that can overturn a decision. A reconsideration request asks the same IRCC office that refused you to revisit its own decision. IRCC is not required to reopen the file, and reconsideration is granted only in exceptional cases where a clear error is shown.

Is there a deadline to request reconsideration?

There is no official deadline, but you should act immediately. A reconsideration request does not pause the Federal Court deadline for judicial review — 15 days if the decision was made inside Canada, 60 days if outside — so waiting can close your strongest option.

Can I add new documents to a reconsideration request?

Generally no. Reconsideration is about a clear error on the record that was already in front of the officer. If your case depends on new evidence you didn't have before, a stronger re-application is usually the better path.

What are the chances a reconsideration request succeeds?

In most cases the likelihood is low, because officers have broad discretion and reconsideration is reserved for exceptional cases. It is most realistic when you can point to a specific, identifiable error — such as a document that was submitted but not addressed.

Which refused applications can I ask IRCC to reconsider?

Any refused application can be the subject of a reconsideration request — study permits, visitor visas, work permits including the PGWP, and permanent residence. Because there is no formal appeal for most temporary resident refusals, a precise reconsideration or judicial review is often the route.

Are you a licensed (RCIC) immigration consultant?

Yes. Verge Immigration Services is led by a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in good standing with the CICC and authorized to represent you with IRCC. We have particular expertise in refused and complex cases.

IRCC Reconsideration Requests

Refused by IRCC?A reconsideration request may reopen your file — if it's the right move.

When an officer overlooks a document you submitted, misreads the facts, or makes a clear error, you can ask IRCC to reconsider the refusal. It is not an appeal, and IRCC is not required to reopen your case — so it has to be built precisely and filed fast. Verge Immigration are licensed RCIC consultants who specialise in refused and complex cases.

Licensed RCIC — authorized to represent you with IRCC
Law-based reconsideration letters, not emotional appeals
We protect your Federal Court deadline while we act

+1 431 279 3915

Rated 4.9 from 468 verified Google reviews

Real client outcome

1
Application refused
Refused after 180 days — told re-applying was impossible.
2
Reconsideration filed
A focused, law-based letter pointing IRCC to the error on the record.
Approved on reconsideration
A 3-year PGWP granted — no new application needed.

45 days

from refusal to approval on reconsideration

4.9★

Average Google rating

468

Verified client reviews

1,000s

Clients helped to Canada

Offices across Canada

When it fits

When a reconsideration request is the right move

Reconsideration works in one narrow situation: when the officer made a clear, identifiable mistake on the record that was already in front of them. Not a re-argument — a mistake the officer can confirm at a glance.

Overlooked documents

A document you actually submitted was not considered — and you can show it was in the file.

Factual error in the refusal

A misread date, a misstated fact, or a number that doesn't match what you provided.

Upload not linked to your file

A document was uploaded but never attached, so the officer decided as if it were missing.

A procedural slip

Biometrics or a document submitted before the deadline, but the refusal treats it as late.

Misread study or program history

Program length, completion date, or full-time status misunderstood on a PGWP or study permit file.

Eligibility misapplied in law

An exemption or program instruction the officer did not apply — for example an LMIA-exempt spousal work permit.

How we build a reconsideration request

Important: a reconsideration request does not pause the Federal Court clock. You have 15 days to file for judicial review if the decision was made inside Canada, or 60 days if it was made outside Canada — counted from when you received the decision. Waiting on a reconsideration can quietly close the one window that matters, so the deadline has to be protected first.

1
Read the refusal and the Officer Decision Notes (or GCMS notes) to pinpoint the exact error the officer made.
2
Confirm reconsideration is the right door — not a re-application or Federal Court — before anything is filed.
3
Draft a focused, law-based letter pointing the officer to the specific document or fact on the record, with case law where it applies.
4
Submit through the IRCC web form with the IMM5476 (Use of a Representative form), while protecting any Federal Court deadline in parallel.

When reconsideration is the wrong move

Asking the officer to simply re-weigh evidence they already considered is not an error — and it usually burns the window that actually matters.

You want the officer to re-weigh evidence they already assessed
Your fix depends on new evidence you didn't have before
The refusal was reasonable on what you actually submitted

Read the refusal before choosing a path

The refusal letter and the officer's notes tell you which door you're looking at. We read them before recommending anything.

Clear officer error on the record — reconsideration may fit
The file needs to be stronger — a rebuilt re-application
An unreasonable or unfair decision — judicial review (deadline first)

Know your options

Reconsideration, reapplication, or Federal Court?

Three different doors, for three different problems. Picking the right one is most of the battle — and because judicial review has a hard deadline the others don't, the sequence matters.

	ReconsiderationAsk IRCC to fix a clear error	ReapplicationSubmit a stronger new application	Judicial ReviewFederal Court reviews the decision
What it is	A letter asking the same office to revisit its own refusal	A brand-new application that fixes what caused the refusal	The Federal Court reviews whether the decision was reasonable and fair
Deadline	No official deadline — but act immediately	Varies (a PGWP must be filed within 180 days of finishing studies)	15 days if decided in Canada, 60 days if decided abroad
New evidence?	No — only the record already before the officer	Yes — new and stronger evidence is the whole point	No — only what the officer already had
Cost & formality	Free, informal letter (representation form only)	New application and government fees	Leave from a judge, then a hearing; legal counsel
Best for	An obvious officer error already visible in your file	A refusal that was reasonable on a thin or incomplete file	A decision that was unreasonable or procedurally unfair

A reconsideration request does not pause the Federal Court clock. If judicial review may be your strongest option, that deadline has to be protected first.

A refusal isn't the end of the road

Our consultants have unique expertise in refused and complex cases. We understand exactly why applications get rejected — and how to build a stronger one that gets approved. You'll get our consultant's direct number to text in case of emergencies.

We regularly resolve

Refused work permits & LMIA cases
Study permit & extension refusals
Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) refusals
Visitor & super visa refusals
Complex Provincial Nominee Program cases

Success Stories

Refusals we've turned around

Rated 4.9 from 468 verified Google reviews

"They were the only ones who encouraged me to stick to facts and laws, rather than sugarcoating my situation for IRCC officers. Their pricing and timeline were the most reasonable and student-friendly — I received my approved 3-year PGWP in 1.5 months."

PGWP client

Refused PGWP · 3-year permit approved on reconsideration in 45 days

"I applied for my work permit myself but forgot to attach my CELPIP results, which led to a refusal and being out of status. Mr. Singh guided me through restoring my status and reapplying correctly — approved in about 15 days."

Keshav A.

Refused work permit · approved in 15 days

"The process for study permits, work permits and PR can be stressful and confusing to do alone. Being almost done with my PR journey is all thanks to Jatinder and his team for their work ethic, communication and optimism."

Chenille C.

Study permit → PR journey

Verified Google Reviews

More verified reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Reconsideration questions, answered

Common questions about asking IRCC to reconsider a refused study permit, work permit, PGWP, visitor visa or PR application.

Is a reconsideration request the same as an appeal?: No. An appeal goes to a separate body that can overturn a decision. A reconsideration request asks the same IRCC office that refused you to revisit its own decision. IRCC is not required to reopen the file, and reconsideration is granted only in exceptional cases where a clear error is shown.
Is there a deadline to request reconsideration?: There is no official deadline, but you should act immediately. A reconsideration request does not pause the Federal Court deadline for judicial review — 15 days if the decision was made inside Canada, 60 days if outside — so waiting can close your strongest option.
Can I add new documents to a reconsideration request?: Generally no. Reconsideration is about a clear error on the record that was already in front of the officer. If your case depends on new evidence you didn't have before, a stronger re-application is usually the better path.
What are the chances a reconsideration request succeeds?: In most cases the likelihood is low, because officers have broad discretion and reconsideration is reserved for exceptional cases. It is most realistic when you can point to a specific, identifiable error — such as a document that was submitted but not addressed.
Which refused applications can I ask IRCC to reconsider?: Any refused application can be the subject of a reconsideration request — study permits, visitor visas, work permits including the PGWP, and permanent residence. Because there is no formal appeal for most temporary resident refusals, a precise reconsideration or judicial review is often the route.
Are you a licensed (RCIC) immigration consultant?: Yes. Verge Immigration Services is led by a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in good standing with the CICC and authorized to represent you with IRCC. We have particular expertise in refused and complex cases.

Proof & next steps

Refused-case turnarounds & related pathways

Refused cases our RCIC team rebuilt and got approved — plus the services most clients need next.

Let's talk about your case

Book a consultation and get a straight answer on your options, your odds, and a fixed fee — before any work begins.

+1 431 279 3915 rcic@vergeimmigration.ca