What can I do if my Canadian work permit application is refused?

If IRCC refuses your work permit application, the refusal letter will set out the reasons. Your options depend on the stage and type of application.

You generally cannot appeal a work permit refusal to the Immigration Appeal Division — that avenue is limited to certain other immigration decisions. However, you may have the following options: you can reapply with a stronger application that addresses the stated reasons for refusal; you can request reconsideration in limited circumstances (such as if IRCC made a procedural error); or you can apply for judicial review at the Federal Court of Canada, where a judge reviews whether the officer's decision was reasonable.

Judicial review is a technical process with strict timelines — you must apply within fifteen days of a refusal made from inside Canada, or sixty days from outside. It requires a lawyer with federal court experience.

Often the most practical step is to understand the specific reasons for refusal and decide whether re-applying with additional documentation is feasible. Sometimes a refusal reflects a misunderstanding of the facts that can be corrected in a fresh application.