Can I ask IRCC to reconsider a refused immigration application?

IRCC has a limited internal process for reconsidering certain decisions, but it is important to understand that IRCC is not generally required to reconsider refused applications and does not have a broad reconsideration right equivalent to a formal appeal. Immigration is federal — IRCC's decisions are made by officers, and the remedy for most refusals is either to reapply, pursue an available appeal, or seek judicial review at the Federal Court.

In some circumstances, IRCC will reconsider a decision if there was a clear error — such as a decision made on incorrect information, a processing error, or new evidence that was not available at the time of the original decision and that directly addresses the reason for refusal. Submitting an unsolicited reconsideration request without a compelling basis rarely succeeds and can consume time while deadlines for formal remedies pass.

The most important thing after a refusal is to identify the time limits for any available appeal or judicial review before spending time on informal reconsideration requests. Pursuing a reconsideration should not delay filing a formal appeal or judicial review if one is available. A lawyer can assess whether informal reconsideration is worthwhile or whether going directly to a formal appeal or court challenge is the better use of your limited time.