Refusals & procedural fairness
Refusals & PFL
A refusal letter tells you the outcome. It does not always tell you the reason. Working out what actually went wrong, and what can still be done about it, is a different exercise from filing the application in the first place.
At a glance
- Who this is for
- Anyone holding a refusal, or a procedural fairness letter with a deadline running
- Files I take
- Applications I prepared, and applications prepared elsewhere or on your own
- Timing
- Procedural fairness deadlines are short and rarely extended. Book a consultation before the clock runs down, not after
- Fee
- Quoted individually Priced case by case, once I know what the file involves
What a procedural fairness letter is
A procedural fairness letter isn't a refusal, it's IRCC raising a specific concern about your file and giving you a chance to respond before they decide. That's a better position to be in than a refusal with no warning, but the response window is usually short and rarely extended, so the most important thing right now is not waiting.
What I do on a PFL response
First, I work out exactly what the officer's concern actually is, letters are sometimes vaguer than they should be, and responding to the wrong concern wastes the window you have. Then I put together the evidence that addresses it directly, using whatever you can provide plus anything from the original file. If the deadline doesn't realistically allow for something, I'll tell you that rather than promise a response we can't actually deliver in time.
After a refusal
Once a refusal has already happened, the options are usually reconsideration, reapplying with a rebuilt file that addresses what went wrong, or a different pathway altogether if the original one no longer fits. Which one applies depends on the ground of refusal and what changed, or can change, since you applied. That assessment happens in a consultation, working from your actual refusal letter, not a general rule that applies to every case the same way.
Reading the refusal properly
A refusal letter doesn't always capture the officer's full reasoning. Getting the complete picture sometimes means requesting the underlying case record. Assuming you already know why you were refused, without confirming it, is one of the most common mistakes I see.
Working to a deadline
If you are holding a procedural fairness letter, a priority consultation is 60 minutes booked within 24 hours, where my schedule allows. If I cannot see you soon enough to be useful, I will tell you that rather than take the booking.
Complex and high-stakes files
Some refusal matters are best handled with a second professional involved. Where a file calls for it, I will say so and arrange co-counsel rather than take it on alone. You will always know who is working on your matter.
Start with a consultation
We go through your situation, the options open to you, and what the timeline realistically looks like. The fee is credited toward your service fee if you decide to work with me within 14 days.
Book a consultation