Latest Update: Canada Improves Transparency in Immigration Refusal Letters

Canada is making strides towards greater transparency in its immigration refusal process. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that, starting July 29, refusal letters will include detailed decision notes from the officers making the final decisions. This move aims to provide applicants with clearer reasons for rejections, enhancing the transparency of immigration procedures.

Key Takeaways

Refusal letters for certain applications will now include decision notes explaining reasons for denial. These apply to temporary resident visas, visitor records, study permits, and work permits, excluding some categories like eTAs. Applicants using the new IRCC portal won't receive these notes yet, and some notes may be omitted for security or privacy reasons. This change comes amid significant increases in access-to-information requests to IRCC and CBSA.