Your Visitor Visa to Canada Was Refused, What Now?

Updated on August 28, 2025 by canadian immigration experts

Canada Spousal Sponsorship Refusal

A refusal of your Canadian Visitor Visa feels frustrating, unfair, and often confusing. 

You may have submitted a strong application, met all the requirements of the document checklist, and submitted evidence, yet your application was refused. Refusals are one of the most common cases that come across our desk. At Jane Katkova & Associates, we take refusals seriously, as your immigration status and reputation are on the line for approval. If one person is subject to multiple refusals, it can harm their history and lead to another refusal. That is why Jane and her team handle refusal cases with utmost attention to detail and care. 

Why? 

Let’s Look at the Common Reasons for a Refusal 

  • Insufficient ties to the applicant’s home country 
  • Unclear or limited financial resources 
  • Purpose of visit 
  • Concerns that the applicant will not leave Canada at the end of the visit

It is essential to recognize that behind these generic lines, there are often serious issues. If the application had been well-put together, contained supporting documentation and answered all potential questions related to the purpose of the visit to Canada, it might not have been properly reviewed by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada).

It is also important to note that many visitor visa applications are not reviewed by a human IRCC officer. Instead, the decision-making process often relies on automated systems and auxiliary tools that screen the applications and generate refusal letters. The IRCC utilizes several tools, including the “Chinook” system, which enables officers to process large volumes of applications using summary data without opening or analyzing the applications and supporting documents. 

Therefore, many applications get refused without meaningful human assessment, and the decision letters are a template citing generic reasons that are far from the circumstances and the content of the application for the visa. 

BUT! A refusal is not the end of the road.

The refusal should always be analyzed against the content of the application. 

At Jane Katkova & Associates, we help our clients analyze the refusal and strategize the path forward. 

What should be considered when assessing the refusal?

Look at two possible visa refusal scenarios: 

Scenario 1. Your application was strong, detailed, well-substantiated, and supported by well-prepared evidence. 

If your visa application was thorough, supported by a strong reason for a visit, and accompanied by relevant documentation, yet was refused with standard grounds for refusal, this is a sign that your application has not received a fair review and due consideration by IRCC. 

And so, a sign that your application has not received a fair review and due consideration is true if:

  • The refusal appears unreasonable 
  • Key evidence was ignored

In such a situation, we recommend appealing a negative decision to the Federal Court through an application for a judicial review. 

We can help

At Jane Katkova and Associates, we have extensive experience assisting clients in precisely this situation. We work closely, preparing the Affidavits of the Appellant, consisting of Exhibits contained in the initial application, and together with a trusted legal team, file the Judicial Review to the Federal Court on your behalf.         

As a part of the Judicial review preparation process, clients receive assistance with 

  • Submitting a Notice of a Judicial Review Application to the Federal Court
  • Affidavits of the Appellant and arguments
  • Legal Memoranda
  • Replies to Department of Justice arguments
  • Etc. 

Important timeline: 

You have 60 days from the date you receive the refusal of your visa application to file an application for judicial review.  

Scenario 2. Your application was incomplete, not well substantiated, and no evidence was provided    

In such a situation, where your application was missing important key documents, proof of ties to your home country, finances, reason for the intended visit to Canada, and reason to return to your home country after the visit, etc., a refusal was a result of incomplete or unconvincing submissions. In such a situation, going to the Federal Court is unlikely to help. 

Instead, the best strategy forward is to reapply, this time with an exhaustive and well-documented application.   

Can you reapply on your own? 

Of course, you can reapply on your own. However, please remember that 

Re-applying is Not Just “Trying Again”

Many people make the mistake of reapplying without making any changes, resulting in getting rejected again. The IRCC keeps track of your history. That’s why your next application has to be stronger, clearer, and smarter.

In many cases, working with an experienced immigration professional and resubmitting a strong, well-evidenced, and presented application, submitted via the representative’s portal, leads to an approval. In case of a refusal of a strong and well-prepared application, it is warranted to appeal the decision via a judicial review application to the Federal Court.   

We can help!

Our immigration specialist will help you with a new application. We will ensure that it is well-prepared, well-substantiated, and presented to IRCC through a submission letter, which summarizes the merits of the application and the bona fide intentions of the applicant.

In Summary: 

How We Help After a Refusal of a Visitor Visa (TRV) Application 

  • We analyze your application and the refusal letter 
  • We identify whether a new application, reconsideration, or judicial review is the best next step
  • We prepare a stronger application with better supporting documents, stronger explanations, and a more strategic presentation
  • We guide you step-by-step, so you don’t repeat the same mistake — and maximize your chances the second time around

WHY CHOOSE US 

With over 25 years of experience, our team of specialists at Jane Katkova & Associates has handled the Visitor Visa refusal of thousands of clients with successful outcomes, enabling our clients to come to Canada. 

Every client is unique, and we approach your case with a strategy tailored to your situation, drawing on the depth of our experience and care. 

Immigration refusals are always time sensitive, do not wait BOOK A CONSULTATION today to get a realistic roadmap for your case.

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