First, identify the decision you received
A request for additional documents, an application returned as incomplete and a refusal letter do not mean the same thing. IRCC says it may return an incomplete application or ask for missing documents. In the event of a refusal, it communicates the reasons in a letter.
If you are already in Canada and applied for an extension, do not assume that simply submitting the application protects your status. IRCC’s guide to paper applications specifies that an application rejected as incomplete is considered never to have been submitted. If your status is close to expiring or has expired, have your situation and authorizations checked promptly.
Gather the letter, the date you received it, any available notes and a copy of the application you submitted. If you are considering a challenge, have the deadlines checked promptly as well: waiting for additional documents can take time.
Read the letter alongside the decision notes
Since July 29, 2025, IRCC has been including the officer’s decision notes with the refusal letter for most temporary residence applications, including study permits and extensions. Some information may nevertheless be withheld: the notes you receive do not necessarily represent the entire file.
For each concern, compare the wording of the decision with the documents you actually sent. For example, a concern about finances invites you to examine your financial documents; it does not automatically tell you what IRCC thought about every other aspect of your plans.
| Reason stated | Document actually submitted | Question to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| Reproduce the wording from the letter or notes | Note the document and its relevant contents | What does the decision not yet allow you to understand? |
This table is a reading tool, not a formula for success. If you have questions about the refusal, IRCC invites you to contact the visa office that sent the letter.
Understand possible reasons without treating them as a ranking
IRCC cites, among other things, problems with the letter of acceptance or financial resources, a required medical examination that was not completed, or doubts about the primary purpose of studying or whether the applicant will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay. These are examples: they are not ranked here by frequency.
For financial resources, the regulations require, subject to exceptions, sufficient resources for the studies, living expenses and transportation concerned, without needing to work in Canada. Review the concerns expressed and consider what the documents you submitted actually established.
For the purpose of studying, look for the concern stated in your file rather than reproducing a standard explanatory letter. Do the same if the decision concerns leaving at the end of your stay: the two questions are distinct, even if they appear in the same decision.
Considering possibly settling in Canada does not automatically make an application for temporary residence incompatible with the law. The law recognizes dual intent, provided, in particular, that the person leaves Canada at the end of their authorized stay if they do not obtain the right to remain.
What do the public data show?
In a document prepared for a parliamentary committee on March 23, 2026, IRCC reports the following refusal rates:
| Period or reference date | Category | Reported rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | New study permit applications | 52% |
| 2025 | New study permit applications | 59% |
| As of January 31, 2026 | New study permits | 62% |
| As of January 31, 2026 | Extensions | 10% |
The January figures are a snapshot at the start of the year, not an annual tally for 2026. New applications and extensions are distinct categories. These data provide context, but cannot be used to calculate an individual’s chances or determine the reason for their refusal.
Request information if necessary
If the letter and notes are not enough, you can consider making a request to IRCC for your own personal information under the Privacy Act. This request is free, and the right of access also extends to people outside Canada. Proof of identity may be requested, and some information may be protected or excluded.
The Access to Information Act is a different regime: IRCC indicates a fee of $5 CAD and specific access conditions for this process. If someone requests another person’s information, the applicable consent rules must be followed.
IRCC indicates an initial response time of 30 days for formal access requests, with possible extensions. This does not guarantee that you will receive the documents within 30 days. Requesting information is intended to help you better understand your file: it is not, in itself, a request to change the refusal.
A new application or judicial review?
These processes serve different purposes:
| Process | What it seeks to do | Point to note |
|---|---|---|
| Request for information | Better understand the documents held by IRCC | It does not, in itself, change the refusal. |
| New application | Obtain a new decision on a newly submitted file | The previous reasons must be considered; approval is not guaranteed. |
| Judicial review | Challenge the decision through the process provided for before the Federal Court | An application for leave is required, and deadlines apply. |
IRCC says that a new application can generally be submitted after a refusal, unless the letter says otherwise. It recommends providing information that was not included in the previous application. Before starting over, revisit each concern and the relevant documents: simply submitting a larger file does not guarantee a different outcome.
Judicial review is separate. The law normally provides 15 days if the decision was made in Canada and 60 days if it was made outside Canada, following the date on which the person is notified or becomes aware of it. An extension may be granted for valid reasons, but it is not automatic.
If you are considering a challenge, have a qualified person promptly check the relevant date and procedure. Do not necessarily wait for a response to a request for information: the two processes follow separate timelines.
In Quebec: which authority refused your application?
For plans to study in Quebec, distinguish the provincial decision on temporary selection for studies from the federal decision on the study permit. Quebec says that an administrative review of its own decision may be requested under certain conditions. This provincial process is not a remedy against an IRCC federal refusal.
Keep communications from the Quebec ministry, IRCC and your institution separate. Also check with your institution about any possible consequences for your planned start date.
Talk to your institution
A refusal may also raise academic and financial questions. Ask your institution which options and deadlines apply to your situation: a deferred start date, enrolment or a possible refund. Conditions depend on the institution; no outcome should be assumed.
For example, the University of Ottawa publishes guidance on preparing a new application and certain financial steps. At The University of British Columbia, International Student Advising at the Vancouver campus asks those affected to submit their refusal letter and the documents they presented.
These examples concern services, not specific programs or guarantees of a permit. Key point: start with the decision you received, address each concern separately and have deadlines checked promptly if you are considering a challenge.