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How can GCMS notes assist if your application is refused?
Sometimes, your application for a student visa, permanent residency, or tourist visa may not be approved. If that happens, it’s important to understand why your application was rejected before you apply again.
However, the letter you receive from Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) explaining the refusal is a standard letter that doesn’t give specific reasons for the decision. It only lists the law that was applied and a few possible reasons that might apply to your case, without explaining which one was the actual reason for the refusal.
“In order to avoid making the same mistakes when reapplying for a visa in Canada, it’s crucial to understand the specific reasons behind your previous refusal. Unfortunately, the standard letter issued by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) doesn’t provide enough information to identify the root cause of the problem.
The good news is that you can request the specific notes from the IRCC officer who reviewed your application, known as GCMS notes, for a fee of just $5. With these notes in hand, you’ll have a better understanding of what led to the refusal and how to strengthen your application to increase your chances of success in the future.
"Several factors can contribute to the rejection of a Canadian student visa application. These may include insufficient financial funds, academic performance issues (such as the chosen course of study), low scores on English proficiency tests, inaccurate or incomplete information in the application documents, and inadequate documentation."
If you’re struggling to understand why your visa application was refused or you believe that the decision was made in error, seeking legal help may be a good option for you. With the GCMS notes in hand, an immigration lawyer can help you draft an appeal or re-file your case with a stronger application.
Many immigration lawyers will obtain GCMS notes before filing an appeal or petition for reconsideration. If you’re interested in getting a legal opinion or a plain-English analysis of your GCMS notes to aid in your decision-making, consider ordering GCMS I or a Legal Opinion from Migrator Immigration Services Inc. These reports are prepared by licensed immigration lawyers who can help you better understand your options for moving forward.
