Published
Pardeep S. Grewal is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2024, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Updated November 13, 2026: IRCC’s February 2026 instructions and its 2023 briefing to the Immigration Committee checked that day.
Common reasons: missing evidence, no valid employer-specific permit, the situation not counting as abuse, or using the wrong form.
Options: apply again with new evidence while your permit is valid, or ask the Federal Court to review the refusal within 15 days.
Reapplying with nothing new rarely works. Why a lawyer
Our immigration lawyers
Sundeep S. GrewalBarrister and Solicitor
Prabhpreet Kaur SanghaBarrister and Solicitor
Pardeep S. GrewalBarrister and SolicitorAbout our lawyers
Sundeep S. Grewal founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.
Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases, and has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference.
Pardeep S. Grewal is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.
In 2023, 42% of applications for the open work permit for vulnerable workers were not approved. IRCC says the main reasons were missing information or evidence, applying by mistake, not holding a valid employer-specific permit, and reapplying after a refusal with nothing new. Since February 2026, officers must give reasons that say which requirement wasn’t met, which makes it easier to see what to fix.
Lawgical Law Corporation, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, prepares open work permit applications for vulnerable workers, from the letter of explanation and evidence to refusals and Federal Court reviews; this guide is by Pardeep S. Grewal.
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Common reasons and fixes
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Not enough evidence | A detailed letter and supporting proof; see the letter of explanation and evidence |
| No valid employer-specific permit | Usually not fixable once the permit lapsed without a renewal application |
| Situation isn’t abuse (for example, a fair layoff) | Show the abusive parts, if there were any; otherwise another route |
| Applied with the extension form by mistake | Apply again using the vulnerable worker option |
| Credibility concerns | Address them directly with evidence; consider the Federal Court if you weren’t given a chance to respond |
Reapply or go to the Federal Court?
If your employer-specific permit is still valid and you can add real new evidence, a new application is often faster. If the officer ignored your evidence, didn’t give you a chance to answer a concern, or misapplied the rules, the Federal Court can review the refusal. You must file for leave within 15 days of the decision. Get the officer’s notes to see what they weighed.
If your permit is about to expire
Apply to renew your employer-specific permit before it expires so you stay on maintained status and keep the option of a new application.
Why this needs a lawyer
One lawyer, one file, every step:
- reading the refusal and the officer’s notes;
- deciding between a new application and the Federal Court;
- rebuilding the evidence;
- protecting your status while you do.
The 15-day Federal Court deadline and your permit’s expiry date leave little time.
Immigration lawyers are members of a provincial law society (in our case, the Law Society of British Columbia), and only a lawyer can represent you in the Federal Court if a refusal has to be challenged there. An immigration consultant cannot appear in that court for you.
Mistakes I have seen
- Reapplying with the same evidence.
- Missing the 15-day deadline.
- Letting the employer-specific permit lapse.
- Ignoring a credibility finding.
Frequently asked questions
Can I appeal?
There’s no appeal, but the Federal Court can review the refusal if you file within 15 days.
How soon can I reapply?
Any time while your employer-specific permit is valid, but only with new evidence.
Does a refusal affect other applications?
Not directly, but credibility findings can follow your file.
What should I do right now?
Note the decision date, request the officer’s notes, and speak to a lawyer within days.
Book a consultation with our immigration lawyers in Surrey, Abbotsford or Vancouver, or online from anywhere.
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Sources (official)
- IRCC instructions: Open work permits for vulnerable workers [R207.1 – A72] (modified February 6, 2026)
- IRCC briefing to the Immigration Committee: Open work permit for vulnerable workers (2023 data)
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, s. 72
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts.