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 R206 instructions, its work permit page for people facing removal, and IRPR s. 243.2 checked that day.
Most refusals have a fixable reason: the support test, missing proof that removal is on hold, the wrong fee or a missing medical.
Your options: reapply with better evidence, or ask the Federal Court to review the refusal within 15 days.
Read the reasons first. Ask for the officer’s notes if the letter is short. 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.
When a work permit for someone facing removal is refused, the letter is often short. The real reason is usually one of a handful of problems. Knowing which one decides whether you should reapply, fix the paperwork or go to the Federal Court.
Lawgical Law Corporation, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, prepares open work permit applications for people whose removal is stayed or cannot be carried out, and handles the refugee appeals, PRRAs, stays of removal and Federal Court reviews those permits depend on; this guide is by Pardeep S. Grewal.
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The usual reasons
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Officer thinks you can support yourself | Better proof of income, savings, rent and who is helping you, and for how long |
| No proof that removal is on hold | The appeal or Federal Court filing, stay order, PRRA acknowledgment or IAD decision |
| No proof CBSA can’t remove you | Consulate refusal letter, CBSA confirmation, and proof you are cooperating |
| Removal order became enforceable before the decision | A new stay first; the permit can’t issue without one |
| Applicant isn’t personally in the situation (a spouse or child) | A different work permit for the family member |
| Medical exam missing or out of date | A new exam with an IRCC panel physician |
| Wrong fee, or no passport and no explanation | Pay $155 (not the $100 holder fee) and explain the missing passport |
| Bill C-12 ineligible claim refused before PRRA notice | Ask for the March 2026 public policy to be applied |
Get the full reasons
The refusal letter often gives one line. The officer’s notes in IRCC’s system (GCMS) show what the officer actually weighed. They can be requested, but don’t let the request use up a Federal Court deadline.
Reapply or go to the Federal Court?
If the refusal came from missing evidence, a new application with the evidence is usually faster. If the officer ignored evidence you sent or misapplied the rules, the Federal Court can review the refusal. For decisions made in Canada, you have 15 days to file for leave. Only a lawyer can represent you there.
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 a Federal Court review;
- rebuilding the support and stay evidence;
- keeping the stay behind the permit in place.
A refusal often signals a weakness in the stay itself. Fix that first.
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 work permit refusal or a removal 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 Federal Court deadline.
- Working while the refusal stands.
- Ignoring a refusal that says the removal order is enforceable.
Frequently asked questions
How soon can I reapply?
There is no waiting period. Reapply once you can fix the reason for the refusal.
Can I appeal a work permit refusal?
There is no appeal, but the Federal Court can review the refusal if you file within 15 days.
Does a refusal affect my refugee case or PRRA?
Not directly, but the reasons can show a problem with your stay.
What should I do right now?
Read the refusal, note the date, and speak to a lawyer within days if you might want the Federal Court to review it.
Book a consultation with our immigration lawyers in Surrey, Abbotsford or Vancouver, or online from anywhere.
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Sources (official)
- IRCC instructions: Applicants with no other means of support [R206, S61 and S62]
- IRCC: Work permit if you are appealing a refused claim or cannot be removed (modified May 29, 2026)
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, s. 206
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, s. 72
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts.