{"id":2481,"date":"2026-11-12T20:52:50","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T20:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/visitor-visa-refused-employment\/"},"modified":"2026-11-12T20:52:50","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T20:52:50","slug":"visitor-visa-refused-employment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/visitor-visa-refused-employment\/","title":{"rendered":"Visitor visa refused over your employment: self-employed, retired or between jobs"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Pardeep S. Grewal<\/a>, lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation \u00b7 Reviewed November 12, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Updated November 12, 2026: IRCC’s visitor visa refusal guidance and the Federal Court decisions cited checked that day.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The reason:<\/strong> “your current employment situation does not demonstrate that you will leave Canada”<\/p>\n

The fix:<\/strong> judicial review if the officer ignored your work or income evidence, or a new application with the records officers expect.<\/p>\n

The deadline:<\/strong> 60 days from notice of the refusal if you’re outside Canada, 15 days if you’re in Canada (IRPA s. 72). Reconsideration doesn’t stop the clock.<\/p>\n

Why a lawyer:<\/strong> only a lawyer can take this to the Federal Court, and the officer’s notes decide whether court or a new application is right. Why a lawyer<\/a><\/p>\n

Book a consultation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The lawyers who review these refusals<\/p>\n

\"SundeepSundeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PrabhpreetPrabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PardeepPardeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
\nAbout our lawyers<\/summary>\n
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Sundeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.<\/p>\n

Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Pardeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

When a refusal ticks your “current employment situation”, the officer wasn’t satisfied your work or income would bring you home. It’s common for business owners whose files lack business records, people between jobs, and retirees. Being self-employed or retired isn’t a reason to refuse on its own: the question is whether your obligations and income at home are shown. The Federal Court has upheld a refusal where a business owner didn’t file the business documents the visa office required, and set aside refusals where officers ignored employment and property evidence that was in the file.<\/p>\n

Lawgical Law Corporation<\/a>, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, challenges visitor visa refusals over employment in the Federal Court; this guide is by Pardeep S. Grewal.<\/p>\n

What to show, by situation<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Employment evidence officers expect<\/caption>\n
Situation<\/th>\nEvidence<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Employee<\/td>\nEmployer letter with job, salary and approved leave dates; pay records<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Self-employed<\/td>\nBusiness registration, tax filings, business bank statements, proof of operations; the visa office’s own document list<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Retired<\/td>\nPension statements, property, savings, family obligations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Between jobs or a student<\/td>\nAn offer or enrolment to return to, and family or financial support<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

What the Federal Court has said<\/h2>\n