{"id":2703,"date":"2026-11-14T23:11:54","date_gmt":"2026-11-14T23:11:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/record-suspension-returned-refused\/"},"modified":"2026-11-14T23:11:54","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T23:11:54","slug":"record-suspension-returned-refused","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/record-suspension-returned-refused\/","title":{"rendered":"Record suspension application returned or refused: what to do next"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Pardeep S. Grewal<\/a>, lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation \u00b7 Reviewed November 14, 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 14, 2026: Criminal Records Act ss. 4.1 and 4.2, the Parole Board of Canada FAQ and Federal Courts Act s. 18.1 checked that day.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Returned:<\/strong> the application was incomplete or you were not yet eligible. Fix it and send it again; there is no waiting period.<\/p>\n

Proposed refusal:<\/strong> the Board must tell you in writing and let you make representations. Answer within the time it gives you.<\/p>\n

Refused:<\/strong> you must wait one year to re-apply, or challenge the decision in the Federal Court within 30 days. When a lawyer helps<\/a><\/p>\n

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

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Our immigration lawyers<\/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

Three different letters can come back from the Parole Board of Canada, and they mean very different things. A returned application is a paperwork problem. A proposal to refuse is your chance to answer before a decision. A refusal starts a one-year wait. This guide explains each one and what to do.<\/p>\n

Lawgical Law Corporation<\/a>, a law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, prepares record suspension (pardon) applications and representations to the Parole Board of Canada; this guide is by Pardeep S. Grewal.<\/p>\n

Which letter did you get?<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Parole Board of Canada letters on a record suspension application<\/caption>\n
Letter<\/th>\nWhat it means<\/th>\nWhat to do<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Application returned<\/td>\nIncomplete or ineligible. Not a decision on the merits<\/td>\nFix what the letter lists and re-submit; no waiting period<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Proposal to refuse<\/td>\nThe Board is considering refusing and must give you a chance to respond (s. 4.2(2))<\/td>\nMake written representations; ask for an oral hearing if needed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Refusal<\/td>\nA final decision<\/td>\nWait one year to re-apply (s. 4.2(4)), or judicial review in the Federal Court within 30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

If your application was returned<\/h2>\n

The PBC returns applications that are incomplete or ineligible, with a letter that says why. Common reasons:<\/p>\n