Immigration appeal lawyersRepresenting clients across Canada
Immigration application refused? Your second chance starts here.
Visa, study permit, work permit, PR or sponsorship refusal, inadmissibility or a removal order: our immigration appeal lawyers challenge IRCC and CBSA decisions at the Immigration Appeal Division, the Refugee Appeal Division and the Federal Court of Canada.
- Immigration lawyers, not consultants
- Appeals won at the IAD, RAD and Federal Court
- An honest answer on whether your appeal is worth it
- You may have as little as 15 days to act
Tell us about your refusal
A lawyer will review your refusal and tell you your options. If your deadline is close, call now.
What our clients say
Real reviews from real clients
Don't panic
A refusal letter is not always the final word.
Many immigration refusals can be challenged, and many are overturned. The right route depends on what you applied for and why IRCC or CBSA refused it.
We read your refusal letter and the officer's reasons, then tell you plainly whether an appeal, a judicial review, a reconsideration request or a stronger new application gives you the best chance. If we tell you it's worth appealing, it's because we believe you have a real chance of success.
Immigration appeal deadlines
| Type of appeal | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Judicial review of a decision made inside Canada | 15 days |
| Judicial review of a decision made outside Canada | 60 days |
| Refugee appeal to the RAD | 15 days to file, 45 days to perfect |
| Spousal sponsorship appeal (IAD) | 30 days |
| Removal order appeal for permanent residents (IAD) | 30 days |
| Residency obligation appeal (IAD) | 60 days |
The clock usually starts when you receive the decision. Missed it? Call anyway: an extension may be possible.
Lawyers, not consultants
Your future in Canada deserves a lawyer.
Immigration consultants can't represent you in the Federal Court of Canada. Lawyers can, and that's where many refusals are won.
The Government of Canada has proposed new penalties for immigration consultants who break the law (IRCC, 2023). Consultants are regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), which maintains a compensation fund to repay clients defrauded by consultants (CICC Compensation Fund).
If the system needs a repayment fund, you should ask: do you really want to be represented by someone whose industry expects misconduct? (IRCC rule changes)
We are Canadian lawyers who argue cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court every month.
Talk to a lawyer now✅ Lawgical lawyers
- Represent you in Federal Court
- Appear at the IAD, RAD and IRB
- Licensed by the Law Society
- A lawyer answers your call
Immigration consultants
- Regulated by the CICC
- Covered by a client compensation fund
- Cannot argue your case before a Federal Court judge
Your lawyers
Meet the lawyers who will handle your case
You deal directly with a lawyer who knows your file, from the first call to the final decision.
Sundeep S. Grewal
Barrister & Solicitor · Founder
Sundeep founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada. Having studied abroad and navigated another country's immigration system himself, he explains every option in plain language and gives you an honest assessment of your chances.
Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha
Barrister & Solicitor
Prabhpreet focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases. She has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference, and is a former board member of the South Asian Bar Association of BC.
Pardeep S. Grewal
Barrister & Solicitor
Pardeep is an immigration and estates lawyer with an Honours degree in Psychology. He is known for clear communication, practical strategy and compassionate service, so clients feel informed and heard at every stage.
What was refused?
Immigration refusal appeals we handle
Pick the one that matches your situation. Each one has its own route and its own deadline.
Visitor visa, study permit & work permit refusals
Refused a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or PGWP? A judicial review at the Federal Court can overturn an unreasonable refusal without starting over.
- Visitor visa refused (including for parents)
- Study permit and study permit extension refusals
- Work permit and PGWP refused or denied
- Common reasons: funds, purpose of visit, ties to home country
Judicial review at the Federal Court of Canada
Most IRCC decisions can't be appealed to a tribunal, but they can be challenged in Federal Court. We file the application for leave and judicial review and argue that the officer's decision was unfair or unreasonable.
- Applications for leave and judicial review
- IRCC and CBSA decisions
- Written legal arguments and affidavits
- 15 days (inside Canada) or 60 days (outside Canada)
PR application refused or rejected
A refused permanent residence application isn't always the end. Depending on the program and the reasons, a judicial review, a reconsideration request or a stronger new application may get you to PR.
- Express Entry, PNP and family class refusals
- Procedural fairness and unreasonable reasons
- Avoiding a misrepresentation finding when you reapply
- Inland and outland applications
Refugee appeals (RAD) and refused claims
If your refugee claim was denied, you may be able to appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division and submit new evidence. While a RAD appeal is pending, you generally can't be removed.
- Appeals to the Refugee Appeal Division
- Judicial review of RAD and PRRA decisions
- Abandoned refugee claims
- 15 days to file the notice of appeal
Spousal sponsorship appeals at the IAD
Outland spousal sponsorship refusals are appealed to the Immigration Appeal Division, where you, your spouse and witnesses testify at a full hearing. Inland refusals go to the Federal Court.
- Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) hearings
- Genuineness of the relationship
- Inland spousal sponsorship refusals
- 30 days to file an IAD appeal
Inadmissibility and misrepresentation
Misrepresentation can mean a 5-year ban, even for an honest mistake. We defend clients accused of misrepresentation and fight criminal and medical inadmissibility findings.
- Misrepresentation findings and 5-year bans
- Criminal inadmissibility
- Medical inadmissibility
- Admissibility hearings and section 44 reports
Residency obligation appeals
Permanent residents must spend 730 days in Canada in every 5 years. If IRCC says you didn't, you can appeal to the IAD and argue humanitarian and compassionate factors.
- Refused PR travel documents
- Removal orders for the residency obligation
- Hardship and ties to Canada
- 60 days to appeal
Every immigration appeal in Canada
We represent clients in every immigration appeal forum in Canada: the Immigration and Refugee Board, the Immigration Appeal Division, the Refugee Appeal Division and the Federal Court of Canada.
- Immigration Appeal Division (IAD)
- Refugee Appeal Division (RAD)
- Federal Court of Canada
- Removal order appeals for permanent residents
Questions clients ask us
Immigration appeal FAQ
Judicial review or appeal: which one applies to me?
It depends on what you applied for. The Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) hears outland spousal sponsorship refusals, residency obligation decisions, removal orders against permanent residents, and some inadmissibility and misrepresentation cases. An IAD appeal is a full hearing where new evidence and witnesses are allowed.
Most other refusals, such as visitor visas, study and work permits, inland sponsorships, PR applications and PRRA decisions, are challenged by judicial review at the Federal Court of Canada. The court looks at whether the decision was fair and reasonable, based on the record the officer had.
What if I missed my appeal deadline?
You may still have options, such as asking the court or tribunal to extend the time, or filing a new application. But time is critical, so contact us right away.
What are my chances of winning an appeal?
Every case turns on its facts. We start by reading your refusal letter and the reasons. If we believe your appeal or judicial review has a real chance, we'll tell you and fight for it. If it doesn't, we'll tell you that too, and recommend the next best step.
How long does an immigration appeal take?
A Federal Court judicial review often takes several months. IAD appeals can take longer because they involve a full hearing. We'll give you a realistic timeline for your case.
Can I stay in Canada while my appeal is in progress?
Often, yes. Permanent residents appealing a removal order and refugee claimants with a pending RAD appeal generally can't be removed while the appeal is pending. If you have a removal date, call us right away: you may need a stay of removal from the Federal Court.
Don't let a deadline decide your future in Canada
Call or send us your refusal letter. A lawyer will tell you where you stand and what to do next.