Getting a “No” for Your Visa? Canada Will Now Tell You Why.

If you’ve ever had a Canadian visa application refused, you know how frustrating it can be to get a short, vague letter with no real explanation. That’s now starting to change.

From July 29, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has begun adding “officer decision notes” to refusal letters for certain applications. These are short written explanations directly from the immigration officer who reviewed your file.

Who will get these notes?

Right now, they are only for people applying for certain temporary resident documents, such as:

• Visitor visas (Temporary Resident Visas), but not eTAs or Temporary Resident Permits

• Visitor records (to extend a stay in Canada)

• Study permits

• Work permits

If your application is in one of these categories and it’s refused, you’ll automatically get the officer’s notes along with your refusal letter. You don’t have to ask for them.

Are there any exceptions?

Yes. If you applied using the new IRCC Portal, you won’t get these notes yet. Also, IRCC can remove certain parts of the notes if they involve privacy, security, or other sensitive matters.

How is this different from GCMS notes?

Before now, if you wanted detailed reasons for a refusal, you had to request GCMS notes (Global Case Management System notes). These are the official, detailed records kept by IRCC about your application.

• You have to apply separately to get them (through an Access to Information and Privacy request, also called ATIP).

• Only Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or people physically in Canada can request them directly. If you’re outside Canada, you need a representative inside the country to request them for you.

• It usually takes up to 30 days (sometimes longer) to get them.

In contrast, the new “officer decision notes” are faster because they’re sent to you automatically with the refusal letter. They may not be as detailed as GCMS notes, but they will still give you a clearer idea of why your application was refused.

Why does this matter?

For many people, understanding why their application was rejected is the first step to improving their chances if they decide to reapply. Clearer reasons mean you can avoid repeating the same mistakes or provide better evidence next time.