Starting July 29, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has begun including “officer decision notes” with certain refusal letters, offering applicants more clarity on why their applications to work, study, or visit Canada were denied.
This new initiative applies to temporary resident applications only, such as:
- Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs), excluding eTAs and TRPs
- Visitor records
- Study permits
- Work permits
At this stage, applicants who submitted through the new IRCC Portal will not receive these decision notes. However, IRCC plans to expand the feature to more application types in the future.
Applicants don’t need to make a separate request to receive these notes—IRCC will include them directly in the refusal letter, either to the applicant or their authorized representative. Still, some parts of the notes may be redacted due to privacy, security, or legal concerns.
For applicants seeking even more detailed insights, GCMS (Global Case Management System) notes remain available through an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) request. These notes provide comprehensive details, including officer observations and processing updates.
GCMS notes can be requested once the application passes the R-10 completeness check, either during processing or after a final decision. Applicants outside Canada will need a Canadian representative to submit the request on their behalf, along with a signed consent form.
While GCMS requests require a $5 fee and a waiting period of up to 30 days (sometimes longer), they remain the most thorough way to understand the reasoning behind IRCC decisions.
To request GCMS notes or learn more about the process, visit the IRCC website or consult a licensed immigration representative.