IRCC Begins Issuing Officer Decision Notes for Refused Visa and Permit Applications

Great news for applicants who have faced visa or permit refusals from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Starting July 29, 2025, IRCC officially announced that it will now provide Officer Decision Notes for certain types of refused applications, offering more transparency and insight into how decisions are made.

What Are Officer Decision Notes?

Until now, most refused applicants only received a short, standardized refusal letter with little context. With this new measure, visa officers’ internal reasoning and decision-making process will be shared directly with the applicant. This means applicants can now understand why a refusal was made, based on which facts and logic.

IRCC says this move is part of a broader goal to improve transparency and help applicants better understand the outcome of their applications.

Who Will Receive These Notes?

The new system currently applies to the following four temporary residence application types:

• Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) – excluding eTAs and TRPs

• Visitor Record

• Study Permit

• Work Permit

However, not all applicants are eligible yet. For example, those who submitted their application through the new IRCC Portal (new version) are currently excluded from this change.

If applicable, the Officer Decision Notes will be automatically included with the refusal letter — no separate request is needed. They will be sent either to the applicant or their authorized representative. Please note that for privacy and security reasons, some content may be redacted.

What About GCMS Notes?

For applicants seeking even more detailed information, the GCMS (Global Case Management System) notes are still available through an ATIP (Access to Information and Privacy) request. These notes contain a full record of the officer’s review process, internal memos, document assessments, and more.

To request GCMS notes, one must:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or physically in Canada,

• Or use a Canadian representative if applying from outside Canada.

It’s generally best to request GCMS notes after the R-10 completeness check or once a final decision has been made, as more information will be available by then.

Why This Matters

This is a significant step forward for applicants who were previously left in the dark after a refusal. Knowing exactly how and why a decision was made opens the door to more informed reapplications or legal challenges.

While the current scope is still limited, this update reflects a shift toward more transparent immigration processing. We hope this system will expand in the future to include more application types and platforms.

Final Thoughts

The immigration landscape is evolving. It’s no longer just about waiting for a yes or no — now, it’s about understanding the decision-making process and using that knowledge to move forward smarter.

If you’re preparing a visa or permit application for Canada, make sure to stay updated, know your application stream, and prepare strategically. Book a consultation now!

IRCC Begins Issuing Officer Decision Notes for Refused Visa and Permit Applications