Overview
Understand the pathway before you act.
Eligibility, timing, evidence and risk should be assessed together before an application or response is prepared.
Work permit refusals can turn on the worker’s eligibility, the employer’s documents, the job offer, an LMIA or exemption, purpose of entry, qualifications or admissibility. The decision should be reviewed against the entire record rather than the refusal wording alone.
Employer-specific and open work permits
The relevant legal test differs between employer-specific permits and open-work-permit categories. A useful review confirms that the application used the correct category and that the evidence addressed every required element.
Extensions, cancellations and status
An in-Canada refusal or cancellation concern may affect continued work authorization, status and restoration options. Do not assume that a pending request, reconsideration letter or new application permits continued work.
Remedy selection
The next step may be a corrected application, reconsideration or judicial review. The strength and timing of each option depend on the refusal reasons, the evidence already before the officer and the applicant’s present status.
How Beyond Borders Law can help
- Review the decision, Officer Decision Notes and filed application.
- Identify worker, employer and documentary issues.
- Assess status and work-authorization consequences.
- Prepare a reapplication or represent an accepted legal challenge.
Gather the refusal or cancellation notice, complete filed application, job offer, employer compliance or LMIA documents, proof of qualifications, current status documents and the decision date.
This guide provides general information. An inquiry does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Advice and representation begin only after the firm confirms scope and a retainer is completed.