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What Federal Court immigration decisions reveal about why Canadian visa and PR applications get refused — disputed grounds, outcomes, and how often refusals are overturned.
Share of refusal cases where a main disputed ground could be identified.
| Disputed ground | Cases | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Work experience & NOC classification | 457 | 51.6% |
| Other grounds | 198 | 22.3% |
| Education & credentials | 68 | 7.7% |
| Language proficiency | 44 | 5% |
| Misrepresentation (IRPA s. 40) | 41 | 4.6% |
| Genuineness of study or visit intent | 40 | 4.5% |
| Proof of funds | 26 | 2.9% |
| Reference letters & employment evidence | 12 | 1.4% |
Of the refusal cases with a determinable outcome, 50% were allowed — the refusal was sent back for redetermination — and the rest were dismissed. Read this carefully: it does not mean half of all refusals are wrong. Only a small, self-selected fraction of refused applicants ever reach Federal Court. What it does show is that officer errors are common enough that the ones who could afford to challenge succeeded almost half the time.
The most common disputes above are checkable before you apply. Start with your NOC: does your real experience match the code you plan to claim?
Check my NOC for free →Educational statistics derived from public Federal Court decisions. Not legal advice, not a prediction of any individual outcome, and not affiliated with IRCC or the Courts.
A code that is not supported by the documented duties can weaken the work-experience evidence in an application. Check your letter against a NOC code free — no account →