Do not immediately submit the same application again to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). First, identify why your application was refused and determine whether you have new information or stronger supporting documents that directly address the concerns identified by IRCC.
Get help from SAIT
1. Using BorderPass support
Start by creating a BorderPass account. Please follow the steps below for guidance:
- Visit SAIT’s unique BorderPass portal
- Redeem your free study permit application and annual subscription.
Create your BorderPass account
2. Contact the International Student Advising team
SAIT’s International Student Advising team can provide immigration advising related to:
- understanding the study permit application process after a refusal
- reviewing the concerns identified in an IRCC refusal
- preparing a study permit reapplication
- identifying supporting documents
- preparing a letter of explanation
- requesting a new PAL
- understanding how a refusal may affect your SAIT plans
Understand why your application was refused
If IRCC refuses your application, it will send you a refusal letter explaining the decision. IRCC now also provides officer decision notes with refusal letters for study permit and study permit extension applications. These notes may provide additional details about the officer’s concerns and the reasons for the refusal.
Carefully review:
- your refusal letter
- the officer decision notes included by IRCC
- the documents submitted with your original application
- whether your circumstances have changed since you applied
- whether you can provide new or stronger evidence addressing each refusal reason
Keep copies of your complete application, refusal letter and officer decision notes.
Submitting the same information again without addressing the refusal reasons may result in another refusal.
Review your options
Depending on your circumstances, your options may include:
- Submitting a new study permit application
- Obtaining legal advice about judicial review
- Submitting a request for reconsideration (only applicable in cases where IRCC processing officer may have made an error in the application assessment)
Before reapplying
There is generally no required waiting period before submitting a new application unless your decision letter says otherwise. However, IRCC recommends applying again only when you have new information or when your circumstances have changed significantly enough to address the reasons for the previous refusal.
Your new application should directly respond to the reasons identified in your refusal letter and officer decision notes. The documents required will depend on your circumstances and the reasons for refusal.
Important: Ensure that the information in your forms, supporting documents and letter of explanation is accurate and consistent.Read the refusal letter and officer decision notes carefully
Identify every concern raised by the officer
Gather updated or additional evidence addressing each concern
Your application may need updated or additional evidence relating to:
- your purpose of study
- why you selected SAIT and your specific program
- how the program relates to your previous studies or employment
- your academic and career plans
- your available financial resources
- the source and history of the funds presented
- payment of tuition, if applicable
- your family, employment, financial or other connections outside Canada
- your immigration and travel history
- inconsistencies or missing information in the previous application any other concern identified by the officer
Confirm that your SAIT Letter of Acceptance has not expired
Request a new PAL from SAIT
A new Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is required to be submitted with a study permit reapplication.
SAIT reserves the right to issue an additional PAL when a student has received a study permit refusal. To request an additional PAL, contact SAIT at international@sait.ca and include the following information:
- Copy of the IRCC refusal letter
- Name and Contact Information of the Immigration Representative you wish your new PAL to be sent to or your consent to share your PAL to BorderPass team (if you choose to seek Border Pass assistance with your reapplication process)
- Include your SAIT student ID#
- Ensure that you either use your SAIT email account or the personal email listed in your admission application when contacting our office
Prepare a clear letter of explanation
A letter of explanation gives you an opportunity to organize your response to the refusal and direct the officer to the supporting evidence included in your new application.
Consider using the following structure:
- Introduction: Identify your SAIT program and explain that you are submitting a new application following a previous refusal.
- Refusal reasons: List each concern from the refusal letter or officer decision notes.
- Response to each concern: Explain what has changed or what additional information you are providing.
- Supporting evidence: Identify the document that supports each explanation.
- Study plan: Explain why the SAIT program is a logical choice based on your education, experience and career objectives.
- Conclusion: Summarize how the new application addresses the concerns raised in the previous decision.
A letter of explanation should complement your evidence. It does not replace required or supporting documents.
Review all forms and documents for accuracy and consistency
Check the current application requirements on the IRCC website before submitting
A new application is assessed on its own merits. Submitting a stronger application does not guarantee approval.
Consider judicial review
Temporary resident applications, including study permit applications, do not have a formal appeal process. If you believe the refusal was unreasonable or involved an error in law or procedural fairness, you may seek legal advice about applying to the Federal Court of Canada for leave and judicial review. To learn more, visit the IRCC website.
Judicial review is a legal process and is different from submitting a new study permit application. Deadlines apply. SAIT International Student Advisors cannot assist students with the Judicial Review process.
If you are considering this option, there are two ways to proceed:
Consult with Borderpass
Seek support from an independent immigration lawyer
Review your SAIT admission options
A study permit refusal does not automatically change the start date of your SAIT program. You remain responsible for monitoring SAIT deadlines and taking the appropriate action on your admission record.
If you do not expect to receive a new study permit decision before your program begins, review SAIT’s current:
- deferral requirements
- registration and tuition payment deadlines
- application cancellation process
- refund requirements
Study permit application processing times can be viewed on the IRCC website.
Do not travel to Canada to begin your studies unless you have a study permit approval decision and required authorization to enter Canada (TRV or eTA).
Support webinars
SAIT International Centre offers a Study Permit Refusal support webinar for students who have recently received an IRCC refusal. The session provides:
- an overview of the application process following a refusal
- information about documents used in a reapplication
- practical strategies for responding to the reasons identified by IRCC
- guidance on preparing a letter of explanation
- general information about refusals and reapplications
Registration information for the Study Permit Support Webinars is shared directly with students who contact the SAIT International Centre after their Study Permit application is refused.
Contact us
International Centre
AA206, Heritage Hall, SAIT Main Campus
- Phone
- 1.403.284.8852
- international@sait.ca
-
Monday - Friday | 8 am - 4:30 pm MT
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.