A Pakistani family received passport requests after two visitor visa refusals and a Federal Court settlement led to reconsideration.
Case summary
Sana, a Pakistani citizen in his 70s, planned a four-week family visit to Canada in June 2024. After two TRV refusals, the family pursued judicial review. The case materials state that IRCC’s counsel offered to set aside the refusal and have the application reconsidered by a different decision-maker. Following updated documents and submissions, the family received passport request letters on October 24, 2024.
Background
Sana was an experienced businessman and had previously travelled to the United States multiple times to visit his son. His son immigrated to Canada in 2022. Sana and his family planned to visit him in Vancouver for four weeks in June 2024, staying at his rental apartment, with expenses to be covered by the son.
First TRV refusal: March 2, 2024
The family’s first visitor visa applications were refused on March 2, 2024. According to the case information, the concerns related to the family’s financial circumstances and the purpose of the proposed visit.
Second application and refusal: April 16, 2024
Arnika Visa assisted with a second application supported by further information, including the purpose of travel, family relationships and financial support, an invitation letter, updated travel history, police certificates, evidence of ties to Pakistan, and bank statements covering six months. The case materials also described the family’s extended family and social ties and Sana’s self-owned construction business.
The second application was refused on April 16, 2024, with similar concerns about the family’s travel intentions.
Judicial review and settlement
The family pursued judicial review at the Federal Court. The source case states that on July 12, 2024, IRCC’s counsel offered to settle by setting aside the refusal and returning the application for reconsideration by a different decision-maker, provided the family discontinued the court proceedings.
This was a settlement and reconsideration—not a court ruling that the original decision was unlawful, and not an immediate visa approval.
Final outcome: October 24, 2024
After responding to IRCC’s request for updated documents, Arnika Visa prepared an updated submission addressing outstanding concerns, including a financial plan and additional supporting evidence. The case materials state that Sana and his family received passport request letters on October 24, 2024.
A passport request is an approval-stage communication; confirm the final visa issuance and travel outcome before describing the family as having travelled to Canada.
Key takeaways
- Two refusals do not by themselves establish that an application was legally unreasonable; each decision must be assessed on its record.
- Judicial review is a court process. A settlement may result in a refusal being set aside and an application being reconsidered, but it does not guarantee approval.
- After reconsideration, applicants may need to provide updated documents and address the concerns identified in the process.
- Judicial review deadlines and procedure are case-specific. Applicants should obtain prompt advice from a Canadian immigration lawyer.
Conclusion
This case illustrates how judicial review proceedings may lead to a fresh assessment of a refused TRV application. The family’s eventual passport requests followed reconsideration and additional supporting materials; outcomes in other cases will depend on their individual facts.
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