How an Iranian national received approval after an initial refusal under the temporary public policy for Iranian nationals.
Case summary
Mohammad, an Iranian national who had studied in Montréal, applied for an open work permit under the temporary public policy for Iranian nationals. After IRCC requested additional documents, his application was refused. Arnika Visa assisted with a new application that included the requested materials and supporting explanations. According to the case information provided, IRCC approved the new application on February 8, 2025, with a work permit valid until 2027.
Background
Mohammad came to Montréal to study at LaSalle College under a study permit. After completing his studies, he applied for an open work permit under the Iranian Temporary Public Policy, which the source case describes as allowing eligible Iranian nationals to work in Canada without an LMIA.
IRCC’s request for additional documents
On September 23, 2024, IRCC requested additional documents to continue processing the application. The requested items were:
- A certified copy of military records or official proof of military exemption from the relevant authority.
- A completed IMM5546E form.
The case information states that the deadline was September 30, 2024, and that Mohammad submitted the requested materials within the deadline.
The refusal: October 8, 2024
Despite the reported submission, IRCC refused the application on October 8, 2024. The refusal reasons described in the source were that military records or proof of exemption had not been provided and that IMM5546E had not been submitted.
The case materials characterize this as a possible failure to acknowledge or assess documents that had been submitted. That characterization should be checked against the complete IRCC file and correspondence before publication.
Arnika Visa’s approach
Mohammad consulted Reza, RCIC (R710241), at Arnika Visa. After reviewing the matter, the proposed approach was to submit a new application under the Iranian Temporary Public Policy and make the requested evidence easy to identify and assess.
The new application package reportedly included:
- An explanation letter noting that the documents had previously been submitted and identifying the enclosed evidence.
- Official documents confirming military exemption.
- Evidence of a reported collateral payment of 300 million Iranian rials (IRR) as part of the military exemption process.
- A copy of the previous study permit.
- A completed IMM5546E form.
Outcome: February 8, 2025
According to the case information provided, IRCC approved the new work permit application on February 8, 2025, with validity until 2027. The source case also reports that Mohammad’s sister, Farnoosh, expressed gratitude to Reza Eslami and the Arnika Visa team.
Key takeaways
- Keep copies of documents submitted to IRCC and retain proof of submission.
- When responding to a document request, identify each requested item clearly and ensure the submission is complete and legible.
- If an application is refused, review the refusal letter and submission record before deciding on next steps.
- A new application may be appropriate in some cases, but the correct strategy depends on the individual facts and current eligibility requirements. No outcome is guaranteed.
Conclusion
This case illustrates the importance of organizing and clearly identifying supporting documents in an immigration application. If you have received a work permit refusal, Arnika Visa can review the refusal and discuss possible next steps based on your circumstances.
Related resources
