What is the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) and what cases does it hear?

The Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) is an independent tribunal that hears appeals in Canadian immigration matters. It has jurisdiction over appeals of refused family sponsorship applications, removal orders issued against permanent residents, and appeals by permanent residents who have been found to have lost their status. The IAD can consider both legal errors and humanitarian and compassionate factors.

Do I have the right to appeal an immigration refusal or removal order?

Not all decisions can be appealed. Permanent residents generally have the right to appeal removal orders and some sponsorship refusals. Canadian citizens can appeal refused sponsorship applications for family members. Refugee claimants have access to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) in most cases. People inadmissible for serious criminality typically cannot appeal. Alisa can quickly assess whether you have appeal rights and which tribunal applies.

How long do I have to file an immigration appeal?

Deadlines are strict and missing them can permanently eliminate your right to appeal. For most IAD appeals, you must file within 30 days of receiving the decision. For Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) appeals, the deadline is 15 days from receipt of the written reasons. These are calendar days, not business days. Contact Alisa as soon as you receive a negative decision.

What are my chances of winning an immigration appeal?

Success rates vary widely depending on the type of appeal, the strength of your case, the quality of your submissions, and the specific facts involved. Humanitarian and compassionate factors — such as establishment in Canada, family ties, rehabilitation, and hardship — play a major role in IAD decisions. A well-prepared, evidence-based case with strong legal submissions significantly improves your chances. Alisa provides an honest assessment of your case before you invest in the process.

How can Alisa help with my immigration appeal?

Alisa is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and is authorized to represent clients before the Immigration Appeal Division. She reviews the original decision, identifies grounds of appeal, prepares legal submissions, gathers supporting evidence, and represents you at hearings. Acting quickly after a refusal gives your appeal the best possible foundation.

Immigration Appeals

Refused Is Not the End.
But the Clock Is Running.

A refusal letter is not the final word. Whether it's a sponsorship denial, removal order, or failed refugee claim, the Appeal Division gives you the right to fight back — but you must move fast.

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How Immigration Appeals Work in Canada 4:18

Alisa walks through what happens after a refusal, how the IAD process works, and what makes an appeal succeed or fail.

What You Get

One Refusal Does Not Mean
It Is Over.

Most people who contact us after a refusal do not yet know how much remains possible. What can be challenged, on what grounds, and through which process is something that requires someone who reads these decisions regularly.

The sooner we review your refusal letter, the more options you have. Waiting costs you time you cannot get back.

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Most People Who Contact Us After a Refusal Do Not Yet Know How Much Is Still Possible

A refusal is not a closed door. What can be challenged, through which process, and on what basis is something that takes experience to assess. I have reviewed many refusal decisions and I know what to look for in them and what the realistic options are from that point.

Deadlines in Appeals Are Not Administrative. Missing Them Is a Permanent Loss.

The window to appeal is fixed and unforgiving. Once it closes, it does not reopen regardless of the circumstances. I work with clients immediately after a refusal because that is when acting quickly matters most.

An Appeal Is a Distinct Proceeding from the Original Application. Most People Are Not Ready for That.

The skills and preparation that go into an appeal hearing are different in kind from what went into the original application. Walking in unprepared, or without representation, is a significant disadvantage in a proceeding where the other side appears regularly and knows exactly what they are doing.

There Are Arguments Available at the IAD That Most Appellants Never Consider

Some of the strongest grounds for an appeal are not the obvious ones. I find them because I know where to look, and because I have worked through enough of these cases to know which arguments carry weight before this tribunal and which ones do not.

How It Works

Three steps from refusal to hearing.

Consultation: Urgent Review

We review your refusal and your situation immediately. Time matters in appeals. We advise you on what is possible, what the options are, and what needs to happen before the deadline.

Case Building

We build your appeal from the ground up. Every argument is developed carefully, every piece of evidence is reviewed, and everything is prepared to the standard the tribunal requires before anything is filed.

Hearing Representation

We appear with you at the hearing and present your case. You do not face the tribunal alone. We are there from the first submission to the final decision.

Start With an Urgent File Review · $200

Alisa · RCIC

Why I Specialize in Appeals

A Refusal Letter Can Feel Like the End of Everything.

I have sat across from people who received a refusal letter and believed there was nothing left to do. That belief is almost always wrong. The appeal process is designed for exactly this moment. The difference between giving up and fighting back often comes down to who you call in the first 24 hours after that letter arrives.

I know the IAD process. I know how to read a refusal and find the weakness in the officer's reasoning. And I know how to present a case to a tribunal that changes the outcome.

"Refused today does not mean refused forever. Let's look at what they said and find out what they missed."

ALISA · RCIC R1055424

Why Immigration Appeals Fail

The IAD does not extend deadlines. Speed at the outset protects every option that follows. A strong case built after the window has closed is no longer a case.

Contact us immediately after receiving a refusal. The earlier we review the file, the more we can do.

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Most appeals that fail did not fail because the facts were against the person. They failed because the case was not built for the forum. I have seen this outcome often enough to know it is not about eligibility. It is about preparation and presentation.

Representing yourself before the IAD means facing experienced government counsel without experience of your own. I have seen how that dynamic plays out. Having someone in your corner who knows the forum, knows the process, and knows how to respond under pressure makes a measurable difference.

The difference between an appeal that succeeds and one that does not is rarely visible before the hearing. It is almost always built into the file long before the hearing date. That is where the preparation happens, and that is where experience is most valuable.

Common Questions

Immigration Appeals FAQ

How long do I have to file a Notice of Appeal?

It depends on the type of appeal. For sponsorship refusals at the IAD, you generally have 30 days. For refugee appeals at the RAD, the deadline is 15 days from the date of the RPD decision. For removal orders, 30 days. These deadlines are strict.

What types of cases can be appealed?

Common appeal types include: spousal and family sponsorship refusals, removal orders, residency obligation decisions for permanent residents, and refugee protection denials. Not all decisions are appealable. We confirm eligibility during your file review.

Can I appeal if I already missed the deadline?

In most cases, no. The IAD does not have the jurisdiction to hear an appeal filed after the deadline. If you have missed your window, there may be alternative paths such as Federal Court judicial review or an H&C application. We will tell you what is still possible.

What is the difference between an IAD appeal and Federal Court?

The IAD is a specialized tribunal that can review both the law and the facts and can allow an appeal on H&C grounds. Federal Court is a judicial review that examines whether the original decision was legally reasonable. The IAD is generally more accessible and broader in scope.

How long does an appeal take?

IAD processing times currently range from 12 to 36 months depending on case type and volume. We use this time to build the strongest possible case. If removal is imminent, we may also pursue a stay of proceedings.

Do I need a lawyer or can an RCIC represent me?

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants are authorized to represent clients at the Immigration Appeal Division. You do not need a lawyer for IAD proceedings. I am fully qualified to represent you at every stage of the appeal process.

Still Have Questions? Book a Call

Refused Yesterday. Fighting Back Today.

The appeal window is open right now. Do not let it close without taking action.

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Consultations in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.

Refused Is Not the End.But the Clock Is Running.

One Refusal Does Not MeanIt Is Over.

Refusals That Became Approvals.