When an immigration judgment in Canada goes against you — such as a visa rejection, inadmissibility ruling, or removal order — you may have the opportunity to appeal to the Federal Court of Canada. An effective legal instrument for contesting unjust, irrational, or inaccurate government judgments under Canadian immigration law is a Federal Court appeal.
At Maple Law Corp, our experienced immigration lawyers guide clients through the Federal Court appeal process and provide strategic representation every step of the way.
A Federal Court appeal is a legal process where you ask the Federal Court of Canada to review a judgment made by a Canadian immigration body. Your matter is not re-decided by the court. Rather, it examines whether the initial ruling was reasonable, legal, and compliant with Canadian law.
This type of appeal is also known as judicial review, and it applies to decisions made by:
The Immigration Division
The Immigration Appeal Division (IAD)
The Refugee Protection Division (RPD)
The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
You may be eligible for a Federal Court appeal if:
Your permanent resident application was unjustly denied
You received a removal order following a hearing
Your refugee claim was refused
Your application for status restoration was rejected
Federal Court appeals are time-sensitive; you often have to file within 15 or 30 days of the ruling. Missing this deadline can mean losing your chance to appeal.
Unlike a new application, the Federal Court looks at whether the original decision:
✔ Was reasonable and supported by evidence
✔ Followed procedural fairness
✔ Applied the law correctly
✔ Considered relevant information
✔ Did not make legal errors
If the Court finds the decision was flawed, it can:
✅ Send the case back for a new hearing
✅ Substitute its own decision
✅ Order the decision to be quashed
The Federal Court appeal process typically involves:
Filing an application for judicial review
– This comprises legal arguments and supporting proof.
Serving the government and respondents
– Legal notice must be given to all pertinent parties.
Submitting affidavits and legal submissions
– Strong legal advocacy is especially important at this crucial point.
Oral argument (if scheduled)
– A Federal Court judge hears your case from attorneys.
Decision from the Court
– On your appeal, the judge renders a written decision.
Appeals to the Federal Court are quite technical and include intricate legal concepts. Engaging an expert immigration lawyer greatly improves your chances of reaching a positive outcome since we:
Assess your situation and eligibility for appeal
Draft persuasive legal arguments and evidence
Navigate strict procedural requirements
Represent you in Court with confidence and expertise
If you are considering a Federal Court appeal in Canada, don’t go it alone. Maple Law Corp is here to help you challenge decisions and protect your immigration status.
👉 Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get expert legal guidance.