Important definitions

Applicant

An applicant is the person who is applying to come to Canada, either temporarily or permanently. When a family applies together, one person is the principal applicant and other family members are listed as dependants.

Dependent

In Canadian immigration, a dependent child generally means:

  • Your spouse or common‑law partner

    • Can be same‑sex or opposite‑sex.

    • Must be at least 18 years old.

    • The relationship must be genuine and not primarily for immigration purposes.

  • Your child or your spouse’s child

    • Under 22 years old; and

    • Single (not married and not in a common‑law relationship).

  • A child 22 or older

    • Has depended on their parents for financial support since before age 22; and

    • Cannot financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition.

Different programs may have slightly different rules, so always check the specific program guide.

Sponsor

A sponsor is a person or organization in Canada that supports an applicant’s immigration or stay by meeting certain financial and other requirements.

Common examples:

  • Family class sponsorship

    • Sponsor is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsoring a family member.

  • Temporary foreign worker programs

    • Sponsor is usually a Canadian employer who offers a job and supports the work permit.

  • Business or investor programs

    • Sponsor can be a Canadian organization, province, or territory that supports or invests in the business.

In simple terms: the applicant is the person coming to Canada; the sponsor is the person or organization in Canada helping to make that happen.

Host

A host is usually an individual or family in Canada who agrees to accommodate and support a visitor or applicant, often on a temporary basis.

Examples of a host’s role:

  • Providing a place to stay or other basic support during the visit.

  • Helping the person adapt to life in Canada (transport, banking, local services, etc.).

For some programs, such as the Super Visa, the host is typically a child or grandchild in Canada who:

  • Provides a letter of invitation; and

  • Meets a minimum income requirement to show they can support the parents or grandparents during their stay.

Visa vs. immigration status

It is important to distinguish between a visa (permission to travel to Canada) and immigration status (your legal status while in Canada).

Visa

A visa is an official document that allows a foreign national to travel to Canada and ask to enter at a port of entry (airport or land border).

Key points:

  • Required for many people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, depending on nationality and type of visit.

  • Issued for specific purposes, such as tourism, business, study, or work, each with its own conditions.

  • Valid only for a limited period and usually for temporary stays.

  • Having a visa does not guarantee entry; the final decision is made by a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at the border.

Immigration status

Immigration status is your legal status in Canada and determines what you are allowed to do while in the country.

Main categories include:

  • Permanent resident

    • Has been granted permanent resident status.

    • Can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada and may access many social benefits.

    • Receives a Permanent Resident Card (PR card) as proof of status.

  • Temporary resident

    • Authorized to stay in Canada for a limited time as a visitor, student, or worker.

    • Must follow the conditions of their permit (for example, type of work, school, duration of stay) and leave or extend status before it expires.

  • Refugee or protected person

    • Someone who has a well‑founded fear of persecution in their home country based on factors such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

    • May be granted protection in Canada and can apply for permanent residence.

  • Canadian citizen

    • Someone who was born in Canada (with some exceptions) or who obtained citizenship through the naturalization process.

    • Has the broadest rights, including voting and holding a Canadian passport.

Reconsideration and resubmission

What is a reconsideration?

A reconsideration is an informal request asking the same decision‑maker (IRCC or CBSA) to review a refusal again to see if the outcome should change.

Important features:

  • Used after an application has been refused or rejected and the applicant believes there was an error in how the application was assessed.

  • The request is usually made in writing, explaining why the decision should be reconsidered and pointing to information or documents that were already in the original application.

  • Officers have discretion to reconsider but are not required to reopen the file or change the decision.

If you want to add significant new information or documents, submitting a new application (reapplication) is usually the stronger option, often combined with a reconsideration request.

Reconsideration vs. appeal

A reconsideration request is not an appeal.

  • A reconsideration goes back to the same officer or office that made the original decision and asks them to exercise their discretion to review it.

  • An appeal or judicial review goes to a higher or independent decision‑maker (for example, a tribunal or the Federal Court), under formal legal rules and timelines.

There is no formal processing time or tracking system for reconsideration requests. Processing can range from a few weeks to several months, and in some cases, there may be no response at all.

Because outcomes are uncertain, many practitioners recommend:

  • Filing a reconsideration request; and

  • Filing a new application, where appropriate, rather than relying only on reconsideration.

Best practices for a reconsideration letter

A clear, focused reconsideration request letter should:

  • Be brief and to the point.

  • Highlight strong positive factors and how the existing evidence already addresses the refusal reasons.

  • Clearly reference the documents and information that were included in the original file.

  • Avoid long emotional narratives and instead focus on factual errors, misunderstandings, or overlooked evidence.

  • Where appropriate, your representative may refer to relevant case law to show that the officer has discretion to reconsider in your type of situation.

There is no government fee for a reconsideration request. Professional fees depend on the representative, but some firms include reconsideration at no extra cost when they filed the original application.

You can have a reconsideration request and a new application in process at the same time, and one should not negatively affect the other.