IRCC has begun issuing “Officer Decision Notes” (ODNs) alongside refusal letters, suggesting that applicants are now receiving greater insight into why their applications are refused.
But in reality, these ODNs are often word-for-word copies of the refusal letter — simply reformatted under a new label. There is no additional detail, no GCMS entries, and no visibility into the officer’s internal reasoning.
We reviewed one such case yesterday: both the refusal letter and the ODNs were identical. No real notes. No added transparency.
This isn’t an isolated incident. We’re seeing a sharp increase in refusals across all temporary resident categories, and this year is no exception. More and more applicants are receiving boilerplate reasons, and now, boilerplate “notes.” The volume of refusals is rising year after year, and applicants deserve better clarity when their future plans are affected by these decisions.
Instead, this new practice is:
- Creating confusion for applicants and counsel alike
- Delaying critical follow-up steps like ATIP requests
- Giving the false impression that meaningful reasons have been disclosed
Key takeaway: Do not assume the Officer Decision Notes are complete. They do not replace an ATIP request. If your application is refused, you still need the full GCMS notes to properly understand and address the decision.
Until IRCC discloses genuine internal reasoning at the outset, this change remains cosmetic — and the need for transparency continues to grow.
For comprehensive legal analysis or strategic case support, contact Greenberg Hameed PC.
The content of this bulletin is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on as legal advice.