Canada’s immigration department has introduced a major policy change that could benefit many short-term visa applicants. As of 29 July 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) now includes visa officer judgment notes directly in refusal letters for several visa categories.
In plain terms, if your application for a study permit, work permit, or visitor visa is refused, you’ll now receive the officer’s explanation upfront—without the need to request GCMS notes through a separate process.
Table of Contents
What Are GCMS Notes?
GCMS stands for Global Case Management System, the internal platform IRCC uses to process applications. These notes typically include:
- Visa officer commentary
- Reasoning for approval or denial
- Internal processing history
- Case duration and status remarks
Until now, accessing these notes required filing an ATIP request, paying a CAD $5 fee, and waiting weeks for a response. Only Canadian citizens, PRs, or individuals physically in Canada can apply directly; others must go through a representative.
What Has Changed
Under the new IRCC policy, visa officer notes are automatically included in rejection letters for the following categories:
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- Study permits
- Work permits
- Visitor records
- Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs), excluding eTAs and Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs)
This applies to applications submitted from inside or outside Canada.
The notes are issued automatically to the applicant or their authorized representative. While some information may still be redacted for privacy or security reasons, applicants will generally receive a clearer understanding of why their visa was refused.
How This Helps Visa Applicants
- Faster Feedback: No more delays waiting for GCMS files.
- Greater Transparency: Clear insight into the reasons for denial.
- Improved Re-Applications: Applicants can make stronger follow-up submissions with less guesswork.
What to Keep in Mind
- This applies only to rejection letters, not approvals.
- Notes are available only for TRVs, study permits, work permits, and visitor records—excluding eTAs and TRPs.
- Applications submitted via the new IRCC portal may not yet include notes.
- Notes can still be brief or vague, offering limited value in complex refusals.
- Sensitive details may still be withheld due to privacy or legal restrictions.
What This Does Not Replace
While this change is helpful, it does not replace full GCMS notes. A full GCMS request via ATIP remains the best way to obtain:
- Complete case histories
- Officer-to-officer comments
- Background check timelines
- Information for court review or appeals
If your case is serious or complex, you may still need to submit an ATIP request to understand the full context of your file.
