30days
Sponsorship refused
A Canadian sponsor whose family member was refused a permanent resident visa. Counted from receipt of the officer’s decision and written reasons.
IRPA s.63(1) · Rule 16(a)Immigration Appeal Division appeals in Toronto
A refused family sponsorship, a removal order or a residency-obligation finding can be appealed to the IAD, usually within 30 days of receiving it. Angelina Shuster, a paralegal licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, represents appellants at the IAD.
25+ yearson immigration and criminal mattersIRBtribunal representationEN / RUEnglish and Russian
Free assessment
Send the decision letter's date and what was refused. We reply with whether the appeal is still in time.
Three appeals, three deadlines
IRPA section 63 decides who may appeal. Rule 16 of the IAD Rules, 2022 sets when the notice of appeal must reach the Division.
30days
Removal order
Permanent residents, protected persons and holders of a permanent resident visa who were ordered removed. Counted from receipt of the removal order.
IRPA s.63(2)–(3) · Rule 16(b)60days
Residency obligation
A permanent resident found not to have lived in Canada two years out of five. Counted from receipt of the decision and written reasons.
IRPA s.63(4) · Rule 16(c)
What to bring to the free assessment
These papers show whether the appeal is still in time and whether section 64 bars it.
- The decision or removal order with every page of the written reasons.
- Proof of the date you received it: the envelope, email or portal message.
- The original application or the file you submitted, if you kept a copy.
- Evidence of ties to Canada: family here, work, school, years of residence.
- Any criminal record or earlier IRB decision, since these decide whether an appeal right exists.
Who stands with you at the IAD
The IAD is a division of the Immigration and Refugee Board, a tribunal where a licensed paralegal may represent you.
25+ yearsAngelina Shuster has worked on immigration and criminal matters for over 25 years.
One representativeThe person who reviews your file is the person at your hearing.
English and RussianMeetings and preparation in either language.
Richmond Hill office10211 Yonge Street, Suite 205, serving the whole GTA.
“In February 2011 I found myself in an immigration predicament. I contacted Angelina's office and was incredibly impressed with her willingness to not only give me advice but pursue my case in the Immigration Appeals Division in what was a very time sensitive manner. Her guidance made the whole process more efficient and less stressful than it would have otherwise been.”
From notice of appeal to decision
The order of events under the IAD Rules, 2022.
- 1Notice of appealFiled with the IAD inside the Rule 16 deadline, with the decision attached.
- 2Appeal recordThe Minister’s counsel sends the record of the original decision to you and the Division.
- 3Your evidenceDocuments go in within 60 days of receiving the appeal record (Rule 26).
- 4ADR conference or hearingMany sponsorship appeals try alternative dispute resolution first; others go to a hearing.
Questions about appealing to the IAD
Can a paralegal represent me at the Immigration Appeal Division?
Yes. Law Society of Ontario By-Law 4 allows a licensed paralegal to represent a party before a tribunal established under federal legislation, and the IAD is one of the four divisions of the Immigration and Refugee Board.
Which decisions cannot be appealed to the IAD?
Section 64 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act removes the appeal right for inadmissibility on security grounds, human or international rights violations, organized criminality, or serious criminality punished by a prison term of at least six months.
Can the IAD allow an appeal even if the officer applied the law correctly?
In many appeals, yes. Section 67 of the Act lets the IAD allow an appeal on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, taking into account the best interests of a child directly affected.
What if the deadline has already passed?
The IAD Rules allow a party to ask the Division to extend a time limit, and the Division decides each request on its facts. Bring proof of the date you received the decision to the assessment.
This page is general information about immigration appeals in Ontario and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create a paralegal-client relationship. Our legal team assists with the full range of your matter, including applications filed with IRCC.
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