Get Professional Help Reviewing and Responding to Your PFL
A Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL) means that an IRCC officer has identified concerns with your immigration application and is giving you an opportunity to respond before a decision is made.
Your response may have a direct impact on the outcome of your application.
Argus Immigration Consultancy can review your Procedural Fairness Letter, assess the concerns raised by IRCC, review your supporting documents, and help you prepare a clear and complete response.
What Is a Procedural Fairness Letter?
A Procedural Fairness Letter is sent when an immigration officer has concerns that could negatively affect your application.
Before refusing an application or making certain adverse findings, IRCC may provide you with an opportunity to explain the situation, correct misunderstandings, or submit additional evidence.
A PFL should be taken seriously.
The letter will usually identify the officer’s concerns and provide a deadline for your response.
Why Did I Receive a Procedural Fairness Letter?
IRCC may issue a Procedural Fairness Letter for many reasons, including:
- Concerns about your work experience
- Employment letters or job duties
- Questions about your NOC or occupation
- Inconsistencies in your application
- Information that does not match previous applications
- Questions about your immigration status
- Concerns regarding eligibility
- Questions about supporting documents
- Proof of funds concerns
- Relationship or sponsorship concerns
- Questions about the genuineness of documents
- Undeclared information
- Misrepresentation concerns
- Admissibility concerns
- Concerns about your intentions in Canada
- Additional information requested by an immigration officer
Every PFL is different. Your response should address the specific concerns raised in your letter.
Immigration Applications That May Receive a PFL
Procedural Fairness Letters may arise in many types of Canadian immigration applications, including:
Express Entry and Permanent Residence
PFL concerns may relate to work experience, CRS points, employment history, documentation, eligibility or information provided in your Express Entry profile and permanent residence application.
Canadian Experience Class
CEC applicants may receive questions regarding Canadian work experience, authorized employment, NOC duties, employment documentation or eligibility.
Provincial Nominee Programs
PNP applicants may receive concerns relating to nomination requirements, employment, residence intentions, eligibility or supporting documentation.
Work Permits
IRCC may request clarification regarding employment, job offers, work history, eligibility or other information submitted with a work permit application.
Study Permits
PFL concerns may involve study history, documentation, eligibility, financial information, previous applications or other information submitted to IRCC.
Family and Spousal Sponsorship
A PFL may raise questions about relationship evidence, eligibility, admissibility or inconsistencies in an application.
Visitor and Temporary Resident Applications
Applicants may also receive procedural fairness correspondence relating to documentation, admissibility, previous immigration history or other concerns.
What Should You Do After Receiving a PFL?
Do not ignore the letter.
The first step is to understand exactly what the immigration officer is questioning.
A strong response may require:
- Reviewing the allegations or concerns raised by IRCC
- Comparing the PFL with your original application
- Identifying inconsistencies or missing information
- Gathering supporting documents
- Providing a clear explanation
- Addressing each concern raised by the officer
- Submitting the response before the deadline
Simply uploading additional documents without addressing the officer’s concerns may not be enough.
PFL Involving Misrepresentation
Some Procedural Fairness Letters raise potential misrepresentation concerns.
These situations require particular care because a finding of misrepresentation can have serious immigration consequences.
The issue may relate to information that was:
- Incorrect
- Incomplete
- Inconsistent
- Omitted
- Misunderstood
- Different from information provided in an earlier application
Receiving a PFL mentioning misrepresentation does not automatically mean that IRCC has made a final finding.
It means you have an opportunity to respond to the concerns raised by the officer.
If your PFL mentions misrepresentation, talk to RCIC before submitting your response.
Your PFL Response Deadline Matters
Procedural Fairness Letters normally provide a specific deadline for submitting a response.
The amount of time available can vary depending on the case.
Waiting until the last few days can make it difficult to properly review your application, obtain supporting evidence and prepare your response.
If you have received a PFL, start reviewing it as soon as possible.
How Argus Immigration Can Help
Our team can help you understand the concerns raised in your Procedural Fairness Letter and determine how they relate to your immigration application.
Depending on your situation, our PFL assistance may include:
- Reviewing the Procedural Fairness Letter
- Reviewing your immigration application
- Identifying the officer’s main concerns
- Reviewing previous immigration submissions where relevant
- Identifying inconsistencies or missing evidence
- Reviewing supporting documents
- Helping organize evidence
- Preparing explanations addressing the officer’s concerns
- Preparing and submitting a PFL response where appropriate
- Advising you on the next steps in your immigration matter
Received a Procedural Fairness Letter?
A PFL means IRCC is giving you an opportunity to respond before a decision is made.
Make sure you understand the concerns, your response deadline and the information IRCC expects you to address.
Speak With a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Procedural Fairness Letter the same as a refusal?
No. A Procedural Fairness Letter is generally issued before a final decision when IRCC wants to give an applicant an opportunity to respond to concerns.
Does receiving a PFL mean my application will be refused?
Not necessarily. The purpose of the PFL is to give you an opportunity to address the officer’s concerns before a final decision is made.
How long do I have to respond to a PFL?
Your Procedural Fairness Letter should specify the deadline. Deadlines can vary, so always follow the date stated in your letter.
Can I submit documents with my PFL response?
Depending on the concerns raised, supporting documentation may form an important part of your response. The documents should be relevant to the concerns identified by the officer.
Can an RCIC help with a Procedural Fairness Letter?
A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant can review your immigration matter, assess the concerns raised by IRCC and assist with preparing an appropriate response within their authorized scope of practice.
What if my PFL mentions misrepresentation?
Misrepresentation concerns should be taken seriously because an adverse finding may have significant immigration consequences. Consider obtaining professional advice before responding.
Can Argus Immigration review my PFL before I respond?
Yes. You can book a consultation to have your letter and immigration circumstances reviewed.