Study Permit Refusal in Canada, 2025 Guide

What Dual Intent Means in Canadian Immigration
Dual intent means a person can apply to come to Canada temporarily while also having a long-term plan to apply for permanent residence. IRCC recognizes that people can have both intentions at the same time as long as they show that they will follow the rules of their temporary status. Dual intent is defined in section 22(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Why Dual Intent Is Important
Many applicants who want to work, study, or visit Canada also hope to apply for permanent residence later. IRCC officers know this, and dual intent is meant to guide officers to make fair, balanced decisions. A person can want to become a permanent resident, but they must still satisfy the officer that they will respect the conditions of their temporary stay.

How IRCC Assesses Dual Intent
Officers review several factors when deciding whether a person with long-term PR plans can still qualify for a temporary visa or permit. These factors include the applicant’s financial situation, ties to their home country, immigration history, travel history, family situation, and the overall credibility of their plan. IRCC is not judging your long-term goals. They are only checking whether you will comply with the temporary conditions if the application is approved.

Common Situations Where Dual Intent Applies
Dual intent appears in many parts of Canadian immigration. TRV applicants with a spouse in Canada often rely on dual intent. Students applying for study permits with hopes of transitioning to PR also fall under dual intent. Workers, especially those applying for LMIA-exempt work permits or intra-company transfers, often have permanent residence plans as well. Dual intent itself is not a problem. The issue is when the temporary plan is unclear or unsupported.

Reasons Officers Refuse Applications Despite Dual Intent
An officer may still refuse a TRV, study permit, or work permit if the short-term plan does not appear credible. Weak financial documents, unclear purpose of travel, or incomplete ties can make the officer doubt whether the person will leave Canada if required. Dual intent does not override concerns about compliance. It only guides the officer to consider both sides fairly.

How to Strengthen a Dual Intent Application
A strong dual intent application is built on clarity. The applicant must show a believable temporary purpose, clean financial documentation, a clear explanation, and evidence that they understand their conditions in Canada. The long-term PR plan does not need to be hidden. It simply needs to be mentioned in a way that supports, not replaces, the temporary plan. A straightforward Letter of Explanation can make a major difference.

Examples of Good Dual Intent Explanation
A good explanation acknowledges the long-term plan without ignoring the temporary rules. For example, a person visiting their spouse can say that they hope to apply for permanent residence later, but they fully understand they must leave at the end of their authorized stay unless IRCC approves otherwise. Students can explain that their long-term career goals may include applying for PR, but the purpose of today’s application is to study and follow their program conditions.

How I Help Clients Present Dual Intent Properly
My role is to help clients explain their situation clearly and honestly while addressing the specific concerns officers raise in these types of applications. I do not provide guarantees. I help people present clean documents, a logical temporary plan, and a believable explanation that fits their real circumstances. Dual intent, when used properly, is a strong part of a TRV, work permit, or study permit application.

If You Need Help With Dual Intent
If you want to understand how dual intent applies to your situation and how to present a stronger TRV, work permit, or study permit application, you can reach out here anytime. I help applicants build clear and well-supported submissions that respect both the temporary purpose and the long-term goals.

Mehdi is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB), an immigrant himself who has lived most of his life in Canada. He carries a deep passion for helping others navigate the same system that once shaped his own journey.

With a background spanning IT, healthcare, and business, Mehdi brings a rare combination of analytical precision and human understanding to every case. Before founding Immigreen Consulting, he spent years working in the health sector and technology fields, developing the problem-solving skills and empathy that now define his approach to complex immigration cases.

As a father, advocate for dignity and fairness, and someone who believes in second chances, Mehdi specializes in challenging applications—from humanitarian and compassionate PR cases to residency obligation appeals, spousal sponsorships, and refused visa re-applications. His work is guided by one simple principle: every client deserves trusted, human-centered representation and a voice that’s heard.

Outside his practice, Mehdi is an aviation enthusiast, lifelong athlete, and former martial arts competitor. He has volunteered with youth programs, taught martial arts, and supported foster children in care homes. He has also tutored underprivileged students, continuing his lifelong mission of helping people grow, belong, and thrive.

I treat every case like it’s personal. Because for my clients, it is.

About the author, Mehdi Nafisi

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