Full Case File

Requesting the entire file may not be suitable for all applicants. If you find yourself in the following circumstances, then you should consider obtaining your file;

• You are reapplying for a visa and want to ensure consistency and accuracy with the previous application/s.
• You need a copy of the IELTS, CELPIP or any other certificate that was mailed to IRCC.
• You need a copy of the employment references that your employer sent to IRCC.
• You need a copy of the documents that you submitted with your application.

Document Retention Policy – According to IRCC’s data retention policy regarding the retention and disposal of information, in general, Entire File-related documents are disposed of 2 years after CIC’s last administrative action. If it has been more than 2 years since IRCC notified you of a visa refusal, then do not order the Entire File, IRCC may have destroyed those documents (Depending on the application, visa office and method of submission, some applications are uploaded into CIC’s system and IRCC, therefore, may have access to these records beyond the 2 years). Instead, consider ordering the CAIPS/GCMS file, which is available for up to 10 years after IRCC’s last administrative action.