Editor’s Note: This post is a follow-up to “ATIP Signature Requirements: 2 Critical Rules You Must Follow” published on January 21, 2025.
The client checked all boxes on the forms that she didn’t have past immigration issues.
But she did—a few.
There’s something I make clear to clients—If you don’t disclose prior refusals or immigration history, IRCC will disclose them for you.
And when they do, they won’t just refuse your visa—they may accuse you of misrepresentation.
The Client Who Said “No”
When onboarding clients, I always ask about past refusals from Canada or any other country.
I highlight the question in my emails.
It’s also asked on IRCC’s form IMM5257, which all applicants must complete.
This particular client answered “No” in the email AND on the form.
So, I submitted her Canadian business visitor visa application based on the information she provided.
What Did IRCC Do Next?
IRCC refused her application.
Why?
They wrote:
Curious to know the undisclosed details, I requested the ATIP notes:
- 4 years ago, she received a refusal on her Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
- 8 years ago, IRCC found her inadmissible under the same provision (41a).
- She had a removal order on her record.
She claimed “No” Knowledge of Her Past Refusals
When I asked why she hadn’t disclosed the above to me, she replied:
“I had no idea… I’ll ask my family about it.”
I never heard from her again.
What You Need to Know about IRCC
IRCC has access to traveler history.
It doesn’t matter if it happened six months ago or a hundred years ago.
IRCC tracks it all.
Marking “No” on a form when the truthful answer is “Yes” isn’t just a small mistake.
IRCC may interpret that as misrepresentation—even if it wasn’t intentional.
And in Canadian immigration law, misrepresentation carries weight.
It can lead to serious consequences, including bans from entering Canada.
Be Honest From the Start
If you’re applying for a Canadian business visitor visa:
- Disclose your full immigration history to your consultant.
- Mention any criminal records—even if they feel minor.
- If you’re unsure, look at your previous records before applying.
- Don’t assume IRCC won’t perform travel history checks—They do.
As a licensed immigration consultant, my focus is to build strong and truthful applications. But I can only work with what is shared with me.
That’s why I include this statement in black bold in every client welcome email:
If you do not provide/disclose information in your application—your application will be refused by IRCC.
Had this client been honest from the beginning, I could have explored potential solutions for her case—but she never gave that a chance.
I’ve helped clients with past refusals and even past criminality—and they were still approved.
Honesty gives consultants a chance to help prepare strong applications for approvals. Hiding the truth puts your future in Canada at risk.
Your Experiences
What are your experiences, as a consultant or as someone who has applied for a Canadian visa?
Your experiences can help others gain insights on what to do and what not to do.
Have you experienced a similar situation?
My Blogs
Drawn from real-world experiences handling numerous visa applications in a fast-paced corporate environment—each insight and tip shared here comes from actual cases, which entail downfalls and victories.
Stay updated with practical immigration tips by following my blogs.
Disclaimer: The above writing is not intended to be a source of legal advice. Please seek legal advice and use your own good judgment before acting on any information provided. If you choose to rely on this article, you do so entirely at your own accountability.
