Maple News reports that Canada’s Federal Court has introduced temporary changes that give immigration applicants more time to challenge rejected applications. As of May 14, 2025, individuals seeking a judicial review now have 45 extra days to formalize their request, bringing the total period to 75 days from the previous 30.
This move is in response to a sharp rise in the number of requests for judicial review throughout 2024 and 2025. The volume has created considerable delays, prompting the court to implement special measures to manage the backlog and ensure fairness for applicants.
In Canadian immigration law, an applicant can pursue a judicial review when they believe an immigration decision was made based on a legal or factual error. The process is conducted in the Federal Court and consists of two main stages: first, the applicant must receive permission—known as “leave”—from the court. Once leave is granted, the court then conducts a full review to evaluate whether the initial decision was flawed.
With the new measures, applicants now have 45 additional days to “perfect” their leave request. This means they must file a complete applicant record within 75 days of submitting the initial leave application, giving them more time to compile evidence and legal arguments.
If the court finds merit in an applicant’s claim, it may order the immigration department to reconsider the case—especially if the original decision involved procedural errors or misinterpretations of the law.
These changes mark a significant shift aimed at improving access to justice for those navigating Canada’s complex immigration system. Maple News notes that this extension is expected to provide applicants, particularly those without immediate legal support, a better chance to prepare strong cases and correct unfair decisions.
While these measures are temporary, they reflect an acknowledgment by the judiciary of the growing pressure on Canada’s immigration review system. It remains to be seen whether these deadlines will become permanent as part of broader reforms to streamline the appeals process.