What if my PR is rejected?

What to do, in order

1. Keep the rejection letter and your submission. Save the ICA outcome letter and a full copy of what you submitted: forms, documents and cover letter. You will need both whether you appeal or reapply.

2. Don't reapply immediately with the same profile. An unchanged application is usually assessed the same way. There is no mandatory waiting period, but most successful reapplications we see come after a meaningful change.

3. Work out why it was weak. ICA does not give reasons, so you have to diagnose it yourself. The FAQ "Why was my PR application unsuccessful?" has a checklist.

4. Choose appeal or reapply. Appeal if there was an error or omission in the original application, or important facts ICA didn't see. Reapply if your profile itself needs to get stronger: salary, tenure, family ties or community involvement.

5. Check your pass and timeline. A PR outcome does not change your current work pass, but plan around its expiry date and any pending renewal.

6. Get the narrative right. Most rejected applications we review were missing context ICA would have needed: career trajectory, family ties and contribution. That is something you can fix.