Provincial and federal immigration agencies follow different instructions and procedures, but this doesn’t mean one is softer than the other. The working philosophy depends on the direction a division receives, not on an officer’s personal attitude toward evidence.

Instructions Shape an Officer’s Approach

An immigration officer works within government instructions. If one officer accepted a certain piece of evidence yesterday and another doesn’t today, this doesn’t reflect personal preferences. The instructions changed, so the approach changed. The same officer will work differently once the guidance shifts. The question isn’t whether officers are becoming softer or stricter, but what rules they’re given by their department.

Quebec’s Transparency and Formalization

At the provincial level, Quebec, through MIFI, shows a very transparent and procedural approach. Everything is formalized: intent to refuse, intent to reject — every step is properly documented. Thanks to this organization, people in many cases learn about the possibility of reconsideration at the federal level precisely through the Quebec process, where reconsideration is a formalized procedure. At the federal level, reconsideration exists, but it’s less formally organized.

Differences in Approach

  • InstructionsDetermine the officer’s decisionNot personal opinion
  • FormalizationHigh in QuebecEverything properly documented
  • ReconsiderationFormalized in QuebecLess organized at the federal level
  • StrictnessPossible despite transparencyDepends on the officer’s initial opinion

Strictness Despite Transparency

Well-organized procedure doesn’t guarantee lenient review. In Quebec, despite the transparency, officers can be very strict about their initial conclusions. Once an officer has formed an opinion, substantial evidence is needed to change their decision. In the described cases involving CAQ and students who finished their studies earlier than planned, refusals happened because of strict adherence to instructions, not poor organization. A student might have studied two and a half years instead of the planned three, yet receive a refusal simply because it didn’t match the established parameters.

Formalization as a Double-Edged Sword

Although Quebec places great emphasis on formalization and properly completed documents, this doesn’t always lead to positive outcomes. The procedure can be executed flawlessly, but the decision remains negative if it follows the instructions. This means applicants must understand: clarity of process doesn’t equal a favorable outcome.