This thread is from the January 2022 SDS (Student Direct Stream) intake, so specifics around processing volumes are dated, but the general pattern members described still applies to any refusal-and-reapply situation.
- Expect biometrics and medical requests to reset. One member noted that after a refusal, IRCC typically asks for biometrics and medical exams again on the new application — even if you'd already done them on the earlier file. Another member confirmed this happened on their own case: biometrics/medical showed as done on the old (refused) file but not yet requested on the new one.
- Give it one to two weeks after those steps are completed before expecting a decision. That was the rough timeframe members cited for getting a result once biometrics and medical were up to date.
- Don't read into the file staying 'incomplete' while biometrics/medical are pending — that's expected after a refusal, not a red flag.
Bottom line: if you're reapplying under SDS (or any study permit stream) after a refusal, budget time for biometrics and medical to be redone, and expect the decision roughly one to two weeks after those are finalized.