A study permit refusal citing 'won't return home' isn't necessarily the end of the road, including for older applicants.
What group members advised:- Request your GCMS notes to understand the specific reasoning behind the refusal — this is the standard first step before reapplying.
- Expect roughly 30–45 days for GCMS notes to come back, based on group members' experience, though this can vary.
- Use the notes to make targeted changes to your reapplication (e.g., strengthening ties to home country, clarifying study plan) rather than resubmitting the same application.
- Age alone doesn't disqualify a second attempt — members noted approvals do happen on reapplication, including for older applicants, once the specific refusal reasons are addressed.
Takeaway: pull your GCMS notes first, address the actual reasons cited, and reapply — a refusal at 30+ isn't unusual or necessarily final.