Paying attention to every detail is vital for Canadian immigration. Before proceeding, you must verify that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has received your application.

Follow these procedures to confirm that your documents arrived safely and are being processed, whether you applied by mail, online, or at a visa application centre.

Online submissions send instant feedback but may not be processed immediately. If you used the IRCC’s online portal, you’ll see an instant confirmation screen after clicking “submit.” Your first confirmation that the application was processed is this screen.

Additionally, an email will be sent to the email address that you gave in your application shortly after that, typically within a few hours that will follow.

This email accomplishes two primary goals:

• This message verifies that the IRCC has received your file.
• It is recommended that you log in to your account get additional notifications, which may include your application number.

This email is not your official acknowledgment of receipt (AOR), so please take note of it. Only when the IRCC has first opened your application, checked to be sure it is complete, and started processing it will the AOR be provided. Depending on the amount and type of application, this phase could take a few days or even a few months to complete.

You should make sure to keep your confirmation email and AOR safe once you have received them because they are your proof that the IRCC has acknowledged your application.

Visa Application (VACs): Tracking Services You Can Use

Suppose you used a Visa Application Centre to submit your paperwork. In that case, you can track its delivery using a unique reference or tracking number found on the receipt issued by the VAC.

Tracking options vary by location but may include

• VAC websites
• Email notifications
• SMS alerts (may cost extra)
• Helpline support
• Live web chat

By using these services, you will be informed as soon as your documents have been received by the IRCC. Please always go to the local website of the VAC for information that is particular to your country.

Paper-based applications are considered outdated, but they continue to be dependable. What happens is a little bit different for individuals who applied over the mail or through a courier. On the other hand, paper submissions do not automatically include an AOR.

Use a courier service that allows for tracking and demands a signature upon delivery verify that the package has been delivered. The fact that your package has arrived at its destination is demonstrated by this confirmation.

Incorporating Your Application into the Online Portal of the IRCC

Want real-time updates on your paper or VAC-submitted application? You can attempt to link it to an IRCC online account—if your application type qualifies.

• How to link your application:
• Make sure you have a secure account with the IRCC if you haven’t already.
• You can add your application to your account by going to the area that says “Add (link) your application to your account.”
• Fill out the application with the same information that you used when you first submitted it (or the most recent information, if you have made any changes).
• You have to link your application. Failure to link your application will prevent you from accessing this feature for twenty-four hours.
• After the two accounts have been linked, you will no longer get paper letters; instead, updates will be delivered straight to your online account. Please be aware that it may take up to five days for your application to be shown after it has been received.

Applications You Can Link to Your Online Account

Here are some application types that are currently eligible for online linking:

Permanent Residence

• Express Entry streams (CEC, FSWP, FSTP)
• Family sponsorship (except sponsor applications)
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Quebec immigration programs
• Start-up visa, caregivers, and more

Temporary Residence

• Study permits
• Visitor visas and records
• Work permits
• IEC (International Experience Canada)

Other Applications

• Permanent resident cards
• Interim Federal Health Program
• eTAs

As the application process continues to broaden qualifying requirements, the most up-to-date list can be found on the official website of the IRCC.

When your application is not linkable, what should you do?

If your application does not qualify for linkage, it is not a cause for concern. However, you still have choices:

• The IRCC Check Application Status tool should be utilized.
• Utilize the official website of the IRCC to keep track of the processing timelines.
• If you have any questions, you can contact them through their website.

Concluding Remarks: Patience and preparation go hand in hand.

This is just the beginning of your journey to Canada; submitting your application for immigration is simply the introduction. Although it is very normal to be apprehensive about its status, the IRCC has developed a number of methods, both digital and manual, to assist you in confirming receipt and remaining updated. Proactive follow-ups can bring you comfort while you await the next steps. This proactive approach can include tracking tools and secure account connections.