The short answer
Most Canadian immigration applications are made online through an IRCC secure account. After you submit, IRCC writes to you through that account: to confirm it has reviewed your application, to ask for biometrics, to request more documents or an interview, and to send updates. Your job is to submit a complete, truthful application, check the account regularly, reply on time and keep your details up to date.
Key terms in plain English
- IRCC secure account: the online account used to apply for many things, including work permits and Express Entry. IRCC warns that some applications use a different account, so check which one yours needs.
- Document checklist: the personalised list of documents the system asks you to upload.
- Acknowledgement of receipt (AOR): the letter or email IRCC sends after it receives your application and checks it is complete.
- UCI: your unique client identifier, a number IRCC assigns you.
- Application status: what IRCC shows about where your application is. How you check it depends on what you applied for.
Step by step
- Choose the right account. IRCC's account page lists which applications use the secure account and which use others.
- Read your route's instruction guide and checklist before you start, and gather documents first.
- Complete the forms honestly. IRCC states that if you are not truthful, it may refuse your application, find you inadmissible and bar you from applying again for a period.
- Upload documents in the format requested. Use the original or the type of scan the checklist describes.
- Pay the fees shown by IRCC. Pay only through the official payment page, never to a person.
- Submit and keep the confirmation. Save the receipt and any reference numbers.
- Watch your account. IRCC may send a biometrics letter, ask for more documents or set up an interview. Respond within the time it gives.
- Check your status using the method IRCC lists for your application type.
- Report changes. Tell IRCC if your contact details change, if your family situation changes (for example a birth, marriage or divorce), if you change your representative, or if your job offer or nomination changes. IRCC provides a web form for this.
Processing times
IRCC publishes processing times for each application type, and they change. We do not quote them. Use IRCC's processing times tool, leave generous buffer time and avoid non-refundable bookings until you have your confirmation.
Checklist
- To do: Confirm which IRCC account your application uses
- To do: Read the instruction guide and the document checklist first
- To do: Gather and scan your documents before you begin
- To do: Complete every form field truthfully
- To do: Pay fees only through IRCC's official payment page
- To do: Save the confirmation, receipts and reference numbers
- To do: Check the account regularly, not only your email
- To do: Respond to every request before its deadline
- To do: Update IRCC when your details or your family change
Common mistakes
- Submitting an incomplete application. For Express Entry, IRCC says an incomplete application is rejected and the processing fee refunded. Other routes have their own rules.
- Missing a message in the account. Check it, not just your email.
- Not reporting a change. A new address or family member can cause delays.
- Paying through a link in an email. Use IRCC's website directly.
- Letting someone else fill in blank forms. Never sign a blank form, and read everything before you submit.
Things that change
Forms, fees, checklists and processing times are updated by the government. Some programmes use their own portals.
Verify before you act
Start at IRCC's secure account page, then read how to check your application status and check processing times. The official fee list shows the current fees.