How do I check the status of my IRCC application?

Staying up to date on the status of an application is often a top consideration for newcomers who have applied Canada Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC).

Although most immigration candidates and applicants will be able to obtain an abbreviated application update from their secure IRCC account (or the relevant application portal), there are other options available for newcomers.

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How can I check the status of my application?

In addition to status updates provided through the IRCC application portals and direct contact with IRCC by phone, web form or email (which are more appropriate for general enquiries), applicants can now use the Application Status tool Tracker (AST)*.

This tool has been designed by IRCC to provide applicants (clients) with detailed and up-to-date information on their specific applications. The service is available to newcomers who have applied to IRCC:

• Express Entry;
• Study permits;
• Work permit;
• Sponsorship of a spouse, partner or dependent child; I
• Visitor visas.

In addition to the application status tracking tool, applicants can also apply Global Case Management System (GCMS), which allow applicants to access a “behind-the-scenes” look at their application, including any additional information collected by the government, when the application was last opened, and how the application’s supervising officer is located.

While much of this information is relevant to applicants awaiting their applications, it does not provide the most detailed information about application processing specifically. For this reason, the article will continue to focus on the AST tool. For more information on how to request GCMS notes, find our dedicated webpage here.

*Please note that IRCC also runs the Customer Request Status site, which is different from the AST tool. While both are operational, the Client Application Status site provides information for many applications that are not included in the AST tool (citizenship, permanent residence (PR), PR Cardetc.).

What information is included in the AST tool?

In the AST tool, applicants can find:

• The general status of your request (received, in progress or closed);
• Application details (including eligibility verification, medical examination (if required), background check and biometrics (if required));
• Contact details;
• Document status (including confirmation of permanent residence (COPR), visitor visas, study permitsand work permit (among others)); and
• Next steps (when and if relevant) for applicants.

When can I start checking the status of my application?

Before newcomers can begin checking their application status using the tool, five things must happen:

• The application must be submitted;
• IRCC receives the request and places it in the processing queue;
• The request passes an integrity check;
• The request begins processing; and
• The applicant receives an acknowledgment of receipt (AOR) letter/email with their application number included.

The actual time required to complete these steps can vary greatly depending on the type of request that was submitted. However, once an AOR has been received, newcomers can begin checking the status of their application.

What do the messages within the AST tool mean?

Within the general application status section, applicants will see one of the following three statuses:

• Received: This means that the request has been received and is currently undergoing integrity checks;
• In progress: the application is still being reviewed; either
• Closed: the request: has been approved; been rejected; or withdrawn/canceled by the applicant.

Within the application details section of the tool, newcomers can receive more detailed information about each of the four sections (eligibility verification, medical exam, background check, and biometrics). Within these individual sections, applicants will find one of the following statuses:

• Not started;
• Waiting for you: indicates that IRCC has requested more information/documents and is waiting for the requester to comply;
• In progress;
• Finished; either
• Exempt: meaning the applicant does not need to complete this section of the application.

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