When can I check my application status?

You can’t check your application status right away.

You can only check your application status after we start processing your application. It can take some time between when you submit your application and when we open it. Due to the impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), this period may be longer. Once we open your application and check that it’s complete, we start processing it.

If you applied under the spouse/partner/dependent children sponsorship category

This includes if you

• applied to sponsor a spouse, partner or dependent children
• are being sponsored as a spouse, partner or child
• are a representative or designated person for one of the above

There’s a new way(opens in a new tab)  to check the status of your sponsorship application.

Status updates will only show up after you get an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letter or email.

• You’ll get an AOR after we get your application and check that it’s complete.
  

  If you applied on paper

  • it will take time for your application to arrive by mail
  • if you have a tracking number with a courier or postal service, you can check if they delivered your application to us

  If you applied online

  • when you submit your application, you'll get an automatic email confirmation that we received it (this is not your AOR)
  • we need time to check that your application is complete before sending the AOR
• Until then, you can still see
  • basic application details
  • contact information

If you applied through the IRCC secure account

It can take up to 5 days before you see your application in your account and are able to check your application status. See How can I check the status of my application?

If you applied through the permanent residence application portal (except for the spouse/partner/dependent children category)

• When you can start checking your status depends on what you applied for. It could take up to several months before we start processing your application.
• When we start processing your application, we’ll send you an acknowledgment of receipt letter or email with your client number.
• When you have your client number, you can check your application status in 2 ways.

If you applied on paper (except under the spouse/partner/dependent children category)

• When you can start checking your status depends on what you applied for. It could take up to several months before we start processing your application.
• When we start processing your application, we’ll send you a letter or email with your client number
• When you have your client number, you can check your application status in 2 ways.

If you’re worried we didn’t get your application, see How can I check if my application has been received?