Sending off an immigration application can sometimes be stressful, especially if you are not sure it even got there. So, how do you know that your application has been received? Well, the answer typically lies in how you submitted it. Let’s break it down.
If you applied online
Online submission is usually straightforward for many. And soon after you hit the ‘submit’ icon, a confirmation page pops up. This pop-up means that your application has been received successfully by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC will also email you using the email address listed in your application to notify you that they have received your submission. The email will also ask you to check for a confirmation message and an application number on your IRCC online account.
A few hours are usually all it takes for this confirmation to arrive. It is also good to note that this email is not your official Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR). That receipt usually comes later. Once the IRCC opens your application and checks that everything is in order and complete, you will get the Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR). This process is lengthy, as it can take a few days to a few months. And once you have received it, saving it for your own personal records is a good idea.
If you submitted via a Visa Application Centre (VAC)
If you applied through a VAC, there is good news — you can track your application. You will require a reference number and a tracking ID, which will be found on your receipt or invoice. Even if you used a VAC in your country, you can still track your application through:
- A tracking tool located on the VAC website
- Email updates
- Web chat
- A helpline
- SMS updates, which can sometimes come at a fee
If you sent a paper application
Things are different when you use a paper application. You won’t get an AOR right away. But then, how do you know your application was delivered? IRCC recommends a postal courier that includes tracking and requires a signature. That way, you will know precisely when it was delivered. Sometimes, you can track your status digitally by linking your online IRCC account to your paper application.
