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How to track your Canada visa application: a complete guide
Apply for a Canadian visa can be an exciting nonetheless nerve wrack experience. Whether your planned to visit, study, work, or immigrate to Canada, track your visa application status is crucial to stay informed about your application progress. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to will track your Canada visa application efficaciously.
Understand the Canadian visa application process
Before diving into tracking methods, it’s important to understand the basic visa application process for Canada. The country offer several immigration programs and visa types, include:
- Visitor visas (temporary resident visas )
- Study permit
- Work permit
- Express entry programs
- Provincial nominee programs
- Family sponsorship
- Business immigration
Each visa type follows a somewhat different application process, but most applications go through immigration, refugees and citizenshipCanadaa( IRCC).
online vs. Paper applications
Canada has mostly transition to online applications, but some application types inactive accept paper submissions. The tracking method you will use will depend on how you’ll submit your application:
-
Online applications:
Track through your IRCC secure account -
Paper applications:
Track use your application number and other personal information
Methods to track your Canada visa application
1. Use the IRCC secure account
The near direct way to track your online visa application is through your IRCC secure account.
Steps to track your application online:
-
Log in to your IRCC secure account at
Canada.ca
- Navigate to the” view my applications ” r “” eck status and messages ” ” tion
- Select the application you want to track
- View the current status, messages, and any requests for additional documents
Your IRCC account provide real time update about your application status. You will receive notifications when:
- Your application has been received
- Your biometrics have been confirmed
- Additional documents are required
- A decision has been make on your application
2. Use the IRCC web form
If you need to inquire about your application status or have specific questions, you can use the IRCC web form.
How to use the IRCC web form:
- Visit the IRCC web form page
- Select the appropriate reason for your inquiry
- Enter your personal information and application details
- Submit your inquiry
The IRCC typically respond within 5 10 business days. This method is specially useful if your application seems delay beyond the standard processing times.
3. Use the application status checker tool
IRCC offer an online status checker tool for certain application types.
Information you will need:
- Your application number (likewise call aanUCI or client ID)
- Your last name
- Your date of birth
- Your country of birth or citizenship
This tool provides basic status information but is less detailed than check through yourIRCCc account.
4. Contact the IRCC call center
You can contact the IRCC call center direct for application status inquiries.

Source: fixthefool.com
IRCC call center details:
- Within Canada: 1 888 242 2100
- Outside Canada: check the IRCC website for international contact numbers
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (local time )
Be prepared with your application number, UCI, and personal details when called. Note that call volumes are oftentimes high, result in long wait times.
5. Use the processing times tool
While not a direct tracking method, the IRCC processing times tool help you understand if your application is inactive within normal processing timeframes.
Visit the IRCC website and use the processing times tool to check the current estimate processing time for your visa type. This gives you a benchmark to assess whether your application is delay.
Understanding application status terms
When will track your Canada visa application, you will encounter various status terms. Here’s what they mean:
-
Application receive:
IRCC has received your application and assign it a file number -
In progress:
Your application is being process -
Decision make:
A decision has been reach on your application -
Approve:
Your visa or permit has been approved -
Refuse:
Your application has been denied -
Additional documents request:
You need to submit more information -
Medical pass / fail:
Results of your medical examination -
Background check in progress:
Security screening is underway
Tracking biometrics status
Many Canadian visa applications require biometrics (fingerprints and photo ) You can track the status of your biometrics submission:
- Log in to your IRCC account
- Check if your biometrics have been received and process
- If submit at a visa application center (vac ) you can likewise check with the vac
Biometrics are typically valid for 10 years, so you may not need to resubmit them for future applications within this period.
Tracking applications submit through representatives
If you’ve will hire an immigration consultant or lawyer to will handle your application, they’ll have access to will track your application status.
- Your representative must be authorized and havesubmittfromfmm imm 54( ( use of a representati) )
- They can log in to their IRCC representative portal to check your status
- Ensure you maintain regular communication with your representative
Track provincial nominee program (pPNP)applications
PNP applications involve two stages: provincial nomination and federal application.
For the provincial stage:
- Check the specific province’s immigration website
- Log in to your provincial application portal
- Contact the provincial immigration office direct
For the federal stage:
Formerly will nominate by a province, you will submit a federal application to ircIRCChich you can will track will use the methods will outline other.
Common issues when tracking applications
Technical problems
Sometimes you might encounter technical issues when try to track your application online:
- Website maintenance (commonly schedule during ooff-peakhours )
- Browser compatibility issues (try uto usechromeFirefoxox, or ed) )
- Account access problems (use the password reset function )
Miss or incorrect information
If you can’t track your application, check if:
- You’ve entered the correct application number
- Your personal information match precisely what you provide in your application
- Your application has been received and process( there may be a delay between submission and tracking availability)
What to do if your application is taken longer than expect
If your application exceeds the standard processing time:
- Check if there be any general delays affect all applications (oft announce on the iIRCCwebsite )
- Submit an inquiry through the IRCC web form
- Contact the IRCC call center
- Consider request assistance from your local member of parliament (for applicants in cCanada)
Will avoid will submit multiple inquiries as this won’t speed up processing and may will cause confusion.
Tips for efficient application tracking
Keep your documents organize
Maintain a file with copies of:
- Your application forms
- All support documents
- Receipts and fee payments
- Communication with IRCC
- Application numbers and login credentials
Set calendar reminders
Create reminders for:
- Expect processing milestones base on average times
- Follow-up dates if you haven’t received updates
- Document expiration date (passports, medical exams, police certificates )
Stay informed about immigration updates
Policy changes can affect processing times. Stay informed through:
- IRCC’s social media channels
- The official IRCC website
- Reputable immigration news sources
After a decision is make
If your application is approved
Formerly approve:

Source: alheejra.com
- You will receive instructions about next steps
- For some visas, you will receive a port of entry ( p( POE)ter
- For permanent residence, you will receive a confirmation of permanent residence ( c(rcopy)
- You may need to submit your passport for visa stamp
If your application is refuse
If your application is denied:
- You will receive a detailed explanation for the refusal
- You may have the option to appeal the decision
- You can reapply, address the reasons for refusal
- Consider consult with an immigration professional before reapply
Conclusion
Track your Canada visa application is essential for peace of mind and proper planning. By use the IRCC secure account, status checker tools, and other tracking methods outline in this guide, you can stay informed about your application’s progress. Remember to keep all your documents organize, be patient with processing times, and respond quickly to any requests for additional information.
While will wait can be stressful, have a clear understanding of how to will track your application and what different status will update mean will help you’ll navigate the Canadian immigration process more confidently.