After you apply

On this page

• Keep your information up to date
• How we process your application
• Check your application status
• Decision on your application

Keep your information up to date

To avoid delays in processing, use the web form to tell us about any change to your contact information and your application details as soon as possible.

You must let us know

• if you want to withdraw your application
• if your family composition changes for example
  • a marriage, divorce or new common-law relationship
  • the birth or adoption of a child
  • the death of an applicant or dependant
• if you change your immigration representative
• if your contact information changes, including your
  • email
  • phone number
  • mailing address

If you change your contact information, make sure you check your old contact information until we update your application.

How we process your application

Once we receive your application, we check that you

• meet all the requirements
• filled out your application for permanent residence completely and correctly
• submitted your application before the annual limit was full
• paid your processing fee
• included all required documents

We’ll send you an acknowledgement of receipt that includes your application number.

We contact you to

• ask you and your family members to get
  • medical exams
  • biometrics (fingerprints and photo)
• ask you for more documents, if necessary
• set up an interview, if necessary
• tell you what you need to do and what will happen next

Get your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) taken

If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you need to give your fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) after you apply for permanent residence. This applies for every permanent resident application, even if you provided biometrics in the past and they’re still valid.

You must pay the biometric fee when you submit your application. Otherwise, you may experience delays. After you pay the biometrics fee with a complete application, we’ll send you a letter to tell you how and where to give your biometrics.

You have 30 days from the date on the letter to provide your biometrics.

Find out who needs to give biometrics, how to give them and where to give them.

Medical exams

You must have a medical exam before you settle in Canada. Your family members must also have one, even if they’re not coming with you. We’ll tell you when to have a medical exam.

We won’t accept your application if your health

• is a danger to Canada’s public health or safety
• would cause too much demand on health or social services in Canada

What may delay your application

It may take us longer to process your application if

• your application is incomplete
• the documents you send us
  • are unclear or don’t meet specifications
  • don’t have a certified English or French translation
• we need to verify your information and documents
• your medical condition requires more tests or consultations
• we identify a criminal or security issue
• we need to consult other offices in Canada or abroad

Check your application status

Once you get your acknowledgment of receipt letter, you can check the status of your application with your application number using the online tool, which is updated daily.

If you can’t view the status of your application, contact us to report a technical problem.

Decision on your application

We make a decision on your application based on

• whether you meet the eligibility criteria for the program
• whether you’re admissible to Canada, based on the results of your
  • medical exam
  • background checks

If you’re not truthful in your application for permanent residence, we may

• refuse your application
• find you inadmissible
• bar you from applying to come to Canada for any reason for 5 years

When we make a decision on your application, we’ll notify you through your online account.

If we approve your application

If we approve your application, make sure to pay your right of permanent residence fee if you haven’t already done so.

If you’re outside of Canada, we’ll mail you a

• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
• permanent resident visa (if you’re from a country that requires a visa)

If you’re already in Canada, we’ll upload an electronic COPR (e-COPR) for you in the Permanent Residence Portal.

Your COPR has information about who you are, as well as your photo. Check to make sure your information is correct. It should be the same as the information on your passport. If there’s a mistake on your COPR, contact us to let us know.

We can’t extend your COPR, so you should make sure to use it before it expires.

Find out what your next steps are.

If we refuse your application

If we refuse your application, we’ll send you a letter that tells you why.

To be re-considered, you have to

• fill out and submit a new application
• meet the eligibility criteria
• be found admissible to Canada
• be accepted under the annual occupational caps

Biometrics fee

• Individual applicant: CAD $85
• Families applying at the same time: maximum total fee of CAD $170
• Groups of 3 or more performing artists and their staff who apply for work permits at the same time: maximum total fee of $CAD 255