After you apply

On this page

• How we process your application
  • Keep your information up to date
  • What may delay your application
• Check your application status
• Once we make a decision on your application

How we process your application

Once we receive your application, we'll check that

• you submitted all required information
• you meet the eligibiliy criteria for the public policy

We'll review your application and send you an acknowledgement of receipt letter that includes your application number.

If you're eligible, we will

• ask you for more documents, if needed
• ask you and your family members to get
  • medical exams
  • criminal and security checks
  • biometrics (give your fingerprints and photo), if required

Keep your information up to date

To avoid delays, keep your personal information updated.

Update your address

Use our online tool to change your address.

Inform us of changes in your application

Use the instructions under the “Updating your contact information or application” section of the guide to inform us of changes in your application, such as

• a marriage or divorce
• the birth or adoption of a child
• the death of an applicant or dependant
• new contact information

What may delay your application

In some cases, it may take us longer to process your application if

• your family situation is complex (for example, divorce, adoption or unresolved child custody issues)
• our processing office has to contact other offices in Canada or abroad to verify the information in your application
• the contact information on file (address, telephone, email) is outdated, and we can't contact you or a member of your family
• there are criminal or security issues we need to look into or we need to do more background checks

Check your application status

Once you receive your acknowledgement of receipt letter with your application number, you can check your application by using the online tool, which is updated daily

If you can't view the status of your application, you can contact us using our web form.

Once we make a decision on your application

If we approve your application

We'll contact you and give you instructions about your permanent residence.

Confirm your permanent resident status

You'll get emails from a mailbox ending in cic.gc.ca

1. asking you to confirm your email address
2. asking you to confirm you're physically in Canada
3. giving you information about the Permanent Residence Portal (and options if you can't use it)

The portal is separate from your Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada secure account. Don't create your own account in the Permanent Residence Portal, as this can delay the process. We'll create an account for you. Follow the instructions in the email we send you.

Learn more about the Permanent Residence Portal.

You must tell us if you leave Canada before we grant you permanent resident status.

Permanent resident cards

If we approve your application, we'll make an electronic confirmation of permanent residence (e-COPR) available to you in the Permanent Residence Portal to provide proof of your new status in Canada. In this portal, we'll also ask you to provide a photo so we can start issuing your first PR card. You don't need to apply for your first PR card.

While you wait for your PR card, you can use your signed e-COPR to

• prove that you're a permanent resident in Canada
• apply for the government benefits and services that you're eligible for (for example, to apply for your social insurance number, so you can work).

If we refuse your application

We'll send you a letter and tell you why we refused your application.