After you apply
Find out what you should do after you apply to come to Canada as a provincial nominee.
On this page
- How we process your application
- What may delay the processing of your application
- Check your application status
- Decision on your application
- Working in Canada
How we process your application
After you apply, we’ll check that you have
- filled out your application correctly
- paid your processing fee
- met all the requirements
- included all documents
We’ll contact you to
- confirm your application is complete
- tell you what you need to do and what will happen next
If your application isn’t complete, we’ll reject it and refund your processing fees. You’ll have to fix any errors and then re-submit it.
We’ll send you an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) that includes your application number.
During processing, we’ll ask you to submit your
Biometrics
- If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) for every application for permanent residence you submit to us, even if you gave your biometrics in the past and they’re still valid.
- You must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise, you may experience delays.
- If your application is complete, we’ll send you a letter confirming you need to give your biometrics.
- If you haven’t already paid your biometrics fee, pay it as soon as you get the letter from us.
- You have 30 days from the date on the letter to give your biometrics.
- Find out if you need to give, how to give, and where to give your biometrics.
Medical exams
- You must have a medical exam before you come to Canada. Your family members must also have one, even if they’re not coming with you. 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 the processing of your application
How long it takes us to process your application depends on which visa office is processing your application.
To avoid delays
- let us know if there are changes to your personal information
- avoid contacting us more than once about the same issue
There may be delays with your application if
- there are criminal or security problems
- we need to do more background checks
- your family situation is not clear, for example
- there is a divorce or an adoption that is not yet complete
- there are child custody issues that have not been resolved
- a visa office has to contact our other offices in Canada or abroad to check your information
Keep your information up to date
To avoid processing delays, use the web form to tell us about changes both to your application and to your personal information as soon as possible.
You must let us know if
- you want to withdraw your application
- your family composition changes, for example
- a child is born or adopted
- there is a marriage or divorce
- you change your immigration representative
- your mailing address or email address changes
- a province or territory withdraws your nomination
- you don’t plan to live in the province or territory nominating you
Check your application status
Once you get your AOR letter, you can check the status of your application using your application number.
If you can’t view the status of your application, contact us to report a technical problem.
You can check your application status by using the online tool, which is updated daily.
Decision on your application
We’ll make a decision on your application based on whether you
- meet the eligibility criteria for the program
- have the funds to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada
- are admissible to Canada, based on
- your medical exam
- your police certificate
- any other background information
If we need more information from you, we’ll let you know. We may also invite you to an interview.
If you aren’t truthful in your application for we may
- refuse your application
- find you inadmissible
- bar you from applying for permanent resident status for up to 5 years
If we approve your application
Depending on whether you’re from a country where you need a visa to visit Canada, we’ll ask for either your passport or a photocopy of your passport.
You’ll need to pay your Right of Permanent Residence fee, if you haven’t already.
After you pay, we’ll issue you a
- confirmation of permanent residence (COPR)
- permanent resident visa (if you are from a country where you need a visa)
- letter with important information about your COPR and other requirements
If you need an electronic travel authorization (eTA), we’ll automatically issue one to you and link it to your passport.
Your COPR will have information about you as well as your photograph. Check to make sure the information on the COPR is correct. It should be the same as the information on your passport.
If there is a mistake on your COPR, contact us by following the instructions we gave you.
Please note that this document cannot be extended; you should make sure to use it before it expires.
If we refuse your application
We’ll send you a letter that tells you why.
To be re-considered, you have to
- submit a new application
- meet the eligibility criteria
- be found admissible
Working in Canada
A provincial nomination doesn’t mean you can work in Canada. You still need to apply for a work permit if you want to work while we process your permanent residence application.
Medical doctors and certain healthcare specialists
You may be eligible for faster processing for a work permit or work permit extension if you
- have a full-time offer as a
- specialist in clinical laboratory medicine
- specialist in surgery
- general practitioner or family physician
- have a support letter from a Canadian province or territory that nominates you as a permanent resident through the Provincial Nominee Program
- meet the general eligibility requirements (opens in a new tab) to apply for a work permit, depending on where you apply from
When your work permit is about to expire
If you’re already working in Canada and your existing work permit is about to expire, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit . This work permit can let you keep working while you wait for a final decision on your permanent residence application.