After you apply

On this page

• How we process your application
• If we approve your application
• If we refuse your application

How we process your application

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

After we confirm you’re eligible, we’ll:

• ask you for more documents, if needed
• ask you and members of your family to get
  • medical exams
  • criminal and security checks
  • biometrics (give your fingerprints and photo), if required
• ask you to pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee
• refer your application to the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration du Québec, if you plan to live in Quebec

Get your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) taken

If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you may need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics).

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

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 must show this letter when you give your biometrics.
• Get this done as soon as you get the letter from us that tells you to give your biometrics.
  • You have 30 days to do this from the date on the letter.
• You must give your biometrics in person. You need to book an appointment.

Things that may delay your application

In some cases, it may take us longer to process your application if it is complex. An application may be more complex if:

• the contact information you provided (address, telephone, email) is outdated and we can’t contact you or a member of your family
• our processing office has to contact other offices in Canada or abroad to verify the information in your application
• background checks are still in progress for you or your family members

Keep your information up to date

To avoid delays in processing, make sure your contact information and your application details are up to date.

• Use our address tool to change your address.
• Use the instructions under “Updating your contact information or application” for all other changes to your application including:
  • a change in relationship status (for example, marriage, divorce, new common-law relationship)
  • the birth or adoption of a child
  • the death of an applicant or dependant
  • contact information updates (email or phone number)

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

Check your application status

When you get your acknowledgement of receipt letter you can check the status of your application using your application number.

This can also take several weeks or even months. Unfortunately, we can’t give an exact time because every case is different.

Our telephone and social media agents also won’t be able to tell you the date you’ll get the letter with your application number. They don’t have this information.

You can check your application status by 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.

If we approve your application

If we approve your application, we’ll contact you using the phone number or email you provided to:

• pay your right of permanent residence fee (if you haven’t already)
• confirm information you gave in your application
• make sure all your documents are valid
• confirm your permanent residence status online.

Permanent resident cards

Once you become a permanent resident, you’ll be able to access an electronic confirmation of permanent residence (e-COPR) in the Permanent Residence Portal. This is proof of your new status in Canada.

In this portal, we’ll also ask you for a photo so we can start the process of issuing your first permanent resident (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 you’re a permanent resident in Canada
• apply for 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.