For some applications to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you’ll need to submit a paper application, as opposed to applying online.
If you submit a paper application, you may be able to link your paper application to your online IRCC account. Click here to see if your application can be linked.
Linking your application to your online account will allow you to receive more timely updates on the status of your application.
How to link your paper application to your online IRCC account
To link an application:
- Sign in to your online account or create a new one if you haven’t already (this can be done with a GC Key, or with secure banking partner credentials).
- In your account, go to the section labeled “View the applications you submitted,” (towards the bottom of the webpage) and select “Add (link) your application to your account to check your status.”
- Enter the information exactly as it appears on your original paper application. If you’ve updated your information since submitting the application, use the most recent details. You can also choose the combinations of personal information you provide to link your application (passport number, Unique Client Identifier (UCI), Social Insurance Number (SIN), etc.
- You have 5 attempts to link your application. If you are unsuccessful after 5 tries, your account will be temporarily locked for 24 hours.
Once your application is linked, you will no longer receive paper letters regarding your application. All communication will be sent to your online account.
Additionally, if you are using a representative (immigration lawyer, consultant, or trusted friend/family member), they will lose access to your application once it is linked to your account.
Once your application is linked, it will appear in the “View my submitted applications or profiles” section on your main account page. To view the status of your application and any related messages, click on “Check status and messages.” If you receive a “Linking in progress,” message, IRCC advises you to check your application status at a later time.
What to do if you receive a message saying there are no matches to your application
If IRCC’s system does not recognize an active application with the personal credentials you have provided, the system will return a “no matches” message. There are three reasons why this may be the case:
- Your application is not in the system yet. If you applied by mail or in person, it may take some time before IRCC enters your information into their system. Once it’s entered, you’ll be able to link your application. To confirm whether IRCC has your paper application, newcomers are advised to choose a courier with tracking and drop-off confirmation. In addition, newcomers may be able to obtain further details on their application by calling IRCC directly.
- You selected the wrong application category. Some programs have different categories under which you can be invited to apply. If you were invited to apply under a specific category, ensure that you select the correct one. For example, applicants in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), should choose “Canadian Experience Class” as the sub-category, not “Express Entry.” Similarly, applicants in the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) should avoid choosing the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) (and vice versa). In addition, applicants for any work permit through International Experience Canada (including open work permits), should select the subcategory “International Experience Canada.”
- The information you provided does not match what is in the IRCC system. IRCC’s system will only link an application if the information you enter matches exactly the information on your application. Ensure there are no formatting errors, like extra spaces before or after what you type into each field.
Some of the most common issues experienced when trying to link an application include:
- Entering a different name than what appears on your passport if you applied on paper. Make sure to enter your name exactly as it appears in your passport—this is the information IRCC will enter into their system;
- Inaccurately counting family members for family sponsorship applications. If you’re applying for family sponsorship, in the last question, (“Number of family members, including the primary applicant, that are part of this application,”) include the sponsor and the co-signer (if applicable). The minimum number entered here should be at least 2; and
- Entering a different place of birth from your passport. If you selected “Place of Birth” under the “Applicant’s personal information” section, make sure to enter the “City/town of birth” as it appears on your passport (if applicable) or on the IMM 0008 form if no passport information was provided.
