IRCC Relaunches Application Status Tracker for Work Permit, Study Permit, and Permanent Residence Applicants
IRCC Relaunches Application Status Tracker for Work Permit, Study Permit, and Permanent Residence Applicants
On October 14, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) relaunched its Application Status Tracker (ATS), allowing eligible applicants to monitor the progress of their work permit, study permit, and permanent residence applications online. Applicants who have received an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) can review updates on eligibility, medical examinations, background verification, and biometrics, with account information updated daily. Access requires an application number and Unique Client Identifier (UCI), which are provided in the AOR or submission confirmation letter.
Key Points
- Application Review Categories: The ATS provides updates on four areas of an application: eligibility, medical examination completion, background verification, and biometrics. Each category displays a status indicating whether review has not started, is in progress, is complete, requires action from the applicant, or is exempt.
- Available Status Indicators: Each review category may display one of five statuses: “Not started,” “Waiting on you,” “In progress,” “Completed,” or “Exempted.” The overall application status may separately appear as “received,” “in progress,” or “closed.”
- Daily Information Updates: IRCC states that information displayed in the applicant’s ATS account is updated daily. The tracker allows applicants to monitor application progress without relying solely on individual correspondence from IRCC.
- Account Access and Identification: Applicants can sign in using a supported banking sign-in option or their GCKey username and password. They must also provide their application number and UCI, which can be found on their AOR or submission confirmation letter.
What Employers Need to Know
- Employee Application Monitoring: Employers may wish to inform foreign national employees about the relaunched tracker so they can monitor the progress of their work permit or other eligible applications. The tool can help employees identify when IRCC requires additional information or documentation, although employers should continue to coordinate with employees and immigration counsel regarding outstanding requests.
- Authorized Access Requirements: The tracker is available only to principal applicants, sponsors, representatives, and designated individuals who have written authorization to access another person’s application. Employers should not assume they can directly access an employee’s application without the required authorization.
- Application Receipt Is Required: Applicants cannot use the ATS to check their status until IRCC has issued an AOR confirming receipt of a complete application. Employers should therefore continue to retain submission confirmations and relevant immigration documentation while awaiting the AOR and subsequent status updates.
Looking Ahead
- Greater Visibility Into Application Progress: Daily updates across multiple review categories may help applicants better understand where their applications stand during processing. However, the tracker does not, based on the information provided, establish a guaranteed processing timeline or indicate when a final decision will be issued.
- Potentially Earlier Identification of Outstanding Requirements: The “Waiting on you” status may help applicants recognize when IRCC requires further information or documentation. Promptly reviewing the tracker and responding to official requests may help applicants avoid unnecessary delays associated with outstanding requirements.
- Continued Importance of Official Communications: Although the ATS provides a centralized way to monitor application progress, applicants and employers should continue to review official IRCC correspondence for instructions and deadlines. The tracker should be treated as a supplementary monitoring tool rather than a substitute for formal notices or immigration advice.
IRCC’s relaunch of the Application Status Tracker provides eligible work permit, study permit, and permanent residence applicants with a convenient way to monitor key stages of their applications. Applicants must first receive an AOR and have the required identification details to access the service, while employers should ensure that employees understand its availability, access restrictions, and limitations. Regularly checking the tracker alongside official IRCC communications can help applicants and employers stay informed about application progress and outstanding requirements.