An Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) is an official document that confirms that Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has received your application.
IRCC issues an AOR document after an individual submits an application for immigration, citizenship, or temporary residence.
The document’s significance varies depending on the application submitted, and how it has been submitted.
IRCC may issue an AOR at different times depending on the application type. For example, an AOR for Express Entry is generated automatically, usually just minutes after the permanent residence application is submitted.
The AOR for a sponsorship or citizenship application, on the other hand, can take months.
The AOR document confirms that IRCC received your application.
The date of the AOR is important when considering factors such as:
Receiving an AOR does not necessarily mean your application is complete or incomplete; this will depend on the type of application you have submitted. For instance, IRCC issues an AOR automatically for Express Entry applicants, but they may still refuse the application for missing documents.
However, receiving an AOR after submitting a citizenship application means that IRCC has confirmed that the application is complete.
An AOR confirms when IRCC receives your application. Therefore, if you are submitting a paper-based application, the AOR date will correspond with the date that the IRCC mailroom received your application package. They will send the AOR once they start processing your application. For this reason, it is important to use a courier service that requires a signature when delivering your application in order to track it to receive a confirmation when it arrives.
When submitting an electronic application, the AOR date typically corresponds with the date that you click the submit button. However, the date on your AOR can sometimes indicate one or two days later due to technical glitches or time differences. For this reason, it is a good idea to submit in advance.
Receiving the AOR does not necessarily mean IRCC has started processing your application. After receiving your AOR, the time it takes to obtain PR will depend on the program you submitted under, in addition to other various factors.
Want to learn more about how you can immigrate to Canada? Get started today by completing our free online assessment.
Free assessmentInternational Students
Are you a student heading to Toronto for your studies and wondering where to live? Deciding on accommodation is crucial as it significantly affects your […]
International Students
Canada’s excellent educational institutions, diverse and inclusive society, high quality of life, and post-graduation work opportunities make it an attractive choice for students from around […]
Quebec Immigration
Whether you’ve just arrived to Canada or are planning your move from another province, understanding how to access a health insurance plan in this francophone […]
Living in Canada
Moving to a new country or city is always a significant decision, filled with excitement and a bit of anxiety. If you’re considering a move […]
Living in Canada
This Canadian city is a busy place where cultural diversity and government matters come together. Today we will talk about many things that make life […]
Spousal Sponsorship
When navigating the process of spousal sponsorship in Canada, understanding the different roles involved is crucial. This blog post clarifies these roles to help you […]
Discover your Canadian immigration options. Get your free assessment now!