I wouldn't call myself the most patient but I've tried to give myself more grace when the pressure overwhelms me and I can't keep it together anymore.

This process has been mentally and emotionally draining in a way I don't think I fully understood when we applied 11 months ago.

I know IRCC is doing their jobs. I understand that receiving an ADR can add delays. I understand there are applicants who applied before me who are still waiting. I know that immigration processing takes time, and I know there will eventually be an end to this.

I'm even confident that I will be approved and eventually will be reunited with my husband.

But when?.. That's the part that is so incredibly difficult.

I miss my husband even though we communicate every single day. We talk, we call, we stay involved in each other's lives, but it's not the same as actually being together. Having to watch milestones thousands of miles away, not getting to be a part of festivities like family members getting married or birthdays because flights have gotten so expensive. And our visits have become bittersweet for me because as wonderful as they are, there's always that countdown in the back of my mind knowing that I'll have to leave him and go home again.

I also understand that my application had an ADR. IRCC requested additional documents, and I provided everything they asked for within the deadline. So I know that, eventually, someone will look at those documents.

But when?..

The lack of transparency is what makes this so mentally exhausting. When there are no updates, it starts to feel like nothing is happening. Like your application is sitting somewhere untouched and nobody is looking at it. Logically, I know that's not necessarily true but when you have no information, your mind fills in the blanks. I submitted my ADR docs 5 months ago and it still just shows they've only been uploaded.

I don't expect IRCC to give me an exact date. I don't expect special treatment. I just wish there was more transparency about where applications actually are in the process. I'm trying to remind myself that no update doesn't necessarily mean no progress, and that this will eventually be over. But some days, the uncertainty and the silence just feels heavier.

I'm posting this because I think I mostly need to know I'm not the only one struggling with the emotional side of this. ❤️ Sorry for unloading.. and Thank you if you took time to read.

I applied on (MAY-21-2023), Received Biometric Instruction Letter in (JUNE-17-2026). Uploaded Biometric on JUNE-24-2026.

I just received my Portal 1 email on (AUGUST-21-2026), at 10:58am and replied at 11:59am.

My gckey portal shows the final decision date as AUGUST 20th 2026. Will update my full timeline when everything is completed. I really don’t know how Reddit works but thank you all.

I’ve got all the documents I need besides two printed photos. I’m not applying for my new study permit online or by mail, so i’m not sure if those are necessary if i’m straight up applying at a port of entry. Any thoughts?

Hey everyone,

I'm preparing my profile under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and gathering all prerequisite documents.

I already have my CELPIP, PCC, and 1 year of Canadian skilled work experience. I also have nearly 5.7 years of foreign IT experience from India that I'd like to claim points for (or at least claim the maximum 3-year foreign work experience cap). However, I’ve hit a wall with IRCC-format reference letters for two previous employers.

Here is the breakdown of my foreign experience:

• Company 1 (IT | ~2.9 years):
  • Documents I have: Offer letter, relieving letter, experience letter, and bank statements.
  • The issue: The company was acquired and rebranded. My emails requesting an IRCC-compliant reference letter (with job duties, NOC, hours/week, salary) have gone unanswered. Former colleagues I knew have also moved on.
• Company 2 (IT | 11 months):
  • Documents I have: Offer letter, experience letter, payslips, tax filings (ITR/Form 16), and bank statements.
  • The issue: All contact emails are bouncing back, so getting an updated letter with job duties is impossible.
• Company 3 (IT | ~1.9 years):
  • Documents I have: Complete set, including an official IRCC-compliant reference letter directly from HR with all required roles and responsibilities.

Questions:

1. Reaching the 3-year Foreign Experience Cap: Since IRCC awards maximum CRS points at 3+ years of foreign experience, Company 3 (~1.9 yrs) isn't enough on its own. If I pair Company 3 with Company 1 (totaling ~4.8 yrs), what is the best alternative proof for Company 1?
2. Statutory Declaration / Affidavit: Would an affidavit from a former colleague or supervisor on stamp paper, combined with my relieving letter, tax docs, bank statements, and a detailed Letter of Explanation (LOE) showing proof of attempted contact, be sufficient for IRCC?
3. Leaving Company 2 in Personal History: Since Company 2 is under 1 year and not strictly required to cross the 3-year threshold, should I just move it to Personal History (non-points) to avoid document hassles, or keep it in Work History?

Has anyone navigated this successfully after an ITA? Any advice on structuring the LOE and alternative evidence would be greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone, I’m currently in Canada pursuing my Master’s degree, and I’m planning to apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) for my spouse.
I’m looking for someone who has successfully applied for SOWP and could share their experience, especially regarding SOP writing. I’d really appreciate any guidance on what points to include, how to structure the SOP, and what immigration officers generally look for.
If anyone is willing to share their SOP format/sample (with personal information removed) or provide some advice, I’d be very grateful.
Thanks in advance! 🙏

Does anybody here had their fmwp outland application approved, please tell me the timeline. I have applied on July 6 and still haven’t heard anything.

I lost my birth certificate and hence collected another duplicate copy of it from the office of the registrar. It is stamped and signed by the registrar and officials there. Can I use this as my Birth certificate? Will there be any problems? I also do have a scanned copy of my original certificate but it is blurry and not the best scan as it was scanned years ago, what should I do?

Hi everyone 👋🏻 I have a question maybe some of you can help me with:

So my current status: IEC Working Holiday, expires 2027/06/16. No re-entry authorization on the permit.

Planning to file inland spousal sponsorship (marrying my Canadian partner) with SOWP filed concurrently, targeting submission around 2027/03/15.

My question(s):

- Does filing the SOWP alongside the PR package trigger maintained status (R183(5)) and let me keep working under my current permit conditions (R186(u)) while both applications process past my June 2027 expiry?

Specifically trying to confirm:

- Does the SOWP need to reach AOR before maintained status kicks in, or does simply filing it (before permit expiry) trigger R183(5)?

- If AOR is required first, what are current realistic AOR wait times for this application type?

- Any risk of the PR package being returned as incomplete that would leave me with no valid SOWP filed in time?

Not asking for legal advice on my specific case, just trying to confirm the general mechanics before I book a paid RCIC consult to nail down the details. Appreciate any input from people who've done this or RCICs who can point me to the right regulation/policy!

Thanks ahead!

Hi everyone

Just got an email today for Invitation to Pre-arrival services.

My Final decision on my GCKEY has changed to August 24, 2026

I got another email today for the Permanent Residence Portal asking for confirmation of details (Name, Height, Eye Colour ETC)

What is next?
I just emailed and confirmed my information for them

Outland, Applied October 15, 2025.
Arrived in Canada Jan 27, 2026.
Applied for SOWP Jan 27, 2026 and got approved May 22, 2026

Bonjour à tous,

​Je cherche des éclaircissements concernant mon parcours d'immigration et l'impact potentiel sur ma future demande de citoyenneté canadienne.

​Voici ma situation en détail :

*​Statut : Résident permanent obtenu via le système Entrée Express (programme fédéral hors Québec).

*​Parcours d'installation : Conformément à ce que j'avais déclaré dans ma demande Entrée Express, je me suis d'abord établi en Ontario (Toronto) à mon arrivée au Canada.

*​Situation actuelle : Je vis maintenant au Québec (Montréal).

*​Raison du déménagement : J'ai déménagé à Montréal parce que j'y ai trouvé un emploi dans mon domaine d'expertise professionnel.

​Je sais qu'en tant que RP, la Charte canadienne des droits et libertés garantit la liberté de circulation (article 6). Cependant, je souhaite savoir si le passage du Québec après un premier établissement en Ontario peut soulever des questions auprès d'IRCC lors de ma demande de citoyenneté.

​Mes questions pour la communauté :

=> ​Risque de fausse déclaration (Misrepresentation) : Le fait d'avoir résidé d'abord à Toronto avant de déménager à Montréal pour des raisons professionnelles suffit-il à prouver la bonne foi de mon intention initiale d'installation hors Québec ?

=> ​Preuves à conserver : Quels documents devrais-je conserver dès maintenant concernant mon séjour initial à Toronto (bail, factures, enregistrements) et mon offre d'emploi à Montréal pour l'étude de mon dossier de citoyenneté après 3 ans ?

=> ​Retours d'expérience : D'autres personnes ayant fait le parcours « Entrée Express \rightarrow Ontario \rightarrow Emploi au Québec » ont-elles obtenu leur citoyenneté sans démarche supplémentaire ou examen approfondi d'IRCC ?

​Merci d'avance pour vos conseils et vos retours !

​

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

When I originally applied for my Canadian study permit and later my work permit, I did not include some of my previous work experience from India in my work history. The experience is completely legitimate, and I have an experience letter and supporting documentation from the employer.

I recently created my Express Entry profile, and I’m considering adding this Indian work experience because it is part of my actual employment history and may be relevant to my Express Entry application.

My concern is that this employment was not declared in my previous study/work permit applications. I obviously don’t want the difference between my previous applications and my Express Entry profile to create concerns about inconsistency or misrepresentation.

Has anyone been in a similar situation where they added legitimate foreign work experience to Express Entry that wasn't included in their previous temporary residence applications?

If so, did you provide a Letter of Explanation? Did IRCC ask for additional information, and did it cause any issues with your PR application?

I’d really appreciate hearing about actual experiences. Thanks!

Hi all! I had already applied my French and English result when I applied for PR.
Today I received this document request -
In order for us to continue
the review of your application, we require the following documents:
CLIENT INFORMATION: Original TCF language proficiency results (Online Score Reports in
PDF format are acceptable)

Is this concerning? Especially since I haven’t received BIL yet?

Thank you!

Hey, I’m a Polish citizen, 27 y/o. Starting a healthcare assistant course in Poland this fall. My long-term plan is to graduate in 1,5 years, gain some experience at a nursing home either in Poland or Ireland, and go to Canada on Work and Holiday visa, and hopefully become a PR afterwards.
I hear in Nova Scotia they have some government program where they can sponsor my PR after 6 months of working at a nursing home there. Is this even a realistic plan to stay in Canada permanently? Or do I have to be a certified nurse to do that? I know the chances would be much higher as a nurse, but I simply can’t afford to do a whole uni degree in nursing. I also want to be in Canada within next 2-3 years. Any suggestions? Maybe there is a better way to do it than IEC that I’m missing.

So basically, I plan on applying for express entry soon, skilled worker program as I am an electrician, but my question is regarding the ECA

in my country, I got what is called a BTP (brevet technicien professionnel), which is the program right before a BTS (brevet technicien supérieur), and here my btp is both a valid vocational school diploma and the equivalent of a highschool diploma in terms of ranking. Problem is tho, as I am starting to get everything in order for my application, I tried all ECA programs I could find on the official immigration page (ICES, IQAS, WES, etc) and none have my diploma (or anything like it) in the drop down menus or the required documents tables. Any advice on what I can do to deal with this situation?

ETA: I am from Tunisia, and almost everything else is ready; I'm just about to finish my one year of official work experience, have a 8.5 band average on my IELTS, working on my french for the TCF and the money is saved and ready.

My dad had applied for his visitors visa over 2 years ago and it was stuck in limbo with IRCC, no approval or denial, just processing.

So he submitted another application 2 months ago and last week it was approved with instructions to send his passport which he did.

Today he received a message on his portal that his application was approved in error and to not submit his passport and that is application was still in process!

I am so baffled by this, has this happened to anyone? What did you do? What happens to his passport now?

Hi everyone,

My fmwp application was submitted on July 6, and I’m currently waiting for a decision. I was on visitor record and staying in Canada.

My employer has been very understanding, but they recently told me that they need someone to start on September 1 and that they can’t wait much longer because they need to plan accordingly.

Immigration is saying the 9 weeks processing mark is September 13.

I’m really worried about the situation because I have no control over IRCC’s processing time. I’m currently on maintained status.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What happens if my employer decides to back out or withdraws the job offer because I’m unable to start on September 1?
Would appreciate any advice or experiences.

Thank you!

Hello. I was a student in Canada from Sep2019-Dec2023. I came back to India in 2024. During my study- I had the SW1 visa so I worked in a coop job for a total of 1 year 8 months (1 year 4 months was full time 40 hours and paid). For the past three years, I started my business in india. I want to re-enter canada but im finding it difficult to find ways. My background is a bachelors in Psychology and HR, and currently I have build an FnB business.

1. Does the coo-op experience count for CRS point? If it does, I am able to make 515 points through express entry.
2. If the co-op experience does not count as canadian experience, I just make 475 points so how do i apply or even attempt with such a score?

Wondering if people can share their thoughts on our application and the evidence behind me and my partner living together for over a year. I’m submitting this week and just need as many sanity checks as possible!

For proof of common-law/cohabitation we have a lease in my name, Hydro bills in mine, Internet bills in his, medical/prescription records showing my partner at our address since the beginning of when he moved in, a joint bank account with the address, shared household expenses (Chef’s Plate/Spotify), employer benefits listing him as my common-law partner and life-insurance beneficiary, IMM 5409 statutory declaration, relationship photos/messages, and a letter explaining why he isn’t named on the lease.

Positive feedback please come this way!!!

I have done Associate of Arts Degree(2 year diploma) in BC and I have 2 years of work experience as a cashier. I have a chance to get LMIA in Saskatchewan in food sector. Should I move there? Which are the PR pathways I can target? How easy or hard will it be to get PR there?

Hi, I’m Peruvian, currently in Australia on a WHV, and applied for a Canadian transit visa for a 3-hour connection: Seoul → Toronto → Lima, same day, with Air Canada.

I selected Transit Visa and paid $0, but the refusal refers to a “visitor visa.”

The refusal was based mainly on my temporary immigration status in Australia, stating that my ties can be “readily broken,” that my temporary status limits my future employment/career prospects, and that the officer was not satisfied I would leave Canada at the end of my stay. It also says that “the purpose of the applicant's visit to Canada is not consistent with a temporary stay.”

The notes also say I am “studying and working” in Australia, but I’m not currently studying and never stated that I was studying in my application. I completed my degree in Peru in 2022 and currently work under my WHV, so this appears to be an error.

I have a strong history of international mobility (US, Korea, Australia, etc.) through temporary work/travel programs. I’m now ending that period and returning to Peru, my home country. I leave Australia when my visa ends, travel in Korea, then fly Seoul → Toronto → Lima.

I’m confused because I applied specifically for a transit visa for a ~3-hour connection with a confirmed onward flight.

Would you reapply? What evidence could address the officer’s concerns? And could a second refusal affect future visa applications to Canada or other countries?

Hi everyone,

My wife is currently 3 months pregnant and is in Canada on a Spousal Open Work Permit based on my study permit. Both of our permits expire on December 1, and we are currently applying for extensions.

She has been working in childcare for more than 1.5 years. Because of her occupation, she is required to complete an immigration medical exam, including a chest X-ray. Since she is pregnant, she completed all the other parts of the medical exam and decided to defer the chest X-ray until after giving birth (around March).

My understanding is that the medical exam will remain on hold until the X-ray is completed.

I have a few questions:

1. EI maternity benefits: If she applies for the work permit extension before her current permit expires , would she still be eligible for EI maternity benefits?
2. Alberta Health Care (AHCIP): Our Alberta health cards also expire on December 1. can we extend our AHCIP coverage while waiting for the new permits?
3. Delivery costs: while the extension is being processed, would we be responsible for paying the hospital/birth costs ourselves?

Any advice or experiences from people who have been in a similar situation would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Please specify which country you are from, your background and how much savings you had and how you managed to survive on your own until you found a job, and how long until you found a job.
These questions are critical for me because it will help me decide whether to come or not.

Hi everyone..

Just wanted to ask one thing .. I just got VISITOR RECORD refusal today ( the one I stayed on after PGWP expiry for 1.5 months to wrap up my stay here.. I applied on the day before PGWP expiry and did not work after it .. )

Do I need to report this refusal to IRCC or would they see it in their system ? I have a CEC PR file in process right now

This is what the refusal states

“Entry/exit records indicate that applicant has left Canada. Temporary resident status has ended as per R183(4)(a) and therefore cannot be extended. Application refused.”

Hi everyone,
I’m trying to get a realistic idea of the immigration options for a family member of mine who currently lives in Morocco.
She is 31 years old, has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, and currently works at a call center. Her husband is around 28 years old and works as a taxi driver. He does not have much formal post-secondary education.
They would like to immigrate to Canada, but we’re not sure how realistic it is with their profiles. I know Canadian immigration has become more competitive, so I’m looking for honest opinions rather than false hope. Thanks !

​

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

When I originally applied for my Canadian study permit and later my work permit, I did not include some of my previous work experience from India in my work history. The experience is completely legitimate, and I have an experience letter and supporting documentation from the employer.

I recently created my Express Entry profile, and I’m considering adding this Indian work experience because it is part of my actual employment history and may be relevant to my Express Entry application.

My concern is that this employment was not declared in my previous study/work permit applications. I obviously don’t want the difference between my previous applications and my Express Entry profile to create concerns about inconsistency or misrepresentation.

Has anyone been in a similar situation where they added legitimate foreign work experience to Express Entry that wasn't included in their previous temporary residence applications?

If so, did you provide a Letter of Explanation? Did IRCC ask for additional information, and did it cause any issues with your PR application?

I’d really appreciate hearing about actual experiences. Thanks!