What Happens to Your Canada PR Application After Submitting to IRCC

After sending a permanent residence application to Canada, IRCC goes through several mandatory verification stages: document completeness, biometrics, medical eligibility, program requirement compliance verification, and criminal record checks. Understanding this process helps applicants avoid typical mistakes and properly prepare their documents.

Document Completeness Check

The first stage after submission is checking that your application is complete. IRCC verifies that your documentation includes all required forms, documents, and paid fees. This is a critical moment: if your documents don’t meet completeness requirements, your application may be returned or rejected rather than proceeding to regular processing. At this stage, IRCC determines whether there are missing documents and refuses to proceed further if needed. That’s why checking and updating all documents before submission is crucial.

Biometrics Request and Medical Eligibility

After successfully passing the completeness check, IRCC sends a letter with biometrics instructions. You complete biometric collection at a visa application centre, and the results soon appear in your account. At this same stage, IRCC assesses your medical eligibility. For some Express Entry applicants, a medical exam is required before submission or immediately after receiving an invitation. IRCC reviews the medical exam results to determine whether you meet the medical requirements of the PR program.

Program Requirement Compliance Verification

One of the most important stages is verifying that you actually meet the requirements of the program under which you applied. Many applicants make mistakes here: receiving an invitation (ITA) doesn’t mean IRCC has already approved your work experience and your CRS score. IRCC verifies whether you met the requirements at the time you received the invitation and at the time you submitted your application.

For example, IRCC may thoroughly examine your work history: employment dates, hours worked, salary, employment documents, NOC code, and actual job duties. If the verification shows that your work experience cannot be confirmed or its loss would lower your CRS score below what was required for the invitation, this could lead to rejection.

Criminal Record Check and Security Assessment

After passing the requirements compliance check comes the criminal record verification and security assessment. IRCC requests criminal record certificates and conducts a history check. This requires complete and accurate information about your personal history: residential addresses, countries you’ve visited, work history, and family information. All data must be consistent everywhere IRCC requests it, especially in form IMM5669.

Additional Document Request and Final Decision

During processing, IRCC may request additional documents or information (ADR — Additional Document Request). Not all applicants receive such a request, but if you do, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem. Carefully read what is being requested and pay close attention to submission deadlines — this is critical. After completing all verifications, IRCC makes a final decision: either approve your application and send instructions to complete the PR process, or reject it if not convinced you meet the requirements.

It’s important to remember that the order of stages may differ from case to case. Not all applications go through checks in the same order — officers may change the sequence depending on your specific application. That’s why your account status doesn’t always update, and lack of visible progress doesn’t mean a delay. Sometimes you just need to wait for the next update from IRCC.

How to Avoid Problems at Each Stage

The main recommendation at all stages is to provide complete and accurate information. When submitting, make sure all documents are gathered according to the checklist. When additional documents are requested, submit them on time and carefully. Remember that employment documents (employer letter, employment contract, pay stubs, job description with NOC code) will be thoroughly checked for consistency with your claimed experience. This is your second chance to correct information, and it’s important to use it correctly.