Be honest. How many times a day do you check your mail or email for updates from IRCC about your citizenship? I won’t judge you either way. I can’t even count how many times I checked my email, waiting and hoping for a new notification.
The good news is that it’s now much easier to check your Canadian citizenship application status online from your phone or laptop. If you don’t know how, don’t worry. I’ll explain how to do it step by step.
How to check your Canadian citizenship status online
First, you must have received the Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) to track the status of your citizenship application. This letter confirms that IRCC received and reviewed your application. The letter also includes your UCI (Unique Client Identifier) number, which is required to check your application.
Canada has two main ways to check the citizenship status: the Application Status Tracker and the Client Application Status tool.
Using the Application Status Tracker to check the Canadian citizenship status
Let’s start with the most recommended option: the Application Status Tracker. The first thing you need to do is create a GCKey account. If you applied for citizenship online, you probably already have one and just need to link your application.
The system will ask for some basic information, such as your application number, full name, date of birth, and UCI number. Once your application is linked, you will be able to see exactly what stage of the process you are in.
If you submitted your application by mail, don’t worry. You can create an online account and link your paper application.
The best part about using this tool is that you can track your Canadian citizenship application status and receive messages from the government. If IRCC needs to contact you to request extra documents or schedule an appointment, they can do so through the system.
Use the Client Application Status (CAS) tool to track your case.
The other option is the CAS tool. It’s simpler and more basic, but still helpful in checking your Canadian citizenship status.
You only need to enter your application number or UCI, along with some personal details. While you won’t see as much information as in the Tracker, you will be able to see whether your application has been received, is in progress, or has been decided.
Different status updates your citizenship application may go through:
When you check the application status Canadian citizenship using the tracker or the status tool, you may see one of the following updates:
- Received: The IRCC has received your complete application, including all the required forms, documents, and the correct fees. This is the first step; your application is now in the system.
- In process: This means they have started reviewing your application. Officers are checking your documents, verifying your background, and ensuring that you meet all the requirements for Canadian citizenship. At this stage, they may ask you for additional documents, schedule a citizenship test, or invite you to an interview. It’s important to pay close attention to your notifications.
- Decision Made: The IRCC has decided on your application. It can be approved or denied. But, if you followed all the steps, submitted all the required documents, and passed the citizenship test, your application is likely to be approved.
How long does this whole process take? You can check our Processing Time for Canadian Citizenship: What to Expect blog, where we explain it in detail.
In summary…
These are the two main ways to check your Canadian citizenship status online. As you can see, the process is simple and quick. I recommend using the Tracker because it lets you see IRCC notifications.
Just remember that to view the status of your citizenship application, you must have received your AOR, and you will need to provide the following information:
- Your Unique Client Identifier (UCI)
- Application number
- Your full name (as listed on your application)
- Your date of birth
- Your place of birth
I recommend checking your Canadian citizenship status at least once a week. This ensures that you won’t miss any essential communications from IRCC and helps you avoid unnecessary delays in your process.
And if a long time passes without any news, or if you need clarification on something specific, you can use the well-known Web Form, IRCC’s official contact form, to send your question. You can explain your situation there, and they will reply to you directly by email.