You submitted your application weeks or months ago. The IRCC website says “in progress.” You hear nothing. Your life is on hold. What can you actually do?
The honest answer is that your options are limited — but there are specific steps that can move things along or at least give you clarity.
First: Check the Current Processing Times
Before concluding your application is delayed, verify it against IRCC’s current processing time estimates. Processing times change frequently and vary by visa type, country of application, and volume. Check the official IRCC processing times tool for your specific application type.
If your application is still within the published processing time, it is not technically delayed — it is simply being processed.
Check Your Application Status Online
Log in to your IRCC secure account. Status updates include:
- “Received” — your application is in the queue
- “In progress” — it is being actively reviewed
- “Decision made” — check your account or email for the outcome
If your status has been “in progress” for significantly longer than the published processing time, you may have a genuine delay.
Use the IRCC Web Form
If your application exceeds the posted processing time, submit an inquiry through the IRCC web form. Include your application number, UCI, and a clear description of your situation. This is the correct official channel — not calling the general line or emailing random addresses.
Contact Your Member of Parliament (MP)
This is underused and genuinely effective. Canadian Members of Parliament can make formal inquiries to IRCC on your behalf. They cannot influence the decision, but they can request a status update and sometimes prompt action on stalled files.
Find your MP through the Parliament of Canada website. Email the constituency office, explain your situation clearly, and provide your application number.
Check for Additional Document Requests
Applications often stall because IRCC needs more information and the notice went unnoticed. Check your IRCC account regularly and check your spam folder. Missed document requests result in refused applications.
Judicial Review (Last Resort)
If your application has been unreasonably delayed — significantly beyond normal processing times with no explanation — you may be able to apply for a writ of mandamus through Federal Court, compelling IRCC to make a decision. This requires a lawyer and court fees, but has been used successfully in genuine extreme-delay cases.
What NOT to Do
- Do not submit a duplicate application — it causes confusion and can result in both being refused
- Do not call the IRCC call centre repeatedly — agents have limited information on individual files
- Do not pay anyone claiming they can “speed up” your application — this is always a scam
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will contacting IRCC hurt my application?
A: No. Making a legitimate inquiry through the web form will not negatively affect your application.
Q: My application has been “in progress” for 14 months. Is that normal?
A: It depends on the application type. Compare against the current published time for your specific stream before concluding there is a problem.
Q: Can I travel while my PR application is pending?
A: It depends on your current status. Check your specific situation with an RCIC before making travel plans while a PR application is in progress.
Bottom Line
Most delays have mundane explanations — volume, document verification, background checks. Use the IRCC web form once you are past the processing time. Contact your MP if the web form gets no results. Only escalate to legal action if the delay is extreme and causing demonstrable harm. And never pay anyone who promises to speed things up.
