How do I know if my Canadian visa is approved?

I was constantly refreshing my email inbox, wondering when I’d get a decision and what the decision would be.

If you’re in the same boat as I was – here are some ways you’ll know if your application is approved.

How do I know if my Canadian visa is approved?

Once a decision is made on your Canadian visa application, you’ll receive a notification via email or through your online account with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Check this notification and you’ll know if your visa has been approved or not.

If approved, the message will contain your visa details and its conditions.

If you don’t want to wait for a message from IRCC, you can also know if your application has been approved by checking its status when you log into your IRCC account.

How do I know if my Canadian visa is approved online?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has a user-friendly online portal where you can track your application’s progress.

Read also: Can I withdraw my Canada visa application and reapply?

With this, you’ll follow its processing, and know when it is approved.

Here’s how you can do it:

• Create or log into your IRCC account:
• If you applied online, you already have an account with IRCC.
• Simply, log in with your details – if you don’t have an account, create one with them.
• If you applied on paper, you need to link your application to an online account as specified here.
•  Once logged in, go to the section that shows your visa applications.
• Click on the particular application you want to know if it has been approved.
• Click on the “view application status”.
• You’ll see various stages like “Received,” “In Progress,” and, ultimately, “Approved.”.

If your application is approved, it’ll show “approved” with further details about your visa.

In addition to checking your status with your online account, IRCC will often send you messages through your online account.

Read also: I made a mistake on my Canadian visa application, what should I do?

You’ll see these messages when you log into your account.

Messages like:

• Requests for additional documents
• Biometrics appointments.
• And, in the best-case scenario, your visa approval notice, will all be there.

Aside from using your IRCC account to know whether your application has been approved, you can also check it via email updates.

How to know if your Canadian visa application is approved via email updates

Upon approving your application, you’ll receive an email update from IRCC.

This email will inform you that a new message is available in your online account.

When you get the email, check it and you’ll see if your application has been approved or not.

If approved, you’ll get details about your visa and instructions on what to do next.

Read also: Your passport is ready for pickup; does it mean visa approval?

Pro tip: When applying for your Canadian visa, use an active email address – one you regularly check.

Even though I prefer to follow up on my application online, I’m still a big fan of email updates.

I love to receive these updates from IRCC via email!

Now, if checking online or waiting for an email update doesn’t sound great to you, receiving a passport request letter from IRCC can also be an indication of pending approval.

How to know if your Canadian visa application is approved through a passport request letter

One of the clear signs that your visa will be approved is receiving a passport request letter.

This letter is a formal request from IRCC to submit your passport so they can affix your visa sticker.

Upon receiving this letter, you’ll submit your passport by mail or in person at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).

Make sure to do this as soon as possible to avoid any delays.

Read also: What happens if I don’t use my Schengen visa?

After submitting your passport, it will be returned to you with the visa sticker attached – this sticker means approval

Whenever I receive a passport request letter – I see it as proof that my application will be approved.

However, I must let you know that receiving a passport request letter doesn’t “always” guarantee that your application will be approved.

It can still be rejected even after receiving a passport request letter but this is rare.

Another way you can know if your application has been approved is through mail updates.

How to know if your Canadian visa application is approved via Mailbox

If you submitted a paper application and you don’t want to link your application to an IRCC account, you’ll know if your application is approved through regular mail.

In this case, keep an eye on your mailbox, IRCC will send an update when your application is approved.

You’ll receive your passport with the visa sticker, and other instructions.

Read also: How do I anonymously report someone to immigration in Australia?

While online applications are more common nowadays, some people still opt for paper submissions.

If you’re one of them, you’ll get updates in your mailbox.

What if you haven’t received any updates from IRCC?

If after checking, there is no update from IRCC, here’s what to do:

• Check your visa processing times: On their website, IRCC has an estimated processing time for every visa, check if the time you have waited is still within your visa processing time.

If your application is still within the processing time, it’s best to wait a bit longer.

• Contact IRCC: If your application is taking longer than expected, or you believe there’s an issue, you can contact IRCC directly.

Their contact details are on their website Contact Us page.

When you contact IRCC, they’ll give you an update on your application.

Will I get an email if my Canada visa is approved?

Yes, you’ll receive an email from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) if your visa is approved.

The email will tell you that your application has been approved and direct you to check your online account, where you’ll find more details about your visa like its conditions.

How many days does it take for a Canadian visa to be approved?

On average, it takes from a few weeks to several months for a Canadian visa application to be approved.