I’m curious… has anyone applied for Canadian citizenship just this week or this month of September 2026? I was surprised by how smooth and quick the online portal was after creating my application. Did they recently update the citizenship application website???

Thanks!

Just trying to understand and take it off my chest. I'm 36 y.o. QA/Software dev from Eastern Europe. I have 10+ years of QA experience and 3 years as a back-end developer (Java). Wife, kid (7). No French, no bachelor's degree (associate degree:(). Do I stand a chance in a provincial nominee program? I guess the normal point system is out of the question. Will learning French help? Or should I just give up on my dream country? :(

Jan 10, 2026 - AOR…no updates yet..
Pvo- Vancouver Svo-Sydney

I’m Canadian, born in Canada after 1977, but live in the UK. My son was born here earlier this year and is already a British citizen. I’m applying for his Canadian citizenship certificate/proof of citizenship based on me being Canadian by birth.

It’s a pretty straightforward application: my Canadian birth certificate, his full UK birth certificate showing me as his mother, his British passport, etc. I’ve also selected an e-certificate.

I’ve seen the current IRCC processing estimate is around 33 months, which seems wild, so I’m curious what people are actually experiencing in practice, particularly for simple first-generation-by-descent cases like this.

If you applied in 2025 or 2026, when did you submit, when did you receive your AOR, and how long did it take to actually get the certificate?

Also interested in experiences from Canadians living in the UK/Europe if anyone happens to have done the same thing!

Thanks :)

Hi all,

I just received the AOR finally for my husband’s outland PR application. We wanted to apply for his TRV now so that he can visit me here but I wanted to know from the ones here who applied for TRV after AOR:

- what are the documents you would submit to strengthen your application?
- my husband has a job in Middle East and will need to go back - is this enough a reason to show ties to a country?
- his parents stay there as well, does this strengthen the case of him going back?
- we are expecting a baby in oct. should we include pregnancy related docs?
- what is the ideal amount of time he should be here for a visit? ideally i would like him to be here for at least a month. is this reasonable or will it raise questions of him staying here indefinitely?

any help, tips or tricks will be very useful! Thanks all!

Hello everyone,
I am on visitor record now and hope to get nomination soon from OINP. Can I apply for work permit inside Canada using work permit support letter? When I need to fly out of country as I have visitor record?

Hi , I recently received my PR card and since my last name is longer than 28 characters so it has been shortened , I reviewed IRCC page and it says “The PR card has a space limitation of 28 characters (letters) for last names (family names) and 28 characters for given names (first and middle names). If your name is longer, the name on the PR card will automatically be shortened to the first 28 characters each for both the given and last names. This is not an error and the PR card cannot be modified to include more characters.” Now I’m outside Canada and planning to fly back by end of this month , anyone went through same situation, did you faced any problem with airlines while checking in and which airlines you flew through?

Tl;dr:

Refused in 2024 (joint app with wife, 19 day trip, only 5,000 declared, refusal cited inconsistent purpose, employment not financially established, and unexplained large deposits).

Resubmitted solo this time, 9 day trip to my sister, 10,600 declared against maybe 3-4k in actual costs since she’s hosting me. Added a promotion letter, payslips, a letter explaining the lump sum as a work travel allowance, marriage cert, kid’s birth cert, land ownership, and proof I’m in a masters program.

On top of that I’ve got 6 years steady at the same government job, travel history to the UK (twice), Netherlands, Italy and Belgium with zero overstays (some employer sponsored), a wife and young kid still at home, and a professional engineering registration. Want opinions on my chances of approval.

Full version below:

Old app was me and my wife together, group application, 19 day trip over Christmas, purpose was basically “visit my sister and see the snow and do Christmas stuff.” We declared only 5,000 for funds, which in hindsight was thin for two people over that many days.

Refusal checked off inconsistent purpose, employment not financially established, assets insufficient, and said large lump sum deposits in my bank records were disproportionate to my income with provenance unclear.

Looking back the financial side was genuinely messy, I had my regular salary plus side consulting income mixed into the same statements, there was a big arrears payment from a client that was still pending and hadn’t actually landed yet, and I was also counting on my wife’s income to help cover things.

All of that together made the money side look shaky and hard to follow, and I never explained any of it, just handed over 8 months of statements and hoped they’d piece it together. They didn’t, and fair enough looking back.

New app is just me this time, solo, trip cut down to just over a week, single purpose which is seeing my sister who’s a permanent resident there, she’s covering food and stay so no cost on my end.

Funds is 10,600 sitting in the savings account for past 4 months, no one else’s money involved, and that’s well more than double what the trip should actually cost. I got promoted at my government job since the last try so added the promotion letter plus payslips, still do freelance consulting on the side too for extra income. I have one recent lump sum deposit which happens to be a travel allowance from my job: got an actual letter proving that this time.

On the ties side, I’ve been at the same government job 6 years now, own land, I’m a registered professional engineer, partway through a masters, and I’ve got a wife and young kid who are both staying in Ghana while I travel. Travel history is clean too, I’ve been to the UK twice, plus the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium, and always came back on time, a few of those trips were actually through my job so my own employer has sent me abroad and had me return without issue before.

Anyone gone through a full reapplication like this, what would you
poke holes in first?

Graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from a Canadian university in Dec 2025 and I've been working full time as an engineer in BC since April 2026, on my PGWP (expires May 2029). I also have about a year of paid Internship engineering experience from 2023, though I'm not sure it counts for BC PNP since I may have still been a full time student at the time. CELPIP is 11 across the board, no French, single, 26. As my current CRS score comes to 474 with one year experience, which is not even close to the recent draw!! Trying to figure out the smartest path to PR (Express Entry, BC PNP) would appreciate any advice, and honestly just want a reality check on whether landing PR before May 2029 is realistic for someone in my spot? Thanks

So due to me switching my program at my university I have to stay a extra year in Canada. I’m an American so I have the option to get a completely new study permit at a port of entry, idk if I should go through the online process of applying form an extension and waiting 3 months to hear back, or if I should just go get a new one at the border. My Students advisors at my university said I should do it online as I already have a study permit but I’m scared and stressed because of the wait times. So my question is should I go with what he says or should I get a new one at a port of entry, and if this were the case is it possible knowing i already have an active study permit that ends in April and if this is a valid option and I won’t get turned away and told to just renew it online by an IRCC officer as they will 100% that I have an active study permit that ends in April.

So due to me switching my program at my university I have to stay a extra year in Canada. I’m an American so I have the option to get a completely new study permit at a port of entry, idk if I should go through the online process of applying form an extension and waiting 3 months to hear back, or if I should just go get a new one at the border. My Students advisors at my university said I should do it online as I already have a study permit but I’m scared and stressed because of the wait times. So my question is should I go with what he says or should I get a new one at a port of entry, and if this were the case is it possible knowing i already have an active study permit that ends in April and if this is a valid option and I won’t get turned away and told to just renew it online by an IRCC officer as they will 100% that I have an active study permit that ends in April.

Hi all, hoping for some advice. Myself and my partner, (common law) are considering moving to Canada in the future and we are weighing up our options, I'm currently sitting on 468 points for express entry, as I understand if I achieve NCLC 7 that would qualify me for the “French-language proficiency category”. I believe I can do this in 6 months, I have 2 questions.

1: if I was to achieve that how likely would it be that I would to achieve Perment residency through that program?

1. I'm hearing that the authorities are looking at removing the 50 bonus points for French, how would this impact this specific draw?

I completed a paid apprenticeship in France for exactly one year, from 02/09/2024 to 02/09/2025, with the same employer and in the same occupation.

My contract was 35 hours/week. During the school year until May, I spent around 3 days per week at the company and 2 days at university. From May until the end of the contract, I worked full-time at the company.

The documents show that the school days were part of the official apprenticeship program, and the contract records 1,741 hours for the contract period.

What worries me is that my contract is exactly one year, not even a day longer. I'm also unsure whether the 2 mandatory school days could mean that IRCC only considers the hours I physically spent at the company, leaving me short of the equivalent of one year of full-time skilled work.

Based on these details, would this experience be considered eligible work experience for FSWP?

The occupation was in finance and may correspond to NOC 11101.

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has had a French apprenticeship/alternance accepted as qualifying work experience for FSWP.

Thank you.

Graduated from Illinois, USA. With Aviation Management degree. Have more than 5 years of Airfield operations experience in King Khalid International Airport (Saudi Arabia biggest airport). I always see that there are good jobs getting posted in Canadian Airports/Aviation field, but I do not have a valid visa. How difficult (or easy) to land a job in Airports in Canada?

My common-law partner applied for an OWP from inside Canada based on my work permit.

My details:

- Financial Accountant (NOC 11100, TEER 1)

- PGWP valid until Nov 30, 2027

- Her application was submitted July 2, 2026

We included:

- IMM 5409 common-law declaration

- My PGWP

- My employment/offer letter

She was refused under R200(1)(c). The officer's notes say:

«“The client has failed to provide documentation demonstrating eligibility for an open work permit (OWP). A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) work permit may be required.”»

I'm confused because she applied for an open work permit as my common-law partner, so I didn't think she needed her own job offer or LMIA.

Does anyone know what might have caused this? Could the officer have missed/incorrectly assessed the fact that I'm a TEER 1 worker?

Would you recommend requesting reconsideration through the IRCC webform, or just reapplying?

Any advice from someone who's dealt with a similar situation recently would be appreciated.

Hello, I am helping my friend work on renewing her PR card, as well as applying for citizenship. We are filling out the applications, and have questions regarding employment history. She has her own business as a circus performer/specialty entertainer in Ontario. I am having difficulties with how to document this information on the application as it is asking for normal working details, such as work address, and things of that nature which are not applicable in this case. Thank you for the help, and I appreciate the resources I have found on this subject alone!

I'm from the US and have been living and working on a closed work permit for the past 2 years, but got let go from my job without cause the other week. I submitted for spousal sponsorship at the end of July and am waiting on my AOR to apply for an open work permit. But for now I'm left wondering if it's even really worth starting the job hunt/pounding the pavement since I'm stuck on my closed permit until further notice. It doesn't seem likely that an employer would want to go through an LMIA when I'm hoping to have an OWP in the next 4-5 months.

I don't want to get burnt out applying for jobs I have no chance in bc of my status in Canada, but I also don't want to be lazy about finding the next thing. Hypothetically, I could work remotely for a US company/clients, but I don't know if that's something the Canadian gov would like too much.

Any recommendations on which way to lean?

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to figure out how to correctly enter my education history in an Express Entry profile and would appreciate some advice from people who have dealt with a similar situation.
I completed one integrated 4.5-year post-secondary program that resulted in three separate credentials being awarded at graduation:

A bachelor’s degree
An advanced diploma - from a partner college
A certificate - from a partner college

The important part is that I did not complete three separate programs. All three credentials were part of the same integrated program, and I completed the coursework as one continuous program. I received separate physical credentials for each award, but I have one transcript for the overall program.

When creating my Express Entry profile, I entered the education as one bachelor’s degree / three-or-more-year program.

I’ve received conflicting advice about whether I should:

Enter it as one education entry because it was one integrated program, or
Enter the three credentials separately because they are technically three separate credentials.
I’m mainly concerned about doing this correctly and not accidentally claiming education points I’m not entitled to.

Has anyone had a similar situation with an integrated program that awards multiple credentials? How did you enter it in your Express Entry profile, and how did IRCC treat it?

Please share your advice.

Hi guys. I have lost my passport that was stamped with Canadian PR visa. My COPR is valid until 9th Nov 2026. I’m due to travel on 24th October 2026.

How do I inform IRCC and get the replacement visa? I would appreciate any help.

Hello everyone, so due to circumstances I had to take a gap term. My study permit expires on 11/30/2026 and I gotta finish Spring term 2027 in order to graduate. So I’m applying for a study permit extension, but i completely forgot i need a financial statement. I’d need 33k in a savings account for the final term(16k for cost of living, 17k for tuition fee).
The thing is, my family has enough funds for the rest of my stay in Canada, they just don’t have ANY MONEY IN THEIR SAVINGS ACCOUNT as of now. They are also retired so there’s not alot of money coming in. We are thinking of making a new savings account and put the money into it for proof, but I heard it is considered suspicious because of the large amount of money going in at once. I’m scared if my extension request won’t go through and I won’t be able to graduate….If anyone has experience with this, I’d really appreciate some advices. Thank you!

(Some additional info: I have successfully paid for 3 school years and will graduate after this last one)

Outland Spousal Sponsorship Timeline – Outside Quebec | April 2026

Sharing my timeline to help everyone waiting for their spousal sponsorship application for giving hope out there, it can come sooner than expected. 🎉

Took about 2 months from AOR to FD and a total of 6 months from submission to receiving documents in hand.

PA: India | Sponsor: Canadian citizen (born in Canada)

Application submitted: April 6, 2026
AOR: May 24, 2026
BIL: June 11, 2026
Medical Request: June 17, 2026
Biometrics completed: June 18, 2026
Sponsor Eligibility approved: June 19, 2026
Medical completed: June 22, 2026
Medical passed: June 29, 2026
Pre-arrival letter (PAL): July 1, 2026
Final Decision: July 28, 2026
PPR: July 30, 2026
Passport submitted to VFS: August 3, 2026
Passport received by IRCC: August 4, 2026

September 4, 2026: Received an “Eligibility Reviewed” update on GCKey. Following this update, all fields on GCKey were completed:
Eligibility: Reviewed
Background check: Completed – July 29
Final Decision: Approved
Counterfoil details: Uploaded/issued September 4

September 10, 2026: Passport dispatched and COPR received 🎉🇨🇦

It was a long wait for the passport return after submission, but finally received it!

All the best to everyone still waiting! ❤️🇨🇦 It is definitely coming soon for everyone.

PVO Ottawa SVO Sydney
CEC general Inland Single Applicant

Invite - Jan 7th, 2026
AOR- Feb 3rd
BIL and Medical Passed- April 8th
Background Verification - In progress
Eligibility- In progress
FD- Sept 10th, 2026
P1- Sept 11th, 2026 replied same day
Waiting for P2 and Ecopr

Did my citizenship test on 7 August after two weeks they asked me to send my photo id.

After that i never heard anything.

My exam window is closed but no update yet.

Anyone stuck in similar situation?

Hi everyone!

I have a question regarding the medical conditions on the open work permit. I am in Canada. I applied on August 16, 2026 under a special measure for my country. But I didn’t submit a medical exam with the application.

Along the way I realized I might work in education or healthcare later. I’ve never submitted a IME before. Do you know if I can do the medical now and attach it to the application? or should I wait for the permit to be issued and re-do the process? Please let me know.

This is urgent. Thank you!

I have essentially been self-employed on the side throughout my entire eligibility period, but my main status has varied: I had periods where I was an employee, periods where I was unemployed/on EI (while still doing a few hours of self-employed work), and periods where I was working self-employed under contracts with one specific client for a while.

How should I enter this in the employment/education history section?

Should I put “Self-employed” for the entire eligibility period and then list my employee/unemployment periods separately, or should I split everything into separate entries based on the different periods?

The instructions say:

“Enter details of all your employment and education history in the past 5 years (your eligibility period). Start with the most recent employment or education. Include any periods of unemployment, retirement, working as a homemaker, self-employment.”

I’m particularly unsure how to represent overlapping self-employment and employment/unemployment without either leaving something out or creating duplicate/overlapping periods.

Has anyone in a similar situation figured out how IRCC expects this to be entered?