Getting the message that your Canada visa application has been approved can be a huge relief. After weeks or months of waiting, you may finally be wondering: What happens after Canada visa approval? When will I get my passport? Can I book my flight? How long does it take to receive the visa? What should I do before travelling to Canada?
The answer depends on the type of Canadian immigration application you submitted. A visitor visa, study permit, work permit, and permanent residence application can have different next steps.
For many applicants outside Canada, approval is not always the final physical step. For example, if you applied online for a Canadian visitor visa and your application is approved, IRCC says you will normally receive a letter in your account with instructions to submit your passport. You cannot travel to Canada using the approval message alone; the visa must first be placed in your passport.
This guide explains what normally happens after a Canada visa application is approved and what you should do next.
What Does “Canada Visa Approved” Mean?
A Canada visa approval means that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has decided to approve your application based on the requirements of the immigration program you applied under.
However, approval does not always mean you can immediately travel to Canada.
Your next step depends on your application type and whether you are inside or outside Canada.
For example:
- A visitor visa applicant outside Canada may need to submit their passport so IRCC can place the visa inside it.
- A study or work permit applicant may receive instructions or documents that must be presented when travelling.
- An Express Entry permanent residence applicant may receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, where applicable, a permanent resident visa.
- Some applicants may receive electronic documents rather than a physical visa sticker.
This distinction is important because many applicants see an “approved” status online and assume they can immediately purchase a ticket. It is safer to wait until you have received the required travel document and checked its details.
What Happens After Canada Visa Approval?
The process after approval generally follows these steps, although the exact procedure varies by immigration category.
1. Check Your IRCC Account
If you applied online, the first thing to do is check your IRCC account carefully.
IRCC uses online accounts to send application updates and messages. Your approval letter or instructions may contain important information about what you need to do next.
Do not rely only on the status shown on the application tracker. Open your messages and read the correspondence from IRCC.
Look for instructions concerning:
- Passport submission
- Biometrics
- Medical examinations
- Additional documents
- Confirmation of permanent residence
- Travel documents
- Deadlines
If IRCC asks you to complete an additional step, follow the instructions exactly.
2. Submit Your Passport If IRCC Requests It
For many online visitor visa applications made outside Canada, approval is followed by a passport submission request.
IRCC states that approved online visitor visa applicants receive a letter in their IRCC account explaining how to submit their passport. You cannot travel to Canada until the visa has been placed in the passport you submitted.
This is one of the most important things to understand about the phrase “Canada visa approved.”
Approval is not necessarily the same as having a visa in your passport.
If you receive a passport request, follow the instructions in the letter regarding where and how to submit it. Depending on where you live, this may involve a visa application centre or another process specified by IRCC.
3. Use the Same Passport Where Possible
If you applied using a particular passport, IRCC advises visitor visa applicants to submit the same passport when requested.
Submitting a newer passport can cause delays, and getting a newer passport does not automatically mean your Canadian visa will have a longer validity period. The visa officer determines the visa’s validity based on the circumstances of the application.
Before sending your passport, check that:
- Your passport is valid.
- Your name and date of birth are correct.
- The passport number matches your application information.
- The passport is not damaged.
- You are following the submission instructions in your IRCC letter.
Keep copies of important documents and your submission receipt until the process is complete.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Canada Visa After Approval?
There is no single processing time that applies to every approved Canada visa application.
After approval, there may still be administrative steps, including passport submission, visa printing and return of your passport.
The time can depend on:
- Your visa category
- Where you applied
- How you submitted your passport
- The visa office handling your application
- Courier or mailing times
- Whether IRCC requests additional information
- Your individual circumstances
For this reason, an applicant should not assume that an approval message means the passport will be returned on a particular day.
IRCC provides application status and processing-time tools that applicants can use to monitor their cases. Its status system can show updates after the application has entered processing and the applicant has the relevant application information.
If you are planning travel, allow enough time for the passport process rather than booking a non-refundable flight immediately after seeing an approval.
What If Your Passport Has Been Submitted?
If you have already submitted your passport after receiving a passport request, the main thing to do is monitor the application and keep your submission receipt or tracking information.
Avoid repeatedly submitting another passport or creating unnecessary applications unless IRCC specifically tells you to do so.
When your passport is returned, check the visa carefully.
Look at:
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Passport number
- Visa type
- Visa validity
- Number of entries, where applicable
- Any remarks or conditions
If you notice an apparent error, contact IRCC through the appropriate channel before travelling.
Can You Travel Immediately After Your Canada Visa Is Approved?
Usually, not if you have only received an approval notification and have not yet received the required travel document.
For an online visitor visa application, IRCC specifically says you cannot travel to Canada until the visa has been placed in the passport submitted to IRCC.
Once you have received your passport and visa, you can prepare for travel.
But remember that having a Canadian visa does not automatically guarantee admission to Canada.
When you arrive, a border services officer will assess your documents and circumstances. IRCC explains that travellers may be asked to show their travel documents, and identity checks can take place when they arrive in Canada.
Therefore, a visa should be understood as permission to seek entry to Canada, not an unconditional guarantee that you will be admitted.
What Documents Should You Carry When Travelling to Canada?
Before leaving for Canada, organize your travel documents in an easily accessible place.
Depending on your immigration category, you may need:
- A valid passport
- Canadian visa, if required
- Letter of introduction or approval document, where applicable
- Study permit documentation
- Work permit documentation
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), if applicable
- Proof of accommodation
- Return or onward travel information, where relevant
- Financial documents
- Letter of acceptance for students
- Employment-related documents for workers
- Supporting documents that explain the purpose of your trip
The documents you need depend on your specific situation.
Do not put essential immigration documents in checked baggage. Keep them with you during the journey.
What Happens at the Canadian Airport?
When you arrive in Canada, you will go through the border examination process.
A border services officer may ask questions about your trip, your documents and your plans in Canada.
For a visitor, questions may include:
- Why are you visiting Canada?
- How long will you stay?
- Where will you stay?
- When do you plan to leave Canada?
- Do you have sufficient funds for your visit?
A student may be asked about their school and study plans, while a worker may need to demonstrate that they meet the requirements associated with their work authorization.
Answer questions honestly and provide documents when requested.
The Canadian government explains that airline staff and border officers may ask to see travel documents before or during travel.
Canada Visa Approval for Students
If you applied for a Canadian study permit, the process after approval can differ from a standard visitor visa.
A study permit is an immigration document that authorizes eligible foreign nationals to study in Canada under the conditions of their permit.
If you are outside Canada and your application is approved, pay close attention to the documents and instructions provided by IRCC. Depending on your situation, you may receive a letter that you need to present when travelling.
Your approval does not mean you should ignore your school’s requirements.
Before travelling, confirm:
- Your school and program details
- Your enrolment requirements
- Your tuition arrangements
- Your accommodation
- Your travel documents
- Your passport validity
- Any instructions from IRCC
You should also understand the conditions attached to your status in Canada.
Canada Visa Approval for Work Permit Applicants
Work permit applicants should also distinguish between application approval and the documents they need to begin working in Canada.
If your work permit application is approved, follow the instructions provided by IRCC. Depending on where and how you applied, the final document process may differ.
If you receive a letter of introduction, keep it safe and carry it with your passport and other supporting documents when travelling.
For certain programs, the letter confirms that your application has been approved, but it does not necessarily guarantee entry or automatically guarantee that a work permit will be issued at the border.
For example, under the International Experience Canada program, IRCC states that a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction does not guarantee entry to Canada or guarantee a work permit. A border services officer makes the final decision when the participant arrives.
What Happens After Express Entry Approval?
The process is different for people whose permanent residence application through Express Entry has been approved.
IRCC states that approved Express Entry applicants receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). Applicants from countries whose citizens require a visa may also receive a permanent resident visa.
Your COPR contains important personal information, including your photograph.
Check the document carefully and make sure your information matches your passport.
If there is an error, contact IRCC through your account.
It is also important to pay attention to the expiry date. IRCC states that a COPR cannot be extended, so you need to travel to Canada before it expires when you are required to land from outside Canada.
If You Are Already in Canada
Permanent residence applicants who are already in Canada may have a different process.
For many approved applicants, IRCC confirms permanent resident status through the Permanent Residence Portal. IRCC says applicants generally receive instructions by email and should wait for those instructions rather than creating their own PR Portal account.
Once permanent resident status is confirmed, an electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence, or e-COPR, can be made available.
The first PR card is then processed using information provided through the process.
What Should You Do Before Booking Your Flight?
It can be tempting to book a flight immediately after seeing “approved,” but careful planning is better.
Before purchasing a ticket, confirm that you have received the documents required for your particular application.
Then check:
- Your passport validity.
- Your visa or immigration document.
- Your name and personal details.
- Visa or document expiry dates.
- Your intended arrival date.
- Your accommodation in Canada.
- Your financial arrangements.
- Any documents required by your immigration category.
If your visa has an expiry date, do not confuse it with the length of stay you will automatically receive in Canada.
The visa allows you to seek entry during its validity period, while the border officer determines the conditions of your admission.
How Can You Check Your Canada Visa Application Status?
Applicants can check their IRCC application status online using the available status tools.
IRCC currently provides different ways to check application status depending on the type of application and how it was submitted. Applicants may be able to use an IRCC secure account, the Client Application Status tool or an application status tracker.
Keep your:
- Application number
- Unique Client Identifier (UCI), if applicable
- Date of birth
- Passport information
- IRCC correspondence
available when checking your application.
Remember that the online status may not answer every question. If IRCC has sent you a message, read the actual letter because it may contain instructions that are not obvious from the status label.
What If Your Canada Visa Approval Is Taking Too Long?
Sometimes applicants see an approval-related update but do not immediately receive their passport or final documents.
Do not panic automatically.
Administrative processing and document delivery can take additional time. Check your IRCC account and any tracking information provided by the passport submission service.
If IRCC requests something from you, respond within the deadline.
If your passport was submitted through a visa application centre or courier service, check the tracking information provided to you.
Avoid relying on social media comments or another applicant’s timeline as proof of what will happen in your own case. Every application can be different.
For official information, use IRCC’s application status and processing-time resources.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After Canada Visa Approval
Booking a flight too early
Do not assume an approval notification alone means you can board a flight. Make sure you have the required travel document.
Ignoring your IRCC messages
Your approval letter may contain time-sensitive instructions.
Sending the wrong passport
Follow IRCC’s instructions carefully and, for visitor visa applications, generally submit the same passport used for the application unless instructed otherwise.
Assuming a visa guarantees entry
A visa does not eliminate the border examination process.
Forgetting document expiry dates
Check the expiry date on your visa, COPR or other immigration document before making travel plans.
Relying on unofficial information
Canadian immigration rules can change. Use official IRCC information for important decisions rather than relying exclusively on blogs, social media posts or comments from other applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canada Visa Approval
How long after Canada visa approval will I get my passport?
There is no universal timeframe. After approval, you may still need to submit your passport, have the visa processed and wait for the passport to be returned. The timing depends on your application and the process used in your location.
Can I travel after my Canada visa is approved?
If you are an online visitor visa applicant outside Canada, you generally need to wait until IRCC places the visa in your passport. IRCC specifically says you cannot travel to Canada until the visa has been placed in the passport submitted to them.
Does Canada visa approval guarantee entry?
No. A visa allows you to seek entry to Canada, but a border services officer makes the decision when you arrive.
What should I do after my Canada visa is approved?
Check your IRCC account, read all messages, complete any passport or document requirements, verify your documents when they are returned, and prepare the supporting documents you may need when travelling.
What happens after Express Entry is approved?
Approved Express Entry applicants generally receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence. Depending on nationality, a permanent resident visa may also be issued.