If you have applied for a Canada visa and your IRCC account shows “Application in Progress,” it is natural to wonder what is happening behind the scenes. Does it mean your visa has been approved? Is there a problem with your application? How long will you have to wait?
In most cases, “Application in Progress” simply means that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is still reviewing your application and has not made a final decision yet. It does not mean your Canada visa has been approved or refused.
IRCC explains that an “In progress” status means the application is still being reviewed. Depending on the type of application, different parts of the file may show separate statuses, including eligibility, medical examination, background verification and biometrics.
This guide explains what the status means in simple language, what IRCC may be checking, how long the process can take, what you should do while waiting and when you may need to take action.
What Does “Application in Progress” Mean for a Canada Visa?
“Application in Progress” means IRCC has not finalized your application and is still processing or reviewing it.
In simple terms, your application is somewhere between submission and a final decision.
IRCC’s application status tracker describes “In progress” as meaning that the application is still being reviewed. The tracker can also show progress for individual parts of an application.
For example, depending on your application, IRCC may be reviewing:
- Your eligibility
- Your supporting documents
- Your biometrics
- Your medical examination, if required
- Your background or admissibility information
- Other information relevant to your application
Therefore, seeing “Application in Progress” is not automatically a bad sign. It is generally a normal part of the processing journey.
At the same time, it is important not to interpret the status as a guarantee that your visa will be approved. IRCC must complete its assessment before making a final decision.
Does “Application in Progress” Mean My Canada Visa Is Approved?
No.
An “In Progress” or “In Process” status does not mean your Canada visa has been approved.
It means the application has not yet reached a final decision. IRCC explains that an application remains “in process” until the case processing centre or visa office finalizes it.
The eventual outcome may be an approval, refusal or another final status depending on the application and circumstances.
If you applied for a visitor visa online, for example, IRCC says that an approval will be communicated through your account with instructions about submitting your passport. You cannot travel to Canada on that visitor visa until the visa has been placed in your passport.
So, if your account still says “Application in Progress,” you should continue to treat the application as pending.
What Is IRCC Checking While Your Application Is “In Progress”?
The exact checks depend on the type of Canadian immigration application you submitted.
For many applications, IRCC may assess whether you meet the requirements of the program and whether you are admissible to Canada.
1. Eligibility
IRCC may examine whether you meet the requirements for the visa or permit you applied for.
For a visitor visa, this can include assessing whether your circumstances support your temporary visit and whether you have provided sufficient information for an officer to make a decision.
For a study permit or work permit, the relevant eligibility requirements are different.
2. Background Verification
Background checks can form part of the processing of an application.
IRCC explains that background verification is used to check whether an applicant is admissible to Canada.
This does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your application. It can simply mean that the relevant verification has not yet been completed.
3. Biometrics
If biometrics are required for your application, IRCC may need to receive and process your fingerprints and photograph.
Your application tracker can show biometrics as a separate part of the application process.
4. Medical Examination
Some applicants are required to complete a medical examination.
If a medical examination applies to your application, the tracker may show a separate medical status. IRCC’s tracker identifies medical exams as one of the areas that can be reviewed.
5. Documents and Additional Information
IRCC may also need to review the documents you submitted.
If officers require additional information or documents, your account may contain instructions about what you need to provide. IRCC advises applicants to regularly check their account for requests.
How Long Does a Canada Visa Stay “In Progress”?
There is no single number of days that applies to every Canada visa application.
Processing times can vary depending on the application type, the completeness of the application, the number of applications being processed, how easily IRCC can verify information and whether the applicant responds promptly to requests.
IRCC specifically states that its published processing times are estimates and are not a maximum or a guarantee.
This is important because two applicants can submit applications around the same time and receive decisions at different times.
Your processing time may also be affected by factors that are specific to your application.
For the most accurate estimate, use IRCC’s official processing-time tool and select the application type that matches your case.
Why Has My Canada Visa Application Not Changed?
One of the most frustrating experiences for applicants is seeing the same status for days or weeks.
A status that does not appear to change does not automatically mean something is wrong.
The online status may not provide a detailed description of every action being taken on your file. IRCC also notes that the progress bar displayed in an application status account is an estimate based on processing times and the date the application was received. It is not a measurement of the actual percentage of work completed on your application.
For this reason, you should avoid assuming that a progress bar being halfway across means the application is halfway finished.
Similarly, a lack of visible updates does not necessarily mean that nobody is working on the application.
Should I Be Worried If My Canada Visa Says “In Progress”?
Usually, there is no need to panic simply because your application says “In Progress.”
This is a normal status while an application is being reviewed.
However, you should pay attention to your account for messages or requests from IRCC. If IRCC asks you for additional documents, biometrics, a medical examination, a passport or other information, follow the instructions carefully and within the required timeframe.
The important distinction is this:
“In Progress” means pending — not approved and not necessarily refused.
If your application has exceeded the applicable processing time by a significant amount, you can review IRCC’s guidance on applications that are taking longer than expected and determine whether contacting IRCC is appropriate.
IRCC also says that when an application is currently being processed, its agents generally cannot provide information beyond what is available through the online status system.
How to Check Your Canada Visa Application Status
You can check your Canadian visa application status through the official IRCC system.
The method depends on how you applied and the type of application.
For many applications, you can sign in to your IRCC secure account and select the option to check your status and messages. IRCC also provides an application status tracker for eligible applications.
If you submitted a paper application, IRCC provides instructions for linking the application to an online account where applicable.
When checking your application, keep your important details available, such as your:
- Application number
- Unique Client Identifier (UCI), if applicable
- Name and date of birth
- Other information requested by the status system
Use the official IRCC website rather than relying on third-party websites that claim to provide special access to your application.
What Happens After “Application in Progress”?
The next step depends on the result of IRCC’s assessment.
If your application is approved, IRCC will provide instructions appropriate to your application. For an online visitor visa application, for example, IRCC says an approval letter in your account will contain instructions to submit your passport.
If your application is refused, IRCC will communicate the decision and, for online visitor visa applications, provide an explanation for the refusal.
In some situations, IRCC may request additional information before reaching a final decision.
Therefore, the most important thing to do while your application remains in progress is to monitor your account and email regularly.
What Should You Do While Waiting for Your Canada Visa?
Waiting can be stressful, but there are several sensible steps you can take.
Check Your IRCC Account
Log in periodically and look for new messages, document requests or other instructions.
Check Your Email
Make sure you monitor the email address associated with your application. Also check your spam or junk folder in case an important message is filtered.
Keep Your Contact Information Updated
If your contact details change, follow IRCC’s instructions for updating information connected to your application.
Check Official Processing Times
Rather than relying on social media posts or another applicant’s timeline, check the current IRCC processing-time information for your specific application type.
Avoid Unnecessary Duplicate Applications
Submitting another application simply because your first application still says “In Progress” may not solve the issue and could create additional complications. If you are considering a new application, understand the circumstances first and, where appropriate, obtain professional immigration advice.
Can I Contact IRCC About an Application in Progress?
You can contact IRCC when you have a genuine reason to do so, but contacting them does not necessarily make an application move faster.
IRCC states that its agents cannot provide additional processing information beyond what is available online when an application is currently being processed.
Before contacting IRCC, check:
- Your application status.
- Your IRCC account messages.
- Your email.
- The current processing time for your application.
- Whether IRCC has requested additional documents or information.
If there is a change that IRCC needs to know about, use the appropriate official process for updating your application.
“Application in Progress” vs. “Application Received”
These statuses can mean different things.
Application Received generally indicates that IRCC has received the application and is checking or processing it according to the relevant system.
Application in Progress means that the application is still being reviewed and has not been finalized.
IRCC’s application status tracker explains that “Received” means the application was received and is being checked for completeness, while “In progress” means the application is still under review.
The exact wording and available status information can vary according to the type of application and the tracking system being used.
“Application in Progress” vs. “Decision Made”
These statuses should not be confused.
When an application is “In Progress,” there has not yet been a final decision.
A finalized application can have a different outcome, such as approval or refusal. IRCC explains that a “Closed” status can indicate that an application was approved, refused, withdrawn or abandoned, depending on the circumstances.
Therefore, “In Progress” should not be interpreted as “approved soon.”
Common Questions About Canada Visa Applications in Progress
Does “In Progress” mean my Canada visa will be approved?
No. It only means that the application has not been finalized and is still being reviewed. Approval is not guaranteed.
How long should I wait if my Canada visa is still in progress?
Check the current IRCC processing time for your application type. Remember that IRCC describes processing times as estimates rather than guarantees.
Can I travel to Canada while my visitor visa is in progress?
You should not assume that a pending application gives you permission to travel. If you need a visitor visa, you generally need the visa issued before travelling under that visa. IRCC states that an approved online visitor visa applicant cannot travel until the visa has been placed in the passport.
Does “In Progress” mean IRCC is actively working on my file today?
Not necessarily. The status tells you that the application has not been finalized and remains under processing or review. It does not provide a minute-by-minute description of what an officer is doing.