Maple News reports that applicants who submitted paper applications to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may be eligible to connect those applications to their online IRCC accounts. This digital linking allows individuals to receive real-time updates, view notifications, and track progress more efficiently, eliminating the need for paper correspondence.
To link a paper-based application, users must first sign in—or create—an online IRCC account using a GCKey or their secure banking credentials. Once logged in, applicants should scroll to “View the applications you submitted” and select the option to “Add (link) your application.”
Precise information is crucial during the linking process. Applicants are advised to enter details exactly as submitted on their paper form. Using the most updated data—such as a passport number or Unique Client Identifier (UCI)—is also important. IRCC allows a maximum of five attempts to link an application. After five unsuccessful tries, access will be temporarily suspended for 24 hours.
After successfully linking the application, all updates, correspondence, and decisions will be available only through the online platform. Applicants should also note that once linked, any authorized representative (lawyer, consultant, or family member) will lose access to the application.
If the system cannot find a match, applicants will receive a “no matches” message. This could be due to one of three reasons: the application has not yet been entered into IRCC’s internal system, the selected program category is incorrect, or the details entered do not precisely match IRCC records. In these cases, waiting a few days or double-checking program selections and personal data is recommended.
Frequent issues include entering a name or place of birth that doesn’t match the applicant’s passport or miscounting family members in sponsorship applications. For family sponsorships, individuals must include not only the applicant but also the sponsor—and a co-signer if applicable—when answering questions about household size.
IRCC recommends using a trackable delivery service if applying by mail and keeping confirmation receipts. If applicants suspect their application has not yet been received or processed, they may contact IRCC directly for further clarification.
Successfully linking a paper application not only streamlines communication but also puts applicants in control with 24/7 digital access to their immigration journey.
For newcomers navigating Canada’s immigration system, staying connected through a digital IRCC account is an essential step toward transparency and faster updates.