AOR (Acknowledgment of Receipt)
An AOR, or Acknowledgment of Receipt, is a notice from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirming it has received your application and it has passed the initial completeness check. It includes your application number.
Why it matters
The AOR is the point where processing formally begins. For permanent residence, IRCC's service standards and processing times are usually counted from about this stage. You use the application number on the AOR to link your application to an online account and to request GCMS notes later.
For Express Entry, you receive the AOR soon after you submit your application following an ITA. The next steps are often a biometrics instruction letter, a medical exam request, and eventually a PPR or COPR.
An AOR is not an approval. See our ITA to COPR guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long after submitting do I get an AOR?
For Express Entry, usually right after submission. For paper applications it can take longer.
Can my application be returned after the AOR?
It is less likely, but IRCC can still find it incomplete and return or refuse it.
Where do I see my AOR?
In your IRCC online account messages.
Official sources
- IRCC: Check your application statuscanada.ca
General information, not legal advice. NorthAmericans.com is independent and not affiliated with any government.