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How to Read Your IRCC Application Status: What Each Stage Means

April 1, 2026 · Updated April 26, 2026 · 2 min read
How to Read Your IRCC Application Status: What Each Stage Means
Not legal advice. This article is for informational purposes only. Immigration rules change frequently — confirm everything directly with IRCC or consult a licensed RCIC before acting.

Your IRCC application status tracker shows stages like “AOR received,” “Medical passed,” and “Background check in progress.” Each update marks a specific step in the processing pipeline. Understanding each stage helps you gauge progress and prepare for next steps.

The first update you typically see is Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR). This confirms IRCC has your application and it has passed initial completeness checks. After AOR, processing moves through several stages before a final decision.

Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)

AOR means IRCC received your application and it meets basic requirements. You will get a confirmation email or tracker update. This is the starting point of official processing. If you do not receive AOR within the expected timeframe, contact IRCC.

Medical Examination

Your medical status shows whether you have submitted required exam results and if they are passed. “Medical passed” means IRCC reviewed your results and they meet health standards. “We are reviewing your medical results” means they are still processing.

Background Check

Background checks involve security and criminality screening. This stage can take several months. Updates like “We are processing your background check” are normal. You do not need to take any action unless IRCC requests additional documents.

Eligibility Review

An officer reviews your application against program requirements. You may see “Eligibility passed” or “We are reviewing your eligibility.” If additional documents are needed, IRCC will request them through your account.

Final Decision

“Decision made” or “Final decision” means IRCC has concluded processing. Check your account for the outcome letter. This update usually appears before you receive your physical document or approval email.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice.

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Jasmine Low has a background in policy analysis for the public sector. She moved to Calgary from Surrey, BC, in 2021 and can spot an error in a legal draft from a mile away.