Updated on January 8, 2026 by canadian immigration experts
If you have applied for permanent residence in Canada or are planning to apply, you will almost certainly come across the term Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) at the initial stage of the process. Quite often, applicants learn about it in forums or immigration emails, or status trackers, but they do not really know what it is or when it will be processed.
This blog discusses exactly what AOR is, why it is important, how long it takes to receive, what happens after, as well as explaining the subsequent stages after receiving your AOR. This blog aims to demystify the process that AOR has when it comes to verifying that your application has indeed reached the immigration agency.
By the end of this guide, you will have a clear understanding of AOR, its relationship to the PR timeline, and what steps to take once it arrives. That way, I can eliminate confusion and help you decipher the status of the first step in the PR process.
What Is an Acknowledgment of Receipt? (Meaning Explained)
An Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) is an official notice issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada confirming that your permanent residence application has been received, opened, and registered in their system. It indicates that IRCC has performed an initial intake check and determined that your application package is complete enough to be placed into processing.
The AOR serves several critical purposes:
- It assigns an application number that allows tracking and future communication
- It confirms the official receipt date, which may affect deadlines and eligibility
- It allows applicants to link their file to an online account (where applicable)
It is important to understand what AOR does not mean. In other words, it does not indicate eligibility approval, background clearance, or readiness for final decisions. Rather, it verifies that the application has successfully gone through the intake validation process and is now a part of the processing queue.
In respect to process management, this stage indicates IRCC’s reliance on techniques for completeness verification, whereby applications are checked for necessary paperwork, signatures, payment, as well as minimum documentation requirements prior to in-depth review.
Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) Timeline: When and How You Receive It
The time frame in which one can receive the AOR will depend mainly on the manner in which the application has been submitted.
Online Applications
In the case of completely digital applications, especially those submitted through a designated online platform, the system might provide an AOR comparatively quickly. In certain applications, this will happen automatically after the payment has been made and the application has cleared the validation process. A brief verification process takes place before the AOR is released.
Paper-Based or Hybrid Applications
For applications submitted by mail or through mixed processing flows, it takes a longer time. That’s because these applications are received in hard copies, recorded, scanned, and entered into the system before an AOR can be generated. This is why applicants using these pathways often wait several weeks or longer during high-volume periods.
Why Timelines Vary
Several operational factors influence AOR issuance:
- Volume of applications received during that period
- Completeness and clarity of submitted documentation
- Manual versus automated intake workflows
- Internal workload distribution at processing centres
During this stage, IRCC applies queue-based intake processing, meaning applications are handled in the order they are validated, not necessarily the order they are submitted.
Applicants should note that a submission confirmation or courier delivery notice is not the same as an AOR. Only the AOR confirms that the application has entered IRCC’s active processing environment.
What Happens After AOR?
Once the AOR is issued, the application transitions from intake to active processing. This does not mean all checks begin immediately, but it confirms the file is eligible to move through sequential assessment stages.
Initial File Review
IRCC begins structured review using eligibility assessment frameworks, ensuring that the applicant meets the program requirements claimed in the application. Supporting documents are cross-referenced with declared information.
Background and Security Screening
Background verification may begin at different times depending on the case. This stage relies on risk-based screening models, meaning not all applications progress identically or at the same speed.
Medical and Biometrics Linking
If medical exams or biometrics were completed earlier, they are linked to the file at this stage. If not, the requests are usually made after AOR once the file has reached the right point of processing.
Status Updates
The following status updates may then appear to the applicants after AOR:
- “Eligibility under review
- “Background check in progress”
- “Medical results received”
These are workflow movements and do not represent conclusions.
What AOR Does and Does Not Mean
Understanding the limits of AOR is essential to managing expectations.
What AOR Confirms
- Your application is officially in IRCC’s system
- Required fees were accepted
- Minimum submission requirements were met
What AOR Does NOT Confirm
- Approval or refusal outcome
- Speed of processing
- Completion of background or security checks
AOR is a procedural milestone, not a judgment on the strength of your application.
Final Thoughts
Knowing what Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) is and what it isn’t can save you a lot of stress. Instead of panicking over silence or obsessively checking your account, you can focus on being prepared by making sure your documents stay valid, responding to any requests promptly, and keeping track of your timeline. The waiting can feel long, yes, but AOR is the first milestone that actually matters.
In the end, AOR is your first real checkpoint. It tells you your application exists in the system, it’s recognized, and it’s moving forward even if you can’t see every step. So take a breath, mark that date, and know that your PR in Canada is officially underway. Patience and awareness are your best tools from here.
