Express Entry After You Apply: Processing, Biometrics and Final Decision

What Happens After You Submit an Express Entry Application?

Submitting an electronic application for permanent residence is not the end of the Express Entry process. It begins IRCC's assessment of whether the application is complete, whether the principal applicant meets the requirements of the immigration program, and whether the applicant and applicable family members are admissible to Canada.

IRCC may communicate with you during processing through your secure account. Depending on the file, this can include biometrics instructions, requests for additional documents, status updates, an interview request or instructions following the final decision.

What Is an Express Entry Acknowledgement of Receipt?

After IRCC receives a permanent residence application, the applicant receives an acknowledgement of receipt, commonly called an AOR.

The AOR is important because it confirms that IRCC received the permanent residence application. It is also relevant to certain post-application processes, including eligibility for a bridging open work permit in qualifying circumstances.

IRCC Reviews the Application for Completeness

Once IRCC receives the application, it checks whether the permanent residence application was completed correctly, the required fees were paid, applicable requirements were met and the required documents were included.

This makes the distinction between submitting the online application and passing IRCC's completeness review important.

IRCC currently states that an incomplete application will be rejected and the processing fees refunded.

Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that an online submission automatically means the application has passed the completeness stage.

For document preparation before submission, see the Express Entry Documents Checklist .

Biometrics After an Express Entry Application

Under IRCC's current Express Entry instructions, permanent residence applicants between 14 and 79 years old generally need to provide fingerprints and a photograph for every permanent residence application they submit.

This requirement applies even where biometrics were provided for a previous application and those biometrics are still valid.

When will IRCC request biometrics?

If the application is complete, IRCC sends a biometric instruction letter confirming that biometrics must be provided.

IRCC currently gives applicants 30 days from the date of the letter to complete the biometrics requirement.

Pay the biometrics fee on time

IRCC recommends paying the biometric fee when submitting the permanent residence application. Failure to pay the fee at that stage can delay processing.

IRCC Assesses Express Entry Program Eligibility

IRCC must determine whether the applicant meets the requirements of the immigration program through which the permanent residence application is being assessed.

Depending on the case, the assessment can involve work experience, language results, education, provincial nomination, settlement funds and other program-specific requirements.

The officer also assesses whether the information and documents support the claims made in the Express Entry profile and permanent residence application.

This is why a high CRS score does not replace program eligibility. Eligibility and ranking are separate concepts.

See Express Entry Eligibility for the requirements of the federal programs managed through Express Entry.

Medical, Criminality and Security Checks

Program eligibility is only one part of the permanent residence decision. IRCC also assesses whether the applicant and applicable family members are admissible to Canada.

IRCC's current Express Entry instructions identify the following as part of the admissibility assessment:

• medical examination results;
• police certificates; and
• background checks.

Medical examinations

Express Entry applicants generally complete an upfront immigration medical examination after receiving an ITA and before submitting the permanent residence application.

Family members must also undergo the required medical examination even if they are not accompanying the principal applicant to Canada.

IRCC currently states that immigration medical examination results are generally valid for 12 months. In some circumstances, an applicant living in Canada who completed an immigration medical examination within the previous five years may not need another examination if IRCC can use the earlier results.

Police certificates and background checks

Police certificates form part of the criminal admissibility assessment. Background processing can also involve security and other verification activities.

The time required for these checks varies between applications and can contribute to processing that extends beyond the general Express Entry processing benchmark.

Can IRCC Ask for More Documents After Submission?

Yes. IRCC may request additional documents while processing an Express Entry application.

An additional document request does not by itself mean that the application will be refused. It means IRCC requires further information or evidence to continue assessing the file.

Applicants should read the request carefully and respond within the deadline specified by IRCC.

Can IRCC Request an Interview?

Yes. IRCC's current Express Entry processing instructions expressly state that an interview may be arranged if needed.

Not every Express Entry applicant is interviewed. Whether an interview is required depends on the circumstances of the application and the issues IRCC considers necessary to assess.

If IRCC requests an interview, follow the instructions in the notice carefully and review the application and supporting evidence before attending.

How to Check Your Express Entry Application Status

After submission, applicants can check the application through their IRCC account.

Under “Application status and messages,” the account can show:

• the overall application status;
• the current status of individual processing steps; and
• messages identifying additional actions, where required.

IRCC also provides an application status tracker for more detailed status information.

Watch both your account and email

An email notification may tell you that there has been an update, but the substantive instruction may appear inside the IRCC account. Applicants should therefore monitor the account and the email address associated with the application.

Changes You Must Report While Express Entry Is Processing

Important changes should not be left until IRCC discovers them independently.

IRCC instructs applicants to use the web form to report relevant changes as soon as possible.

Current IRCC instructions specifically identify changes including:

• birth or adoption of a child;
• death of a family member;
• marriage or divorce;
• changes to contact information;
• change of immigration representative;
• withdrawal of a provincial or territorial nomination;
• a change in intention to live in the nominating province or territory;
• changes to a job or job offer;
• new educational credentials; and
• updated language test results.

A change does not necessarily mean that the application will be refused. Its legal effect depends on the nature of the change, the program and the requirements relevant to the application.

How Long Does Express Entry Take After You Apply?

IRCC currently states that it processes most Express Entry applications within six months or less after receiving a complete application.

The six-month figure should not be interpreted as a guaranteed deadline for every applicant. Processing varies by program and by the circumstances of the file.

IRCC's 2024 Express Entry Year-End Report reported that the department met its six-month processing standard for Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker and Express Entry provincial nominee applications finalized in 2024. Overall, 80% of finalized Express Entry applications in the reporting data were processed within five months.

Historical results should not be used as a prediction for a particular current application. Applicants should check the current Canada Immigration Processing Times when assessing their own file.

Why Can an Express Entry Application Take Longer?

IRCC identifies several factors that can extend processing beyond the usual timeframe.

These include:

• the need to verify information;
• criminal or security issues;
• additional background checks;
• unclear family circumstances;
• unresolved divorce, adoption or child-custody matters;
• requests for additional documents;
• an interview requirement;
• how quickly the applicant responds to IRCC; and
• other operational or case-specific factors.

IRCC also notes that application volumes and annual immigration levels can affect processing. Applications received after annual capacity has been reached may take longer.

Long processing does not automatically mean refusal

A file remaining in process beyond an estimated timeframe does not, by itself, establish that IRCC intends to refuse it. Complex verification or background processing can take additional time.

What If Your Work Permit Expires While Express Entry Is Processing?

Submitting an Express Entry permanent residence application does not automatically extend a work permit.

However, some principal applicants already in Canada may qualify for a bridging open work permit, commonly called a BOWP, while waiting for the permanent residence decision.

Under IRCC's current rules, Express Entry applicants seeking a BOWP generally need to have submitted a complete permanent residence application and passed the completeness check, among other requirements. They also need their acknowledgement of receipt letter.

Additional requirements apply depending on the immigration program and the applicant's status in Canada.

How IRCC Makes the Final Express Entry Decision

IRCC states that the final decision is based on whether the applicant is eligible for the immigration program and admissible to Canada.

The admissibility assessment includes the results of medical examinations, police certificates and background checks.

IRCC communicates the decision through the applicant's secure account.

The Right of Permanent Residence Fee must also be paid before IRCC can approve the application.

What Happens If Your Express Entry Application Is Approved?

The next steps depend partly on whether the applicant is physically inside or outside Canada.

If you are in Canada

IRCC currently confirms permanent resident status for most approved applicants in Canada through a secure online portal without requiring an in-person interview.

IRCC contacts the applicant using the email address or telephone number provided and may ask the applicant to confirm information including their email address and that they are physically present in Canada.

After permanent resident status is confirmed, the applicant receives the documentation associated with confirmation and the permanent resident card process.

If you are outside Canada

Approved applicants outside Canada receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence, or COPR. Where a permanent resident visa is required based on nationality and travel-document requirements, IRCC also issues the applicable visa.

The information on the COPR should be checked carefully against the passport. If there is an error, IRCC instructs applicants to contact the department.

IRCC also states that a COPR cannot be extended. An applicant who needs to travel to Canada to become a permanent resident should therefore follow the validity and travel instructions issued with the approval.

What Happens If an Express Entry Application Is Refused?

If IRCC rejects or refuses the permanent residence application, the previous Express Entry profile does not simply return to the pool.

IRCC states that a person who wants to be considered in future invitation rounds must:

• create and submit a new Express Entry profile;
• meet the applicable eligibility criteria; and
• be accepted into the pool again.

Before creating a new profile, the applicant should understand why the earlier application failed. Reapplying without correcting the underlying eligibility, evidentiary or disclosure problem can reproduce the same result.

See Common Express Entry Mistakes and Refusal Reasons for a detailed review of common application risks.

Express Entry After You Apply FAQs

How long does Express Entry take after I submit my PR application?

IRCC currently states that most Express Entry permanent residence applications are processed within six months or less after receipt of a complete application. Individual processing can be shorter or longer.

Does the six-month period start when I create my Express Entry profile?

No. The post-application processing period relates to the complete permanent residence application. Time spent in the Express Entry pool before receiving an ITA is separate.

Do I need new biometrics if I already gave biometrics to Canada?

Under IRCC's current permanent residence instructions, applicants aged 14 to 79 generally need to provide biometrics for every permanent residence application even if previously submitted biometrics are still valid.

How long do I have to give biometrics?

IRCC currently gives applicants 30 days from the date of the biometric instruction letter.

Does receiving an AOR mean my Express Entry application is approved?

No. An acknowledgement of receipt confirms that IRCC received the permanent residence application. Eligibility, admissibility and the final decision remain separate stages.

Can IRCC ask for documents after I submit my application?

Yes. IRCC may request additional documents during processing. Respond within the deadline and provide evidence that addresses the specific request.

Can IRCC interview an Express Entry applicant?

Yes. IRCC's current instructions state that an interview may be arranged if needed, although interviews are not required in every Express Entry case.

Can I update IRCC after submitting my application?

Yes. Important changes should be reported. IRCC specifically identifies matters such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption, contact changes, job changes, new education, updated language results and changes involving a provincial nomination.

Can I keep working in Canada while my PR application is processed?

A pending permanent residence application does not itself authorize employment. Some applicants may qualify for a bridging open work permit or may have another legal basis to continue working. Work authorization should be assessed separately from the PR application.

What does IRCC assess before approving Express Entry permanent residence?

IRCC assesses whether the applicant meets the applicable immigration program requirements and whether the applicant and relevant family members are admissible to Canada, including medical, criminality and security considerations.

What happens if IRCC refuses my application?

To be considered in future Express Entry invitation rounds, you generally need to submit a new profile, meet the eligibility criteria and be accepted into the pool again. The reason for the earlier refusal should be addressed before reapplying.