2023 PR Applications Timeline (Protected Persons & Refugees)

[Kabash]

I'm Nov 30, 2023 applicant, only received AOR and Biometric update in March 2024. After that, no update at all. No pre-arrival, no eligibility. NOTHING!

It's still possible that your file is still worked on. My representative mentioned that they don't always send eligibility and pre-arrival. For instance, My husband and I applied together (inland), I received eligibility and pre-arrival, and he didn't. However the GCMS notes shows that most steps have been completed.
So stay positive.

 

[Osiro17]

Hi everyone,


I’ve been waiting for my PR for 36 months (3 full years) now. Just received military status update this week but I don’t belive I will receive my PR soon. Our lives are completely on hold. The most frustrating part? Seeing people who applied in 2024 get their PRs approved in a matter of months. Nobody is exaggerating; it’s a brutal reality.


IRCC is clearly prioritizing their new AI-integrated digital portals to process 2024 applications at lightning speed to boost statistics, while leaving older applications to rot on dusty shelves or get stuck in endless security screening loops. The "first-in, first-out" rule has been completely abandoned. (Processing time can be changed based on the file but this completely unfair.


We can't just sit back and take this. Anyone stuck in this limbo should actively push for these steps:

1. Mass Webform Campaign: We should generate a standard complaint template explaining this systemic backlog injustice and spam IRCC via Webform. If hundreds of us send the same template, they cannot ignore it.


2 MP (Member of Parliament) Intervention: Reach out to your MP immediately and explain the situation.They have a dedicated IRCC channel to flag heavily delayed files.


3 GCMS Notes (ATIP): Keep ordering them to find exactly which stage (Eligibility, Security, etc.) your file is stuck in.


4 Writ of Mandamus: 36 months is well past any reasonable processing standard. It’s time to seriously consider taking this to Federal Court. IRCC often approves the file as soon as a lawsuit is filed just to avoid a judge.

5 Social media protest: We can send our replies to the IRCC and other related parlement members.

How many of us from 2023 or earlier are still stuck here? Has anyone successfully pushed their file through using an MP or a Mandamus lawsuit? Please share your experiences. I cannot stand it anymore even I am ready to demonstrate.

I felt every word you said. I am from April 2023 and I am at my wits end at this point. Is there a WatsApp or telegram group we can mobilize to coordinate some of these steps you suggested ? I am very interested in the mass web form campaign. IRCC is being unfair and unprofessional in how they have chosen to ignore older applications.

 

[Osiro17]

I think I am the only April 2023 Applicant that remain

I’m here still.

 

[Notthatparis]

I’m here still.

I am still here as well.

 

[spider392]

Your country ? Actually mine started March 2026. I think bcz extensive travel history.

Iraq, but i dont have much travel History and i dont have any miltary or name issue, it is just stupid they put me hold me here for this much
Otherwise i know family from my country they got it last year

 

[Newstart2022]

Mine did that a few weeks ago and I check everyday and nothing, they are just playing with our feelings

Hi , did you get any updates as yet?

 

[PSam001]

Congrats!

If they are in August, it means the process is moving. It will soon get to everyone. Please be patient

 

[Star55]

Hi , did you get any updates as yet?

No News Yet

 

[Taishiro]

I felt every word you said. I am from April 2023 and I am at my wits end at this point. Is there a WatsApp or telegram group we can mobilize to coordinate some of these steps you suggested ? I am very interested in the mass web form campaign. IRCC is being unfair and unprofessional in how they have chosen to ignore older applications.

You are all absolutely right. Hearing about 2024 applications getting approved every single day while we sit here trapped in 2023 (or earlier) limbo is an absolute slap in the face. It is unfair, it is systematic, and we cannot accept this negligence silently anymore.
If we want IRCC to move our files, we need to make ourselves impossible to ignore. Every single one of us needs to do **at least one last thing** this week. Let’s coordinate our efforts right here.
Here is our Action Plan
STEP 1: The Mass Webform Campaign (Do this TODAY)**
We are going to flood IRCC with the exact same message so they realize the backlog community is organizing. Copy the template below, plug in your details, and submit it via the IRCC Webform immediately:
Subject:*Express Entry Backlog - Application Delays Beyond Service Standards
Dear IRCC,
I am writing to formally protest the unacceptable delay of my permanent residence application, which has been in queue for **[Insert Number] months**—vastly exceeding the 6-month service standard.
It is an injustice that older applications from 2023 and earlier remain stagnant on dusty shelves while newer 2024 applications are prioritized and approved within weeks to artificially boost processing statistics.
My documentation is complete and correct. I request that my heavily delayed file be escalated to a supervisor or Visa Office manager immediately. We demand fairness, not systemic negligence.
Sincerely,
> **Name:** [Your Name] | **Application #:** [E00XXXXXXX] | **UCI:** [XX-XXXX-XXXX] | **AOR Date:** [YYYY-MM-DD]

STEP 2: The MP Mobilization (For Inside-Canada Applicants)**
Find your local Member of Parliament (MP) based on your postal code. Go to their office or email them this week. Tell them: *"I am a constituent, I have been stuck in the Express Entry backlog for XX months while 2024 files are skipped ahead. I need you to initiate an official MP inquiry into IRCC regarding my file."* When an MP flags a file, IRCC is legally forced to pull it up.

Let's stop complaining individually and start acting as a group. Who is committing to doing at least one of these steps today? Post your AOR date below and let's get organized!

It is not fair and nobody wants to do anything other than asking for an update from here. I am sick of this process. I applied 36 MONTHS ago people getting PR less than 2 years dont even tell me that they have different file…

 

[May545]

You are all absolutely right. Hearing about 2024 applications getting approved every single day while we sit here trapped in 2023 (or earlier) limbo is an absolute slap in the face. It is unfair, it is systematic, and we cannot accept this negligence silently anymore.
If we want IRCC to move our files, we need to make ourselves impossible to ignore. Every single one of us needs to do **at least one last thing** this week. Let’s coordinate our efforts right here.
Here is our Action Plan
STEP 1: The Mass Webform Campaign (Do this TODAY)**
We are going to flood IRCC with the exact same message so they realize the backlog community is organizing. Copy the template below, plug in your details, and submit it via the IRCC Webform immediately:
Subject:*Express Entry Backlog - Application Delays Beyond Service Standards
Dear IRCC,
I am writing to formally protest the unacceptable delay of my permanent residence application, which has been in queue for **[Insert Number] months**—vastly exceeding the 6-month service standard.
It is an injustice that older applications from 2023 and earlier remain stagnant on dusty shelves while newer 2024 applications are prioritized and approved within weeks to artificially boost processing statistics.
My documentation is complete and correct. I request that my heavily delayed file be escalated to a supervisor or Visa Office manager immediately. We demand fairness, not systemic negligence.
Sincerely,
> **Name:** [Your Name] | **Application #:** [E00XXXXXXX] | **UCI:** [XX-XXXX-XXXX] | **AOR Date:** [YYYY-MM-DD]

STEP 2: The MP Mobilization (For Inside-Canada Applicants)**
Find your local Member of Parliament (MP) based on your postal code. Go to their office or email them this week. Tell them: *"I am a constituent, I have been stuck in the Express Entry backlog for XX months while 2024 files are skipped ahead. I need you to initiate an official MP inquiry into IRCC regarding my file."* When an MP flags a file, IRCC is legally forced to pull it up.

Let's stop complaining individually and start acting as a group. Who is committing to doing at least one of these steps today? Post your AOR date below and let's get organized!

It is not fair and nobody wants to do anything other than asking for an update from here. I am sick of this process. I applied 36 MONTHS ago people getting PR less than 2 years dont even tell me that they have different file…

Don’t waste your time sending web forms. You will only get an AI-generated response. Contacting our MPs is a good step, but we also need to organize a protest in front of Parliament and ask TV channels to cover it. If we do that, I believe we could get results within a couple of months. We only need a few hundred people . I bet the IRCC will approve our applications once see that.

 

[Taishiro]

I completely agree with you. My MP office is doing the exact same thing—just calling IRCC, getting the same 'currently processing' update we already see on our trackers, and passing it back to us. Web forms are a black hole.


Most of you might think that you will receive your PR soon and don't want to do anything, but it's an endless cycle. There are too many people getting PR from 2024 files right now, and all of you know that we have no idea how much longer it will take.


Sitting and waiting isn't working anymore. If we want to get TV channels or media coverage, we need to be organized. A walk-in or a small protest in front of an IRCC building or Parliament needs a clear plan to work. Or send detailed explaination to media.


Let's start a dedicated group to coordinate a petition and gather a head count of people willing to show up in person. Who else on this page has been waiting 30+ months and is ready to take actual action?

Don’t waste your time sending web forms. You will only get an AI-generated response. Contacting our MPs is a good step, but we also need to organize a protest in front of Parliament and ask TV channels to cover it. If we do that, I believe we could get results within a couple of months. We only need a few hundred people . I bet the IRCC will approve our applications once see that.

 

[Taishiro]

Send this similar email to media;

gopublic@cbc.ca
newstips@globalnews.ca
torontonewsdesk@bellmedia.ca
nkeung@thestar.ca

Subject: STORY IDEA: Systemic IRCC delays leaving Permanent Residency applicants in limbo for over 3 years



To the Editorial Team / Investigative Journalism
Desk,

I am reaching out to share a critical and ongoing issue regarding Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that is heavily impacting thousands of applicants who are being left in an endless processing cycle.
While IRCC advertises significantly shorter processing timelines, many applicants-including myself—have been waiting for over 36 months for our Permanent Residency (PR) applications to be finalized. To make matters worse, we are witnessing a massive disparity in the system where files submitted recently in 2024 are being processed and approved within months, while older applications are completely stalled with no clear explanation.

When we contact our local Member of Parliament (MP) offices or submit official web forms, we are met with automated, Al-generated responses or repetitive "currently processing" templat V i offer zeroaccountability.

This is no longer just a bureaucratic delay; it is a systemic failure causing extreme financial and mental distress to people who are working and contributing to Canada. A growing community of applicants who have been waiting for 30+ months is currently organizing to demand transparency, and we believe the public deserves to know what is happening behind the scenes at IRCC.
I would love the opportunity to share my story, along with documentation showing these extreme timelines, for a potential investigative piece or news segment.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

 

[PSam001]

I completely agree with you. My MP office is doing the exact same thing—just calling IRCC, getting the same 'currently processing' update we already see on our trackers, and passing it back to us. Web forms are a black hole.


Most of you might think that you will receive your PR soon and don't want to do anything, but it's an endless cycle. There are too many people getting PR from 2024 files right now, and all of you know that we have no idea how much longer it will take.


Sitting and waiting isn't working anymore. If we want to get TV channels or media coverage, we need to be organized. A walk-in or a small protest in front of an IRCC building or Parliament needs a clear plan to work. Or send detailed explaination to media.


Let's start a dedicated group to coordinate a petition and gather a head count of people willing to show up in person. Who else on this page has been waiting 30+ months and is ready to take actual action?

You see, thats the issue, no one is willing to take these steps. I am in if we have others who are available. This action is not going to affect our applications in anyway since names will not be mentoned. Lets see how many peoplle will agree to be part of this movement. I doubt we will have people join though..

 

[ohaurela]

You see, thats the issue, no one is willing to take these steps. I am in if we have others who are available. This action is not going to affect our applications in anyway since names will not be mentoned. Lets see how many peoplle will agree to be part of this movement. I doubt we will have people join though..

You are all absolutely right. Hearing about 2024 applications getting approved every single day while we sit here trapped in 2023 (or earlier) limbo is an absolute slap in the face. It is unfair, it is systematic, and we cannot accept this negligence silently anymore.
If we want IRCC to move our files, we need to make ourselves impossible to ignore. Every single one of us needs to do **at least one last thing** this week. Let’s coordinate our efforts right here.
Here is our Action Plan
STEP 1: The Mass Webform Campaign (Do this TODAY)**
We are going to flood IRCC with the exact same message so they realize the backlog community is organizing. Copy the template below, plug in your details, and submit it via the IRCC Webform immediately:
Subject:*Express Entry Backlog - Application Delays Beyond Service Standards
Dear IRCC,
I am writing to formally protest the unacceptable delay of my permanent residence application, which has been in queue for **[Insert Number] months**—vastly exceeding the 6-month service standard.
It is an injustice that older applications from 2023 and earlier remain stagnant on dusty shelves while newer 2024 applications are prioritized and approved within weeks to artificially boost processing statistics.
My documentation is complete and correct. I request that my heavily delayed file be escalated to a supervisor or Visa Office manager immediately. We demand fairness, not systemic negligence.
Sincerely,
> **Name:** [Your Name] | **Application #:** [E00XXXXXXX] | **UCI:** [XX-XXXX-XXXX] | **AOR Date:** [YYYY-MM-DD]

STEP 2: The MP Mobilization (For Inside-Canada Applicants)**
Find your local Member of Parliament (MP) based on your postal code. Go to their office or email them this week. Tell them: *"I am a constituent, I have been stuck in the Express Entry backlog for XX months while 2024 files are skipped ahead. I need you to initiate an official MP inquiry into IRCC regarding my file."* When an MP flags a file, IRCC is legally forced to pull it up.

Let's stop complaining individually and start acting as a group. Who is committing to doing at least one of these steps today? Post your AOR date below and let's get organized!

It is not fair and nobody wants to do anything other than asking for an update from here. I am sick of this process. I applied 36 MONTHS ago people getting PR less than 2 years dont even tell me that they have different file…

I am in as well will only take 2 mins to do this

 

[ohaurela]

work permit applied on may 30th was approved june 15th.. so fast but with PR its been over 30 months