Before calling IRCC, be aware that every call is logged and attached to your application. You may even see the call date reflected in your tracker. Calling too often doesn’t speed things up, so be strategic and avoid unnecessary calls.
When It Makes Sense to Call IRCC
Consider calling only if one or more of the following apply:- More than 2 months + 2 weeks after AOR and no BIL issued
- More than 1 month + 2 weeks after medicals or biometrics show “completed” with no movement
- More than 3 weeks after giving biometrics and the tracker still shows “action required” or “in progress”
- More than 2 months + 2 weeks after Final Decision (FD) with no next step (P1)
- You’ve submitted documents via webform and they haven’t been acknowledged after 1 month
- Your file has passed eligibility but background hasn’t started after 1 month - this is unlikely though.
Smart Questions to Ask the IRCC Agent
When you do call, keep it focused and respectful. These questions matter:- Has eligibility passed, not started, or is it under review?
- If eligibility is under review:
- Is it with an officer, or
- Still waiting in queue?
- Background check status:
- Criminality: not started / in progress / completed???
- Info sharing: not started / completed??
- Security: not started / in progress / completed???
- Is there anything outstanding or pending that is preventing the file from moving forward?
- Based on what you see, is my application progressing normally, or does it require further review?
- What are my processing offices?
- PVO (Primary Visa Office)
- SVO (Secondary Visa Office)
- When was the file last touched by an officer?
Final Notes
- IRCC agents can answer most of these questions, except sometimes #4.
- For question #5:
- If they say “within normal processing”, that’s usually fine.
- If they say “requires further review”, expect delays and prepare mentally (and spiritually ).
- Be polite, calm, and concise. Agents are more helpful when you are.
