One of the common terms in the path toward immigration and citizenship in Canada is AOR, or Acknowledgement of Receipt. This document is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) after receiving your application and plays an important role in the processing of your case.
AOR in the Canadian
In fact, an AOR is an official confirmation from IRCC that your application for immigration, citizenship, or temporary residence has been received. The importance and issuance time of this document vary depending on the type of application and the method of submission.
How long does it take to receive an AOR?
The time it takes to receive an AOR depends on the type of case:
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Express Entry: An AOR is generated automatically, usually within minutes after submitting your permanent residence application.
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Family sponsorship or citizenship: In these cases, issuing an AOR may take several weeks to several months, since it is processed manually after verifying the completeness of the documents.
An AOR is not just a simple receipt; the date written on it can impact several aspects of your application:
1. Dependent children’s age
According to IRCC rules, a dependent child must be unmarried and under 22 years old (with some exceptions). The age of your child is determined based on the date shown on your AOR. For example, if your child was 21 years old on the date of AOR but turned 22 while your case was still being processed, they would still be considered a dependent.
2. Document validity
Documents such as police clearance certificates, IELTS results, and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) reports all have expiration dates. These documents must be valid on the date your application was received, as indicated in the AOR. Therefore, it is best to submit your application before your documents expire to avoid delays or refusals.
Does receiving an AOR mean the application is complete?
No. Receiving an AOR does not necessarily mean your application is complete or incomplete.
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In Express Entry, the AOR is generated automatically, but your application may still be refused later due to missing documents.
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In citizenship applications, however, receiving an AOR means that IRCC has confirmed your application is complete.
Paper-based vs electronic applications
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For paper-based applications, the AOR date is the day IRCC’s mailroom receives your package. They will issue the AOR once they begin processing. That’s why it is recommended to use a courier service that requires a signature upon delivery, so you can track the exact delivery date.
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For electronic applications, the AOR date usually corresponds to the day you click the “submit” button. However, sometimes the AOR may show a date one or two days later due to technical issues or time zone differences. Therefore, it’s best to submit your application ahead of time.
How long does it take to get permanent residence after AOR?
Issuing an AOR does not necessarily mean that IRCC has started processing your application. The time it takes to obtain permanent residence (PR) after receiving your AOR depends on several factors, including:
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The specific immigration program (Express Entry, sponsorship, etc.),
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Your country of residence,
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The overall application volume,
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And the completeness of your case.
Processing times can range from a few months to over a year.
Conclusion:
An AOR is one of the most important documents in the Canadian immigration process. It is not only proof that your application has been received, but the date on it also plays a critical role in determining the eligibility of dependent children and the validity of your supporting documents. Although an AOR does not necessarily confirm that your application is complete, it represents the first official step toward the review of your case.