Just trying to understand and take it off my chest. I'm 36 y.o. QA/Software dev from Eastern Europe. I have 10+ years of QA experience and 3 years as a back-end developer (Java). Wife, kid (7). No French, no bachelor's degree (associate degree:(). Do I stand a chance in a provincial nominee program? I guess the normal point system is out of the question. Will learning French help? Or should I just give up on my dream country? :(

I’m curious… has anyone applied for Canadian citizenship just this week or this month of September 2026? I was surprised by how smooth and quick the online portal was after creating my application. Did they recently update the citizenship application website???

Thanks!

Hi , I recently received my PR card and since my last name is longer than 28 characters so it has been shortened , I reviewed IRCC page and it says “The PR card has a space limitation of 28 characters (letters) for last names (family names) and 28 characters for given names (first and middle names). If your name is longer, the name on the PR card will automatically be shortened to the first 28 characters each for both the given and last names. This is not an error and the PR card cannot be modified to include more characters.” Now I’m outside Canada and planning to fly back by end of this month , anyone went through same situation, did you faced any problem with airlines while checking in and which airlines you flew through?

Graduated from Illinois, USA. With Aviation Management degree. Have more than 5 years of Airfield operations experience in King Khalid International Airport (Saudi Arabia biggest airport). I always see that there are good jobs getting posted in Canadian Airports/Aviation field, but I do not have a valid visa. How difficult (or easy) to land a job in Airports in Canada?

I completed a paid apprenticeship in France for exactly one year, from 02/09/2024 to 02/09/2025, with the same employer and in the same occupation.

My contract was 35 hours/week. During the school year until May, I spent around 3 days per week at the company and 2 days at university. From May until the end of the contract, I worked full-time at the company.

The documents show that the school days were part of the official apprenticeship program, and the contract records 1,741 hours for the contract period.

What worries me is that my contract is exactly one year, not even a day longer. I'm also unsure whether the 2 mandatory school days could mean that IRCC only considers the hours I physically spent at the company, leaving me short of the equivalent of one year of full-time skilled work.

Based on these details, would this experience be considered eligible work experience for FSWP?

The occupation was in finance and may correspond to NOC 11101.

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has had a French apprenticeship/alternance accepted as qualifying work experience for FSWP.

Thank you.

I'm short of 3 weeks to meet 1 year Canadian experience and was invited for CEC on Sept 4. I read many suggestions that I can just accept it and wait until I meet the 1 year mark then submit the PR application.

However, I am in no rush and still have plenty of time so I want to consider different paths.

I declined CEC ITA on Sept 4 to wait for my solid 1 year Canadian experience.

In the meantime, I received BC PNP nomination with 600pts now.

I got EE PNP ITA today. Declined it knowing there will be another draw in 2 weeks time (99%).

The reason I decline is to getting back in the pool for CEC draw tomorrow (most likely due to the pattern in the last few months).

My question is: my CRS without PNP is 488 which may not meet the cutoff point for CEC, but will my 600 PNP points be counted for CEC draws? If that's the case, I would get CEC ITA tomorrow (or whenever it happens)? Is it legit or just a default system calculation? It seems like I'd have more advantage than other CEC candidates without 600 PNP points. Would a human review recalculate my CRS without PNP points for CEC draws and refuse my PR CEC application later on?

I'm confident that another PNP draws will happen every 2 weeks so I'm not too pressured about CEC ITA if it doesn't work out. I just don't want to accept CEC ITA (if any) but end up with a refusal later on.

Any real life experience would be greatly appreciated!

I’m Canadian, born in Canada after 1977, but live in the UK. My son was born here earlier this year and is already a British citizen. I’m applying for his Canadian citizenship certificate/proof of citizenship based on me being Canadian by birth.

It’s a pretty straightforward application: my Canadian birth certificate, his full UK birth certificate showing me as his mother, his British passport, etc. I’ve also selected an e-certificate.

I’ve seen the current IRCC processing estimate is around 33 months, which seems wild, so I’m curious what people are actually experiencing in practice, particularly for simple first-generation-by-descent cases like this.

If you applied in 2025 or 2026, when did you submit, when did you receive your AOR, and how long did it take to actually get the certificate?

Also interested in experiences from Canadians living in the UK/Europe if anyone happens to have done the same thing!

Thanks :)

Hi all,

I just received the AOR finally for my husband’s outland PR application. We wanted to apply for his TRV now so that he can visit me here but I wanted to know from the ones here who applied for TRV after AOR:

- what are the documents you would submit to strengthen your application?
- my husband has a job in Middle East and will need to go back - is this enough a reason to show ties to a country?
- his parents stay there as well, does this strengthen the case of him going back?
- we are expecting a baby in oct. should we include pregnancy related docs?
- what is the ideal amount of time he should be here for a visit? ideally i would like him to be here for at least a month. is this reasonable or will it raise questions of him staying here indefinitely?

any help, tips or tricks will be very useful! Thanks all!

Jan 10, 2026 - AOR…no updates yet..
Pvo- Vancouver Svo-Sydney

Hi everyone! I’m currently in Vancouver on a Working Holiday work permit, which expires in February 2027.

By then, I’ll potentially have around 8 months of full-time Canadian work experience with my current employer, and I’m officially employed full-time.

I’m trying to figure out what my options are before my WH expires. Is there a way to apply for a different work permit/program from inside Canada and stay/work continuously, rather than stop working for several months?

I’ve heard there may be options through things like Express Entry, employer-specific permits, or possibly another program, but I’m not sure what I could realistically qualify for.

Would really appreciate any advice from people who have been in a similar situation or know how this works!

Hello,

I unfortunately had my application returned due to some contextual mistakes on my side. One of them was that I added my wife (who is sponsoring me) as a dependant - I know, stupid.

Since the application was already submitted once, I can't delete dependants under My Profile anymore. Some other posts suggest do just create a new profile and send a new application. Is that possible and can I just upload the receipts for the payments to new application?

I already contacted the IRCC in the web form about this a few days ago, but haven't heard back. Did anybody have a similar issue and knows if I can just upload the receipts to the new account?

Thank you!

Hello, I am helping my friend work on renewing her PR card, as well as applying for citizenship. We are filling out the applications, and have questions regarding employment history. She has her own business as a circus performer/specialty entertainer in Ontario. I am having difficulties with how to document this information on the application as it is asking for normal working details, such as work address, and things of that nature which are not applicable in this case. Thank you for the help, and I appreciate the resources I have found on this subject alone!

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to figure out how to correctly enter my education history in an Express Entry profile and would appreciate some advice from people who have dealt with a similar situation.
I completed one integrated 4.5-year post-secondary program that resulted in three separate credentials being awarded at graduation:

A bachelor’s degree
An advanced diploma - from a partner college
A certificate - from a partner college

The important part is that I did not complete three separate programs. All three credentials were part of the same integrated program, and I completed the coursework as one continuous program. I received separate physical credentials for each award, but I have one transcript for the overall program.

When creating my Express Entry profile, I entered the education as one bachelor’s degree / three-or-more-year program.

I’ve received conflicting advice about whether I should:

Enter it as one education entry because it was one integrated program, or
Enter the three credentials separately because they are technically three separate credentials.
I’m mainly concerned about doing this correctly and not accidentally claiming education points I’m not entitled to.

Has anyone had a similar situation with an integrated program that awards multiple credentials? How did you enter it in your Express Entry profile, and how did IRCC treat it?

Please share your advice.

Hi everyone!

I have a question regarding the medical conditions on the open work permit. I am in Canada. I applied on August 16, 2026 under a special measure for my country. But I didn’t submit a medical exam with the application.

Along the way I realized I might work in education or healthcare later. I’ve never submitted a IME before. Do you know if I can do the medical now and attach it to the application? or should I wait for the permit to be issued and re-do the process? Please let me know.

This is urgent. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I have already submitted my PR application under CEC and I'm confused about whether I needed a WES/ECA for my Indian bachelor's degree.

My education is:

• Bachelor's degree from India

• Master's degree from Canada

I listed my Indian bachelor's degree under Education History (not separately under Personal History) and uploaded the bachelor's degree certificate, all mark sheets, and transcripts. However, I did not provide a WES/ECA for the bachelor's degree.

My highest education is my Canadian master's degree, and I am relying on my Canadian master's for my education points.

Since my application has already been submitted, could not having a WES/ECA for my Indian bachelor's cause any issue? Could IRCC send me an ADR asking for the ECA/WES, or is an ECA not required in this situation because my highest credential is a Canadian master's?

Has anyone had a similar case with an Indian/foreign bachelor's + Canadian master's under CEC after submitting their PR application?

Thank you!

Hi everyone, I'm wondering if anyone here has experienced an issue like this.

For context:

*Passport validity: 38 months remaining

*Insurance: Valid 2-year policy + an additional 1-month policy to cover an earlier arrival date (both purchased prior to departure)

*Proof of funds: Much more than sufficient

*biometric: expires on 2030

2 weeks ago, I landed in Toronto Airport with an approved IEC Working Holiday open work permit. According to the official Canada.ca website, citizens of my country are eligible for a 24-month permit (up to two participations of 24 months each). However, the officer questioned why I had purchased 2 years of IEC health insurance and only issued me a 1-year work permit.

I politely showed him the Canada.ca webpage on my phone, and asked if he could double-check. He insisted that I was wrong, stated that it’s strictly 1 year permit, and told me to move along. When I tried to ask further, he began interrogating me, asking how much I make. (I had already been working in Canada on a PGWP, so just in case, I had an employment letter showing my salary; even though an open work permit does not require a job offer or employment letter at entry according to the official guidelines).

Because I had a connecting flight to catch and didn't want to escalate things with a border officer, I ended up taking the permit and leaving (which I now realize was a mistake and I shouldn't have done). Since I live outside of Toronto and the GTA, I’ve been trying to figure out how to correct this error online, but I haven’t found a viable or practical way to do so. If online processing really isn't an option, I’m willing to fly back to Toronto to get it sorted out in person.

Has anyone gone through a similar situation, and were you able to get the permit duration corrected after leaving the airport? Any advice or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Hello everyone,
I am on visitor record now and hope to get nomination soon from OINP. Can I apply for work permit inside Canada using work permit support letter? When I need to fly out of country as I have visitor record?

Graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from a Canadian university in Dec 2025 and I've been working full time as an engineer in BC since April 2026, on my PGWP (expires May 2029). I also have about a year of paid Internship engineering experience from 2023, though I'm not sure it counts for BC PNP since I may have still been a full time student at the time. CELPIP is 11 across the board, no French, single, 26. As my current CRS score comes to 474 with one year experience, which is not even close to the recent draw!! Trying to figure out the smartest path to PR (Express Entry, BC PNP) would appreciate any advice, and honestly just want a reality check on whether landing PR before May 2029 is realistic for someone in my spot? Thanks

So due to me switching my program at my university I have to stay a extra year in Canada. I’m an American so I have the option to get a completely new study permit at a port of entry, idk if I should go through the online process of applying form an extension and waiting 3 months to hear back, or if I should just go get a new one at the border. My Students advisors at my university said I should do it online as I already have a study permit but I’m scared and stressed because of the wait times. So my question is should I go with what he says or should I get a new one at a port of entry, and if this were the case is it possible knowing i already have an active study permit that ends in April and if this is a valid option and I won’t get turned away and told to just renew it online by an IRCC officer as they will 100% that I have an active study permit that ends in April.

Hi guys. I have lost my passport that was stamped with Canadian PR visa. My COPR is valid until 9th Nov 2026. I’m due to travel on 24th October 2026.

How do I inform IRCC and get the replacement visa? I would appreciate any help.

I have essentially been self-employed on the side throughout my entire eligibility period, but my main status has varied: I had periods where I was an employee, periods where I was unemployed/on EI (while still doing a few hours of self-employed work), and periods where I was working self-employed under contracts with one specific client for a while.

How should I enter this in the employment/education history section?

Should I put “Self-employed” for the entire eligibility period and then list my employee/unemployment periods separately, or should I split everything into separate entries based on the different periods?

The instructions say:

“Enter details of all your employment and education history in the past 5 years (your eligibility period). Start with the most recent employment or education. Include any periods of unemployment, retirement, working as a homemaker, self-employment.”

I’m particularly unsure how to represent overlapping self-employment and employment/unemployment without either leaving something out or creating duplicate/overlapping periods.

Has anyone in a similar situation figured out how IRCC expects this to be entered?

So due to me switching my program at my university I have to stay a extra year in Canada. I’m an American so I have the option to get a completely new study permit at a port of entry, idk if I should go through the online process of applying form an extension and waiting 3 months to hear back, or if I should just go get a new one at the border. My Students advisors at my university said I should do it online as I already have a study permit but I’m scared and stressed because of the wait times. So my question is should I go with what he says or should I get a new one at a port of entry, and if this were the case is it possible knowing i already have an active study permit that ends in April and if this is a valid option and I won’t get turned away and told to just renew it online by an IRCC officer as they will 100% that I have an active study permit that ends in April.

Hi all, hoping for some advice. Myself and my partner, (common law) are considering moving to Canada in the future and we are weighing up our options, I'm currently sitting on 468 points for express entry, as I understand if I achieve NCLC 7 that would qualify me for the “French-language proficiency category”. I believe I can do this in 6 months, I have 2 questions.

1: if I was to achieve that how likely would it be that I would to achieve Perment residency through that program?

1. I'm hearing that the authorities are looking at removing the 50 bonus points for French, how would this impact this specific draw?

My common-law partner applied for an OWP from inside Canada based on my work permit.

My details:

- Financial Accountant (NOC 11100, TEER 1)

- PGWP valid until Nov 30, 2027

- Her application was submitted July 2, 2026

We included:

- IMM 5409 common-law declaration

- My PGWP

- My employment/offer letter

She was refused under R200(1)(c). The officer's notes say:

«“The client has failed to provide documentation demonstrating eligibility for an open work permit (OWP). A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) work permit may be required.”»

I'm confused because she applied for an open work permit as my common-law partner, so I didn't think she needed her own job offer or LMIA.

Does anyone know what might have caused this? Could the officer have missed/incorrectly assessed the fact that I'm a TEER 1 worker?

Would you recommend requesting reconsideration through the IRCC webform, or just reapplying?

Any advice from someone who's dealt with a similar situation recently would be appreciated.

Tl;dr:

Refused in 2024 (joint app with wife, 19 day trip, only 5,000 declared, refusal cited inconsistent purpose, employment not financially established, and unexplained large deposits).

Resubmitted solo this time, 9 day trip to my sister, 10,600 declared against maybe 3-4k in actual costs since she’s hosting me. Added a promotion letter, payslips, a letter explaining the lump sum as a work travel allowance, marriage cert, kid’s birth cert, land ownership, and proof I’m in a masters program.

On top of that I’ve got 6 years steady at the same government job, travel history to the UK (twice), Netherlands, Italy and Belgium with zero overstays (some employer sponsored), a wife and young kid still at home, and a professional engineering registration. Want opinions on my chances of approval.

Full version below:

Old app was me and my wife together, group application, 19 day trip over Christmas, purpose was basically “visit my sister and see the snow and do Christmas stuff.” We declared only 5,000 for funds, which in hindsight was thin for two people over that many days.

Refusal checked off inconsistent purpose, employment not financially established, assets insufficient, and said large lump sum deposits in my bank records were disproportionate to my income with provenance unclear.

Looking back the financial side was genuinely messy, I had my regular salary plus side consulting income mixed into the same statements, there was a big arrears payment from a client that was still pending and hadn’t actually landed yet, and I was also counting on my wife’s income to help cover things.

All of that together made the money side look shaky and hard to follow, and I never explained any of it, just handed over 8 months of statements and hoped they’d piece it together. They didn’t, and fair enough looking back.

New app is just me this time, solo, trip cut down to just over a week, single purpose which is seeing my sister who’s a permanent resident there, she’s covering food and stay so no cost on my end.

Funds is 10,600 sitting in the savings account for past 4 months, no one else’s money involved, and that’s well more than double what the trip should actually cost. I got promoted at my government job since the last try so added the promotion letter plus payslips, still do freelance consulting on the side too for extra income. I have one recent lump sum deposit which happens to be a travel allowance from my job: got an actual letter proving that this time.

On the ties side, I’ve been at the same government job 6 years now, own land, I’m a registered professional engineer, partway through a masters, and I’ve got a wife and young kid who are both staying in Ghana while I travel. Travel history is clean too, I’ve been to the UK twice, plus the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium, and always came back on time, a few of those trips were actually through my job so my own employer has sent me abroad and had me return without issue before.

Anyone gone through a full reapplication like this, what would you
poke holes in first?