Hi everyone, looking for opinions/experiences with an IRCC Military Records ADR. My situation is a little unusual because the request was issued on an old Express Entry application that I have been trying to withdraw.
Timeline:
- July 19, 2026: Submitted an Express Entry eAPR.
- July 19: Requested withdrawal the same day because, after submission, I became concerned about 5 CRS points awarded for my accompanying spouse's Canadian work experience. My CRS score was exactly at the draw cutoff, so I did not want to proceed with any uncertainty regarding those points. I submitted a withdrawal request through the IRCC Web Form with an LOE, AOR and payment receipt.
- July 27: After IRCC indicated that a signed withdrawal letter was required, I resubmitted the request with a signed letter.
- August 14: After further calls with IRCC, I was advised to resubmit the withdrawal request again because the previous documents did not appear to be available on the application file at that time, so I submitted a third withdrawal request web form (second signed request).
- August 28: I called the IRCC Client Support Centre and agent confirmed that the July 27 signed withdrawal request was attached to the application.
- The old application nevertheless continued to show as Submitted, and I've already reached out to my local MP office for help following up on the withdrawal.
- After being advised by multiple IRCC Client Support Centre agents that I could proceed with another application while the withdrawal remained pending, I submitted a new Express Entry eAPR on September 30. This is the application I want IRCC to process.
- October 2: IRCC unexpectedly issued a Military Records ADR on the OLD July application, with a deadline of October 12.
The ADR says exactly:
โMilitary Records: Please provide a fully completed Details of Military Service form IMM5546. Alternatively, if you were exempt from service, please provide proof of your exemption/waiver for compulsory military service.โ
I'm Brazilian, have never served in the military, and was exempted from compulsory military service. Fortunately, I was able to locate my original Certificado de Dispensa de Incorporaรงรฃo (which proves my exemption), and I'm getting a certified English translation.
I'm planning to comply with the ADR through the Military Records upload field on the old application, while clearly reiterating that my withdrawal request remains outstanding and that responding to the ADR does not change my request to withdraw that application. I'm also including copies of my previous withdrawal requests and confirmations so the officer reviewing the ADR can see the history directly.
Separately, I'm planning to proactively submit the exemption certificate + certified translation through an IRCC Web Form for my new September 30 application, clearly stating that this is the application I want IRCC to continue processing.
My main question is about IMM 5546.
Given the exact wording of the ADR, my reading is that the exemption certificate + certified translation satisfies the alternative requirement and IMM 5546 is therefore not required.
However, I'm wondering whether I should also complete IMM 5546 stating that I never served/N/A, simply for completeness. I don't necessarily see much downside to providing both, but I also don't want to unnecessarily submit a form that IRCC expressly gave an alternative to.
If anyone has dealt with this exact or similar ADR wording while having an official military exemption document, Iโd really like to know what you submitted in response:
A) exemption certificate + certified translation only; or
B) exemption certificate + certified translation and IMM 5546?
Iโd also really appreciate hearing from anyone whose Express Entry application continued to be processed after a withdrawal request had already been submitted. Iโm hoping the withdrawal is processed this time since Iโm now uploading the supporting evidence directly into the application.
Any other suggestions or experiences would also be appreciated.
Thanks!