Most of the study‑permit process after you submit your application is spent waiting while IRCC checks each component of your file. Understanding the internal stages—what is examined, when status updates appear, and which signals indicate progress—can help you manage expectations and avoid unnecessary actions.
The clock starts at biometrics, not at submission
- Applicants have 30 days from the date on the Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) to provide biometrics.
- The time taken to schedule and attend the biometric appointment does not count toward the published processing‑time estimate.
- If you cannot meet the 30‑day window, you may explain the delay using the IRCC web form.
Stage 1 – Completeness check and initial intake (first week after biometrics)
- IRCC verifies that every required document is present and that fees have been paid.
- If the file is incomplete, it is returned or a request for the missing items is sent.
- When the file passes this check, an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) is emailed, confirming that processing has begun.
- In the online portal the “Review of eligibility” line may change from “Not started” to “In Progress.”
Stage 2 – Eligibility review (legal requirements)
IRCC confirms that you meet the study‑permit criteria, including:
- Acceptance at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Proof of sufficient funds for tuition, living expenses, and return transportation
- Demonstrated ties to your home country and intent to leave Canada when the permit expires
When eligibility is finished, the status may shift from “In Progress” to “Completed.” Straightforward cases can move quickly through this step.
Stage 2 – Background and security checks (run in parallel)
- Criminal, security, and identity verifications are conducted simultaneously with eligibility review.
- For applicants from certain jurisdictions, IRCC coordinates with partner agencies for deeper screening.
- It is common for the eligibility line to reach “Completed” while the background‑check line remains “In Progress” for several additional weeks.
Stage 3 – Medical exam (if required)
A medical exam is not mandatory for all students. It is required when:
- You will stay in Canada more than six months, and you have lived or travelled in more than one designated country/territory for six consecutive months in the year before arrival, or
- You are a medical student or will work in health‑related fields, or in occupations involving close contact with vulnerable populations (children, elderly, etc.).
Medical results are valid for 12 months; if processing exceeds that period, a new exam will be requested.
How to read the status lines in your IRCC account
| Line | Possible statuses | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Review of eligibility | Not started / In Progress / Completed / Waiting on You / Exempted | Checks legal eligibility |
| Review of medical results | Not started / In Progress / Completed / Waiting on You / Exempted | Handles medical exam (if applicable) |
| Background check | Not started / In Progress / Completed / Waiting on You / Exempted | Security and criminal screening |
| Biometrics | Not started / In Progress / Completed / Waiting on You / Exempted | Confirmation that biometrics have been received |
| Final decision | Not started / Completed | Decision is made when this line switches to “Completed.” |
A “Waiting on You” status indicates that IRCC needs additional information; responding promptly is essential to avoid refusal.
When a delay may be unusual
- Published processing times are listed per country on the Check processing times page.
- Exceeding the posted window by 2–3 weeks is common and usually not a cause for concern.
- Waiting four weeks or more beyond the published estimate may warrant an ATIP request for GCMS notes to identify the source of the delay.
Signs that a decision may be near
- Both the eligibility and background‑check lines change to “Completed” around the same time.
- The biometrics line shows “Completed,” which is required before a final decision can be issued.
- You receive and promptly respond to a “Request for additional information,” after which the request line moves to “Completed.”
These patterns are typical but not guaranteed; each case can vary.
Do’s and Don’ts while waiting
Do
- Keep your contact information up‑to‑date in the IRCC portal.
- Respond quickly to any “Waiting on You” messages.
Don’t
- Submit a web‑form inquiry for an update before the published processing time has elapsed; IRCC will usually repeat the standard timeline.
- Open a second study‑permit application while the first is pending; duplicate files trigger extra manual review and can delay both.
- Pay agents or “consultants” who claim they can expedite the process; there is no fast‑track mechanism inside IRCC, and such offers are commonly scams.
Understanding these stages and status indicators can reduce anxiety and help you take the right actions at the right time while your study‑permit application moves through IRCC’s internal workflow.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
