The tool is back. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says on its official page: "We've relaunched the Application Status Tracker." This online tool shows where your file stands, step by step. The department adds that it keeps monitoring and improving the service: if signing in doesn't work, there are other ways to check your application status.
One condition first. You can only use the tool once you've received an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) from IRCC. If you haven't received one yet, you need to wait: your application won't show up before then.
Applications it covers. For now, the tool supports sponsorship of a spouse, partner or dependent child, permanent residence applications through Express Entry (Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Program, Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs), study permits, work permits and visitor visas.
Who can use it. The person who applied (including the person being sponsored), the sponsor, a representative, or a designated individual with the applicant's written consent. You sign in with a GCKey or through your bank, and the information in your account is updated daily.
If your application isn't on the list. That's the case, for example, for a permanent residence application as a Quebec-selected skilled worker: it isn't one of the application types listed. IRCC then points you to other ways to check your application status, depending on the type of file.
Good to know for newcomers. The tool shows the status of your file, but not how much time is left: for that, IRCC's published processing times are what count. And if a step shows that IRCC is waiting on you, don't let it sit. Our guide to the work permit in Quebec explains the steps that come before.
