Last Updated on: 4th October 2026, 08:54 am

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What Information Should You Update With IRCC After Applying?

Yes. In case you have submitted your application, then there may be some instances where you have to provide an update to IRCC regarding some information that may change. Such information may include your mailing or residential address, email address, phone number, or your country of residence or passport number.

Do You Need to Update Your Mailing or Residential Address?

Yes, if you have an active application in progress, you should update your address when necessary.

IRCC’s address-change guidance covers both mailing and residential addresses. The way you report the change depends on what you applied for and where you submitted the application.

This can apply if you:

  • Move to another home in Toronto
  • Move elsewhere in Ontario
  • Move to another Canadian province or territory
  • Change your mailing address without changing your residence
  • Leave Canada and begin living in another country

Don’t think that relocation within the city is not worth reporting since, otherwise, the department will send communication or document to the wrong place, assuming it has the applicant’s old mailing or residential address.

The IRCC has stated that in the absence of current email or mailing address of the applicant, the documents can get delayed or even lost. In some cases, the application can also be rejected or regarded as abandoned.

Should You Report a New Email Address or Phone Number?

Your email address and your phone number must be kept current during the processing of your application by IRCC.

IRCC can use your contact information when it is necessary to get in touch with you regarding your file. This might depend on the type of application that you have made and might include document requests, instructions or any other notice regarding your application.

If you have stopped using your email address or have lost it or have changed your phone number, let IRCC know through the appropriate process based on your application.

The contact information updates that IRCC is now asking applicants to provide include changing email address and phone number. Web forms can be used for these and other types of contact information updates although some applications require a different process.

Updating your contact information is different from requesting an application status update from IRCC.

What If Your Country of Residence Changes?

A change in your country or territory of residence may also apply to applications currently under processing.

An individual applying for immigration will need to report this type of change as it is included in the list of changes that need reporting by IRCC.

For instance, one can make an application from one country, only to move to another country before the IRCC makes a decision on the case. One needs to consider this fact.

The update may involve:

  • Your new residential address
  • Your mailing address
  • New contact information
  • Supporting documents where applicable
  • Other information requested for the specific application

Just because you have moved to another country does not necessarily imply that IRCC will process the application at another visa office. This will depend upon the type of application and how IRCC processes it.

When making an amendment, first determine what has changed, when it has changed, and for which application. Always keep your application number and UCI ready while making amendments to your application.

How Do You Change Your Address, Email or Phone Number With IRCC?

How Do You Change Your Address After Submitting an Application?

If you move while your application is in progress, update your mailing or residential address with IRCC.

This applies whether you:

  • Move within Toronto
  • Move elsewhere in Ontario
  • Move to another province or territory
  • Change only your mailing address
  • Move outside Canada

IRCC provides a Change of Address process that helps applicants determine the correct method based on their application.

The method may depend on:

  • What type of application you submitted
  • Where the application was submitted
  • Whether you applied from inside or outside Canada
  • Which IRCC service applies to your application

In case none of the options offered via the address change service fits the description, IRCC says the online form can be used for updating the address.

It is not right to think that a relocation for a short distance would not require any update. If there is an active application at the moment, IRCC requires updated contact details.

You need to continue checking the old address whenever possible until the update is completed since IRCC may send correspondence based on the information stored in the database.

How Do You Update Your Email or Phone Number?

Should your email change, the current recommendation of IRCC in most cases involves informing IRCC of the new email through the IRCC web form.

Where you need to inform IRCC of your changed phone number, the web form can be used as well. According to IRCC, you should include both the old and new phone numbers in the request.

This is important if you:

  • Stop using an old email account
  • Lose access to an email address
  • Change your personal phone number
  • Change your international phone number after moving countries
  • Discover that incorrect contact information was provided in the original application

For those who have submitted applications using the IRCC Portal – New version, according to IRCC, it is possible that you will be able to update the contact information on the application through the portal itself.

This is because there are certain IRCC portals which operate differently from other portals.

How Do You Use the IRCC Web Form to Update an Application?

Where the web form is the appropriate method, the process can generally be handled as follows:

  1. Open the IRCC web form.
  2. Choose the option to update your application.
  3. Select the correct application category.
  4. Enter your application number.
  5. Enter your Unique Client Identifier (UCI) where available.
  6. Explain clearly what information has changed.
  7. Provide the old and new information where relevant.
  8. Upload supporting documents if required.
  9. Submit the request.
  10. Keep the acknowledgement confirming that IRCC received it.

Does the Update Process Differ by Application Type or IRCC Portal?

Yes. IRCC does not use one universal update procedure for every immigration, temporary residence, permanent residence or citizenship application.

The correct process can depend on:

  • The application category
  • How you applied
  • Where you applied from
  • Which online portal you used
  • Whether you are changing contact information or other application information

Temporary Residence Applications

Temporary residence applications can include:

  • Visitor visas
  • Study permits
  • Work permits
  • Visitor records

Temporary Residence is an option provided by the IRCC online form. IRCC asks applicants that used web form for applying for visitor visas, work permits, study permits, visitors records or eTA to choose the Temporary Residence category.

Nevertheless, that does not mean that all contacts updates for all temporary residence applications should be done in exactly the same way.

If applicant used IRCC Portal – New version for some visitor visa or super visa applications, then he can use his account in order to change the contact information.

Always keep in mind the current instructions for the application and portal that was used.

Permanent Residence Applications

Permanent residence applications can include:

If there is any change in information submitted, the applicant might be required to inform IRCC about that change.

As per IRCC’s general guidelines about updating applications, applicants who already have an ongoing application with IRCC will be required to report changes in the information provided in their application. This includes a new passport, change of residence country, family or other information which affects the eligibility of the applicant.

This can also be important for applicants sponsoring spouse in Canada, since changes may need to be reported while the application is being processed. Applicants can also review what may happen after submitting a spousal sponsorship application in Canada.

In relation to Express Entry, IRCC has stated that it is possible for an applicant to report significant changes even after submission of the application for permanent residency.

The article should not, however, consider the above-mentioned instructions related to Express Entry as general rules for all permanent residence streams.

There are some PR streams where there is extra web form instruction.

What About Citizenship Applications?

Citizenship applications can also be updated after submission, but the method may depend on how and where the application was submitted.

For example, IRCC’s current guidance for citizenship-certificate applications distinguishes between:

  • Online applications submitted from Canada or the United States
  • Online applications submitted from outside Canada or the United States
  • Paper applications submitted from Canada or the United States
  • Paper applications submitted from outside Canada or the United States

Some applicants are referred to the online form, but other applicants might have to contact the Canadian embassy, high commission, or consulate associated with their particular application.

This explains why applicants are advised to read the instructions provided for their own application instead of following a process that is relevant for another immigration program.

Can You Change Information Directly Inside Your IRCC Account?

Sometimes but not always.

One of the mistakes that people often make is believing that the information provided to IRCC via a web form would show up in the online account which was originally used to apply.

IRCC has indicated that the information updates provided after applying may not show up in the account.

Regarding contact information, IRCC has also indicated that while some services online would reflect the updated information, this could take time.

If the application is submitted via IRCC Portal – New version for certain supported applications, then there are further functions available. For instance, for eligible visitor visa and super visa applicants, there is access to some contact information from that portal.

In other cases, it is possible to submit the update successfully even though the information does not show up in the original account.

The safest approach is to:

  • Use the update method specified for your application
  • Keep the submission acknowledgement
  • Continue monitoring your account
  • Keep checking old contact information temporarily
  • Follow any later instructions from IRCC

Do not submit repeated web forms simply because the change is not immediately visible online.

What Happens After You Submit an IRCC Application Update?

How Long Does It Take for Updated Contact Information to Appear?

IRCC currently says that it can take up to two weeks for a new mailing address, email address or phone number to appear in some online services.

This does not mean that every update will take exactly two weeks.

It also does not mean that your immigration application itself will be processed within that period. The two-week reference relates only to when updated contact details may become visible in certain IRCC services.

For example, you might submit a new email address through the web form and receive an acknowledgement confirming that IRCC received your request. The updated email may still take time to appear where IRCC makes that information visible.

Some applicants may not see the updated information in the account they originally used to apply.

IRCC specifically says that applicants generally will not see updated contact information in the account used for an online application, except where supported through the IRCC Portal – New version for certain applications.

Should You Keep Checking Your Old Email, Phone Number or Address?

Yes, where possible.

IRCC advises applicants to continue checking their old contact information until the update has been completed because the department may still try to contact them using the information already on file.

For a short period after submitting an update, continue monitoring:

  • Your old email inbox
  • Spam and junk folders
  • Your previous phone number, if accessible
  • Mail sent to your previous address, where practical
  • Messages in your existing IRCC account

This is especially important if your application is at a stage where IRCC could request documents, additional information or another response.

Do not assume that receiving a web-form acknowledgement means every IRCC system has already been updated.

What Happens If IRCC Has Your Old Address or Email?

Outdated contact information can create practical problems.

You could:

  • Miss a request for documents
  • Miss an appointment notice
  • Fail to see an important deadline
  • Have correspondence sent to an old address
  • Be unable to respond to a verification request
  • Experience delays while the communication issue is resolved

IRCC warns that if it does not have your current email or mailing address, important documents may be delayed or lost. In some circumstances, the application may be refused or considered abandoned.

This does not mean every missed address update automatically results in refusal. The outcome depends on the circumstances and what communication was missed.

IRCC also explains that outdated contact details can prevent applicants in Canada from receiving or responding to verification requests. This can affect their current status, documents or future applications.

What If IRCC Sent a Message to Your Old Email?

If you believe IRCC may have contacted an old email address, act promptly.

  1. Check the old email account if you can still access it.
  2. Review the spam and junk folders.
  3. Check messages in your IRCC account.
  4. Update your current email address through the appropriate method.
  5. Check whether the IRCC message contains a response deadline.
  6. Provide the requested information as soon as possible.
  7. Explain the communication issue if it is relevant to your response.

Do not assume that IRCC will automatically extend a deadline because your email address changed.

If a deadline has already passed, provide a clear explanation and any supporting information when contacting IRCC. The available response will depend on your application and the specific request you missed.

When Can a Toronto Immigration Consultant Help With an IRCC Update?

Many straightforward contact changes can be handled directly using IRCC’s instructions.

However, a Toronto Immigration Consultant may be useful when an update is more complicated or could affect information already contained in the application. Applicants seeking local assistance can also review services from an immigration consultant in Toronto.

Professional assistance may help with:

  • Identifying the correct update procedure
  • Reviewing which application or portal applies
  • Preparing a clear IRCC web-form submission
  • Reporting a new passport
  • Reviewing supporting documents
  • Correcting inconsistent information
  • Identifying related changes that may also need to be reported
  • Responding to an IRCC request sent to outdated contact details
  • Reviewing whether new information could affect application eligibility