UCI Number Canada: What It Is and Where to Find It

Your UCI number Canada is your Unique Client Identifier, the personal immigration tracking

number that IRCC assigns to you when you first apply. It is an eight or ten-digit number that

appears on every document you receive from the federal government and stays with you for life,

regardless of how many applications you submit.

What Does UCI Stand For?

UCI stands for Unique Client Identifier. IRCC also calls it your client ID or client identification

number. All three terms refer to the same number. If a government form asks for your “client ID,”

it wants your UCI number.

What Does a UCI Number Look Like?

The UCI number appears in one of two formats:

• Eight digits: 0000-0000

• Ten digits: 00-0000-0000

When you fill out an online form or the IRCC portal, enter the number without hyphens or spaces.

For example, 1234-5678 becomes 12345678.

Where to Find Your UCI Number Canada on Official Documents

Your UCI number Canada appears on every official document IRCC has sent you. Specific

places to look:

1. IRCC letters and emails	The acknowledgment of receipt (AOR) you received when you submitted an application will show your UCI in the header or first paragraph.
2. Canadian visa stamp in your passport	If you have a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit stamped into your passport, your UCI is printed directly on it.
3. Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)	The UCI appears on the face of the document.
4. Permanent Resident (PR) card	On the front of the card, under “ID No/No ID.”
5. Landing documents	IMM 1000, IMM 5292, and IMM 5688 all contain your UCI.
6. Notice of Decision letter	Any decision letter from a Case Processing Centre or visa office will include it.

If you have been issued any type of Canadian immigration document, your UCI is on it.

What If You Do Not Have a UCI Number Yet?

If this is your first application to IRCC, you will not have a UCI number yet. That is expected.

When forms ask for your UCI, write “not applicable” or leave the field blank. IRCC will assign

your UCI when it receives your application, and your acknowledgment of receipt will show it.

What If You Have Lost or Forgotten Your UCI Number?

You have a few options:

• Check any previous IRCC letter, email, or document in your files.

• Log into your IRCC secure account, if you have one. Your UCI appears in your profile.

• Contact IRCC directly with your name, date of birth, and passport information to have it

  confirmed.

If you have a copy of a previous application — even a refused one — the UCI will appear on any

correspondence you received.

Dealing with an IRCC application and not sure where your UCI fits in? Amir Ansari, RCIC, helps clients in Vancouver and across Canada navigate exactly these details before they submit. Book a consultation to have your documents reviewed by a licensed immigration consultant before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions About UCI Numbers in Canada

Is my UCI number the same as my application number?

No. Your UCI number Canada identifies you as a person and never changes. Your application

number identifies a specific application and is different for each one you submit. The formats are

also different: UCI numbers use the 0000-0000 or 00-0000-0000 format, while application

numbers typically start with a letter followed by nine digits.

Where is my UCI number on my study permit or work permit?

On a study permit or work permit, your UCI is printed in the personal information section of the

document, usually on the same line as or immediately below your name and date of birth. It will

be labelled “Client No.” or “No. du client.”

Does my UCI number change when I become a permanent resident?

No. Your UCI number stays the same throughout your entire immigration journey, from your first

temporary resident application through to permanent residence and citizenship. It is a permanent

identifier, not a document-specific one.

What if I never received an acknowledgment of receipt from IRCC?

If you applied recently and have not received an AOR, your UCI has not yet been assigned.

Applications submitted online typically generate an AOR within a few days. Paper applications

can take weeks. If more than 60 days have passed without confirmation, contact IRCC to verify

receipt of your application.

Can I use my UCI to check my application status?

Yes. When checking your application status on the IRCC portal or by contacting IRCC, you will

be asked for your UCI or application number. Having your UCI number ready will speed up the

process.

Your UCI number is one of several identifiers you will use throughout your immigration process. If you are unclear about how your UCI relates to your current application or whether your documents are in order, Amir Ansari RCIC offers personalized consultations for clients in Vancouver and across Canada. Reserve your consultation time here to get answers specific to your file.

For more on the immigration documents and numbers you will encounter, see the post on work

permit document numbers and the guide to Canada Express Entry if you are working toward

permanent residence.

This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Program criteria, requirements, processing times, and selection approaches can change without notice. Always confirm details on official government websites or consult a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for advice specific to your situation.