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What Is a Correspondence Letter from IRCC?

A correspondence letter from IRCC is an official written communication from Immigration,

Refugees and Citizenship Canada about your application. It may ask for documents, request a

medical exam or interview, or inform you of a decision. Some letters require action by a specific

deadline. Missing that deadline can affect your application.


A young woman of South Asian descent with an anxious expression looks intently at her laptop screen, which is displaying the 'Messages/Correspondence' section of her official IRCC secure online account, showing a new downloadable PDF link.

Types of Correspondence Letters IRCC Sends

The word “correspondence” in your IRCC account is a broad label. What matters is the content.

Common types of correspondence letters include:

  1. Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR): Confirms your application has been received and is

    in the processing queue. No action required.

  2. Additional Document Request: IRCC needs specific documents before processing can

    continue. Read the request carefully — there is a deadline, and every document named must

    be submitted.

  3. Medical Exam Request: Instructions to complete an immigration medical examination at

    an approved panel physician. Missing this deadline can result in your application being

    abandoned.

  4. Interview Request: Notifies you of a scheduled interview date, time, and location.

  5. Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL): A formal notice that the officer reviewing your file has

    concerns. This is the most serious type of correspondence letter — it requires a written

    response addressing each specific concern before a final decision is made. See the guide on

    what a procedural fairness letter means and how to respond.

  6. Decision Letter: Informs you that your application has been approved or refused. A refusal

    letter will use that word explicitly and state the reasons.

A close-up view of the same stressed woman from the previous image, now surrounded by opened passports, application forms, and supporting documents at a cluttered desk. She is holding a printed IRCC letter and is actively highlighting complex bureaucratic instructions with a yellow marker.

Where to Find a Correspondence Letter from IRCC

If you applied online, log in to your IRCC secure account, select your application, and go to the

Messages or Correspondence section. Letters appear there as downloadable PDFs.

If you applied on paper, IRCC sends the letter by mail to the address on your application.

Check your IRCC account regularly — IRCC does not always send an email or notification when a

new letter appears.


Why a Correspondence Letter from IRCC Matters for Your Application

Deadlines in correspondence letters from IRCC are firm. If you do not respond to a document

request, medical exam notice, or procedural fairness letter by the stated date, IRCC may close

your file or issue a refusal without further notice.


If the letter is unclear, or if what it asks seems complex, seek advice before you respond. An

incomplete or poorly worded response can be harder to correct than starting over.

If you have received a correspondence letter from IRCC and are unsure what it requires, book a consultation with Amir Ansari RCIC. Amir reviews IRCC letters and application histories for clients at every stage — work permit, permanent residence, and family sponsorship — and can tell you exactly what IRCC is asking and what a proper response involves.

Frequently Asked Questions About Correspondence Letters from IRCC

What is a correspondence letter from IRCC?

A correspondence letter from IRCC is any official written communication from Immigration,

Refugees and Citizenship Canada about your application. It may include an acknowledgment of

receipt, a request for documents or information, a medical exam notice, an interview invitation, a

procedural fairness letter, or an approval or refusal decision.


In a brightly lit professional office, the relieved applicant from the previous images sits across a clean desk from Amir Ansari, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). Amir, who is smiling reassuringly, points confidently at a specific section of the official printed IRCC letter as he explains the required response. A framed RCIC designation is visible in the background.

What is a correspondence letter in IRCC?

In your IRCC online account, “Correspondence” is the section where all messages and letters from

IRCC about your file appear. Each letter serves a different purpose and may or may not require a

response. Always read the full letter before deciding what to do.


What does a correspondence letter from IRCC mean?

It depends on the type. An AOR means your application has been received. A document request

means IRCC needs more information before processing can continue. A procedural fairness letter

means the officer has concerns you need to address in writing. A decision letter means your

application has been approved or refused. Read the subject line and body carefully.


Does a correspondence letter from IRCC mean my application was refused?

No. Most correspondence letters from IRCC are routine requests or status updates. A refusal letter

will use that word explicitly and explain the reasons. If you are uncertain what your letter means,

consult a licensed RCIC before taking any action.


If you are unsure how to respond to a correspondence letter from IRCC, or whether a response is required at all, speak with Amir Ansari RCIC. Amir works with applicants across work permit, permanent residence, and family sponsorship files, and can help you prepare a response that protects your application.

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.

 
 
 

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