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Why the IRCC PR tracker won't let you create an account right after applying

Canada • Permanent Resident • immigration 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Timeline

Applied
2023-03-02

Documents Needed

  • UCI (Unique Client Identifier)

    If it still starts with 'CAN,' the PR tracker account won't work yet — this is expected, not an error.

  • Application number

    Same one shown under Applicant Information on your Express Entry profile; used together with the UCI to register for the tracker.

Step-by-Step

Right after submitting a PR application, some applicants get an error trying to create an account on the IRCC PR tracker, even when entering the same UCI and application number shown on their Express Entry profile.

What group members advised:
  1. A UCI starting with 'CAN' is a temporary/placeholder identifier. If yours still starts with 'CAN,' the tracker won't work yet — this isn't something you can fix by re-entering information, it just means your permanent UCI hasn't been assigned.

  2. Wait until your file shows biometrics and medical status updates. The tracker account typically becomes usable once IRCC has processed these initial steps.

  3. Give it a few days after submission. One member reported being able to create their tracker account successfully a few days after applying, once IRCC had progressed the file slightly.


In short, this error is usually a normal, temporary state in early processing rather than something wrong with your application — recheck after your biometrics/medical show updated status.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Tip: If your UCI starts with 'CAN,' don't troubleshoot the tracker error — just wait for a permanent UCI to be assigned.
  • Do: Retry creating your tracker account a few days after applying, once biometrics/medical status has updated.

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