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What is UCI?
When you interact with IRCC, they assign a unique number to you. This number consists of either ten digits such as 01-2345-6789 or eight figures such as 1234-5678. Regardless of the number of digits, they call this combination UCI. Of course, UCI stands for Unique Client Identifier. A UCI belongs to the applicant. Therefore, IRCC can link you to all of them with this number’s help if you have multiple applications. Consequently, if a family of four apply for immigration or visa, each member receives a separate UCI.
Sometimes IRCC issues temporary UCIs for the applicants. Here are two examples:
● CAN000123456789 for Express Entry applicants
● X01-2345-6789 or T01-2345-6789 for other applicants
Of course, they will eventually replace these numbers with an actual eight or ten-digit UCI.
However, the visa counterfoils are a bit tricky. The following picture shows how to locate the UCI on this document.
The following picture shows how to locate the UCI on a PR card. Of course, the picture is not an actual PR card and only a sample image by IRCC.
What is the Application Number (file number)?
Application number or file number refers to a number unique to the application you have submitted. This number usually begins with one or more letters, followed by nine digits. For example,
E123456789 for economic immigration,
V123456789 for TRV, Visitor Record, or eTA,
S123456789 for the study permit,
W123456789 for the work permit,
H123456789 for Humanitarian and Compassionate considerations,
L123456789 for refugee claimants,
C123456789 for citizenship applications,
D123456789 for TRP,
I123456789 for IFHP (Interim Federal Health Program),
J123456789 for Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA)
RHB1234567 for rehabilitation,
ARC1234567 for ARC,
F123456789 for family reunification,
EP12345678 for PNP applications,
N123456789 for Removal orders,
G123456789 for refugee resettlement or protected people PR application,
SV12345678 for verification of status,
B123456789 for some older immigration applications, and
PR12345678 for Citizenship certificates.
Of course, instead of 12345678, you will receive a unique number. Sometimes IRCC issues temporary file numbers. Therefore, you see an X at the beginning of the application number. However, if they proceed with the application, they will remove the X. On rare occasions, they could replace the temporary file number with a completely new one.
Does the file number change?
The file number or application number remains the same for the same application. Consequently, you won’t face changes to the file number throughout the same application. Of course, if you have received a temporary application number, you could see a new permanent one. However, the permanent file numbers remain the same for the same application. Needless to say, if you open a new application, you’ll receive a new file number.
How do I find my application number?
The best way to locate an immigration file number is by referring to the IRCC correspondences. For example, the emails you receive from them or the letters they mail to you. If you have an immigration representative, then you may ask them to assist you.
