Lost your UCI? Here's how to find your Canada immigration ID number instantly
On This Page You Will Find:
- Where to locate your UCI on official IRCC documents instantly
- What to do if you're applying for the first time and don't have a UCI
- How to properly format your UCI when filling out applications
- Key characteristics that make your UCI unique for life
- Solutions when you can't find your UCI anywhere
Summary:
Your UCI (Unique Client Identifier) is your lifelong eight or ten-digit immigration number that appears on every document from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Whether you're checking your PR card, work permit, or correspondence from IRCC, this guide shows you exactly where to find this crucial number. If you're a first-time applicant, you'll learn what to write when forms ask for a UCI you don't have yet. Most importantly, you'll discover how to properly format your UCI (without hyphens or spaces) for online applications to avoid delays.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Your UCI is an 8 or 10-digit number found on all IRCC documents, formatted as 0000-0000 or 00-0000-0000
- First-time applicants should write "Not Applicable" or "N/A" when asked for a UCI
- Always enter your UCI without hyphens or spaces in online applications
- Your UCI remains the same for life across all future applications
- Each family member receives their own separate UCI number
Maria Santos stared at the online immigration form on her laptop screen, cursor blinking in the UCI field. After 20 minutes of searching through her documents, she still couldn't find the mysterious eight-digit number that seemed so important to her application. Sound familiar?
If you've ever felt lost trying to locate your UCI (Unique Client Identifier) for a Canada immigration application, you're not alone. This seemingly simple number causes confusion for thousands of applicants every year, but finding it doesn't have to be a treasure hunt.
Your UCI is essentially your immigration fingerprint – a unique number that follows you through every interaction with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Think of it as your permanent file number that connects all your applications, from your first visitor visa to eventual citizenship.
What Exactly Is Your UCI?
Your UCI (Unique Client Identifier), also called a client identification number or client ID, is an eight or ten-digit number that appears on every single document you receive from IRCC. It's your personal immigration tracking number that stays with you for life.
The format is straightforward:
- Eight digits: Four numbers, hyphen, four numbers (Example: 1234-5678)
- Ten digits: Two numbers, hyphen, four numbers, hyphen, four numbers (Example: 12-3456-7890)
Here's what makes your UCI special: once you receive it, this number never changes. Whether you're applying for a work permit today and permanent residence five years from now, your UCI remains constant.
Where to Find Your UCI on Official Documents
Your UCI appears on virtually every piece of official correspondence from IRCC, but knowing exactly where to look can save you precious time.
PR Card Location
On your Permanent Resident card, look at the front of the card. Your UCI appears as "ID No/No ID" – this is your UCI, even though it's labeled differently. Many people miss this because they're searching specifically for the letters "UCI."
Work and Study Permits
For work or study permits, check the right-hand side of the document, just below your application number. The UCI typically appears in a clearly marked field, sometimes with "Client ID" written beside it.
Passport Stamps and Visas
If you have a Canadian visa stamp in your passport or a Temporary Resident Permit, your UCI is printed directly on these documents. Look for an eight or ten-digit number, which may or may not be labeled as "UCI."
IRCC Correspondence
Every letter, email, or acknowledgment you receive from IRCC contains your UCI. This includes:
- Application acknowledgment letters
- Request for additional documents
- Decision letters
- Email notifications
The UCI usually appears in the header or first paragraph of these communications.
What to Do If You're a First-Time Applicant
Here's the relief you've been waiting for: if you're applying to Canada for the very first time, you won't have a UCI yet – and that's completely normal.
When filling out application forms that ask for your UCI, simply write:
- "Not Applicable"
- "N/A"
- Leave the field blank (if the form allows)
You'll receive your UCI once IRCC processes your first application. This number then becomes your permanent identifier for all future dealings with Canadian immigration.
Critical Formatting Rules for Online Applications
This detail trips up more applicants than you might expect: when entering your UCI in online forms, always remove the hyphens and spaces.
Wrong: 1234-5678 or 12-3456-7890 Right: 12345678 or 1234567890
Online systems often reject applications with incorrectly formatted UCIs, causing unnecessary delays. Take those extra few seconds to double-check your formatting before submitting.
When You Can't Locate Your UCI
Don't panic if you can't find your UCI anywhere. Here are your options:
If you don't have any IRCC documents but need to complete an application, leave the UCI field blank. The system accommodates applicants who don't yet have this number.
Important note: If you haven't dealt with Canadian immigration since 1973, you won't have a UCI. The current system began after that date, so older interactions won't generate a modern UCI.
Understanding UCI Characteristics That Matter
Your UCI has several important characteristics that affect how you use it:
Permanence: Your UCI never changes, no matter how many applications you submit or how many years pass. This consistency helps IRCC track your complete immigration history.
Individual Assignment: Each person gets their own UCI. If your family of four applies together, each member receives a separate, unique number. Never share UCIs between family members on applications.
Temporary UCIs: Sometimes IRCC issues temporary UCIs during processing. Don't worry – these eventually get replaced with your permanent eight or ten-digit UCI. Continue using whatever number IRCC provides in their correspondence.
Pro Tips for UCI Management
Keep a digital photo of documents containing your UCI on your phone. This simple step can save you time during future applications when you need the number quickly.
Create a dedicated immigration folder (physical or digital) where you store all IRCC documents. Since your UCI appears on every document, you'll always have multiple backup sources.
If you're helping family members with their applications, create a simple spreadsheet with everyone's UCI. This prevents mix-ups when filling out forms for multiple people.
Next Steps After Finding Your UCI
Once you've located your UCI, verify it by checking it against multiple documents. The number should be identical across all your IRCC paperwork.
Make note of your UCI in a secure location where you can easily access it for future applications. Many people save it in their phone's notes app or write it inside their passport cover.
Remember that your UCI connects your entire Canadian immigration journey. From your first application to your final citizenship ceremony, this number tells your complete story to IRCC officers reviewing your file.
Your UCI isn't just a random number – it's your key to navigating Canada's immigration system efficiently. With this number properly located and formatted, you're ready to tackle any application with confidence.
FAQ
Q: Where exactly can I find my UCI on my Permanent Resident card if it's not clearly labeled as "UCI"?
On your PR card, your UCI appears on the front under "ID No/No ID" – this is actually your UCI, even though it doesn't say "UCI" explicitly. This labeling difference confuses many permanent residents who spend time searching for text that says "UCI" when it's right there under a different label. The number will be 8 or 10 digits long and follows the standard UCI format. If you have an older PR card, the location might vary slightly, but it's always on the front of the card. This same number appears on all your other IRCC documents, so you can cross-reference it with any letters or emails you've received from Immigration Canada to confirm you've found the correct number.
Q: I'm applying to Canada for the first time and don't have any IRCC documents. What should I write when the application asks for my UCI?
If you're a first-time applicant to Canada, simply write "Not Applicable," "N/A," or leave the UCI field blank if the form allows it. You don't have a UCI yet because you've never interacted with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before. This is completely normal and expected for first-time applicants. IRCC will assign you a UCI once they begin processing your application – typically within a few weeks of submission. You'll see this number on your first acknowledgment letter or email from IRCC. Once assigned, this UCI becomes your permanent immigration identifier for all future applications, whether you're applying for work permits, permanent residence, or citizenship. Never make up a number or use someone else's UCI, as this can cause serious processing delays.
Q: How should I format my UCI when entering it into online immigration applications to avoid technical errors?
Always enter your UCI as continuous digits without any hyphens, spaces, or other characters in online applications. For example, if your UCI appears as "1234-5678" on documents, enter it as "12345678" online. If it's formatted as "12-3456-7890" on paper, type "1234567890" into the system. This formatting rule is crucial because online systems often automatically reject applications with incorrectly formatted UCIs, causing unnecessary delays of several weeks. The hyphenated format you see on official documents is only for readability – the actual UCI is just the sequence of numbers. Before submitting any online application, double-check that you've removed all formatting and entered only the digits. This simple step can prevent your application from being returned or delayed.
Q: Can family members share the same UCI, or does each person need their own number?
Each person receives their own unique UCI – family members cannot and should not share UCI numbers. When a family of four applies together, IRCC assigns four separate UCIs, one for each individual. This includes children of any age, even newborns. Using another family member's UCI on your application is considered a serious error that can delay processing by months or even result in application refusal. Each person's UCI connects to their individual immigration history, medical exams, background checks, and personal information. If you're filling out applications for multiple family members, create a simple list with each person's name and their corresponding UCI to avoid mix-ups. Even spouses who have been married for decades maintain separate UCIs throughout their entire immigration journey to citizenship.
Q: My UCI appears to be different lengths on different documents – should I be concerned about errors in my file?
UCI length variations are normal and not a cause for concern. IRCC uses both 8-digit and 10-digit UCIs depending on when they were issued and the specific system that generated them. Some people receive an 8-digit UCI initially, then later see a 10-digit version on newer documents – both are valid and refer to the same person. The important thing is that the core number sequence remains consistent across your documents. If you notice completely different number sequences (not just different lengths), then contact IRCC to clarify. However, length differences alone are part of the normal system evolution. When filling out applications, use the most recent UCI format you've received from IRCC. If you're unsure, use the number from your most recent official correspondence, as this reflects the current format in their system.
Q: What should I do if I've lost all my immigration documents and need my UCI for an urgent application?
If you cannot locate your UCI anywhere and need it urgently, you have several options depending on your situation. First, check your email for any IRCC correspondence – even automated acknowledgments contain your UCI. If you've moved, contact IRCC directly through their web form or phone line with your personal details; they can provide your UCI after verifying your identity. For urgent applications, you can often proceed without the UCI initially by writing "Not Available" in the field and explaining in a cover letter that you're requesting your UCI from IRCC. The processing officers can locate your file using your passport number, name, and date of birth. However, having your UCI speeds up processing significantly, so it's worth spending time searching through old emails, photos of documents on your phone, or contacting IRCC for the number before submitting your application.
Q: Does my UCI ever change, and what happens to it if I become a Canadian citizen?
Your UCI remains the same for your entire lifetime, even after becoming a Canadian citizen. From your first visitor visa application to your citizenship ceremony and beyond, the same UCI follows you through every interaction with IRCC. This permanence is intentional – it allows immigration officers to access your complete history instantly, including all applications, approvals, refusals, and status changes. Even if you later sponsor family members as a Canadian citizen or apply for citizenship certificates for children born abroad, you'll use the same UCI you received decades earlier. The only exception is if you had interactions with the old immigration system before 1973, in which case you would receive a new UCI for modern applications. This consistency makes the UCI incredibly valuable for tracking purposes, so keep a record of it in a safe place where you can access it years from now.
