You can reply and let them know you are outside of Canada. It depends upon the officer. Previously, they were allowing people to come back as usual and just reply to portal email again. But from last week, I have seen a couple of cases, where the officer send the letter that the applicant doesn't meet TR2pr requirements once they replied to the portal that they are outside Canada. Letter asked them to apply for a temporary policy to get a PR visa from outside Canada.
Sample Letter response send to some applicants if you replied that you are outside Canada>
This refers to the application for permanent residence you made under the Temporary Publie Policy: Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway (TR to PR Pathway), in Workers in- Canada: Stream B (essential non-healthcare).
I am now completing assessment of your TR to PR Pathway application; however, it appears that you may not meet TR to PR Pathway requirements.
Applicants in the TR to PR Pathway must be physically present in Canada at the time the application for permanent residence is received and when the application is approved.
Based on the most recent information you provided us, you are outside Canada. Therefore, I have concerns you do not meet the requirements of the TR to PR Pathway, which requires you to be in physically present in Canada at the time your application for permanent residence is approved.
We wish to advise you there is a temporary public policy for the issuance of permanent resident visas for TR to PR Pathway applicants who are outside Canada that you may apply for no later than 60 days after your application for permanent residence is refused.
To apply for the public policy, you must respond via your MyCIC account within 60 days from the date of this letter clearly stating that you wish to be considered under this public policy.
I look forward to receiving your response. If you choose not to respond. I will make my decision based on the information before me, which may result in refusal of your application.