Our Ecas was updated this morning to have "In Procress" on both sides (Sponsorship Application and Permanent Residence Application). Thank God for some movement!
I'm now wondering how to interpret it. What does SA, AIP, and DM look like on Ecas? Does this mean perhaps that they are just working both sides of the application simultaneously?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Movement is good.
In 2016 cases (up until recently) ECAS would look like this:
Application Received / Application Received -- this is where they have only just created the file, and verified they have enough documentation to start processing (they don't intend to return the file).
In Process / Application Received -- the file has been opened, stuff has started.
Decision Made / Application Received -- if you catch ECAS in this state, play the lottery. It means Sponsorship Approval has been given (SA), but they have yet to start processing the principal applicant. They have yet to assess the eligibility of the principal applicant to apply under the program they have applied under.
Decision Made / In Process -- this means the applicant(s) have met the eligibility requirements to apply for a PR under the program they have applied under. For inland family, this is Approval In Principle (AIP). With this, the letter that states you meet the eligibility requirements that typically is sent, can be used to apply for OHIP/RAMQ and you are eligible for an OWP, if you were out of status.
Decision Made / Decision Made -- if you did not receive a Procedural Fairness Letter by this point, it's time to do the happy dance. This is DM. Your file is done processing, and approved. Then you just have to wait for a landing invitation. There is an "interview", but it's like getting a driver's license.
Decision Made / Complete -- you have landed!