New Instructions from IRCC for applications before 7th Sep 2021

[GS Virk]

Looks like officer must have opened this one for sure....I checked all my emails for first application, there was nothing sort of like this.

Yup.. He must have touched your file.. Lets see if you get PPR on GC key then I will also move my application on GCkey..

 

[Minid]

Yup.. He must have touched your file.. Lets see if you get PPR on GC key then I will also move my application on GCkey..

Guys give your application at least 30 days, ppl have got approved on both the portals. Don't waste money again. And may be it's just that ppl don't know about portal and in general who applied via portal are less.

 

[Pocketlive]

I submitted a visitors visa application with a covid-19 exemption on September 9th on Gckey but no response yet apart from the fact that eligibility and background started on 13 September. I got approval from PHAC for exemptions because I needed medical support and it has expired on the 5 October and still no response. My spouse and kids are in Saudi Arabia. Anyone in the same situation? At this point, I am stressed and frustrated.

 

[thatguyoverthere]

Thank You so much for sharing this.

I am so confused. I applied for TRV to visit my spouse who is in Canada as PR.
Do I need to submit a webform to show that Im exempted from travel restrictions?

When did you apply for the TRV? If before September 7th, then I would recommend you send a travel exemption webform while including the application for authorization and statutory form with your spouse’s PR card.

 

[sribrosrs]

This morning I got a ghost email update saying " We updated your application status " for my second application filled three days back on GC Key but when I logged in, there is no change at all.

1st application: GC Key -> June 22nd, Bio: July 6th
2nd application: Portal -> Sep 22nd
3rd application: GC Key -> Oct 6th

why three applications?

 

[Ibtii10]

When did you apply for the TRV? If before September 7th, then I would recommend you send a travel exemption webform while including the application for authorization and statutory form with your spouse’s PR card.

Thank you for your response.

I applied on 13th September. This is my second application.

Hoping for a positive response.

 

[somm2202]

Hi guys,

Please how do I send IRCC a message and tell them that I qualify for a COVID-19 exemption to enter Canada? I submitted since April.

 

[Ness_Fern]

Hello, all you beautiful people! I come bearing good news!

Received PPR for my mom's TRV (regular tourist visa, not a super visa) just now.

Key application details

• City/country of residence and application: Mumbai, India
• Relation with applicant: Mother
• Purpose of visit: Essential [indicated purpose of travel as ‘Other - COVID-19’ on IMM5257E, since we submitted the application before new guidelines were issued]
• Vaccination status: Fully vaccinated with COVISHIELD
• My status in Canada: Permanent Resident
• Applied through: GC Key account

The detailed timeline of our visa application is as follows. We did not reapply after the Sep 7 update.
Note: All dates and times indicated below are in IST.

• Aug 20, 2021, 3:40 pm : Application submitted
• Aug 20, 2021, 3:45 pm : Payment receipt received
• Aug 23, 2021, 8:20 pm : Application receipt confirmation
• Aug 24, 2021, 8:20 pm : Ghost update
• Aug 24, 2021, 8:50 pm : Biometrics letter received
• Sep 10, 2021, 10:00 pm : Wrote to IRCC - Delhi VO seeking clarification on the new Sep 7 and Sep 10 guidelines for TRV. I was confused if we should reapply. Submitted general inquiry webform.
• Sep 14, 2021, 12:30 pm : Biometrics appointment at Mumbai VFS
• Sep 14, 2021, 7:00 pm : Biometrics updated online and linked to account
• Sep 15, 2021, 4:50 pm : Received reply from IRCC - Delhi VO on the inquiry I sent them. They told me I should only reapply if my situation has changed. In the same email, there were a bunch of other helpful links. Among those, one was for the travel exemption webform. In the same email, they further stated: "Online Temporary Resident applications will not be prioritized unless you contact IRCC through the travel exemption webform to indicate how you meet the exemption criteria, and in most cases why you are travelling for a non-discretionary/essential purpose, and provide acceptable documentation.” After reading this, I thought it was worthwhile to submit the webform instead of just waiting to hear back on the application.
• Sep 15, 2021, 10:05 pm : Filled webform for travel exemption, attached all relevant documents including vaccination certificate showing she's eligible to travel
• Sep 15, 2021, 10:07 pm : Received acknowledgement email saying they will respond in 14 business days
• Oct 6, 2021, 11:30 am : Ghost update to application status; it changed to “Application/Profile updated”. It was clickable only once. After viewing application details (nothing had changed) and returning to the main application home screen, it was back to normal and changed to “Submitted”.
• Oct 9, 2021, 11:00 pm : Eligibility status changed. Correspondence letter and PPR received. All updates to the account happened within a span of 10 mins. Overall, took 16 business days (or 25 calendar days) from the time of submitting biometrics.

Notes:

• My mom has no prior travel history, minimal financial savings to show, has been a homemaker all her life, and doesn't have any strong ties to home country. That's why I was very skeptical of the visa being approved.
• I showed full sponsorship with notarized invitation letter + notarized proof of means of financial support letter + notarized proof of financial resource of supporter. Total of 3 notarized documents - in retrospect, it does seem like an overkill but I didn't want to take any chances. Basically included all documents typically required for a super visa, minus the insurance and medical test report.
• In the webform, I did mention the travel date as Oct 15. So, it was approved well within the acceptable travel timeframe. However, considering that we have to factor in additional days for the passport to be stamped, I don't think my mom will be able to fly out on the 15th.

Happy to answer any specific questions you may have about information that hasn't been covered here.

This has been such a pleasant surprise. Given that it's the Thanksgiving long weekend, I was not expecting this at all.
I want to thank everyone on this forum for sharing their insights, timelines and personal experiences; it helped me learn a lot and even calm my nerves while keeping hope alive.

It has been a stressful year for most of us, but hang in there. You'll get through soon enough. Here's wishing everyone the very best with their applications. Cheers!

 

[civiluv24]

Hello, all you beautiful people! I come bearing good news!

Received PPR for my mom's TRV just now.

Key application details

• City/country of residence and application: Mumbai, India
• Relation with applicant: Mother
• Purpose of visit: Essential [indicated purpose of travel as ‘Other - COVID-19’ on IMM5257E, since we submitted the application before new guidelines were issued]
• Vaccination status: Fully vaccinated with COVISHIELD
• My status in Canada: Permanent Resident
• Applied through: GC Key account

The detailed timeline of our visa application is as follows. We did not reapply after the Sep 7 update.
Note: All dates and times indicated below are in IST.

• Aug 20, 2021, 3:40 pm : Application submitted
• Aug 20, 2021, 3:45 pm : Payment receipt received
• Aug 23, 2021, 8:20 pm : Application receipt confirmation
• Aug 24, 2021, 8:20 pm : Ghost update
• Aug 24, 2021, 8:50 pm : Biometrics letter received
• Sep 10, 2021, 10:00 pm : Wrote to IRCC - Delhi VO seeking clarification on the new Sep 7 and Sep 10 guidelines for TRV. I was confused if we should reapply. Submitted general inquiry webform.
• Sep 14, 2021, 12:30 pm : Biometrics appointment at Mumbai VFS
• Sep 14, 2021, 7:00 pm : Biometrics updated online and linked to account
• Sep 15, 2021, 4:50 pm : Received reply from IRCC - Delhi VO on the inquiry I sent them. They told me I should only reapply if my situation has changed. In the same email, there were a bunch of other helpful links. Among those, one was for the travel exemption webform. In the same email, they further stated: "Online Temporary Resident applications will not be prioritized unless you contact IRCC through the travel exemption webform to indicate how you meet the exemption criteria, and in most cases why you are travelling for a non-discretionary/essential purpose, and provide acceptable documentation.” After reading this, I thought it was worthwhile to submit the webform instead of just waiting to hear back on the application.
• Sep 15, 2021, 10:05 pm : Filled webform for travel exemption, attached all relevant documents including vaccination certificate showing she's eligible to travel
• Sep 15, 2021, 10:07 pm : Received acknowledgement email saying they will respond in 14 business days
• Oct 6, 2021, 11:30 am : Ghost update to application status; it changed to “Application/Profile updated”. It was clickable only once. After viewing application details (nothing had changed) and returning to the main application home screen, it was back to normal and changed to “Submitted”.
• Oct 9, 2021, 11:00 pm : Eligibility status changed. Correspondence letter and PPR received. All updates to the account happened within a span of 10 mins. Overall, took 16 business days (or 25 calendar days) from the time of submitting biometrics.

Happy to answer any specific questions you may have about information that hasn't been covered here.

This has been such a pleasant surprise. Given that it's the Thanksgiving long weekend, I was not expecting this at all.
I want to thank everyone on this forum for sharing their insights, timelines and personal experiences; it helped me learn a lot and even calm my nerves while keeping hope alive.

It has been a stressful year for most of us, but hang in there. You'll get through soon enough. Here's wishing everyone the very best with their applications. Cheers!

For travel exemption, you just attached COVID vaccination certificates or any other documents to prioritize?

 

[Ness_Fern]

For travel exemption, you just attached COVID vaccination certificates or any other documents to prioritize?

Attached a whole bunch of documents ranging from the invitation letter to financials and everything in between that was relevant to our unique situation.

 

[thatguyoverthere]

Hello, all you beautiful people! I come bearing good news!

Received PPR for my mom's TRV just now.

Key application details

• City/country of residence and application: Mumbai, India
• Relation with applicant: Mother
• Purpose of visit: Essential [indicated purpose of travel as ‘Other - COVID-19’ on IMM5257E, since we submitted the application before new guidelines were issued]
• Vaccination status: Fully vaccinated with COVISHIELD
• My status in Canada: Permanent Resident
• Applied through: GC Key account

The detailed timeline of our visa application is as follows. We did not reapply after the Sep 7 update.
Note: All dates and times indicated below are in IST.

• Aug 20, 2021, 3:40 pm : Application submitted
• Aug 20, 2021, 3:45 pm : Payment receipt received
• Aug 23, 2021, 8:20 pm : Application receipt confirmation
• Aug 24, 2021, 8:20 pm : Ghost update
• Aug 24, 2021, 8:50 pm : Biometrics letter received
• Sep 10, 2021, 10:00 pm : Wrote to IRCC - Delhi VO seeking clarification on the new Sep 7 and Sep 10 guidelines for TRV. I was confused if we should reapply. Submitted general inquiry webform.
• Sep 14, 2021, 12:30 pm : Biometrics appointment at Mumbai VFS
• Sep 14, 2021, 7:00 pm : Biometrics updated online and linked to account
• Sep 15, 2021, 4:50 pm : Received reply from IRCC - Delhi VO on the inquiry I sent them. They told me I should only reapply if my situation has changed. In the same email, there were a bunch of other helpful links. Among those, one was for the travel exemption webform. In the same email, they further stated: "Online Temporary Resident applications will not be prioritized unless you contact IRCC through the travel exemption webform to indicate how you meet the exemption criteria, and in most cases why you are travelling for a non-discretionary/essential purpose, and provide acceptable documentation.” After reading this, I thought it was worthwhile to submit the webform instead of just waiting to hear back on the application.
• Sep 15, 2021, 10:05 pm : Filled webform for travel exemption, attached all relevant documents including vaccination certificate showing she's eligible to travel
• Sep 15, 2021, 10:07 pm : Received acknowledgement email saying they will respond in 14 business days
• Oct 6, 2021, 11:30 am : Ghost update to application status; it changed to “Application/Profile updated”. It was clickable only once. After viewing application details (nothing had changed) and returning to the main application home screen, it was back to normal and changed to “Submitted”.
• Oct 9, 2021, 11:00 pm : Eligibility status changed. Correspondence letter and PPR received. All updates to the account happened within a span of 10 mins. Overall, took 16 business days (or 25 calendar days) from the time of submitting biometrics.

Notes:

• My mom has no prior travel history, minimal financial savings to show, has been a homemaker all her life, and doesn't have any strong ties to home country. That's why I was very skeptical of the visa being approved.
• I showed full sponsorship with notarized invitation letter + notarized proof of means of financial support letter + notarized proof of financial resource of supporter. Total of 3 notarized documents - in retrospect, it does seem like an overkill but I didn't want to take any chances. Basically included all documents typically required for a super visa, minus the insurance and medical test report.
• In the webform, I did mention the travel date as Oct 15. So, it was approved well within the acceptable travel timeframe. However, considering that we have to factor in additional days for the passport to be stamped, I don't think my mom will be able to fly out on the 15th.

Happy to answer any specific questions you may have about information that hasn't been covered here.

This has been such a pleasant surprise. Given that it's the Thanksgiving long weekend, I was not expecting this at all.
I want to thank everyone on this forum for sharing their insights, timelines and personal experiences; it helped me learn a lot and even calm my nerves while keeping hope alive.

It has been a stressful year for most of us, but hang in there. You'll get through soon enough. Here's wishing everyone the very best with their applications. Cheers!

Wow! This is good news. Congratulations to you and your mother!

Before you received the ghost update, was your eligibility status “we’ll send you a message when we start reviewing your eligibility…” or was it “we’ve started reviewing…”?

 

[Ness_Fern]

Wow! This is good news. Congratulations to you and your mother!

Before you received the ghost update, was your eligibility status “we’ll send you a message when we start reviewing your eligibility…” or was it “we’ve started reviewing…”?

Thank you!
Eligibility status changed at the time when I got the passport request. Until then nothing had changed.

 

[PR_FOR_CAD]

why three applications?

I see many people are getting response on the second application on GC key so I applied

 

[-MK-]

Applied for spouse TRV again

1st application: 23rd August 2021
Biometrics completed date: 27th August 2021
2nd application: 08th October 2021
PPR: Waiting
Location: India

I did read the portal update and thought I need to reapply again since I've already mentioned the "Other" category. But since it has been 30 business days, and then I saw this thread today, I've immediately reapplied. Let's hope this comes through.

Want to update here, I got a ghost update today for my second application. Does anyone know on an average how much time are we seeing for any further updates after this?

 

[WaseemWasii]

Want to update here, I got a ghost update today for my second application. Does anyone know on an average how much time are we seeing for any further updates after this?

The first Ghost update after you submit is usually your eligibility going into review. No one knows how much time they do your application. Application for Parents are usually getting quick response and finalised soon compared with others. So good Luck.