Hi green_dc, I went to Service Canada a day after landing with my passport and COPR only. They gave me the new SIN on a piece of paper right away and I received my SIN card exactly a week after.
You can apply for SIN with one of the following;
PR card,
COPR with counterfoil affixed to your...
I'm from a visa exempt country too. It took me about a month from medical to copr. I think holidays might have delayed my application.
Dec 6, 2013 Medical done
Dec 12, 2013 Medical received by CIC
Dec 23, 2013 COPR issued
Jan 8, 2014 COPR delivered
My wife and I went to Service Canada the next day after landing. It took less than 5 minutes for us to receive new SIN's on pieces of paper without any problems. We received our SIN cards delivered to my mailbox exactly after a week.
As toby and GHD1213 already said, work experience obtained within 36 months prior to the date of application received by CIC will be considered. You need a letter dated after you have obtained 1 year of full-time skilled work experience. Your reference letter only proves that you have about 7...
Congratulations.
I see it took seven business days for you after your status had been changed to Decision Made. I wish it would take one or two less days for me as I live in Manitoba.