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Application Stages + What They Mean (MEP, IP1, IP2, Ghost Update...) - Version 2019

chirkut

Hero Member
May 26, 2019
216
76
Toronto
Category........
NOC Code......
6235
AOR Received.
08-10-2019
IELTS Request
L: 8.5,R: 7, W: 7, S: 8.5
Hey guys my timeline:
E-AOR: OCT 08
Medicals passed: OCT 22
IP1: OCT 22
IP2: OCT 23 ( we are processing your background check )

Is this normal, how can IP2 be so fast.
 

andy108

VIP Member
Nov 26, 2015
8,054
2,524
Australia
Visa Office......
Sydney
NOC Code......
2171
App. Filed.......
**-09-2017
IRCC has introduced a number of changes in recent months and it is time to update our understanding of the post-AOR stages. I am simply building on the amazing work of @northern sunshine in developing an explanation of the various stages we can use - informally - to track the progress of our application. Huge thanks in particular to @USProgrammer who has posited the underlying trends and found evidence for them. In short, the traditional transition from IP1 to IP2 to ghost update to PPR still holds but in a modified way due to these changes.

From 31 Dec 2018, everyone except for Inland candidates has to provide their biometrics which means the default starting stage applicants will see for their Background Check is ‘IP2’ (“We are processing your background check…”), however, this is a ‘False IP2’, meaning an IP2 that has appeared before it is actually due as the application has not in fact progressed to the IP2 stage yet.

If you have an AOR of 31 Dec 2018 or later, follow the chart below to track your progress. Candidates will remain in a state of 'False IP2' throughout their application and only see a series of 'ghost updates' following their MEP; the first such ghost update (which should follow shortly after MEP) will signify your Real IP1, the second ghost update will signify your Real IP2, and the third will be your ‘Final’ Ghost Update, following which you are likely to receive your PPR.

If you have an AOR date of up to 30 Dec 2018
, the chart also applies to you if you meet one or more of these conditions: you are a CEC or PNP-Inland candidate, you were required to provide your biometrics or you did not pay your RPRF upfront.

Note for FSW-Outland candidates who have an AOR date of up to 30 Dec 2018: If you did not need to provide biometrics and paid your RPRF upfront, the old transition from NA1 all the way to a Final Ghost Update will still apply to you. Your Background Check should have started in NA1 ("Not Applicable" 1), meaning your Background Check status said "Not Applicable" right after you submitted your application.

General:
EE
- Express Entry: Canada's score-based program for economic immigrants
CRS - Comprehensive Ranking System: System for ranking candidates for EE
ITA - Invitation to Apply: an invitation to apply for permanent residence
e-APR - electronic Application for Permanent Residence: the online application for PR after receiving an ITA
RPRF - Right of Permanent Residence Fee: a fee collected as part of your PR application
AOR - Acknowledgement of Receipt (of application): email confirming receipt of your application after you submit and pay your fees
ADR - Additional Document Request: IRCC sends a message asking you to provide a specific document to supplement your application.

Post-submission stages:
False IP2
- Usually right from AOR or just after MEP. Background Check shows "We are processing your background check. We will send you a message if we need more information.”
MEP - Medicals passed: review of medical results changes from "You do not need a medical exam." to "You have passed the medical exam." There is no email for MEP.
Ghost Update - When you log in, the application says it's been "updated" but none of the fields have changed. Once you logout and log back in, the application returns to being "submitted". Ghost updates are not announced by email and a candidate must check their profile daily to not miss them.
Ghost Update #1 or Real IP1 - "In progress" 1: Background Check changes to "Your application is in progress. We will send you a message when we start your background check." Usually follows MEP. Some applicants (especially Inland and CEC) skip this stage. You should receive an email for your Real IP1 - the email will not provide any details, just that your application has been updated.
NA2 - "Not Applicable" 2: Background Check changes to "Not Applicable" again after IP1. Some applicants skip this stage and it is easily missed. No email.
Ghost Update #2 or Real IP2 - "In progress" 2: Background Check changes to "We are processing your background check. We will send you a message if we need more information." No email.
NA3 - "Not Applicable" 3: Background Check changes to "Not Applicable" again after IP2 (uncommon).
Ghost Update #3 or Final Ghost Update - Often considered a sign that PPR is coming soon. Not seen by all applicants.
PPR - Passport request: IRCC sends "Ready for visa" e-mail asking you to submit your documents to your visa office so they can issue your CoPR and entry visa if applicable. A PPR is announced only by email, and there may be no changes made directly to the profile. If you are worried you might miss it, you can whitelist the email domain @cic.gc.ca to ensure the email comes straight to your inbox.
CoPR - Confirmation of Permanent Residence: A document that says you've been approved for permanent residence.

Other notes:
1. The ‘eligibility’ and ‘final decision’ fields in your profile will not change to passed until after you receive your CoPR. This is an example of what a profile may look like following a CoPR.
2. Remember that these are not "official" stages, but they are used frequently throughout the forum to track the processing of applications.

This is a combined effort of @northern sunshine, @USProgrammer and myself. Please share your feedback - it is likely we have missed a few things!
That's an amazing post. Thank you sir.
 
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Brian_natt

Full Member
May 15, 2019
22
6
Whitehorse
Category........
CEC
NOC Code......
1223
AOR Received.
17-07-2019
Med's Done....
30/09/2019
I have just received what I believe to be my 3rd ghost update... anyone have any idea how long after this one should expect to hear again from CIC?

AOR: July 17th
Received update email with no update in file: Aug 20
MEP: Sep 30th
3rd ghost: Oct 30th

CEC Inland.

TIA
 

addyryoo

Star Member
Oct 29, 2019
63
32
Hey guys my timeline:
E-AOR: OCT 08
Medicals passed: OCT 22
IP1: OCT 22
IP2: OCT 23 ( we are processing your background check )

Is this normal, how can IP2 be so fast.
Mine was even quicker.
AOR on Oct 02
MEP on Oct 10
BIL request on Oct 11, BIL submitted & received on Oct 16
Other went straight to IP1 then IP2

Since then, no updates.
Fingers crossed & good luck to all of us.
 

Redrick1990

Member
Mar 21, 2019
10
1
I submitted my application on April 8th, 2019, this Monday my status changed to real IP1 from false IP2, is this normal processing times?
 

garbaczpaula

Star Member
May 22, 2019
95
20
Category........
AINP
NOC Code......
1241
AOR Received.
29-09-2019
Med's Done....
21-10-2019
AOR 29-09-2019
Meds pssed: 21-10-2019
Ghost update - received email
Biometrics submitted - 24-10-2019
Ghost update - 31-10-2019 no email

what stage am I at? I know it is early on in the process and I should probably prepare to wait the 6 months, but it is exciting to think other people received their PPRs earlier than the 6 month mark!
 

viveksheashen

Full Member
Nov 14, 2016
27
5
Toronto
Category........
CEC
AOR Received.
06-08-2019
Med's Done....
24-12-2019
Passport Req..
17-12-2019
LANDED..........
04-01-2020
Hi Guys, Our profile still hasn't cleared medicals,

Timeline is
AOR: Aug 06
Medical: You don't need a medical.
Eligibility: We are reviewing your eligibility
Background check: We aer processing your Background check.

Just worried its taking too much time to clear medical. anyone is similar situation or experience?
 

mesho

Hero Member
Aug 21, 2019
234
54
For some it took one day and for others it took weeks , no one can tell you for sure. But since everything is finalized that is a relief and you may start preparing your passport and getting new photo's clicked (if you need it).

Regards
I got an update back on Sept 26 when my application moved to IP2 and I did not hear back from them after that. Do you think this is a security screening?
My AOR is 23 March
 

olufisayo77

Star Member
Nov 4, 2017
120
9
Timeline show we have received your medical
1. Please any idea if this mean I pass
2. When will i be asked to pay rprf yet to
3. Any idea when they will ask for my pass port
4, hope background check and co done long ago before medical request
 

olufisayo77

Star Member
Nov 4, 2017
120
9
Timeline show we have received your medical
1. Please any idea if this mean I pass
2. When will i be asked to pay rprf yet to
3. Any idea when they will ask for my pass port
4, hope background check and co done long ago before medical request

Pnp out land still have 11months left on my timeline
 

angelangel

Star Member
Jun 5, 2017
165
10
Hello,

AOR - 21 May
Post which in June 2019 Background check was - " We are processing your backgroung check"
Yesterday- 6 Nov 2019 background check changed to " Your application is in progress. We will send you a message when we start your background check."

How did it go back from we are processing to we will message when we start your background check?
 

CNP

Champion Member
Oct 26, 2018
2,560
1,202
Hello,

AOR - 21 May
Post which in June 2019 Background check was - " We are processing your backgroung check"
Yesterday- 6 Nov 2019 background check changed to " Your application is in progress. We will send you a message when we start your background check."

How did it go back from we are processing to we will message when we start your background check?
Most likely your eligibility has been marked as Recommended Pass and your security has started. When it turns to "We are processing your background check", you would receive PPR ( from personal experience). In a way its a good change. Best luck!!
 

mesho

Hero Member
Aug 21, 2019
234
54
Most likely your eligibility has been marked as Recommended Pass and your security has started. When it turns to "We are processing your background check", you would receive PPR ( from personal experience). In a way its a good change. Best luck!!
What if happend the opposite?
The status was "your application ..." and changed to "we are processing...." on Sept 26
My AOR is March 23