I got "Decision Made" status however CIC email seem difference

[babymistycat]

it would make sense the passport request process is changing for ETA purposes. it will be interesting to track whether this is consistent with other visa offices. best of luck!

No news from SG VO, seem like they won't reply (email state do not email them unless after I mail them over 1 mth, no news from them). I heard from a friend who came from another visa exempt country, she was asked to mail in too. That was over 2 years ago. I guess I will have to trust courier & make sure to include prepaid Xpresspost return. That's the last step of getting PR.

 

[babymistycat]

why wouldn't you be able to flagpole? i'm not seeing what you are referencing about that. Flagpoling is done after you receive your approval paper (COPR) and visa stamped passport - if required. it has nothing to do with the visa processing. once it's established why they are asking for your passport, if you are currently in canada, then send the requested documents to the ottawa office, as described in the letter.

on a side note, maybe this PP issue is related the new ETA requirement? Have you asked about this in the thread for singapore?

Thank you for clarifying, I got confused of the procedure. I thought once they took my passport n return, I am PR. lol

 

[CDNPR2014]

No news from SG VO, seem like they won't reply (email state do not email them unless after I mail them over 1 mth, no news from them). I heard from a friend who came from another visa exempt country, she was asked to mail in too. That was over 2 years ago. I guess I will have to trust courier & make sure to include prepaid Xpresspost return. That's the last step of getting PR.

did you send a case specific enquiry, or did you just send an email to the visa office? sending a case specific enquiry has a better response rate than blindly emailing a visa office.

Thank you for clarifying, I got confused of the procedure. I thought once they took my passport n return, I am PR. lol

the paper you'll receive is your approval paper, and it does not give you pr status. it shows you've been approved for PR and you have to actually "land" to activate your status. this requires you to sign the paperwork in front of an immigration officer. it won't be activated until it's signed/stamped.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

No news from SG VO, seem like they won't reply (email state do not email them unless after I mail them over 1 mth, no news from them). I heard from a friend who came from another visa exempt country, she was asked to mail in too. That was over 2 years ago. I guess I will have to trust courier & make sure to include prepaid Xpresspost return. That's the last step of getting PR.

Prior to 2012, everyone had to send their passports in. http://www.cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/resources/manuals/bulletins/2011/ob348a.asp

If IRCC had changed their policy again, they would have published another OB to explain it. And if you check some other threads, you will see that visa-exempt applicants are not being requested to send passports. The eTA process would have no effect on this, as it is not actually a visa and doesn't require a person to send in their passport.

You aren't the first person who has been requested to send the actual passport by mistake.

It's up to you but I would wait a bit longer for a response from the VO. I would also email CPC-Ottawa, as that is where you will be submitting your documents.

 

[CDNPR2014]

And if you check some other threads, you will see that visa-exempt applicants are not being requested to send passports.

actually, someone from the UK just reported something similar today. of course, more clarification is needed about whether the request letter references sending in a copy or the physical passport. this may be a new thing...

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/is-the-uk-visa-exempt-t470402.0.html;msg5718760#msg5718760

 

[canuck_in_uk]

actually, someone from the UK just reported something similar today. of course, more clarification is needed about whether the request letter references sending in a copy or the physical passport. this may be a new thing...

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/is-the-uk-visa-exempt-t470402.0.html;msg5718760#msg5718760

That poster also said in different post that the letter told him he needs an eTA. Looks like he got the standard email, hasn't read it properly and is a bit confused.


If this were to be "a new thing", IRCC would have announced it, just as they announced whey they stopped issuing visas to visa-exempt people. Given the added expense and hassle to issue visas when they aren't even needed, it is extremely doubtful that IRCC will resume doing so.