How do you find out application status? Does my husband (the sponsor) or me (PA) set up an account? I think it said an account can be made up with a bank ID or a Key? Do we need to a case or identification number before setting an account up? This is very confusing and we would appreciate any help. Thank you.
You need to use this link
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html
Choose "Continue to GCKey", create your username and password (as you would do registering on any regular website), follow the suggested steps, and your account is ready.
Does my husband (the sponsor) or me (PA) set up an account?
Some folks suggest it does not really matter who creates an account: a sponsor or PA. But if there's no difference for you, then I'd say stick with a PA for more consistency.
Do we need to a case or identification number before setting an account up?
You don't need an ID to set up an account.
After you've done all of this, in your account you'll see a link saying "Add (link) your application to your account". Click on it, under Category choose Permanent Residence, then choose your sub-category, and then you will have to use one of the combinations to find your application. If you don't know your UCI and application number, the only available combination for you is first/last name.
And finally when you link you application, you will see all status changes there, and all communication with CIC will go through this account.
Please note you will not be able to link an application until CIC start working on it. Based on your timeline, you'll need to wait for another 10 days or so.