Online vs. Paper application

[canuser]

Hi everyone, I just wanted to get a general idea of whether we should do a paper or online application. Have any of you noticed trends in terms of which one is processed faster?

In some threads I read people saying that online apps took longer. Wondering if that has changed?

We plan on submitting our application on Nov 1, 2021.
Thanks in advance of any info! Really appreciate the insight on this forum!

 

[motocrosstar]

Hi @canuser did you find anything about the application? I'm in a similar situation as you. What route did you end up going?

 

[asing711]

Hi everyone, I just wanted to get a general idea of whether we should do a paper or online application. Have any of you noticed trends in terms of which one is processed faster?

In some threads I read people saying that online apps took longer. Wondering if that has changed?

We plan on submitting our application on Nov 1, 2021.
Thanks in advance of any info! Really appreciate the insight on this forum!

This response maybe too late but looking at the tracking sheets, it seems paper is moving faster. I applied online thinking it would be easier (and faster) - I was wrong

 

[motocrosstar]

Hi @asing711, thanks for responding! May I ask when did you apply?

 

[asing711]

Hi @asing711, thanks for responding! May I ask when did you apply?

Of course. I applied first in Dec 2020. At the time Ontario was in lockdown and I applied online hoping it would reach agents working remotely. In May I was asked to show my receipt of payment (which btw I had submitted in December already). I effectively re-applied on May 14. Received AOR on Aug 30 and am waiting on next steps. All that being said, it's not a predictable system and things can change at any time.

 

[motocrosstar]

Of course. I applied first in Dec 2020. At the time Ontario was in lockdown and I applied online hoping it would reach agents working remotely. In May I was asked to show my receipt of payment (which btw I had submitted in December already). I effectively re-applied on May 14. Received AOR on Aug 30 and am waiting on next steps. All that being said, it's not a predictable system and things can change at any time.

I see. I'm assuming you sent in a paper application the second time around?

 

[smash1984]

I see. I'm assuming you sent in a paper application the second time around?

Some other people asked this question recently, and the response from some of the senior members here was that if applying now (i.e. towards the end of 2021 or in 2022) it might be worthwhile to apply online. This is because, HOPEFULLY, they are able to resolve some of the kinks of the system in 1 year's time. The reasoning makes sense to me, and I would also like a bit more of a sample of answers to make a decision on whether to apply online or paper.

 

[motocrosstar]

Some other people asked this question recently, and the response from some of the senior members here was that if applying now (i.e. towards the end of 2021 or in 2022) it might be worthwhile to apply online. This is because, HOPEFULLY, they are able to resolve some of the kinks of the system in 1 year's time. The reasoning makes sense to me, and I would also like a bit more of a sample of answers to make a decision on whether to apply online or paper.

Ah I see. Thanks for that insight mate! I'm planning to apply in a month or so and hence was looking for some information. Would appreciate if you can post about any new findings that you may discover. I'll do the same. Cheers!

 

[candinavian]

Looks like the people who have gotten decision made and oath from Dec 2020-March 2021 are mostly online applicants.

 

[justanotherguy28]

Looks like the people who have gotten decision made and oath from Dec 2020-March 2021 are mostly online applicants.

I believe there was one burst of fast processing of online applications in that period (Possibly they were doing an end-to-end testing of the then-new online system? Not sure) but after March I think online slowed down significantly. Folks can correct me if I'm wrong.

Then there were fairly recent (September/October) posts/stats showing online times were improving and closing the gap with paper.

Just a quick at the leading edge (Sep 2021) on the spreadsheet show all 5 of the AORs received were online (assuming the sheet is up to date) although 4/5 of those are from Ontario which tend to be quicker for both online and offline.

A cursory look at August 2021 shows most AORs for online were received in 70-80 days whereas most AORs for paper were received in 80-90 days so not much of a difference. If you live in GTA it doesn't seem to matter at all, for others they might want to filter and see if there's a meaningful difference for their location.

 

[asing711]

I see. I'm assuming you sent in a paper application the second time around?

No I was asked to re-upload, which I did