Passport Request! Now a question

[ammead]

On September 11, I received a request for a scanned copy of the photo page of my passport. I emailed the information back as they requested same day and I received the Automated response email but I haven't heard a thing back since then.

About how long can we expect to wait before we hear back? They also notified us that an interview would not be necessary, at least at this point. It feels we've done a lot of waiting though we were expecting longer. I've read online that the passport request is the light at the end of the tunnel but I'm just afraid to believe that!

 

[scylla]

Difficult to say given the lack of details. What have you applied for? Which visa office?

 

[Passport2Canada]

I'm in the same boat you are. My passport request came September 3rd and I'm still waiting for a change in status to "Decision made". It appears to be different for everybody though. Some get a DM immediately and have their landing papers in a week or two, while others wait an entire month and sometimes longer. As of now, I've been waiting 22 days. The strike isn't helping matters, but I've heard that some visa offices are still processing at record pace. The light at the end of the tunnel is there though.

 

[ammead]

Sorry, I've applied via family sponsorship. I am American and my Canadian husband is sponsoring me in. The application is being processed through CPP-Ottawa.

 

[Cf45]

Same thing with me. My fiancé is sponsoring me My application went through Ottawa. I got my passport request on sept 3. I emailed it the 4. A decision was made last Wednesday. But haven't heard anything else.

 

[ammead]

When I check my status, it hasn't changed. It still just shows received and hasn't been updated since March. I'm just wondering on the time frame because I'm currently in Canada on a visitor visa that expires mid November. I was just finishing up my application to extend my visitor visa when I received the passport request. I'm just wondering if I should still send in my extension application or wait it out. We'd rather not spend the $75 for the extension if we don't have to, but I really don't want to leave just because I assumed I would hear back on the sponsorship by then.

 

[Passport2Canada]

When I check my status, it hasn't changed. It still just shows received and hasn't been updated since March. I'm just wondering on the time frame because I'm currently in Canada on a visitor visa that expires mid November. I was just finishing up my application to extend my visitor visa when I received the passport request. I'm just wondering if I should still send in my extension application or wait it out. We'd rather not spend the $75 for the extension if we don't have to, but I really don't want to leave just because I assumed I would hear back on the sponsorship by then.

Might should plan on doing the extension anyway. Your COPR could come tomorrow or two months from now. The thing about the extension is, that you need to put it in at least a month before your other one expires, and if your app is near completion they may deny you an extension anyway. I have to leave in mid October, and even though I got PPR, I still have to plan on leaving, just in case. If mine comes before mid October, all the better. Then I can just Flagpole at the border. Otherwise I still have to plan on going home. You basically have to make two sets of plans. $75 is money spent, but it sure beats $600 plane tickets back home, or gas money driving.

 

[Cf45]

What is flag poling?

 

[ammead]

Might should plan on doing the extension anyway. Your COPR could come tomorrow or two months from now. The thing about the extension is, that you need to put it in at least a month before your other one expires, and if your app is near completion they may deny you an extension anyway. I have to leave in mid October, and even though I got PPR, I still have to plan on leaving, just in case. If mine comes before mid October, all the better. Then I can just Flagpole at the border. Otherwise I still have to plan on going home. You basically have to make two sets of plans. $75 is money spent, but it sure beats $600 plane tickets back home, or gas money driving.

That is true. The application is finished, just haven't sent it in yet. We may give it another week or so. I already have my flight going back to the US for two weeks for Thanksgiving in November so I'll already be out of the country. We are just keeping our fingers crossed that I receive it by December 2nd when I'm planning on flying back and that can be when I land. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Passport2Canada]

What is flag poling?

Flag poling refers to crossing into the US at the border and then immediately crossing back into Canada to process your landing.

 

[Cf45]

So is it a problem to flag pole? I will be ping from us to Canada then back all within 3 days when I land

 

[Passport2Canada]

So is it a problem to flag pole? I will be ping from us to Canada then back all within 3 days when I land

You would only flagpole if you were already in Canada visiting when your papers came. If your in the US or other country, then you just come in within the timeframe that the COPR gives you, and land. If you land and then need to leave again immediately, you can cross back on just your COPR if your driving, but you need your PR card if you intend to leave by air. The PR card can take up to 90 days to get though.