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Startup Visa Program Timeline

suv2020

Full Member
Sep 11, 2022
39
25
I have a question regarding the pre-arrival process.
Is it a significant step, or more of a formality?
There’s a common belief that pre-arrival is issued only after eligibility and security checks are complete.
Also has anyone accessed the services yet and found them to be helpful?
Basically it is a positive sign as i understand the Pre-Arrival Letter (PAL) is normally issued after your eligibility was approved. I have enrolled and felt these innformation provided by those organizations are helpful (my one is YMCA - Next Stop Canada) but not much as expected (maybe i expected too much jkjk). Anyway, it is good to try and congrats for the PAL step.
 
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SUVpr

Star Member
Jan 27, 2025
51
33
Basically it is a positive sign as i understand the Pre-Arrival Letter (PAL) is normally issued after your eligibility was approved. I have enrolled and felt these innformation provided by those organizations are helpful (my one is YMCA - Next Stop Canada) but not much as expected (maybe i expected too much jkjk). Anyway, it is good to try and congrats for the PAL step.
Thank you so much!
Btw, have you moved to Canada already? I am overjoyed to hear that you got your COPR already!
Keep us updated with the events in your life friend....
 

Hali-2025

Newbie
Mar 20, 2025
8
8
Basically it is a positive sign as i understand the Pre-Arrival Letter (PAL) is normally issued after your eligibility was approved. I have enrolled and felt these innformation provided by those organizations are helpful (my one is YMCA - Next Stop Canada) but not much as expected (maybe i expected too much jkjk). Anyway, it is good to try and congrats for the PAL step.
Hi,
My team used to request the GCMS notes 2 times... After studying carefully all the details of every note made by the IRCC officers for each team member in the different stages of processing time, here is what I understand and just want to share my experience and also just for your reference only:
1) Eligibility will be started to process after reviewing all submitted docs or receiving all the pending request docs (if needed) such as: the updated POF, PC, travel history, Schedule A,...Otherwise, the Eligibility is still "not started"
2) The medical request will be sent after Eligibility passed. Therefore, if you receive the medical request this means that your Eligibility already passed (except if you did the upfront medical or you also applied for the work permit) => Someone in our forum said that he received the 1st PAL at this stage!
3) Criminality is normally processed in advance after receipt of PC and Biometrics but some cases after medical passed (case by case)
4) The Security check is normally started after medical passed and this step normally takes a very long time let say some months++...case by case!
I hope it is a helpful reference for SUV.
Good luck for all
Hali
 
Last edited:

suv2020

Full Member
Sep 11, 2022
39
25
Thank you so much!
Btw, have you moved to Canada already? I am overjoyed to hear that you got your COPR already!
Keep us updated with the events in your life friend....
Thank you SUVpr. I've already landed with COPR and I am always happy to contribute and share what I experienced in this long journey with our group. Good luck to all of us!
 

suv2020

Full Member
Sep 11, 2022
39
25
Hi,
My team used to request the GCMS notes 2 times... After studying carefully all the details of every note made by the IRCC officers for each team member in the different stages of processing time, here is what I understand and just want to share my experience and also just for your reference only:
1) Eligibility will be started to process after reviewing all submitted docs or receiving all the pending request docs (if needed) such as: the updated POF, PC, travel history, Schedule A,...Otherwise, the Eligibility is still "not started"
2) The medical request will be sent after Eligibility passed. Therefore, if you receive the medical request this means that your Eligibility already passed (except if you did the upfront medical or you also applied for the work permit) => Someone in our forum said that he received the 1st PAL at this stage!
3) Criminality is normally processed in advance after receipt of PC and Biometrics but some cases after medical passed (case by case)
4) The Security check is normally started after medical passed and this step normally takes a very long time let say some months++...case by case!
I hope it is a helpful reference for SUV.
Good luck for all
Hali
Very details and helpful. I just want to add one more piece of information about the Security check stage: If everything is normal, IRCC will conduct it very fast eg. 1 - 3 months. However, if anyone has some delay in this stage, the GCMS note/ATIPs request should be carried out asap as it may relate to the Comprehensive Check (C-Check) which will involve of CBSA plus CSIS and the processing time will range from months to years.
 
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suv2020

Full Member
Sep 11, 2022
39
25
Ahh may I ask till when friend? A friend of mine got it even when his medical was valid for quite a few months
From one of my ADR, the officer clearly stated that: "Applicants living outside of Canada require a medical certificate that is valid for at least 6 months" so they need the new medical examninations from us although its valid remains 5 months. However, the good news is we got our case approve right after the latest medical certificates passed.
 

SUVpr

Star Member
Jan 27, 2025
51
33
From one of my ADR, the officer clearly stated that: "Applicants living outside of Canada require a medical certificate that is valid for at least 6 months" so they need the new medical examninations from us although its valid remains 5 months. However, the good news is we got our case approve right after the latest medical certificates passed.
Wow! That is some great information that you have passsed on dear friend!
So according to my understanding the medicals need to be valid at least for around 6 months before we get our COPR approval right?
Would you please be willing to share your entire timeline?
 

Nima987

Star Member
Oct 21, 2024
73
34
From one of my ADR, the officer clearly stated that: "Applicants living outside of Canada require a medical certificate that is valid for at least 6 months" so they need the new medical examninations from us although its valid remains 5 months. However, the good news is we got our case approve right after the latest medical certificates passed.
That’s right
I saw it in other cases as well, so the last medical IRCC ask applicants after processing everything is a clear sign of approval .
Wish everyone good news soon
And wish you all the best in new chapter of your life
 

SUVpr

Star Member
Jan 27, 2025
51
33
Hi,
I can't agree more with @suv2020.
Aleen, Even all of yours are passed but your co-founders are pending =>you shouldn't expect any good news of your own coming soon & please just keep calm since you may have to wait for some months for the processing results of the others...Especially Security check!
I do hope you will see some positive and moving forwards updates and good news in the next coming GCMS notes of your co-founders soonest.
Good luck
Hali
Hi @Hali-2025 how far into the process are you?
 

suv2020

Full Member
Sep 11, 2022
39
25
Wow! That is some great information that you have passsed on dear friend!
So according to my understanding the medicals need to be valid at least for around 6 months before we get our COPR approval right?
Would you please be willing to share your entire timeline?
This valid may be the standard one that I was requested. However, there are many other cases (that I know) they still can get the CoPR approved with ME in less than 6 months, so it is subject to the decision from IRCC officers and our luck.

Below is my timeline:

PR submission: Nov 2020
AOR: Jan 2023
Medical Request: May 2023 - Apr 2024 - Sep 2024 (3 times)
ADR: Feb 2023 - Apr 2023 - May 2024 (3 times)
Pre-arrival service: end May 2023
CoPR and Visa request: Oct 2024 (Both valid still Sep 2025 that are same expiration date as the last ME)
Landing Canada: Dec 2024
Total: 47 months

Hope it will help and good luck to you !
 

Hali-2025

Newbie
Mar 20, 2025
8
8
Hi @Hali-2025 how far into the process are you?
I got the medical request on 10-Dec and submitted it on 15 Dec 2024.
So far I haven't got any updates yet.
Called the IRCC agent & was informed that my file has a BFD (Bring forward day) on the next coming 3rd May 2025.
Just waiting to see any updates on the BFD
All best to you & all other SUV applicants
Cheers
Hali
 
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