The Outland Sponsorship Process

[JoshC]

I've seen many questions asked about the outland process and its various stages, so I created this post to try to provide a detailed breakdown.

The beginning of the process - AOR1

• Complete your application and send it in.
• CPC-Sydney receives the application. This is the start date for your application, you can input it on the google tracker if you like: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...BiE67fUmznYQrNhYVWXPXXJBw/edit#gid=2079961909
• CPC-Sydney then sends AOR1 as a PDF letter to the sponsor's email, this contains the application number and UCI: https://imgur.com/a/DydaI
• You can now check the progress of your application in ECAS using your application number. Using the Sponsor's details will show you both sides of the application's status:
  • https://services3.cic.gc.ca/ecas/security.do
    

Creating a GCKEY account

• You can then create a GCKEY account, this stage is optional and letters for biometrics and medical will come to your email if you don't create an account. It is, however, strongly advised to create a GCKEY account - and the rest of this process will read as if you did create an account.
  • Create a GCKEY account: https://onlineservices-servicesenli...ycic/gccf?lang=eng&idp=gckey&svc=/mycic/start
  • Link your application to the account via the following guide (Credit to @alaria) : https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-i...-cic-account-step-by-step-instruction.619724/

Sponsorship Approval

• Sponsorship approval will be sent as a PDF letter to the Sponsor's Email address. https://imgur.com/a/P0yOD
• ECAS will also show Decision Made under the Sponsor section: https://imgur.com/Cf4fZGU
  

CIC sends requests

• Biometrics and Medical request letters are then sent to your GCKEY account, where you can log in and download them. They can come in any order and in some instances can come after your application has been transferred: https://imgur.com/oTNo6O1
  • Your biometrics collection letter will need to be printed off and taken to your nearest VAC for processing, it's a good idea to search the forums for your local VAC to see other users experiences: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/where-to-give-biometrics.asp
  • Medical request letters need to be printed off and an appointment needs to be made with a CIC approved physician: https://secure.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspx
    
• Once the medical and biometrics are complete/passed, your account will change to show: https://i.imgur.com/p4tYUJi
  

PA Processing

• Your application will then be transferred to your local VO, or in some instances CPC-Mississauga. CIC will send an email to the sponsor confirming which VO it has gone to. https://imgur.com/a/fjKRY
• Once the VO begins to process the application, they will send the PA an email to confirm they have receipted the application, this is known as AOR2. Not all VO's send this email, however. https://imgur.com/3KAwhoK.
• In some instances, for AOR2 you need to reply on ECAS to update to show when the application began to process under the applicant's details: https://imgur.com/Evp18Ca - this shows when your local VO began to process your application and is commonly referred to as 'Line 2 on ECAS'.

GCKEY Updates

• GCKEY goes through various changes during the final stages, again, this doesn't happen for everyone, unfortunately, and you may find your application show eligibility and background checks in progress from the moment you link your account. You'll see the following towards the end of the process: https://imgur.com/a/nSDvwQt
• This is the slowest part of the entire process as background and eligibility checks can take a long time to process. Some people get ghost updates on GCKEY as the application is worked on. This is shown when the status shows as Application/Profile Updated.
  

Checking ECAS

• ECAS allows you to check for updates on the application and during the final stages will show decision made under the principal applicant's section: https://imgur.com/F3yPtfD
  

Passport Request (PPR) & Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR)

• Once you've received 'decision made', you'll get a passport request emailed to you: https://imgur.com/a/RRL6H
• You'll send your passport to the address listed in the email, along with two pictures and the document. If you're from a visa exempt country, they will request photocopies of your passport rather than the passport itself. Send this along with a signed Annex A to the address outlined in the PPR.
• Once this has been processed, your GCKEY will update to show 'Approved'. You'll be issued with your COPR: https://imgur.com/a/f79qD
• COPR will then be mailed to the address you listed in your PPR: https://imgur.com/a/gTdTl

You're then free to land with your COPR.

Landing in Canada

• Depending on your situation, there are multiple options for landing in Canada:
  
  
  • The most common is for PA's that have remained outside of Canada during their full outland process outlined here: https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Landing_as_PR-Canada.
  • Flagpoling - this is the act of going to the nearest land border to have your PR activated. This is commonly used when the PA is already within Canada under dual intent. https://www.immigroup.com/news/flagpoling-your-way-new-work-or-study-permit-or-permanent-residence
  • Land at a local CIC office: This method can take a long time depending on how busy your local office is. Again, this is suited to applicants that are currently living in Canada. To book an appointment once you have COPR, call +1 888 242-2100 and request an appointment, you will then be contacted by your local office to arrange a date. Or for anyone who’s worried about toll-free not being included on their plan.

Credit to @haXudon and @svilli for a few of the images.

 

[ButterflyChemist]

I've seen many questions asked about the outland process and its various stages, so I created this post to try to provide a detailed breakdown.

The beginning of the process - AOR1

• Complete your application and send it in.
• CPC-Sydney receives the application. This is the start date for your application, you can input it on the google tracker if you like: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...BiE67fUmznYQrNhYVWXPXXJBw/edit#gid=2079961909
• CPC-Sydney then sends AOR1 as a PDF letter to the sponsor's email, this contains the application number and UCI: https://imgur.com/a/DydaI
• You can now check the progress of your application in ECAS using your application number. Using the Sponsor's details will show you both sides of the application's status:
  • https://services3.cic.gc.ca/ecas/security.do

Creating a GCKEY account

• You can then create a GCKEY account, this stage is optional and letters for biometrics and medical will come to your email if you don't create an account. It is, however, strongly advised to create a GCKEY account - and the rest of this process will read as if you did create an account.
  • Create a GCKEY account: https://onlineservices-servicesenli...ycic/gccf?lang=eng&idp=gckey&svc=/mycic/start
  • Link your application to the account via the following guide (Credit to @alaria) : https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-i...-cic-account-step-by-step-instruction.619724/

Sponsorship Approval

• Sponsorship approval will be sent as a PDF letter to the Sponsor's Email address. https://imgur.com/a/P0yOD
• ECAS will also show Decision Made under the Sponsor section: https://imgur.com/Cf4fZGU

CIC sends requests

• Biometrics and Medical request letters are then sent to your GCKEY account, where you can log in and download them. They can come in any order and in some instances can come after your application has been transferred: https://imgur.com/oTNo6O1
  • Your biometrics collection letter will need to be printed off and taken to your nearest VAC for processing, it's a good idea to search the forums for your local VAC to see other users experiences: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/where-to-give-biometrics.asp
  • Medical request letters need to be printed off and an appointment needs to be made with a CIC approved physician: https://secure.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspx
• Once the medical and biometrics are complete/passed, your account will change to show: https://i.imgur.com/p4tYUJi

PA Processing

• Your application will then be transferred to your local VO, or in some instances CPC-Mississauga. CIC will send an email to the sponsor confirming which VO it has gone to. https://imgur.com/a/fjKRY
• Once the VO begins to process the application, they will send the PA an email to confirm they have receipted the application, this is known as AOR2. Not all VO's send this email, however. https://imgur.com/3KAwhoK.
• In some instances, for AOR2 you need to reply on ECAS to update to show when the application began to process under the applicant's details: https://imgur.com/Evp18Ca - this shows when your local VO began to process your application and is commonly referred to as 'Line 2 on ECAS'.

GCKEY Updates

• GCKEY goes through various changes during the final stages, again, this doesn't happen for everyone, unfortunately, and you may find your application show eligibility and background checks in progress from the moment you link your account. You'll see the following towards the end of the process: https://imgur.com/a/nSDvwQt
• This is the slowest part of the entire process as background and eligibility checks can take a long time to process. Some people get ghost updates on GCKEY as the application is worked on. This is shown when the status shows as Application/Profile Updated.

Checking ECAS

• ECAS allows you to check for updates on the application and during the final stages will show decision made under the principal applicant's section: https://imgur.com/F3yPtfD

Passport Request (PPR) & Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR)

• Once you've received 'decision made', you'll get a passport request emailed to you: https://imgur.com/a/RRL6H
• You'll send your passport to the address listed in the email, along with two pictures and the document. If you're from a visa exempt country, they will request photocopies of your passport rather than the passport itself. Send this along with a signed Annex A to the address outlined in the PPR.
• Once this has been processed, your GCKEY will update to show 'Approved'. You'll be issued with your COPR: https://imgur.com/a/f79qD
• COPR will then be mailed to the address you listed in your PPR: https://imgur.com/a/gTdTl

You're then free to land with your COPR.

Landing in Canada

• Depending on your situation, there are multiple options for landing in Canada:
  
  • The most common is for PA's that have remained outside of Canada during their full outland process outlined here: https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Landing_as_PR-Canada.
  • Flagpoling - this is the act of going to the nearest land border to have your PR activated. This is commonly used when the PA is already within Canada under dual intent. https://www.immigroup.com/news/flagpoling-your-way-new-work-or-study-permit-or-permanent-residence
  • Land at a local CIC office: This method can take a long time depending on how busy your local office is. Again, this is suited to applicants that are currently living in Canada. To book an appointment once you have COPR, call +1 888 242-2100 and request an appointment, you will then be contacted by your local office to arrange a date. Or for anyone who’s worried about toll-free not being included on their plan.

Credit to @haXudon and @svilli for a few of the images.

Amazing job. Well done! This will help many.

 

[cass59]

thank you so much for this! i will use this in the future when things get moving in my application

 

[Mokrbi]

dear all applicant . my application received
15 of july
25 September AOR received
26 September BIO received
26 September BIO complete
30 September my file transfer to Canada embassy in my country
up to this date no any update any one have same case here

 

[The_CAN_Project]

Our Application was sent July 2, very similar delays for us here. Application was transferred in Mississauga two weeks ago, nothing new since then. Still waiting for medical request... I guess they’re a little busy lately

 

[Maes]

dear all applicant . my application received
15 of july
25 September AOR received
26 September BIO received
26 September BIO complete
30 September my file transfer to Canada embassy in my country
up to this date no any update any one have same case here

My application received on 19 july
AOR-august 8
Biometrics done on 19 august
Still waiting for csq request

 

[said mo]

do you get the medical request and biometrics request on the GCkey only or do you also get it by the applicant email.

 

[JoshC]

do you get the medical request and biometrics request on the GCkey only or do you also get it by the applicant email.

If you’re signed up for GCKEY you’ll just get an email saying there’s a message within GCKEY for you.

 

[StellaArtois]

This is a really great thread, thank you! Is there any way to sticky it to the top of this forum? I'm sure a lot of others will find it very useful.

 

[lanka1204]

hey folks , we still not recive biometric request ( we get pay request at 21 oct-paid same day), so why? and do i have to call ircc? or wait little bit? ..

 

[StellaArtois]

hey folks , we still not recive biometric request ( we get pay request at 21 oct-paid same day), so why? and do i have to call ircc? or wait little bit? ..

After we paid for our biometrics, they did not request we get biometrics done for another 2 weeks. No need to call, just wait; they have thousands of applications and are not super speedy at processing.

 

[lanka1204]

After we paid for our biometrics, they did not request we get biometrics done for another 2 weeks. No need to call, just wait; they have thousands of applications and are not super speedy at processing.

ok but its like months soon .. when i can call.. over months waiting?

 

[StellaArtois]

ok but its like months soon .. when i can call.. over months waiting?

I've heard they're pretty backlogged, but if you are going to contact them I'd recommend you contact them through the online webform rather than calling.
In webform can attach the receipt again and also (if you have one) attach a screenshot of when you initially submitted the receipt on October 21st... proves that you've paid almost a month ago and are still waiting for the request.
If you call, I've heard most people are on hold for hours before they get to talk to anyone, and that often the call centre agents are misinformed and/or speak outright lies. Overall with calling, it doesn't sound like the agents are very helpful.

 

[lanka1204]

I've heard they're pretty backlogged, but if you are going to contact them I'd recommend you contact them through the online webform rather than calling.
In webform can attach the receipt again and also (if you have one) attach a screenshot of when you initially submitted the receipt on October 21st... proves that you've paid almost a month ago and are still waiting for the request.
If you call, I've heard most people are on hold for hours before they get to talk to anyone, and that often the call centre agents are misinformed and/or speak outright lies. Overall with calling, it doesn't sound like the agents are very helpful.

thank you its helpful! i m gonna do it ride now, cose last time when i call them they tell me yes they receive my payment , and i have to wait about months , so at 3 days already months

 

[JohnnyToronto]

Awesome thread!! Thanks for the info.

Just as an FYI regarding biometrics, I paid for those up front when I sent in my fees for the application and we go the request to go within a month of receiving the app.

My question though, and forgive me because I posted it to another thread before finding this one.....

We got the request for the police check for Colombia. The request mentions about sending translated documents to them in one of three ways. The security check vendor says they don't supply documents to the applicant but sends direct to the embassy with the reference numbers we supply.

Is Immigration expecting something to be sent by the applicant also??