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US outland applicants' thread :)

Aquakitty

VIP Member
Mar 21, 2011
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Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Ottawa
App. Filed.......
04-03-2015
AOR Received.
14-04-2015 - SA Received: 20-04-2015
Med's Done....
28-01-2015 Upfront
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
25-06-2015
LANDED..........
11-07-2015
jennybenny said:
Hey everyone,

Just wondering if I should be celebrating or biting my nails off... one place says 'decision made' but another says 'final decision: not started.' I was just able to link my application to my gckey so I'm not sure how long the 'not started' status has been up. I want to say this is good as I've already been told to pay my RPRF but I don't want to celebrate prematurely. We were asked to send our declaration and of common law again (because I forgot to get it motorized ) and one other form that was supposed to be filled out by both of us individually, but other than that we've had no issues...

Help/support/commiserating welcome
First of all, there's literally nothing to worry about. You've been approved.

Just wondering, are you seeing the DM in two places in GC key? Did you try ECAS?
 

Omegabyte

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Aug 8, 2016
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Edmonton
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Aquakitty said:
First of all, there's literally nothing to worry about. You've been approved.

Just wondering, are you seeing the DM in two places in GC key? Did you try ECAS?
I think the OP is referring to seeing DM under both Sponsor and PA on ECAS, but MyCIC (OP's "GCKey") still shows "Final Decision: Not Started" as is normal since January 2017.
 

jennybenny

Full Member
Sep 15, 2016
48
0
Visa Office......
ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
24-06-2016, re-file 21-10-2016
AOR Received.
14-7-2016
Med's Done....
up front
Passport Req..
21-2-2017
LANDED..........
7-3-2017
Omegabyte said:
I think the OP is referring to seeing DM under both Sponsor and PA on ECAS, but MyCIC (OP's "GCKey") still shows "Final Decision: Not Started" as is normal since January 2017.
We actually never got a decision made status under sponsor, just PA. I looked around and that seemed to be dependent on whoever was looking at my application but, yes I am seeing DM on ECAS but not MyCIC. I'll keep my fingers crossed that I receive COPR in the mail soon!

I have been looking at the monthly threads but it seems like everyone was getting a detailed message saying they would be contacted, so that part was worrying me.
 

danawhitaker

Hero Member
Aug 4, 2016
702
34
United States
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-09-2016
AOR Received.
21-10-2016
File Transfer...
28-10-2016
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
22-07-2016
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
14-02-2017
VISA ISSUED...
02-03-2017
LANDED..........
05-03-2017
jennybenny said:
We actually never got a decision made status under sponsor, just PA. I looked around and that seemed to be dependent on whoever was looking at my application but, yes I am seeing DM on ECAS but not MyCIC. I'll keep my fingers crossed that I receive COPR in the mail soon!

I have been looking at the monthly threads but it seems like everyone was getting a detailed message saying they would be contacted, so that part was worrying me.
What's most likely to happen is that in the very near future all of us who got DM over the past week are going to receive a PPR e-mail asking for new passport photos (the current ones will be too old for many of us), Annex A, a photocopy of the passport page, and a prepaid envelope for return of the COPR.
 

Landagirl

Star Member
Feb 1, 2016
192
9
Visa Office......
Ottawa
App. Filed.......
26-09-2016
AOR Received.
20/10/2016
File Transfer...
25/10/2016
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
Passed 19/01/2017
Passport Req..
23/01/2017
VISA ISSUED...
08/02/2017
LANDED..........
02/06/2017
jennybenny said:
We actually never got a decision made status under sponsor, just PA. I looked around and that seemed to be dependent on whoever was looking at my application but, yes I am seeing DM on ECAS but not MyCIC. I'll keep my fingers crossed that I receive COPR in the mail soon!

I have been looking at the monthly threads but it seems like everyone was getting a detailed message saying they would be contacted, so that part was worrying me.
I was in the same boat as you, try not to worry too much. Mine stops in ECAS as medical received and DM on applicant side and in process on sponsor side. CIC will change after you send your PPR stuff in. Ours does not state that they sent us anything and we have received PPR email and are patiently waiting for our landing paperwork.
 

jennybenny

Full Member
Sep 15, 2016
48
0
Visa Office......
ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
24-06-2016, re-file 21-10-2016
AOR Received.
14-7-2016
Med's Done....
up front
Passport Req..
21-2-2017
LANDED..........
7-3-2017
Landagirl said:
I was in the same boat as you, try not to worry too much. Mine stops in ECAS as medical received and DM on applicant side and in process on sponsor side. CIC will change after you send your PPR stuff in. Ours does not state that they sent us anything and we have received PPR email and are patiently waiting for our landing paperwork.
Oh great! Ok that makes me feel much better :) about how long of a wait was it between DM and the PPR email?
 

Omegabyte

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Aug 8, 2016
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jennybenny said:
Oh great! Ok that makes me feel much better :) about how long of a wait was it between DM and the PPR email?
It's taking anywhere from 24 hours to a week or more. Mostly the latter. I'm waiting for PPR as well, expecting it tomorrow or Tuesday. They seem to go out in batches, so hopefully everyone with DM last week will see their PPR email early this week.
 

Aquakitty

VIP Member
Mar 21, 2011
3,014
164
BC
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Ottawa
App. Filed.......
04-03-2015
AOR Received.
14-04-2015 - SA Received: 20-04-2015
Med's Done....
28-01-2015 Upfront
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
25-06-2015
LANDED..........
11-07-2015
Omegabyte said:
I think the OP is referring to seeing DM under both Sponsor and PA on ECAS, but MyCIC (OP's "GCKey") still shows "Final Decision: Not Started" as is normal since January 2017.
Right, I've not used GCkey, but I know they often differ in what they say, so it's nothing to worry about. Apparently ECAS updates sooner.


So, do all US people get a "photocopy" PPR now? It used to be rather uncommon. That kind of sucks, last thing we need is more paperwork!
 

Omegabyte

Hero Member
Aug 8, 2016
515
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Edmonton
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Edmonton
LANDED..........
02-03-2017
Aquakitty said:
Right, I've not used GCkey, but I know they often differ in what they say, so it's nothing to worry about. Apparently ECAS updates sooner.


So, do all US people get a "photocopy" PPR now? It used to be rather uncommon. That kind of sucks, last thing we need is more paperwork!
At this time, it appears so. There was no announcement AFAIK from Ottawa, so it might be part of the new effort to "streamline" Outland apps.

I can see why they might want to verify the passport info and expiration date, and verify the mailing address via Annex A. The prepaid envelopes save them a bit of money. I'm not so sure about the photo requests though.
 

danawhitaker

Hero Member
Aug 4, 2016
702
34
United States
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-09-2016
AOR Received.
21-10-2016
File Transfer...
28-10-2016
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
22-07-2016
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
14-02-2017
VISA ISSUED...
02-03-2017
LANDED..........
05-03-2017
Omegabyte said:
At this time, it appears so. There was no announcement AFAIK from Ottawa, so it might be part of the new effort to "streamline" Outland apps.

I can see why they might want to verify the passport info and expiration date, and verify the mailing address via Annex A. I'm not so sure about the photo requests though.
What's annoying is when I started Googling the procedure after the last batch of PPRs came in, certain streams/VOs seem to be able to upload the Annex/photocopy via MyCIC or e-mail them instead of providing a physical copy. I wish there were consistency across the board for what was allowed for submission. I guess they like to keep us on our toes. ;)

Meanwhile, I'm trying to ignore the weather forecast for Ottawa for tomorrow and am hoping whoever needs to get there to send out the PPR e-mails manages to get to work without incident.

The prepaid envelope, as far as I'm concerned, is the biggest bonus. Being able to track it allows for better planning if you're going to be moving very shortly after receiving it. I was never really comfortable with the idea of a normal envelope showing up in my mailbox. I've seen how some of the mail people deliver stuff at my apartment complex.
 

CDNPR2014

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Aquakitty said:
So, do all US people get a "photocopy" PPR now? It used to be rather uncommon. That kind of sucks, last thing we need is more paperwork!
PPR for US citizens has always been a photocopy of the passport. it was not uncommon. PPRs were only a copy of a passport and the receipt for the RPRF (if not paid). The COPR would be sent through regular mail to the address listed in the application.

There were a lot of visa exempt people who were "waived" PPR, and those people were usually those whose passport copies submitted upfront didn't suggest there could be changes during processing (ie: men, women who have already changed their name, passport validity date, etc) and had already paid the RRPF.

The new part is including the Annex A and the prepaid envelope now.
 

Landagirl

Star Member
Feb 1, 2016
192
9
Visa Office......
Ottawa
App. Filed.......
26-09-2016
AOR Received.
20/10/2016
File Transfer...
25/10/2016
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
Passed 19/01/2017
Passport Req..
23/01/2017
VISA ISSUED...
08/02/2017
LANDED..........
02/06/2017
CDNPR2014 said:
PPR for US citizens has always been a photocopy of the passport. it was not uncommon. PPRs were only a copy of a passport and the receipt for the RPRF (if not paid). The COPR would be sent through regular mail to the address listed in the application.

There were a lot of visa exempt people who were "waived" PPR, and those people were usually those whose passport copies submitted upfront didn't suggest there could be changes during processing (ie: men, women who have already changed their name, passport validity date, etc) and had already paid the RRPF.

The new part is including the Annex A and the prepaid envelope now.
Well it is definitely more paperwork as I am sure most of us sent that in as it was requested with the original application. The Annex is new and maybe it's a way to ensure it's going to the correct address, in case you moved and your new address hadnt uploaded quick enough. Save them some grief getting it right the first time as some applications are over 6 months old and people do move or are on an extended visit with their spouse. Just grasping at straws here lol! I don't think anyone will ever figure out the reasoning behind half of what they do! :'(
 

Joyce_tosf

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Aug 12, 2015
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App. Filed.......
15-08-2016
Doc's Request.
09-12-2016 (Provided 17-12-2016)
AOR Received.
08-09-2016
File Transfer...
15-09-2016
Med's Done....
Upfront (PASSED)
Passport Req..
21-02-2017
VISA ISSUED...
08-03-2017
Landagirl said:
Well it is definitely more paperwork as I am sure most of us sent that in as it was requested with the original application. The Annex is new and maybe it's a way to ensure it's going to the correct address, in case you moved and your new address hadnt uploaded quick enough. Save them some grief getting it right the first time as some applications are over 6 months old and people do move or are on an extended visit with their spouse. Just grasping at straws here lol! I don't think anyone will ever figure out the reasoning behind half of what they do! :'(
If the Annex A is a way of verifying the address then I'm hesitant in putting down my own address in Canada instead of my husband's in the US. I wanted to ensure that his COPR will be delivered safely and I can guarantee that if it's sent to me in Canada. Does anyone have any experience in putting down an address on their Annex A form that did not match their address listed on their application package?
 

Landagirl

Star Member
Feb 1, 2016
192
9
Visa Office......
Ottawa
App. Filed.......
26-09-2016
AOR Received.
20/10/2016
File Transfer...
25/10/2016
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
Passed 19/01/2017
Passport Req..
23/01/2017
VISA ISSUED...
08/02/2017
LANDED..........
02/06/2017
Joyce_tosf said:
If the Annex A is a way of verifying the address then I'm hesitant in putting down my own address in Canada instead of my husband's in the US. I wanted to ensure that his COPR will be delivered safely and I can guarantee that if it's sent to me in Canada. Does anyone have any experience in putting down an address on their Annex A form that did not match their address listed on their application package?
I used my address here in Canada, he is still in Texas. It was easier this way. I guess I will find out if I get back an empty envelope. They just received it on Friday.