Greetings.
I just checked my account and it says. A final decision has been made. Your application has been approved. I haven't yet received my passport, but I'm hoping that this update marks the end of my application, and that I should get a Visa.
So for reference to all the newcomers on to this forum, I applied online on April 9 , 2017 from India. Got a PPR on May 14. So it took 24 working days to get a PPR. When I checked the processing time on April 9, it was 18 working days, and on May 8 , it was 22 working days. So it can be quite assured that an average application would take somewhere around the given processing time. I've seen many others on this forum who got it on time. However , there are many others whose application is taking well beyond the given processing time .I think the experts on this forum will have a better idea about their application.
Quick tips from a 20 year old applicant. I reiterate,
I'm no expert, but this is what I've noticed.
1) Make sure your application shows strong ties to India. Your main objective is to convince the officers that you'll be leaving Canada at the end of your stay. There's an optional document called letter of explanation. You should definitely provide this letter as it gives you a chance to explain why you're visiting Canada, and why you have to come back to India.
2) I think the documents submitted in Proof of Means carries a lot of weight. Showing that you are very stable financially adds strength to your application
3) There is small box in the application " Funds available for my stay ". I think a sufficient amount of Canadian dollars should be entered here, which should be backed up by proof of means. You don't want them to think you don't have any money when you're in Canada.
4) Calling/emailing/ fax won't really help. All you'll be getting are standard replies. The embassy will have too many applications, and I think unless it's a medical emergency, they will refuse to expedite your application. You can try filling a web form(CSE) after the given processing time. I didn't do it, so i don't have any knowledge there. In the end, it's a waiting game.
5) Don't book your flight tickets unless you have a Visa in hand. I made this mistake and many others did as well. You might lose a lot of money in postponing/cancelling. It also makes the wait for the visa a little easier knowing you don't have money on the line.
6) Finally have faith. It's a nerve wrecking , arduous wait.There will be people who have applied after you would have gotten their Visa. But that doesn't mean that you won't get your visa. Lot of times, the processing isn't done in chronological order.(background checks, additional documents to be verified, US visa holder , many such reasons). Keep waiting, your application will be checked at some point.
I want to thank everyone on this forum for sharing information about their application. This forum helped a lot. Special thanks to Bryanna, the expert without whom most of us would have been lost. Good luck everyone ! I'm sure you'll get your visa soon
