When to book flights?

[annfoo241]

Hi,
I am an Australian citizen applying for common law partner visa from Australia. I got email for 'passport request' (just calling it that, even though australians just need to show photocopy) 3 days ago, which I submitted to VFS/VAC in sydney on the same day. VFS staff told me I would get COPR in 3 days - 3 months.

I'm wondering, does this mean it's safe to book my ticket to canada now to arrive in 3 months time? Is COPR pretty much assured at this point? I saw some threads referencing 'DM status (decision made). Mine is still at 'Final Decision: Your application is in progress. We will send you a message once the final decision has been made.' Should I wait for it to be updated to DM? Or does this not happen for everyone?

I asked VFS the same question and they responded "it's up to you. Note: time processing is 3 days to 3 months and all depends on the merit of your case. It can be more or less".

Am I right in thinking this timeframe should be fairly safe? As an australian, straightforward case, and the australian office seems to process quite quickly since theres not a huge amount to traffic to get through....

Also wondering, if it matters what port of entry you arrive at... will it specify on the COPR letter which port you have to use? Because, I want to fly directly into Toronoto as that is where we plan to live (that was my condition of moving to Canada, that he must move to a bigger city where I have work opportunities lol). BUT, in my application I wrote I indended to live in Edmonton, because that is where my partner lives currently, and I thought my application would look suspicious if I was applying to live in toronto when my partner currently lives in edmonton. So, does my port of entry city have to match my intended living city? or is the COPR letter a generic thing that doesn't specify what region you should be in?

Lastly, do I need to worry about getting a return fight? Will one way tickets be fine to get through immigration since I will have PR anyway?

Thanks all, this forum and the people on it have been a godsend in this fairly crappy process.

 

[Bs65]

Will only comment on the ticket, advice really is to not book anything until you have your COPR in hand no matter how keen you are to get to Canada.

Sure with a COPR you can book a one way ticket and in any case do not think you can fly direct to either Toronto or Edmonton from Australia so guessing that unless flying via a US connection your POE would probably be Vancouver to complete immigration landing.

 

[ashpash22]

Hi,
I am an Australian citizen applying for common law partner visa from Australia. I got email for 'passport request' (just calling it that, even though australians just need to show photocopy) 3 days ago, which I submitted to VFS/VAC in sydney on the same day. VFS staff told me I would get COPR in 3 days - 3 months.

I'm wondering, does this mean it's safe to book my ticket to canada now to arrive in 3 months time? Is COPR pretty much assured at this point? I saw some threads referencing 'DM status (decision made). Mine is still at 'Final Decision: Your application is in progress. We will send you a message once the final decision has been made.' Should I wait for it to be updated to DM? Or does this not happen for everyone?

I asked VFS the same question and they responded "it's up to you. Note: time processing is 3 days to 3 months and all depends on the merit of your case. It can be more or less".

Am I right in thinking this timeframe should be fairly safe? As an australian, straightforward case, and the australian office seems to process quite quickly since theres not a huge amount to traffic to get through....

Also wondering, if it matters what port of entry you arrive at... will it specify on the COPR letter which port you have to use? Because, I want to fly directly into Toronoto as that is where we plan to live (that was my condition of moving to Canada, that he must move to a bigger city where I have work opportunities lol). BUT, in my application I wrote I indended to live in Edmonton, because that is where my partner lives currently, and I thought my application would look suspicious if I was applying to live in toronto when my partner currently lives in edmonton. So, does my port of entry city have to match my intended living city? or is the COPR letter a generic thing that doesn't specify what region you should be in?

Lastly, do I need to worry about getting a return fight? Will one way tickets be fine to get through immigration since I will have PR anyway?

Thanks all, this forum and the people on it have been a godsend in this fairly crappy process.

We got our PPR from Sydney VO on June 22. From what I've read through the Sydney VO applicants thread, most people got theirs back in somewhere between 1-3 weeks so I think you'll be safe with 3 months.

Also check your ECAS as our GCKey log in page hasn't changed it's information either but ECAS says "Decision Made".

As far as I know, your port of entry does not matter, it's all generic entry to Canada. I can't see them turning you away at the airport for being in the wrong province.

Don't book a return flight. (unless you actually need to return)

 

[starnaenae]

I wouldnt book until you have the papers in your hand. Always air on the side of caution

 

[KBH]

You can get a return flight if that option is cheaper (which, surprisingly, sometimes it is) and just don't use the return. Otherwise, you don't need a return.

 

[annfoo241]

We got our PPR from Sydney VO on June 22. From what I've read through the Sydney VO applicants thread, most people got theirs back in somewhere between 1-3 weeks so I think you'll be safe with 3 months.

Also check your ECAS as our GCKey log in page hasn't changed it's information either but ECAS says "Decision Made".

As far as I know, your port of entry does not matter, it's all generic entry to Canada. I can't see them turning you away at the airport for being in the wrong province.

Don't book a return flight. (unless you actually need to return)

Thankyou for that! I actually had no idea I had an ECAS account in addition to GCKey. Just checked and it says Decision Made!

Thanks all for the replies. I'll sit tight a month, then reasses... at this point have been apart from partner for 8 months, so tempted to just go visit anyway, and maybe get the COPR mailed over....

 

[ashpash22]

Thankyou for that! I actually had no idea I had an ECAS account in addition to GCKey. Just checked and it says Decision Made!

Thanks all for the replies. I'll sit tight a month, then reasses... at this point have been apart from partner for 8 months, so tempted to just go visit anyway, and maybe get the COPR mailed over....

Not sure if you saw, someone from Mississauga had their PPR May 29 from Sydney VO and just got COPR July 2. So about a month wait.

 

[Hurlabrick]

Hi,
I am an Australian citizen applying for common law partner visa from Australia. I got email for 'passport request' (just calling it that, even though australians just need to show photocopy) 3 days ago, which I submitted to VFS/VAC in sydney on the same day. VFS staff told me I would get COPR in 3 days - 3 months.

I'm wondering, does this mean it's safe to book my ticket to canada now to arrive in 3 months time? Is COPR pretty much assured at this point? I saw some threads referencing 'DM status (decision made). Mine is still at 'Final Decision: Your application is in progress. We will send you a message once the final decision has been made.' Should I wait for it to be updated to DM? Or does this not happen for everyone?

I asked VFS the same question and they responded "it's up to you. Note: time processing is 3 days to 3 months and all depends on the merit of your case. It can be more or less".

Am I right in thinking this timeframe should be fairly safe? As an australian, straightforward case, and the australian office seems to process quite quickly since theres not a huge amount to traffic to get through....

Also wondering, if it matters what port of entry you arrive at... will it specify on the COPR letter which port you have to use? Because, I want to fly directly into Toronoto as that is where we plan to live (that was my condition of moving to Canada, that he must move to a bigger city where I have work opportunities lol). BUT, in my application I wrote I indended to live in Edmonton, because that is where my partner lives currently, and I thought my application would look suspicious if I was applying to live in toronto when my partner currently lives in edmonton. So, does my port of entry city have to match my intended living city? or is the COPR letter a generic thing that doesn't specify what region you should be in?

Lastly, do I need to worry about getting a return fight? Will one way tickets be fine to get through immigration since I will have PR anyway?

Thanks all, this forum and the people on it have been a godsend in this fairly crappy process.

As the others have said, don't book until you have your CoPR in your hand. Does not need to be a return, but as others have said, often return flights are actually cheaper than one way, so worth checking!

It does not matter one jot where you land in Canada, except to say that you must land and declare PR at the first Canadian port / airport you arrive at, as it will by definition be an international airport, they will have the required facilities there to handle your CoPR. Toronto is a good choice, if a bit of a 'zoo' as an airport!