waitingintz said:
From reading various postings on the forum I'm getting the impression that some visa offices are in the practice of requesting passports quite early while others seem to wait until later in the process (until final approval is given).
Anyone have any information on this? When the passport is requested, does that mean definitively that the application is approved without need for any further documentation and it's just the 4-6 week wait for the visa left?
Also, once the passport is requested, is there a time limitation on when it must be submitted? I know we have until the medical or passport expire to enter Canada so if we are approved and still have a few months, can we delay submitting the passport? We're planning some travels before heading to Canada so I'm a little worried our plans will get messed up by an untimely passport request.
yes, I believe that the timing of the PPR depends on the visa office. for some VOs, the PPR is sent at the beginning of the process. At others, the PPR is not sent until after the background checks etc. are completed and the application is approved. I'm not sure why it is done that way - perhaps in some countries they don't want you to leave the country while a background check is in process??
I believe the time given to send in a passport, is also dependent on a number of factors, such as the VOs standards and the amount of time remaining before the medical expires. The VO issuing the PPR will state the timeframe clearly in the instructions. If the passport is not received by whatever deadline is stated in the PPR letter, the PR application may be forfeit.
If you are planning to travel while your application is in process, it's important to make sure you have a way of forwarding your mail and email or having it checked by someone who will inform you of instructions coming from CIC, no matter when you travel during the process. I mean, I don't know what your travel plans entail, but I would hate to see your application denied because you were given 90 days to provide further information about your application, and you didn't receive the request in time to comply. In terms of the passport request mucking with travel plans, I guess you will have to decide whether you can be flexible about your travel plans in the event of a PPR. I personally wouldn't want to throw away my progress in an application for a vacation, no matter how amazing.
