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The Outland Sponsorship Process

JoshC

Hero Member
Nov 3, 2018
830
1,235
Canada
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Mississauga, ON
App. Filed.......
21-11-2018
AOR Received.
29-01-2019
File Transfer...
27-02-2019
Med's Request
19-02-2019
Med's Done....
25-02-2019
Passport Req..
14-05-2019
VISA ISSUED...
30-05-2019
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

Creating a GCKEY account
Sponsorship Approval
CIC sends requests
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

Hero Member
Jun 24, 2014
761
45
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

Creating a GCKEY account
Sponsorship Approval
CIC sends requests
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.
 
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Reactions: jb7 and Jsscwgn

cass59

Star Member
May 26, 2019
109
31
thank you so much for this! i will use this in the future when things get moving in my application :)
 

Mokrbi

Full Member
Sep 17, 2019
35
24
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
 
Jul 5, 2019
18
7
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
 
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Reactions: Loki_brar

Maes

Hero Member
Nov 7, 2019
253
77
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

Newbie
May 8, 2019
9
0
do you get the medical request and biometrics request on the GCkey only or do you also get it by the applicant email.
 

JoshC

Hero Member
Nov 3, 2018
830
1,235
Canada
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Mississauga, ON
App. Filed.......
21-11-2018
AOR Received.
29-01-2019
File Transfer...
27-02-2019
Med's Request
19-02-2019
Med's Done....
25-02-2019
Passport Req..
14-05-2019
VISA ISSUED...
30-05-2019
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

Hero Member
Aug 4, 2019
218
59
Alberta, Canada
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
New York
NOC Code......
3213
App. Filed.......
24-05-2019
AOR Received.
13-07-2019
File Transfer...
08-08-2019
Med's Request
16-07-2019
Med's Done....
23-07-2019
Passport Req..
26-10-2020
VISA ISSUED...
23-11-2020
LANDED..........
06-12-2020
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.
 
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Reactions: theafjioman

lanka1204

Star Member
Sep 16, 2019
147
14
Category........
CEC
Visa Office......
London visa office
App. Filed.......
09-08-2019
Doc's Request.
13-01-2020 Military service
AOR Received.
21-10-2019
Med's Request
18-10-2019
Med's Done....
29-10-2019
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

Hero Member
Aug 4, 2019
218
59
Alberta, Canada
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
New York
NOC Code......
3213
App. Filed.......
24-05-2019
AOR Received.
13-07-2019
File Transfer...
08-08-2019
Med's Request
16-07-2019
Med's Done....
23-07-2019
Passport Req..
26-10-2020
VISA ISSUED...
23-11-2020
LANDED..........
06-12-2020
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

Star Member
Sep 16, 2019
147
14
Category........
CEC
Visa Office......
London visa office
App. Filed.......
09-08-2019
Doc's Request.
13-01-2020 Military service
AOR Received.
21-10-2019
Med's Request
18-10-2019
Med's Done....
29-10-2019
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

Hero Member
Aug 4, 2019
218
59
Alberta, Canada
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
New York
NOC Code......
3213
App. Filed.......
24-05-2019
AOR Received.
13-07-2019
File Transfer...
08-08-2019
Med's Request
16-07-2019
Med's Done....
23-07-2019
Passport Req..
26-10-2020
VISA ISSUED...
23-11-2020
LANDED..........
06-12-2020
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

Star Member
Sep 16, 2019
147
14
Category........
CEC
Visa Office......
London visa office
App. Filed.......
09-08-2019
Doc's Request.
13-01-2020 Military service
AOR Received.
21-10-2019
Med's Request
18-10-2019
Med's Done....
29-10-2019
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

Star Member
Jan 21, 2018
177
116
Toronto
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Bogota
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??