Hi, I’d like to ask how risky it would be to switch my landing process from inland to outland, or is that even possible? I may need to return to my home country for about 3–4 months due to family matters. And I could receive my FD during this period. Could you please share your insight on this? @Miss bee When I receive my Portal 1 email, do I have to stay inland the entire time until I get my PR card?
I applied for my PR through BCPNP-IPG on August 20, 2024, and I haven’t yet received my Final Decision, P1, or P2.
Based on the August 2024 Google sheet timeline, I’ve seen that IRCC has already sent FD and P1 to applicants from August 16–19, so I feel I’m very close. However, there has not been much progress for the past 3 months. It looks like IRCC now issues FDs only at the beginning of each month. Last month, they stopped after two weeks, and this month, they stopped after just two days. I assume this might be due to limited PR quotas remaining for the year, and that they’re controlling the pace of approvals.
Therefore, I am thinking of going back now, rather than waiting until I receive my PR card, which could take so many more months..
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...DQxvmQMQtH1U/edit?gid=225830879#gid=225830879
1 Switching Inland to Outland
- Once you’ve applied under the inland stream, you can’t simply “convert” your application to outland. IRCC processes it based on how you applied.
- However, you’re not required to physically stay in Canada for the entire processing. Many inland applicants do temporarily travel abroad during the final stages — but there are some risks (see below).
- Portal 1 email is an invitation to declare that you’re in Canada and ready to land virtually.
- If you are outside Canada when you get P1, you can’t honestly confirm presence, since IRCC asks you to declare that you’re physically in Canada.
- If you’re abroad, your file might get delayed, or IRCC might instead send you the “outland landing” option (i.e., asking you to submit passport photos for a visa counterfoil and then do a landing at the border/airport). This can take longer
3. PR Card
- After you complete Portal 2 (P2) and submit your address/photo, IRCC issues your eCOPR — this is the actual PR confirmation.
- Once you have the eCOPR, you’re officially a PR, even without the physical PR card.
- The PR card is mainly needed for re-entry to Canada on a commercial flight. If you must return before you receive it, you’d need either:
- a PR Travel Document (PRTD) from a Canadian visa office abroad, or
- travel to the U.S. and enter Canada by land with your eCOPR
If you leave before P1, and IRCC sends you P1 while you’re abroad → you can’t complete the virtual landing until you return, unless they switch you to outland landing (which adds processing time).
- If you leave after eCOPR but before PR card, you will have to deal with PRTD or U.S. land-entry workaround to return.
- Processing slowdowns (like the “monthly batches” you’ve noticed) may be quota-related, and it’s true that the timing is unpredictable. But since you’re so close (August 20 applicant, with mid-August peers already getting FD), your P1 could realistically arrive anytime in the next 1–6 weeks.
Summary
You can leave Canada, but it adds risks:
- Before P1: could delay your landing if IRCC issues it while you’re away.
- After eCOPR but before PR card: you’d need a PRTD or U.S. land entry to return.
- If family matters are urgent, leaving is possible — just be prepared for the extra hassle.
- If you can wait until you at least get eCOPR, that’s the safest point to leave.