HOW I BECAME A PERMANENT RESIDENT OF CANADA | Chapter 2: The Year 2022

Song #11 on The Playlist has been playing in my room and in my ears every day since I got my offer letter from Accenture last week, on January 19^th. Today, it is playing in my ears as I walk aimlessly around the neighborhood. I am still proud of myself; not just for getting the job, but for holding on and pushing through challenges. My internship at Siemens didn’t end up getting extended because things changed in the company (and in my personal life) since last October, so the internship will end next month, as mentioned in my contract. That’s not an issue, especially now that I got a job at Accenture. Plus, I will use this new offer for a full-time permanent role to strengthen my PR application.

Speaking of which… it is now the end of the month, and I haven’t heard from IRCC since last year on November 5^th at 9:56 p.m. I am not expecting a final decision; just the AOR they said I’d receive once my application was ready to be processed. Not a big deal, would just be nice to have an update since it has now been almost three months.

My PGWP application has also been pending since last October, but my study permit, visa, social insurance number (SIN), and work authorization document all expire next month on February 20^th. I know I am legally authorized to remain and work in Canada until a decision has been made on that application, but still… I don’t like having out-of-date documents or being left in the dark. Plus, an expired SIN prevents me from filing taxes and getting a much-needed refund.

Five days before my documents expire, I still haven’t heard anything on either application and decide to fill out an IRCC web form inquiry to check on the status of both. I explain the situation and share that I will be starting a new job next month, for which I will need a valid SIN. In my experience, the average response time to these inquiries has been around three months, but I submit the form anyway.

On March 22^nd, the day after my initial start date at Accenture, I finally receive the AOR from IRCC confirming that I applied for PR on November 5^th, 2021, and that processing will now begin. At 11:05 p.m., I log into my IRCC account to link my PR application using the application number on the AOR email attachment. A linking confirmation comes eight minutes later via email. Now, I will be able to check the status of this application and receive updates directly in my IRCC account.

***

I know they’ll take another two to three months to respond, but at least now they know. I think to myself as I click the submit button on another web form, sitting at my desk in my new apartment. Today is Friday, April 29^th; I just moved again, so I need to update my address on my PR application. I also started my new job at Accenture on Monday. While I was looking for a new place, I requested an employment verification letter to help with rental applications. This is the letter I upload together with my contract and new address before submitting the form.

My estimates are correct and IRCC responds two months later in July, confirming that the information has been added to my file. Then nothing.

From what I’ve read on forums, some of the people who applied for PR through the temporary policy have already become permanent residents. Many obviously applied before the deadline, but some said it took 6 to 8 months to get their PR. I am not sure what stream they applied under, but wow… 6 months?! I briefly wonder why my application is taking so long, then decide not to worry about it. My PGWP arrived in the mail in March and was issued for three years. I was also able to extend my SIN and get a new visa, so whether my PR application is approved or not, I am good for at least the next two and a half years. But like… would be nice to get that PR though.

***

The project I am currently staffed on at Accenture is coming to an end and I am preparing to start a second one next month in October. Because the client this time will be a Crown corporation (company owned by the government of Canada), I need to get security clearance. This consists of a thorough background check with the government and is more elaborate than a regular employment background check.

Not sure if these two events are related, but as I move through the security clearance process, I get an email from IRCC. The email comes on Tuesday, September 6^th, but I only open it two days later because I think it’s just another delayed response to one of my web form submissions. And yet the subject should have cued me otherwise. It reads “IRCC Permanent Residence Confirmation Portal.”

When I open the email, I still think this is just a generic message about the portal, maybe to confirm again that they have my information. It’s only when I open the attachment that I understand. My heart is now racing, and a confused frown creases my forehead. Wait, what?! I internally exclaim, reading the first two sentences on the attached file.

Your application for permanent residence has been approved. The final step in processing your application is to confirm your permanent residence and create your permanent resident card. You’ll complete this process through the Permanent Resident Portal (PR Confirmation).

“Oh my God!” The words are now coming out of my mouth. “How did I not see this?!” I check the date on the email again. It’s September 6^th, just like two minutes ago. I re-read the subject line and the email content, confirming that I definitely did not understand any of the words that were written. Finally, I leap out of my chair in excitement. “I am going to be a permanent resident!” My brain has just processed the information. “Oh my God, thank You so much!” When I calm down, I write and send the additional information required to get the invitation to create yet another account on a portal; this time, it is the PR confirmation portal. It is 7:21 p.m. when I send the email.

The invitation comes the next day at 3:54 p.m. and when I read the subject line, I know what it is. The email contains the credentials I need to create the account on the portal. Within seven days, I will also need to confirm that I am currently in Canada, provide my mailing address (again), and submit a photo for my card. I can take the picture myself, as long as it meets certain criteria that most phones already meet. I have a hair appointment next Wednesday, September 14^th, so I decide to wait until my hair is done to take my picture. In the meantime, I create the portal tonight and confirm my address.

***

Back from my hair appointment, it is a photoshoot session at my apartment, trying to get the perfect picture for my PR card. For once, I get to decide how I look on a piece of ID: I take that very seriously. I work from home and since my current project is almost over, my workload is reduced. So, I spend the rest of the afternoon applying light makeup, fixing my already done hair, setting up my phone on a tripod at different angles, trying to catch the remaining afternoon sunlight pouring through the tall windows, and smiling at the camera until I get it just right.

I pick one picture out of fifty-four. Yup, that’s a pretty good ratio. Before removing my makeup, I log into the PR confirmation portal to upload my photo. I crop it according to required dimensions and… that’s it! Everything is good to go. I hit “submit” then rest my back on the chair. I can’t stop smiling. I am so grateful.

***

I check my mailbox the following week, then two weeks later to see if my card is there. It is not. I mean… they told me to send my information within seven days so I thought they would return the favor?! I also know I tend to slightly obsess over things I am excited about, so I decide to let it go again. It’ll come when it’ll come. At least now I know it’s confirmed. But at the same time, I expect it by next month. But no big deal if it comes later. Would just be nice. I don’t share the news with anyone yet; I’ll wait until I have the card to tell people.

A month later, in November, the card has still not arrived. At this point, I don’t even want to receive it this year because it is coming to an end. I’d rather the card be issued early next year so I have that full year of validity.

By December, no card either. I am now crossing my fingers that it doesn’t come before next year.