An inland CEC applicant took a job abroad mid-processing; IRCC then emailed that the PR was about to be finalized and asked them to confirm presence in Canada — but their TRV had expired, so they couldn't simply fly back. The thread maps what actually happens:
- Reply honestly that you're outside Canada. The consistent advice: respond to the email stating you're abroad, when you plan to return, and (if applicable) details of your accompanying spouse. The confirmation email exists precisely so IRCC can pick the right finalization route.
- The two finalization routes: if you're in Canada, you get the portal process and an eCOPR; if you're outside, IRCC is supposed to issue a passport request — a counterfoil visa plus COPR so you can enter and land. As one member summarized: the email decides 'whether they need to issue your eCOPR if you are in Canada, or give you visa and COPR to enter Canada.'
- Expect the system to misfire — and follow up by phone. Both the asker and another member's friend replied that they were abroad and still received PR-portal login credentials (the inland route). The group's remedy: call IRCC directly to have the file steered to the outland process rather than completing an inland portal declaration that would be untrue.
- Don't declare you're in Canada when you're not. The portal flow asks you to confirm presence in Canada; a false declaration on a PR finalization is a serious misrepresentation risk. Slower-but-honest wins here.
The thread ends unresolved on timing, so treat this as the group's collective procedure, not an official guarantee.