An inland applicant received the "Portal 1" (P1) email and was confused that it contained no link — should they create a PR-portal account themselves? Members who had been through it were unanimous and specific:
- Just reply to the email with the requested information. Do nothing else — don't create an account, don't open links. IRCC creates the portal account for you after receiving your reply.
- The full inland sequence, as one member laid it out: IRCC sends the P1 email → you reply with the requested info → IRCC sends you portal credentials (P2 stage) → you log in and submit your photo (and address) → IRCC issues the eCOPR. Only when the eCOPR arrives are you a permanent resident.
- P1 means approval is effectively in hand — but not yet in effect. Members were careful on this nuance: at P1 the file is technically approved, but you are not a PR until the eCOPR is issued. Don't change status-dependent things (like leaving a job that anchors a work permit) on the strength of a P1 email.
- Security posture: two members stressed not opening any links or making changes anywhere else — the P1 stage is exactly where phishing lookalikes do damage, and the genuine process needs only an email reply.