A CEC (inland) couple received the PR confirmation email — the one asking for details so IRCC can open the PR portal, where applicants declare they are physically in Canada and upload photos for the PR card. Problem: they were on vacation in India, not returning until February, and the email demanded a response within 7 days. Confirming through the portal would also end their existing work-permit status, complicating re-entry. The thread's answer was unusually crisp:
- Never falsely declare you're in Canada. The top reply left no room: you clearly cannot lie and confirm presence in Canada while abroad. The portal declaration is a formal statement to IRCC; misrepresenting it risks the whole grant.
- Reply within the deadline — truthfully. The simple solution members gave: respond to the email within the 7 days, stating you are currently outside Canada and returning in February, and that you'll update them once back.
- The application is held, not harmed. To the couple's fear that honesty would damage the application: members confirmed IRCC simply puts the file on hold until the applicant returns, then proceeds with the portal confirmation. Replying truthfully costs time, not the PR.
- The status-termination logic explains the caution. Confirming in the portal converts you to a permanent resident and ends the old work-permit status — doing that while abroad without a PR card would leave you with no clean way to board a flight back. Waiting until you're physically in Canada keeps both status and travel tidy.
Takeaway: the 7-day deadline is for a response, not for being in Canada. Answer honestly, get the file held, and complete the portal step after you land.