A new PR asked whether their understanding was right: after eCoPR, IRCC automatically starts printing and mailing the first PR card, and the portal 'application' you create is only for tracking. Members confirmed — and added the fix for the common linking error.
- The first PR card is automatic. After eCoPR (and providing your photo/address through the landing process), IRCC initiates the first card itself. You do not apply for it.
- Tracking is opt-in via GCKey. To watch its status, open your GCKey-linked account and use the section labeled 'Start a new PR card application' on the portal — despite the name, in this flow it creates the trackable record you then link to your file.
- The 'we couldn't find your application' error. One member hit exactly this when linking. The fix that was offered: make sure every field matches your eCoPR precisely — in particular, enter the country exactly as given in your eCoPR. Mismatched details are the usual cause of the linking failure; retry after correcting them.
- Don't panic at linking failures. They're common, cosmetic, and don't affect the card actually being printed and mailed.
Practical takeaway: after eCoPR your card is already on its way; linking in the portal is purely for visibility, and when linking fails, the country/detail mismatch with the eCoPR is the first thing to check.