Canada Visa

Here's my experience with the visa process. I will try to be as detailed as possible. I applied my visa from Boulder, CO. All the times given below is on MST. I need to travel to Canada between 2/10 and 2/14 for work purpose. I had literally no hopes of getting my visa on time because I had only 2 weeks time between the time of applying and my actual travel date.

Applying for TRV Visa
1) The Canadian visa website was really annoying because of some login loop issues. I was able to get around it by switching between incognito and normal window on chrome.
2) Some of the forms were really difficult to fill like the imm5257e because the contents would get invalidated each time I would click on the Validate button at the bottom of the file. The solution is to choose the right pdf editor (I used the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader DC). Also, remember to double check that you have the barcode on the pdf file before uploading the document. Some of the pdf editors have difficulty saving the completed forms and I realized that occasionally the forms would get saved without the barcode.
3) For the visa, I had to submit my imm5257e, imm5645e, Invitation Letter, photograph for Visa (digital photo required), Airline/Hotel reservation, Passport and photocopy of all the prior visas on the passport.
4) Completed and submitted my documents online on 01/23/20 evening.

01/23/20: Email from [email protected] once you submit the application.

01/24/20: Received an email notifying Submission confirmation.

01/24/20: At around 10PM, I received an email from [email protected] notifying me of a new message. Received a Biometrics Collection Letter. Expect this letter within 24 hrs after applying.

I looked into booking biometrics appointment but unfortunately all the appointments were 2 weeks away. Seems like all the ASCs throughout US only offer appointment 2 weeks away. Only VAC's had immediate appointment but that meant that I would have to travel to LA/NYC for biometrics. I decided to book the appointment on 2/10 at the nearest ASC in Denver and try my luck with walk in.

01/27/20: Went to ASC Denver and told them that I don't have my appointment until the 10th of FEB. Without asking any questions the admin was nice to allow me in for Biometrics. Also, there was no crowd at the Application center in Denver. I strongly advise people to try walk in if you're in a hurry to get biometrics.

The website was immediately updated indicating that the biometrics was completed.

01/31/20 3:01PM(Fri): Received email from [email protected] indicating a new message. I was hoping it to be my passport request letter. But on logging in found that I had received a correspondence letter indicating the validity of my Biometrics.

01/31/20 3:24PM(Fri): Received Original Passport Request letter. I was so excited and immediately I grabbed all the required documents (basically passport, original passport request letter, money order of $20.40, 2 copies of letter of consent for the VFS) and sent it through priority shipping on Sat at 1:30PM by USPS (way cheaper than UPS). The documents were supposed to be delivered on the 02/03/20 (Mon) before 3PM.

Btw, I was unsure if I had to fill the Biometrics sheet in the letter if

02/03/20: Documents reached the VFS office in Los Angeles by around 12 PM. I started receiving a series of emails from VFS global indicating the status.

02/03/20 5:00PM: Visa application, tracking ID No. [ YYYY X] has been dispatched to the IRCC Office.

02/04/20 10:37AM: Visa application, tracking ID No. [ YYYY X] is under process at the IRCC Office.

02/04/20 3:57PM: Visa application, tracking ID No. [ YYYY X] – Your processed decision envelope has been dispatched from the IRCC Office

02/04/20 5:11PM: The decision envelope for your application, tracking ID No. [ YYYY X] has been received from the IRCC Office

02/05/20 10:07AM: Visa application, tracking ID No. [ YYYY X] – Decision envelope has been couriered

02/05/20 2:31PM: Received an email from [email protected] indicating "Your application status has changes." I think this just indicates that the application processing is complete and the visa is issued.

02/05/20 9:09PM: USPS return shipping label got activated at 9:09PM. Received a notification saying "Your item arrived at our USPS facility in LOS ANGELES CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER on February 5, 2020 at 9:09 pm. The item is currently in transit to the destination."

02/06/20: Still no activity on my USPS shipping tracker. I hope USPS doesn't screw it up. I have my travel planned for this Saturday. Starting to get nervous now.

In total, I think it takes around 9-10 working days minimum to get your Visa processed from the day of submission. Kudos to IRCC and VFS to process my application quickly.