Passport request

[CanKazakinChina]

We submitted to Missisauga Dec 22nd. I heard nothing until yesterday Feb 8th, when my wife (applicant) got an email from the Beijing processing office requesting the passports for her and her/our daughter.
My question to the forum - why so early in the process to ask for the passports? Is it encouraging of an early decision? (We have been married and documented cohabitating for 6 years, producing 2 more children together so I do not expect that it is a tough decision.)

How long do they keep the passports for?
Thank you
Kind regards

 

[Pharoh]

I believe they keep the passport until they stamp the visa on it. Some of the visa offices request the passport in the beginning, it just depends on the office/region. The main office in Buffalo, USA requests the passport at the very end of the process, as does London, UK, I believe.

Beijing has a very fast turnaround, from what I can tell. I believe most people get PR in a couple of months. You shouldn't have to be without your passport for too terribly long.

 

[RobsLuv]

Beijing does have a very fast timeline - only 4 months to process spousal aps, so it's possible this is the passport request to get her visa. What did the letter say? Normally it says something to the effect that processing of the application for permanent residence has been completed. If it says that, and they've requested passports, it's an approval. They wouldn't request the passports after completing processing if it was a refusal.

 

[CharlieD10]

Beijing is one of the offices that requests the passport before processing is completed (ie decision made to approve PR). Usually the letter says something like "This request does not mean that a decision has been reached on your application".

New Delhi also requests early in the process, as does Islamabad.

As stated before, however, Beijing has a fast turnaround time on spousal applications, so you should not be without your passports for an extraordinarily long time.

 

[CanKazakinChina]

Beijing does have a very fast timeline - only 4 months to process spousal aps, so it's possible this is the passport request to get her visa. What did the letter say? Normally it says something to the effect that processing of the application for permanent residence has been completed. If it says that, and they've requested passports, it's an approval. They wouldn't request the passports after completing processing if it was a refusal.

Yes it does say it is in queue for processing. No decision has been made. I guess it is like CharlieD10 says - they must just be requesting it early.

Thanks to all for the replies