Why was my friend's COE application pre-approved only after uploading flight information?

The inquiry discusses the experience of a person whose friend was instructed to upload flight information before their Certificate of Entry (COE) application was pre-approved, raising questions about the timing and policies behind this request. Comments suggest that applying for a COE too early—particularly for travel scheduled in October—can lead to complications. It is recommended to submit COE applications 1-2 months prior to travel, as policies may change, and COEs are more effective when closely tied to specific flight details.