Section 32: Medical Surveillance 2.02

[theguv]

BEFORE YOU READ THIS BEAR IN MIND THAT THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, I AM NOT A LAWYER, I AM NOT AN IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT SO PLEASE DON'T BOTHER ASKING ME TO PM YOU OR ASKING ME FOR LEGAL ADVICE: I WILL NOT ANSWER BECAUSE I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO. THIS IS WHAT I HAVE FOUND AND MY ASSESSMENT OF WHAT IT MEANS.

Howdy. I landed as a Permenant Resident on Sunday October 23rd, 2022. I'm literally in Canada for 5 days; land and get PR and see my brother, then fly home, work/save and rid myself of stuff...

In the landing process the border agent highligthed the Section 32 Medical Surveillance 2.02 part of my COPR document. Now, I've passed 2 medicals here in the UK, one of which included a 3 part TB sputum test which came back negative and a consult with a chest specialist who said that what he saw wasn't troubling him and gave me the all clear.

The border agent gave me a form and told me I had to get a medical done as a follow up to make sure that I didn't have latent/asymptomatic TB.

This was unexpected and I was pulling my hair out panicking about whether I'd need to have yet another medical while I was over here and how that would impact my PR then I did what I always do: I researched the issue and think I've found a solution.

This is the link/page in question on the IRCC's website about medical surveillance: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/medical-exams/medical-surveillance.html#tuberculosis

About a third of the way down this page is this littel gem:

"If you were given a document at the port of entry telling you to report to your provincial or territorial public health authority in Canada within 7 or 30 days after arriving in Canada, you can disregard it. You only need to provide IRCC with your contact information when you have a home address and phone number in Canada."

Now, as mentioned in block capitals at the head of this post I AM NOT A LAWYER, I am just like you, going through the process as best I can but I believe this means if you're in a similar position to me, ie: soft landing with COPR on a brief visit to activate, staying in a hotel or AirBnb and then returning home, you can do as this passage says and disregard the form. It may be a formality but not directly applicable if you're not settling on this visit and have no long term address (I'm in BC at the moment but will be moving to ON so it would make no sense to get a medical in BC...).

Remember, I AM NOT A LAWYER so do not take this as legal advice; it is just my read of the situation based on the information provided the Canadian government's own website. If you're in any doubt consult a lawyer or immigration consultant yourself (which is NOT me).

All this being said and all caveats being included herein I still expect to see reply after reply along the lines of "Hello sir, I am so and so from such and such and am having the same situation. please advice..."

I won't because I'm not qualified to so don't ask . However, I hope this is right, makes sense and can help people. If I'm wrong then please do let me know as it definitely pertains to my own current situation and the more you know the more you can get right!

 

[theguv]

I was right. I messaged IRCC about the medical surveillance requirement and they've just got back to me with the following:

Good Day,

In order to initiate the medical surveillance process, it is important that you kindly provide your address and telephone number where you can be reached in Canada. This information will allow us to notify the appropriate provincial, territorial or local public health office and allow them to follow-up with you.

Once you know the address of where you will be residing permanently in Canada, please reply to this e-mail.

A copy of this correspondence will be included in your file.

We thank you for your cooperation.

So if you're here on a short visit to land, see a few sights or visit family etc before heading home to wrap up life and get ready to move permanently and you get a form from the border guard about medical surveillance, as the IRCC website says, you can essentially ignore it until such time as you have a permanent address in Canada in the province where you'll be living.

For your protection in doing this I would recommend that you email IRCC.MHBSurveillance-SurveillanceDGMS.IRCC@cic.gc.ca so that they are aware of your immediate situation as a "soft lander" and can, as they've done here with me, make a note on your file to show that you've contacted them and have every intention of complying but right now you're on a brief visit and have no permanent address with which to comply.

All of this is correct as I understand it as of October 26th 2022. Things change so make sure you stay up to date on legislation and rule tweaks so you don't get caught out. Your case, your situation is YOUR responsibility.

Hope this helps anyone in the same situation and worrying about the Section 32 Medical Surveillance 2.02 part on their COPR or visa.

 

[Ansionuk]

hi, did you provide any address in Canada to the border services? If not, how will you get your pr card? Or r u getting the card when the permanent move happens?

 

[theguv]

hi, did you provide any address in Canada to the border services? If not, how will you get your pr card? Or r u getting the card when the permanent move happens?

Yes, provided the address of my ex sister in law. They'll send it on to her and she'll courier it over to me here in the UK.

 

[Ansionuk]

Yes, provided the address of my ex sister in law. They'll send it on to her and she'll courier it over to me here in the UK.

Cheers Mate! have a good one