Landing with new Passport?

[JasleenK]

Hello,

My parents got their PR last year and were supposed to land in Jan, 2025. However, my father had an accident and they were not able to travel. Now, they are planning to travel May 1st week and his passport was valid for less than 6 months so he got it renewed. Can he travel with both the passports or the visa needs to be transferred to new passport? I am getting mixed answers. IRCC call center agent said yes he can travel, whereas New Delhi call center rep said no. I have tried raising webforms and sent e-mail to New Delhi office but no luck getting a response. It is very stressful as their COPR is expiring on May 10, 2025. Please advise?

 

[armoured]

https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1650&top=16

This IRCC page says yes.

However, you really, really need to confirm this with the airline in advance. It won't help you to have a webpage link if the airline doesn't let you board.

Now important question: is the old passport still valid ? Some countries will let you keep and use the old visa.

The "six month validity rule" is not supposed to apply to those with immigrant visas.

 

[JasleenK]

https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1650&top=16

This IRCC page says yes.

However, you really, really need to confirm this with the airline in advance. It won't help you to have a webpage link if the airline doesn't let you board.

Now important question: is the old passport still valid ? Some countries will let you keep and use the old visa.

The "six month validity rule" is not supposed to apply to those with immigrant visas.

Thank you for your reply! Found out the hard way about the 6 month rule for those with immigrant visas.
The old passport is stamped cancelled but any visa in it remains valid, so technically he can use the old and new passport together to travel. Thanks for pointing out to check with airlines. I will start there and see where it goes.
Any insights on what if in worst scenario things don't work out and COPR expires?

 

[armoured]

Found out the hard way about the 6 month rule for those with immigrant visas.

What do you mean?

Any insights on what if in worst scenario things don't work out and COPR expires?

You could contact IRCC/Delhi. I don't know if they'll do anything or be able to. Probably they would, issue a new one, possibly with an extension, but I can't promise that of course.

 

[JasleenK]

What do you mean?



You could contact IRCC/Delhi. I don't know if they'll do anything or be able to. Probably they would, issue a new one, possibly with an extension, but I can't promise that of course.

Not getting anywhere with them. Have send them so many emails/webforms but no reply!! It's just adding more stress

 

[armoured]

What do you mean when you say "Found out the hard way about the 6 month rule for those with immigrant visas"?

 

[JasleenK]

What do you mean when you say "Found out the hard way about the 6 month rule for those with immigrant visas"?

By hard way I mean all the stress and challenge to find the answers and possibly getting the visa transferred. Found out while checking for tickets that 6 month rule does not apply. Would have saved all the hassle

 

[armoured]

By hard way I mean all the stress and challenge to find the answers and possibly getting the visa transferred. Found out while checking for tickets that 6 month rule does not apply. Would have saved all the hassle

Ah, thanks. I'd misunderstood what you were implying. Yes, you should have checked before on that, but what's done is done - don't blame you on that.

In principle the airlines have a system where the airline desk checks/gets clearance from CBSA in advance - but how well this works at the airport and with presentation, I cannot say.

As inconvenient as it may be, my suggestion would be for them to depart as soon as possible BEFORE the May ecopr expiry date. And if they have an issue, then go back to IRCC/Delhi to ask for it to be replaced urgently. (I know this raises issues with ticket prices etc).

Or again inquire of the airline, with reference to what you have. I could guess that booking ticket with the passport # that corresponds to the visa and then presenting with the new passport might be better than the converse, but it's a guess.

Let others know how it goes.

 

[JasleenK]

Ah, thanks. I'd misunderstood what you were implying. Yes, you should have checked before on that, but what's done is done - don't blame you on that.

In principle the airlines have a system where the airline desk checks/gets clearance from CBSA in advance - but how well this works at the airport and with presentation, I cannot say.

As inconvenient as it may be, my suggestion would be for them to depart as soon as possible BEFORE the May ecopr expiry date. And if they have an issue, then go back to IRCC/Delhi to ask for it to be replaced urgently. (I know this raises issues with ticket prices etc).

Or again inquire of the airline, with reference to what you have. I could guess that booking ticket with the passport # that corresponds to the visa and then presenting with the new passport might be better than the converse, but it's a guess.

Let others know how it goes.

Thanks for explaining and suggesting possible options.

I am trying my best to do whatever possible - I have contacted CBSA -if they can advise on this situation. Also hoping if any of my webform gets a reply.
I have also e-mailed few airlines to see if they can provide any information. And lastly I tried booking appointment with VFS under Passport submission for Monday. Let's see if they will be able to accept the visa transfer application with all the documentation and fees paid.

Keeping fingers crossed! And I will post an update on how it goes.