HIV positive and worried about my chances of being selected

[ravi_singh]

@express2020 @Nibson2000 @Outworld
Hello guys, I read through this feed and found some interesting information. I am HIV +ve.
I wish to apply for a study visa, even though I haven't submitted the application yet, I went for my medical tests.
The first medical test was on 2nd July, followed by Hep B & C and TB test. I got all the results as negative. On the 4th of October, I was done with all the tests and checkups, which included an additional X-ray.
Now I still haven't heard from the immigration department about my medical status. How would they let me know of my medical status if I haven't submitted an application form for the Visa yet? Usually, I receive emails from them if they need any additional information or tests. How much longer would it take? what other things can I expect? It is a case of an emergency for me. I can't contact them through email or call.
any information on the topic would be highly appreciated.

 

[Outworld]

@express2020 @Nibson2000 @Outworld
Hello guys, I read through this feed and found some interesting information. I am HIV +ve.
I wish to apply for a study visa, even though I haven't submitted the application yet, I went for my medical tests.
The first medical test was on 2nd July, followed by Hep B & C and TB test. I got all the results as negative. On the 4th of October, I was done with all the tests and checkups, which included an additional X-ray.
Now I still haven't heard from the immigration department about my medical status. How would they let me know of my medical status if I haven't submitted an application form for the Visa yet? Usually, I receive emails from them if they need any additional information or tests. How much longer would it take? what other things can I expect? It is a case of an emergency for me. I can't contact them through email or call.
any information on the topic would be highly appreciated.

Hello
I am not quite sure about issuance of student visa to HIV positive people.
We were talking about Immigration visa.
Good luck

 

[Leletian]

@ravi_singh can we please contact each other by mail. I really need help. Im on the same situation. How did your visa go?
Please reply

 

[Allisc]

I am HIV Positive for the past three years (living in USA)... Continuously UD and CD4 constantly between 1100 > 1300

Once the new Triple-Threshold rule was introduced in April, I went and I applied for the Entry Draw in May (CRS score: 467) and recently got my medicals cleared (Medical Exam + Additional Medical Exam)

No "Medical Inadmissibility" letter was involved.

I was informed that i may have to just sign few forms like HIV Partner Notification, handout forms and form detailing When / Where to get care once I land

@Nibson2000 Please go ahead and apply if

1) if ur taking Drugs which lost the patent in Canada u are fine. I am on Atripla and it helped my case ( Generic manufactured by Mylan: 4000 CAD per year, even the Brand Ones are lesser than 10000 CAD). If u are not, switch to Atripla for 6 months before applying.

2) if ur VL is continuously Undetectable, Good C and has all the medical records ( here in the US, I waived off the confidentiality agreement with my Clinic to release the Doctor notes for the CIC -Additional medical exam Internal Medicine Specialist who requested it)

Best of Luck for your Application

P.S: People should not have an opinion on everything. Half-mentoring (even if the intention is morally right) is extremely dangerous.

Hi @express2020

This post is great. I am interested to know more about your timeframe - I am in a similar situation. I submitted by AOR was Oct 12th, my medical was actually completed on Aug 7th - I did in advance as I was traveling around the time of my ITA. I believe I am likely to get asked for an additional medical.

How long from AOR or medical submission was it until you were asked for Addition Medical Exam, how long after the additional medical exam did you wait for MEP and then how long did you wait for your PPR assuming you have got it? Appreciate any advice you can give.

Thanks!

 

[express2020]

@Allisc

What is the Status of your Medical exam in GCKey?

Around 1 month for Additional Exam request (just in case if you didn't get any message in your dashboard, call the medical center to ask if they have received any instructions for you to have additional tests. They can check via your IME/UCI but they won't contact you on their own as they don't get notifications as such. )

It was around 3.5 months from AOR to MEP

 

[Allisc]

Thanks @express2020 , appreciate your reply.

The status just shows as ‘we are reviewing the results of your medical exam’ I did call the medical center this morning where I got my tests done and there is nothing currently noted for additional testing, so I am hoping at this stage that is a good thing, unless my application is just being painfully slow. I have ordered my GCMS notes as well so hopefully they will show what’s going on.

 

[imagine]

Thanks @express2020 , appreciate your reply.

The status just shows as ‘we are reviewing the results of your medical exam’ I did call the medical center this morning where I got my tests done and there is nothing currently noted for additional testing, so I am hoping at this stage that is a good thing, unless my application is just being painfully slow. I have ordered my GCMS notes as well so hopefully they will show what’s going on.

@Allisc @express2020 @Nibson2000 @Outworld

I can't tell you the extent of relief that I have had after reading your posts. Reading about someone who has gotten Medicals Passed despite being HIV+ gives me courage and boosts my morale in terms of my application. I am HIV+ since 2015 and got undetectable within 6 months of detection. I have been on ARV and undetectable since then, with CD4 counts always >450. My Doctor during the Medicals said that my numbers and health status should not create a problem but the Immigration Authorities are going to check primarily from the point of view of load on their medical infrastructure.

My AOR is 2nd November and it is close to 2 months waiting to pass the Medicals. Am I being too anxious or should I take any steps or should I just wait? Not really sure. What has been average time for those who have passes Medicals and have been HIV+?
My medication is a generic form of Atripla (called Trustiva). I believe there are generic forms of Atripla available in Canada. Will this fall below the 19000 CAD limit outlined by CIC?

Do let me know.
TIA.

 

[express2020]

Yes, you are...It's very difficult not be anxious .....But, there is nothing you can do to speed up the Medical's process... All you have to do is Apply & Wait for the Golden "Medicals Passed" message in ur GCKey.Check with CIC Panel clinic where you gave your medicals every couple of weeks whether you got any additional tests. if asked do it asap

Average time varies....... These days everything moves @ a snail's pace and even for people without a medical history its nearly touching 6-month mark

Don't Worry...As you are on Gen.Atripla, you will definitely fall below the 19K CAD mark.

Yes, Generic-Atripla manufactured by Mylan is available in Canada Formularies

Best Wishes

 

[Allisc]

Yes, you are...It's very difficult not be anxious .....But, there is nothing you can do to speed up the Medical's process... All you have to do is Apply & Wait for the Golden "Medicals Passed" message in ur GCKey.Check with CIC Panel clinic where you gave your medicals every couple of weeks whether you got any additional tests. if asked do it asap

Average time varies....... These days everything moves @ a snail's pace and even for people without a medical history its nearly touching 6-month mark

Don't Worry...As you are on Gen.Atripla, you will definitely fall below the 19K CAD mark.

Yes, Generic-Atripla manufactured by Mylan is available in Canada Formularies

Best Wishes

Agree with @expressnewbie2020, not much we can do. I am still waiting for MEP and its now been over the 90 days since AOR. I emailed CIC last week and got the standard response that they are still reviewing the results - I also ordered my GCMS notes which I expect to receive this week so hopefully that will show up something. Its all definitely a game of patience at the moment but I do feel processing times have slowed down in general at the moment.

Out of interest what category

 

[imagine]

I am applying for Express Entry. Considering time taken at your end (90 days), I think I can only wait. But truly, the anxiety is inevitable.

 

[Allisc]

Just some further information from me as I reviewed my GCMS cases file notes earlier today..

My file is now with the Medical Inadmissibility Unit which makes the final assessment and decisions given the health status. My file was passed over to them at the end of November, which looks to be within normal timeframes, i.e. it was flagged within a month of AOR and then passed over. Most medicals at the moment are being passed within 30 days if no health conditions exist. I am unable to ascertain however how long the medical inadmissibility unit will take to review and make a decision - hopefully not much longer. I will post an update as soon as I hear anything.

I found this page as well on CIC website which details the entire process where medical conditions are flagged, which HIV I think automatically is:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/standard-requirements/medical-requirements/refusals-inadmissibility/excessive-demand-on-health-social-services.html

I would recommend you order your GCMS case notes which will take 30 days but at least you will be able to see what is going on with your file.

 

[legalfalcon]

On June 1, 2018, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), announced major positive changes to the excessive demand medical inadmissibility regime. Many people living with HIV are no longer medically inadmissible to Canada.

Currently under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, foreign nationals are medically inadmissible to immigrate to Canada if their health condition might reasonably be expected to cause an “excessive demand” on health or social services, or if their application to immigrate includes a family member in this situation. “Excessive demand” is defined in part by a cost threshold that results in many people living with HIV and other disabilities being considered medically inadmissible if they apply for temporary or permanent residence in Canada. Due to the high cost of antiretroviral medications, most people living with HIV were generally deemed medically inadmissible. There are exemptions for Convention refugees, protected persons and their accompanying spouses and dependent children, as well as spousal sponsorships and dependent children who are sponsored by their parents.

In April 2018, Ahmed Hussen, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship announced that changes would be made to the excessive demand rules. On June 1, 2018, IRCC announced a Temporary Public Policy Regarding Excessive Demand on Health and Social Services, that tripled the current cost threshold for excessive demand from $6,604 per year to $19,812 per year.

Under the Policy, officers can grant exemptions from excessive demand medical inadmissibility for temporary or permanent resident applications:

• that were received on or after April 16, 2018 or that were pending on this date; and
• where the cost of health and social services is less than $19,812 per year for the next five years.

The Policy means that people who are eligible for this exemption will no longer be medically inadmissible when they apply for temporary or permanent residence in Canada. Since many antiretroviral medications cost less than $19,812 per year, this Policy means that many people living with HIV will no longer be medically inadmissible.

Despite the new Policy, many people with disabilities, including some people living with HIV, will continue to be medically inadmissible (e.g., if their medication cost is more than $19,812 per year).

The medical assessment has to be done on a case by case basis.

 

[imagine]

Just some further information from me as I reviewed my GCMS cases file notes earlier today..

My file is now with the Medical Inadmissibility Unit which makes the final assessment and decisions given the health status. My file was passed over to them at the end of November, which looks to be within normal timeframes, i.e. it was flagged within a month of AOR and then passed over. Most medicals at the moment are being passed within 30 days if no health conditions exist. I am unable to ascertain however how long the medical inadmissibility unit will take to review and make a decision - hopefully not much longer. I will post an update as soon as I hear anything.

I found this page as well on CIC website which details the entire process where medical conditions are flagged, which HIV I think automatically is:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/standard-requirements/medical-requirements/refusals-inadmissibility/excessive-demand-on-health-social-services.html

I would recommend you order your GCMS case notes which will take 30 days but at least you will be able to see what is going on with your file.

I was thinking of ordering GCMS notes when I received a call today from the panel physiciansp office . The immigration authorities have requested additional tests for Hep B,C and updated viral load details. So once again, blood was sucked out of my veins today.
At least I know, something is happening.

Additionally, I have been asked to provide information about following-
Entry method- Express Entry
Province of Entry- Should I fill in Toronto and later depending on job scenario, I may land differently or I would have to land at this same location?
Duration of Stay- since this is for PR, there's ain't any min duration of stay planned. I'm thinking of mentioning PR under this field sourcing there wouldn't be any min duration of stay.

Any suggestions on this would be welcome.


Another thing that I would like to add here is that I'm glad to have found a group of people in this forum, who can understand the procedure and anxiety levels considering I don't want to discuss HIV and the corresponding issues related to immigration on online forums and WhatsApp groups where people have started getting PPRs.

 

[Allisc]

That’s great.. sounds like you are on track then. It’s pretty normal for them to ask for Hep B and C tests and your latest viral load etc. they haven’t actually asked for mine but I provided a full history from my local doctor when I went for my medical which had all of that stuff in. Was it the doctor who did your medical that contacted you or one of the doctors from immigration directly? How did they contact you?

For the extra questions.. where and who is asking for them? All of that I would ha e thought was in your original application?

 

[imagine]

That’s great.. sounds like you are on track then. It’s pretty normal for them to ask for Hep B and C tests and your latest viral load etc. they haven’t actually asked for mine but I provided a full history from my local doctor when I went for my medical which had all of that stuff in. Was it the doctor who did your medical that contacted you or one of the doctors from immigration directly? How did they contact you?

For the extra questions.. where and who is asking for them? All of that I would ha e thought was in your original application?

The call came from the office of the Doctor who was in charge of my case at the medical centre. He does not belong to Immigration authorities but is just doing the test on their behalf.

The extra questions have been asked by the Immigration Authorities and were mentioned in my file that was there at the Medical centre with a list of additional tests.
I am supposed to send a scan of the answers to the Medical centre. I guess I'll have to check with my Immigration Consultant on what would be appropriate to mention as the answer.