My spouse and I received our CoPR and have not landed yet. We are US citizens living near the BC border in Washington state, and had planned on landing by private vehicle within the next few months. Since we have CoPR, are we now considered permanent residents for the purpose of the travel restrictions, or do we have that status only after we have landed? I expect the exemption for US citizens on entering Canada to be removed any moment now..
covid-19 and landing as PR at land border crossing
- Thread starter Danaan
- Start date
I have checked and there do not appear to be published details on these. Wait a few days, they usually do publish (and then sometimes clarifications later as needed).
I do NOT expect exemption on US citizens to be removed. Personal opinion only. The economies and functioning are too tightly integrated. (It doesn't mean it's impossible, just unlikely)
So either way I expect you will be able to enter.
Note though: US citizens entering are subject to the 14-day (I think that's the number) self-isolation. So in fact the number of US citizens entering in the next while is going to drop tremendously. Tourism from abroad is basically shuttered.
Of course, the situation is changing fast. By the time you want to travel, these temporary restrictions might be gone, or there may be something else happening.
For the time being, just keep planning as you had been before. As the date gets closer, it may make sense to alter depending on circumstances.
You will be considered PR once you validate CoPR but IRCC maybe lenient on extending CoPR dates if you cannot land.
I just found this on the CanadaVisa covid-19 page: "According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), individuals who are in possession of a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and permanent resident visa (PRV) are allowed to travel to Canada. Individuals are instructed to contact IRCC via its web form if their COPR and PRV expires, or is about to expire, due to their inability to travel to Canada due to COVID-19. In such cases, IRCC will re-open the permanent residence applications of such individuals for review in 90 days."
Do you have the link and date? I checked a few hours ago and the info was still from before yesterday's announcements.
Note, this does not say that COPR/visa holders (i.e. that are not yet PRs) will be allowed to enter. It seems to be information that was put up before yesterday's announcement. It only deals with extending COPR/visa for those unable to travel.
I expect they will publish something with detailed information that will clarify for COPR/visa holders. I think there's some reason to hope they may allow but speculation only. By law, someone who hasn't landed yet is not a PR (yet).
This issue doesn't apply to the original poster here as the temporary ban on entry doesn't apply to Americans.
I think they would delete this link, as they had already done with some (or changed!)
they are encouraged to use their existing COPR and PRV to land.
https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/03/new-measures-for-covid-19-response.html
This is more up to date but does not clarify the key point you're asking about. I'm confident they will, but it may take a bit of time.
Maybe they would but this was really good news for me
.I also noticed that this page clearly states: These are COVID-19 program delivery instructions for applications from all permanent residents. So I am really hoping that this is what they plan to continue irrespective yesterday's update about allowing only PR in.
I think since IRCC has not mentioned anything about valid COPR holders on this link https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-special-measures.html there is no change to what is mentioned here https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/permanent-residence.html so I dont think the restriction applies.
If they wanted to restrict the COPR holders from landing they would have mentioned in this section:
If you’ve been approved for permanent residence Lastest update: March 15, 2020
If your permanent residence application has been approved, but you can't travel to Canada before your documents expire, use the web form to tell us why you can’t travel.
Once it’s possible for you to travel, use the web form to let us know. We’ll then give you more detailed instructions regarding restarting the processing of your permanent residence application.
If they wanted to restrict the COPR holders from landing they would have mentioned in this section:
If you’ve been approved for permanent residence Lastest update: March 15, 2020
If your permanent residence application has been approved, but you can't travel to Canada before your documents expire, use the web form to tell us why you can’t travel.
Once it’s possible for you to travel, use the web form to let us know. We’ll then give you more detailed instructions regarding restarting the processing of your permanent residence application.
Again, that information is from BEFORE the ban was announced. It is now out of date. You need to follow the latest updates from the government. Until the most recent information is updated to clarify, foreign nationals that don't meet an exemption cannot board a plane to Canada as of tomorrow.
https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/03/new-measures-for-covid-19-response.html
For practical purposes, the denial of boarding would apply to:
- all foreign nationals on flights to Canada other than trans-border flights, and
- any foreign national on a trans-border flight who has resided outside the US and Canada in the last 14 days.
The measure will come into force on Wednesday, March 18, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) EDT. It would not apply to air crews, travelers arriving in Canada in transit to a third country, Canadian Permanent Residents, diplomats, or immediate family members of Canadian citizens.
There are news reports that Canada and USA are working on an agreement to suspend non essential travel. Not surprisingly, defining what non essential travel is not so easy. Tourism would be out but with mandatory self isolation, tourism is effectively suspended now too (assuming travellers follow the instructions).
At any rate, more changes afoot and detailed regs will take some time. As before, not much you can do but continue to prepare and wait.
At any rate, more changes afoot and detailed regs will take some time. As before, not much you can do but continue to prepare and wait.