Spousal sponsorship

[Zikky]

read previous posts and this topic https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/covid-19-and-landing-as-pr-at-land-border-crossing.682459/

Thanks

 

[armoured]

Hi guys I have a question concerning the “immediate family member of a Canadian citizen“, my wife is a citizen, I’ve just been approved of my pr (spousal sponsorship) I have my copr and visa issued in my passport at hand,
Am I good to go ? Considering I’m an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen I should be good to go don’t u guys think ? Thanks.

I'd like to add two important points to this that reinforce my statements above that we have to see the regulations and instructions:

1) There can be a difference between what "we" think the rules are and what the airlines think. And the airlines WILL refuse boarding on a plane to Canada if they believe the passenger will get refused entry. There are significant monetary costs for them. You can argue with them and discuss burden of proof and other nicer points, but you may still not be allowed on the plane. (And I couldn't begin to clarify the question of refunds etc - I've no idea) And mistakes/misunderstandings do happen - or cases arise where documents are just a little bit out of ordinary.

2) A case in point is the 'immediate family member of a Canadian citizen' carve-out. What does it mean? How would a passenger prove this? Are airlines even capable of looking at a marriage certificate or birth certificate and determining whether it's valid (and no subsequent divorce, etc)? Even for children this may not always be easy. (And likewise, same issues could come up on arrival in Canada). Airlines do NOT want to adjudicate these questions or even deal with the issue.

We need to see the instructions. Given that the electronic travel authorisation system exists, we could speculate that they'll come up with some revised version of that, with some process to document the 'immediate family' aspect - meaning every air traveller would have to get an ETA before boarding even if they have visas or whatever they currently use. But even that may take some time to do the computer work and get these up and running, plus new systems to get travellers to submit documentation and real people to look at those documents and approve (how long will they need?). These may take time to implement, and the new process might not be instantaneous. They'll also have to provide detailed instructions to all the airlines and other partners in the process.

So delays are possible; be aware and plan accordingly. Note, I'm not saying how long this will take or implying it will be months before they sort it out. But realistically, there are some hurdles and obstacles and anyone with very short-term departure plans should take into account - there may very well be delays.

(I hope I'm wrong of course and this will all be perfectly sorted and info provided in short order, but I repeat - delays are possible)

 

[DiNaV]

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/permanent-residence.html
Approved permanent residence applications (COPR and PRV)
Permanent residence applicants who are in possession of a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and permanent resident visa (PRV) and inform us, by submitting a web form to IRCC, that they are unable to travel within the validity of their documentation should be processed as follows:

• Valid COPR and PRV: In an effort to reduce the number of cancelled COPRs and PRVs, a note should be placed in the file explaining that the applicant is unable to travel, and the file should be brought forward to the expiration date of the COPR and PRV. If the applicant informs IRCC that they can travel prior to the COPR and PRV expiration, they are encouraged to use their existing COPR and PRV to land.
• Expired COPR and PRV: If the applicant informs IRCC via the web form that they were unable to travel after the expiration of their COPR and PRV, or if they were unable to travel prior to expiration, officers are to re-open the application, and it should be brought forward for review in 90 days.

Thank you for sharing this. Today morning I had seen this in some other random google link and didnt believe it but I think this would be reliable enough that immigration is not stopping COPR people to come in if its valid and can travel, right?

 

[armoured]

Thank you for sharing this. Today morning I had seen this in some other random google link and didnt believe it but I think this would be reliable enough that immigration is not stopping COPR people to come in if its valid and can travel, right?

If you read that carefully, it was published before yesterday's announcements and doesn't specifically say what you're looking for - it is mostly about cases where COPR holders are unable to travel (i.e. they will be lenient about expiry dates, process as yet unknown).

So no, I don't believe it answers your question and I would not rely upon it.

 

[Zikky]

I'd like to add two important points to this that reinforce my statements above that we have to see the regulations and instructions:

1) There can be a difference between what "we" think the rules are and what the airlines think. And the airlines WILL refuse boarding on a plane to Canada if they believe the passenger will get refused entry. There are significant monetary costs for them. You can argue with them and discuss burden of proof and other nicer points, but you may still not be allowed on the plane. (And I couldn't begin to clarify the question of refunds etc - I've no idea) And mistakes/misunderstandings do happen - or cases arise where documents are just a little bit out of ordinary.

2) A case in point is the 'immediate family member of a Canadian citizen' carve-out. What does it mean? How would a passenger prove this? Are airlines even capable of looking at a marriage certificate or birth certificate and determining whether it's valid (and no subsequent divorce, etc)? Even for children this may not always be easy. (And likewise, same issues could come up on arrival in Canada). Airlines do NOT want to adjudicate these questions or even deal with the issue.

We need to see the instructions. Given that the electronic travel authorisation system exists, we could speculate that they'll come up with some revised version of that, with some process to document the 'immediate family' aspect - meaning every air traveller would have to get an ETA before boarding even if they have visas or whatever they currently use. But even that may take some time to do the computer work and get these up and running, plus new systems to get travellers to submit documentation and real people to look at those documents and approve (how long will they need?). These may take time to implement, and the new process might not be instantaneous. They'll also have to provide detailed instructions to all the airlines and other partners in the process.

So delays are possible; be aware and plan accordingly. Note, I'm not saying how long this will take or implying it will be months before they sort it out. But realistically, there are some hurdles and obstacles and anyone with very short-term departure plans should take into account - there may very well be delays.

(I hope I'm wrong of course and this will all be perfectly sorted and info provided in short order, but I repeat - delays are possible)

I don’t know how this is gonna work cause I already had my flight booked for Friday hopefully they release some more information and shed some light on this issue, I’ll also advise my wife to call ircc and try to get some more info, going through the Actual Sponsorship process was challenging and then when it’s finally done another obstacle comes out of no where, it’s really annoying.

 

[russ6970]

I don’t know how this is gonna work cause I already had my flight booked for Friday hopefully they release some more information and shed some light on this issue, I’ll also advise my wife to call ircc and try to get some more info, going through the Actual Sponsorship process was challenging and then when it’s finally done another obstacle comes out of no where, it’s really annoying.

Unfortunately it doesn't matter whether you have booked a flight or not. If they believe the person is not within the current guidelines they will be refused. Try and get a refund

 

[Zikky]

Unfortunately it doesn't matter whether you have booked a flight or not. If they believe the person is not within the current guidelines they will be refused. Try and get a refund

I strongly believe once a person has the right documents presented to the airline you should be allowed to board because “immediate family member of a Canadian citizen” as a spouse of a Canadian citizen u fall under that category, the copr literally states the sponsor information and the relationship I think the proof the airline might need is a copy of the spouse’s Canadian passport biodata page to match the name on the copr (spouse/sponsor details), I’m willing to give it a try to be honest, cause it doesn’t get any clearer than that.

 

[russ6970]

I strongly believe once a person has the right documents presented to the airline you should be allowed to board because “immediate family member of a Canadian citizen” as a spouse of a Canadian citizen u fall under that category, the copr literally states the sponsor information and the relationship I think the proof the airline might need is a copy of the spouse’s Canadian passport biodata page to match the name on the copr (spouse/sponsor details), I’m willing to give it a try to be honest, cause it doesn’t get any clearer than that.

Well hopefully you are right. This is a very fluid situation and there are very tough decisions to make. If it works out, send a message on the board. It will give hope in such an uncertain time.

 

[Zikky]

Well hopefully you are right. This is a very fluid situation and there are very tough decisions to make. If it works out, send a message on the board. It will give hope in such an uncertain time.

Yes i will

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thank you for sharing this. Today morning I had seen this in some other random google link and didnt believe it but I think this would be reliable enough that immigration is not stopping COPR people to come in if its valid and can travel, right?

That is old news, from before the travel ban was announced. COPR holders who have not landed are foreign nationals, so going by the published information as of right now, they will be denied boarding starting tomorrow unless they meet one of the exemptions.

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.

In simple terms, you cannot board a plane to Canada if you have been outside of Canada or the United States in the last 14 days, unless you are a Canadian Citizen, Canadian Permanent Resident or in transit to a 3rd country.

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.

 

[armoured]

I strongly believe once a person has the right documents presented to the airline you should be allowed to board because “immediate family member of a Canadian citizen” as a spouse of a Canadian citizen u fall under that category, the copr literally states the sponsor information and the relationship I think the proof the airline might need is a copy of the spouse’s Canadian passport biodata page to match the name on the copr (spouse/sponsor details), I’m willing to give it a try to be honest, cause it doesn’t get any clearer than that.

Good luck. I don't think anyone is saying that _as announced_ they should not be able to board, but the airlines will work from whatever instructions they have (and in knowledge of the penalties they may face) regarding documentation. Hopefully instructions with more clarity will be available soon, and that failing that, they will accept your documentation. You do face the risk of being turned away, though, so it's your call as to how you wish to proceed.

[editnote: I left out a key 'not' before]

 

[DSpartners]

Hi All,

I and a PR holder and applying for Otland Spousal Sponsorship to my husband. I have some queries regarding the letters that we need to write. Could some one clarify the below please. Direct us to correct thread if posting in a wrong place.

1) Cover Letter : we wrote a letter with names, application type, where we met, friends and family and how our relationship turned to marriage etc., Anything special to write other than the relationship details?

2) IMM5532 Is there more information you wish to share to support your relationship? : Is this same a cover letter? if not can you list down things which we can include other than what was mentioned in cover letter.

3) Explanation Letter : Could you let us know what needs to be included here


Any help would be highly appreciated.

 

[Zikky]

Okay so my wife called CBSA and was told I won’t be denied entry when I get to Canada because I fall under the “immediate family member of a citizen” which are exempt from the ban, but then I would have to prove to the airline at the airport that i fall under the category so they let me board So she advised going to the airport with some Kind of proof That my spouse is a Canadian citizen, which supports my initial plan of going to the airport with a copy of my wife’s Canadian passport bio data page, a copy of her drivers license (more i.d proof) and a copy of our marriage license, I’ll be updating along the process.

 

[unknowntoknown]

Okay so my wife called CBSA and was told I won’t be denied entry when I get to Canada because I fall under the “immediate family member of a citizen” which are exempt from the ban, but then I would have to prove to the airline at the airport that i fall under the category so they let me board So she advised going to the airport with some Kind of proof That my spouse is a Canadian citizen, which supports my initial plan of going to the airport with a copy of my wife’s Canadian passport bio data page, a copy of her drivers license (more i.d proof) and a copy of our marriage license, I’ll be updating along the process.

Thank you. Do keep us updated. Many people here are eager to understand how this new process will work.

 

[unknowntoknown]

Okay so my wife called CBSA and was told I won’t be denied entry when I get to Canada because I fall under the “immediate family member of a citizen” which are exempt from the ban, but then I would have to prove to the airline at the airport that i fall under the category so they let me board So she advised going to the airport with some Kind of proof That my spouse is a Canadian citizen, which supports my initial plan of going to the airport with a copy of my wife’s Canadian passport bio data page, a copy of her drivers license (more i.d proof) and a copy of our marriage license, I’ll be updating along the process.

When are you flying?