Tried calling the Canadian embassy in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and couldn't get through. They were very clear that if I have any question pertaining to immigration or Covid-19, then I would need to contact them by email /web form only...
COPR and coronavirus
- Thread starter zeus89
- Start date
Wow!! I was told they won't allow me to board if I don't have a Canadian passport or PR card.
This is crazy!! Most airlines do not seem to understand COPR. So I think what we need to do is get some sort of official confirmation from Canadian Embassy that COPR holders can land in Canada. Maybe then we can present that to the airlines at the time of boarding.
Be very careful, first of all airlines are very risk averse, because if they allow someone to board a plane to a country where they are not admissible, it's the airline which incurs a heavy fine, and has to repatriate them at their cost.
You don't want to get stranded somewhere because someone suddenly decides you can't board a plane to Canada because of the situation. Worse yet, you don't want to arrive in Canada only to be refused entry.
I would really advise you to get confirmation that COPRs can land with the travel ban enforced.
You don't want to get stranded somewhere because someone suddenly decides you can't board a plane to Canada because of the situation. Worse yet, you don't want to arrive in Canada only to be refused entry.
I would really advise you to get confirmation that COPRs can land with the travel ban enforced.
Hi, i am in same flight flying 21st of march. but again embassy in India doesn't deal with clients directly and on calling vfs they said to fill webform. Hence, Back to zero.
Dear all,
Hold your breath, I called the Canadian boarders service agency, and he said in a big statement ' YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER TO CANADA IF YOU DONT HAVE A PR or not REGISTERED AS RESIDENT PERMANENT' i wanted to ask something else and he closed the call.
it was rude, direct and clear, I guess thousanbds of people called him before me and he sounds nervous and exhsuated....
Hold your breath, I called the Canadian boarders service agency, and he said in a big statement ' YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER TO CANADA IF YOU DONT HAVE A PR or not REGISTERED AS RESIDENT PERMANENT' i wanted to ask something else and he closed the call.
it was rude, direct and clear, I guess thousanbds of people called him before me and he sounds nervous and exhsuated....
My Conclusion guys: WE ARE not allowed to enter to Canada in this current situation even if we have CoPr. maybe we should wait and see more news to come, I am pretty sure CIC will react and bring more news....otherwise guys, we should fill that WEBFORM, we should wait, we wshould be patint, WE ARE LEFT IN LIMBO..... it is what it is, I am actually looking to solve my things here to stay more time in my current country of residence, it hurts a lot but I know I cant do anything.
I think it should be just a matter of time until we hear something more clear from IRCC. The PM's announcement may have taken them by surprise as well, and they weren't ready for the barrage of COPR holders' instant panic.
I think no one can answer any questions currently. The person who answered your call might have been stressed from all the calls from angry/frustrated travelers... IRCC needs to urgently update their Covid-19 statement. It would only be logical to allow CoPR holders to travel to Canada. The statement that we are not residents yet is unfair. We have invested money and time for this and those who are planning to settle in Canada should be allowed to travel.
I can easily prove that I sold my house last week and show my resignation letter. We are NOT tourists.
Hi guys, first hand information. This was my experience yesterday the 17th of March 2020 - flying from Dublin, Ireland to Toronto. I had a ticket initially bought for April 10th (my COPR expires first week of May). Upon hearing of the border closure I hurried to buy a new ticket for the 17th March (which would have landed me in Toronto on the 17th and therefore ban wouldn't apply). It was an Air Canada ticket but operated by United Airlines therefore the plane would have transmitted through New York (just transit). I got to the check in desk and immediately got told they will NOT carry ANYONE that didn't have a US or Canadian passport or resident cards. The airlines do not know what COPR is. I was at the airport for 5 hours before I gave up and went home. Only to arrive home and read the thread to find out that even if I was allowed to board, I would have been stuck at the border on arrival.
It is a really sad situation we are stuck in. One would have thought there would be an official statement regarding COPR holders by now. I understand why people are getting sentimental but it is best to stay put and wait for an official statement. If not, trust me, wherever you are flying in from, if you do not have a residency card or passport (US or Canadian) - you will be stranded. For now, fill the webform if you haven't already done so - there is a provision for attachment of documents, attach whatever proof you have of your efforts to land before the ban. If you don't have any, no cause for alarm, the COVID-19 situation is a global pandemic and everyone knows of the current travel restrictions. I believe personally that there will be formal communication regarding this in the next week or so. The authorities are still trying to figure things out themselves. I called the border authorities and was told the same thing - a COPR holder is NOT yet a permanent resident. You are only regarded as a permanent resident after you land and activate your landing papers.
I personally did my application myself but to those that used immigration lawyers, could be collectively put some pressure through these lawyers to have something tangible from the government? Many have resigned from work and with responsibilities of children, family and so on. It is not going to be easy and we simply cannot afford to just hang in limbo without a definite plan of action. This is my own 2 cents guys. Stay safe and lets pray this nightmare ends soon! Cheers x
It is a really sad situation we are stuck in. One would have thought there would be an official statement regarding COPR holders by now. I understand why people are getting sentimental but it is best to stay put and wait for an official statement. If not, trust me, wherever you are flying in from, if you do not have a residency card or passport (US or Canadian) - you will be stranded. For now, fill the webform if you haven't already done so - there is a provision for attachment of documents, attach whatever proof you have of your efforts to land before the ban. If you don't have any, no cause for alarm, the COVID-19 situation is a global pandemic and everyone knows of the current travel restrictions. I believe personally that there will be formal communication regarding this in the next week or so. The authorities are still trying to figure things out themselves. I called the border authorities and was told the same thing - a COPR holder is NOT yet a permanent resident. You are only regarded as a permanent resident after you land and activate your landing papers.
I personally did my application myself but to those that used immigration lawyers, could be collectively put some pressure through these lawyers to have something tangible from the government? Many have resigned from work and with responsibilities of children, family and so on. It is not going to be easy and we simply cannot afford to just hang in limbo without a definite plan of action. This is my own 2 cents guys. Stay safe and lets pray this nightmare ends soon! Cheers x
Already did but I am not expecting an answer anytime soon. Actually got a note after submitting it that response can take ~ 28 days