Canadian Government's definition of immediate family?

[bitesize10]

Hi everyone,

There have been many posts about COPR-holders entering Canada with the new travel ban, so I apologise for creating another one!

I know that it remains unclear if COPR-holders are permitted entry right now if they are not an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen, but does anyone know what the Government of Canada actually defines as immediate family? I'm a Canadian citizen and will be travelling with my British fiance who has COPR, but we are not yet married as we had to cancel our wedding plans in April due to the virus. We are common-law partners and have lived together for years.

Does anyone know if the above situation would mean my fiance is considered my immediate family? We can provide proof of living together, cancelled wedding plans, etc.

Thank you very much for your time and assistance and wishing you all the best.

 

[Buletruck]

Your fiancé doesn’t qualify unless you meet the common law definition.

Family membersAn applicant’s closest relatives, in the context of an application to IRCC. It is defined as a spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and their dependent children.

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship/helpcentre/glossary.html#f

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi everyone,

There have been many posts about COPR-holders entering Canada with the new travel ban, so I apologise for creating another one!

I know that it remains unclear if COPR-holders are permitted entry right now if they are not an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen, but does anyone know what the Government of Canada actually defines as immediate family? I'm a Canadian citizen and will be travelling with my British fiance who has COPR, but we are not yet married as we had to cancel our wedding plans in April due to the virus. We are common-law partners and have lived together for years.

Does anyone know if the above situation would mean my fiance is considered my immediate family? We can provide proof of living together, cancelled wedding plans, etc.

Thank you very much for your time and assistance and wishing you all the best.

Common-law partners are considered immediate family.

 

[bitesize10]

Your fiancé doesn’t qualify unless you meet the common law definition.

Family membersAn applicant’s closest relatives, in the context of an application to IRCC. It is defined as a spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and their dependent children.

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship/helpcentre/glossary.html#f

Thank you very much for your message Buletruck.

We have lived together in the UK for 1.5 years, and for a year prior to that in Canada. Based on this, I believe we meet the common-law definition.

 

[bitesize10]

Common-law partners are considered immediate family.

Thank you so much for your quick and concise response, canuck_in_uk. As you seem quite knowledgeable about many things in this forum, would you recommend we take proof of our cohabitation with us to the airport to reduce the risk of problems?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thank you so much for your quick and concise response, canuck_in_uk. As you seem quite knowledgeable about many things in this forum, would you recommend we take proof of our cohabitation with us to the airport to reduce the risk of problems?

Yes, you should definitely have proof of common-law.

 

[bitesize10]

Yes, you should definitely have proof of common-law.

Thank you so much for your time and assistance. Take care.

 

[Bs65]

It would help many other common law forum members if the OP can feedback what challenges they have in travellling given it is the airline checkin agent who will determine whether travel is allowed or boarding is denied based on the guidelines they have been given by the Canadian Government. The whole 'immediate family' question still seems pretty vague when it comes to travel and a checkin agent will not have any discretion regardless how much proof is put in front of them.

Even if not denied boarding there is always a chance on arrival of being obliged to self isolate for 14 days.

 

[bitesize10]

It would help many other common law forum members if the OP can feedback what challenges they have in travellling given it is the airline checkin agent who will determine whether travel is allowed or boarding is denied based on the guidelines they have been given by the Canadian Government. The whole 'immediate family' question still seems pretty vague when it comes to travel and a checkin agent will not have any discretion regardless how much proof is put in front of them.

Even if not denied boarding there is always a chance on arrival of being obliged to self isolate for 14 days.

I will absolutely let everyone know what our experience is like and if we are allowed to travel. Our flight is on Sunday at 1:25 GMT so I will comment/create a post as soon as I can.

 

[Bs65]

Clarification of immediate family as far as travel ban is concerned

https://orders-in-council.canada.ca/attachment.php?attach=38952&lang=en

 

[bitesize10]

Clarification of immediate family as far as travel ban is concerned

https://orders-in-council.canada.ca/attachment.php?attach=38952&lang=en

I can't thank you enough for sharing this link--you've just relieved days of anxiety for me. Wishing you all the best.

 

[bitesize10]

Hello, yes we did! My fiance landed yesterday. He originally wasn't going to be allowed to board the plane when they thought he just had his COPR, but when they learned he was my immediate family he was able to board. We're now happily in Vancouver self-isolating.

 

[Bs65]

Clarification of immediate family as far as travel ban is concerned

https://orders-in-council.canada.ca/attachment.php?attach=38952&lang=en

So they changed the definition of immediate family members for travel beyond what is generally accepted for immigration purposes.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/travel-restrictions.html