COPR and coronavirus

[Lmac4]

This is similar to what I've been told by CBSA every time I have called (either the main helpline or the specific border POE).

I do think its unclear/uncertain what to say if they ask specifically "how long will you stay" or "will you be staying permanently" but I guess they don't usually ask such a direct question?

I have read in previous threads of those doing soft landing (before the pandemic started) that they would respond in general statements to questions, like "I will return to the US to wrap up my home at some point in the next few months" instead of saying "I will return later to the US this evening/tomorrow/in-one-week".

About returning to the US, have you confirmed with CBP that you can return on your work visa? I have an H1 visa and got differing answers, when I called the US POE specifically they said that I can travel back to the US on H1, but the CBP helpline said that I cannot

Anyway, good luck, keep us posted!

Hey,

Yeah, it's all very unclear. We are going to try, because we have to. And we will be honest with the CBSA agents stating we've tried to contact immigration to prevent us coming here but haven't heard anything.

I did call the American border...I am actually a Canadian citizen (My husband is the one who has the COPR), so I am on the TN Nafta visa, and married to an American. So he said both those things would allow me back in, but its tough to say what they're allowing and not, depends on the day, depends on the agent (which is super frustrating).

Are you planning on heading to a land border at all anytime soon?? I'll make sure to let everyone know how my experience goes so you at least have a little idea!

Leah

 

[abong]

No problem at all, we're all in the same boat here so it's good to return the help I received when applying!

You'll have no problems updating your address, they still seem to be replying to webforms relatively promptly (within a week for the ones I have sent anyway).

I've now got the problem of trying to exchange my driving license, applying for OHIP, getting a SIN etc as most of the Service Ontario/Canada offices have shut and I'm not sure wether they are allowing people to visit for the ones that are open.

I will be out of isolation at the end of this week so I will report back once I have tried to use these services once I'm able.

Hello !

I received this response from the IRCC agent to my change of address query today (a 1-day turn around time - wow !)


Thank you for contacting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
We have received your enquiry regarding your updated address and have updated it on file.

Furthermore, we verified the information you provided and can confirm that your application is still in process.

Since a valid Canadian address was only added on file on April 8, 2020, the processing times are effective as of this date.

We invite you to verify the processing times on our website and contact us using the IRCC Web form if they have passed.

We hope the information provided is helpful in assisting you with your enquiry.


Did you receive something similar too ?I just wanted to clarify what the underlined line -"application is still in process" is supposed to signify here - hasn't my landing into Canada completed the "application process" (or are they referring to the mailing of the PR card?)

And best of luck with everything that you have lined up btw !

 

[Sasidhran]

Hey all, called the specific land border to which I will be crossing (in New York) on Friday and spoke with an agent who reported that they are processing COPRs, if you're coming from USA (not from Canada for purpose of activating status). I asked if we cross, and stay for the mandatory 14 day quarantine, everything will be processed?

Problem herein lies if they ask if we are staying permanently (which we aren't). We plan on quarantining for the 14 days and returning back to the USA as I am on a work visa here, and obviously want to continue having a job during this time.... tough to say if they'll allow us to do this, but until they ask I won't divulge added/ extra information.

Just thought I'd let everyone know with all the conflicting answers from land borders. I also researched the direct number to call the actual land border you plan on crossing at and calling them.

Hi, I crossed the border from US last Sunday Apr 5th via Lansdowne (land crossing). I was asked where am I going to stay in Canada for which I informed them I Will be returning back to US immediately and not planning to stay in Canada. CBSA was okay with that. I informed US border officer that I just came to complete my COPR procedure and then they let me enter into US after verifying my Visa. CBSA officer did not ask for my Canada address to send me PR card but asked me to do it via online/webform.

 

[ninethirtyseven]

Hi, I crossed the border from US last Sunday Apr 5th via Lansdowne (land crossing). I was asked where am I going to stay in Canada for which I informed them I Will be returning back to US immediately and not planning to stay in Canada. CBSA was okay with that. I informed US border officer that I just came to complete my COPR procedure and then they let me enter into US after verifying my Visa. CBSA officer did not ask for my Canada address to send me PR card but asked me to do it via online/webform.

That's good to hear! Did you stay in Canada fo a day, or just go to border and then immediately return back on road? Are you on H1?

 

[Sasidhran]

That's good to hear! Did you stay in Canada fo a day, or just go to border and then immediately return back on road? Are you on H1?

I did not stay. Just went to border and came back immediately. I am in F1 - CPT.

 

[ryeCatcher]

Hi, I crossed the border from US last Sunday Apr 5th via Lansdowne (land crossing). I was asked where am I going to stay in Canada for which I informed them I Will be returning back to US immediately and not planning to stay in Canada. CBSA was okay with that. I informed US border officer that I just came to complete my COPR procedure and then they let me enter into US after verifying my Visa. CBSA officer did not ask for my Canada address to send me PR card but asked me to do it via online/webform.

Woah!
That is amazing! Thank you for sharing, this is really helpful information. Congratulations on being able to pull this off.
Every time I have called CBSA has discouraged me from doing this, so am amazed it worked for you

 

[nimar_023]

Hello all. We are planning to fly, do landing and return back in 30 days to our home country. Will the return ticket be an issue when facing the immigration during landing? We can complete the 14 day self isolation before returning, since the return ticket is after 30 days from landing.

 

[Lmac4]

Hi, I crossed the border from US last Sunday Apr 5th via Lansdowne (land crossing). I was asked where am I going to stay in Canada for which I informed them I Will be returning back to US immediately and not planning to stay in Canada. CBSA was okay with that. I informed US border officer that I just came to complete my COPR procedure and then they let me enter into US after verifying my Visa. CBSA officer did not ask for my Canada address to send me PR card but asked me to do it via online/webform.

Wow!!! I am shocked!!! That's amazing luck for you as I have been told numerous times they weren't doing that. That's such great news- congrats!! Now I'm unsure as to how I want to approach it...

Do I say I'm just turning around and run the risk of them saying no, or do I just say I'm staying in Canada (at my parents house- which was the original plan)...

So happy for you, thanks for sharing!!

 

[niko80]

Hi, I crossed the border from US last Sunday Apr 5th via Lansdowne (land crossing). I was asked where am I going to stay in Canada for which I informed them I Will be returning back to US immediately and not planning to stay in Canada. CBSA was okay with that. I informed US border officer that I just came to complete my COPR procedure and then they let me enter into US after verifying my Visa. CBSA officer did not ask for my Canada address to send me PR card but asked me to do it via online/webform.

Is there anybody else who did that? I am not sure if we should try that, because border agent did not support this idea on the phone. To confirm PR you already enter Canada and must self-isolate for 14 days, agent said to me on the phone.

 

[ryeCatcher]

Wow!!! I am shocked!!! That's amazing luck for you as I have been told numerous times they weren't doing that. That's such great news- congrats!! Now I'm unsure as to how I want to approach it...

Do I say I'm just turning around and run the risk of them saying no, or do I just say I'm staying in Canada (at my parents house- which was the original plan)...

So happy for you, thanks for sharing!!

Let me know what you end up doing @Lmac4 , I'm wondering the exact same thing myself :|
It would be such a huge help for us, to not have to go and spend 14 days in Canada in these difficult times

 

[Sasidhran]

Wow!!! I am shocked!!! That's amazing luck for you as I have been told numerous times they weren't doing that. That's such great news- congrats!! Now I'm unsure as to how I want to approach it...

Do I say I'm just turning around and run the risk of them saying no, or do I just say I'm staying in Canada (at my parents house- which was the original plan)...

So happy for you, thanks for sharing!!

When I tried to reach CBSA via phone they told me exactly the same that they are not currently processing the COPR and advised not to travel. But with my COPR expiring Apr 9th and no clarity on extension, I just wanted to give it a try and it worked. It’s just a calculated risk as the IRCC website said that COPR has been exempted from travel restrictions. So I was planning to show that in my defense and was ready to stay for 14 days in Canada - self quarantined if needed (though didn’t plan about the stay before hand). I just wanted to try all possible options before giving up. Let’s hope IRCC provides some clarity for people waiting to travel via flights!

Addl info: CBSA officer asked me why am I traveling now with no intention of staying in Canada. I told him that my COPR is expiring Apr 9th and I have to complete this procedure before that and he was okay with that.

 

[Canaspirant xyz]

You should be happy. I don't think your application will be rejected.There might be some hitches but not rejected. Everything will definitely work out fine.

Thanks for encouraging words.Means a lot

 

[prusa]

When I tried to reach CBSA via phone they told me exactly the same that they are not currently processing the COPR and advised not to travel. But with my COPR expiring Apr 9th and no clarity on extension, I just wanted to give it a try and it worked. It’s just a calculated risk as the IRCC website said that COPR has been exempted from travel restrictions. So I was planning to show that in my defense and was ready to stay for 14 days in Canada - self quarantined if needed (though didn’t plan about the stay before hand). I just wanted to try all possible options before giving up. Let’s hope IRCC provides some clarity for people waiting to travel via flights!

Addl info: CBSA officer asked me why am I traveling now with no intention of staying in Canada. I told him that my COPR is expiring Apr 9th and I have to complete this procedure before that and he was okay with that.

Were there more people processing COPR at the land border? Also, did you drive by your own car?

What was your plan if they had asked to stay for 14 days

 

[Sasidhran]

Were there more people processing COPR at the land border? Also, did you drive by your own car?

What was your plan if they had asked to stay for 14 days

No, I think I was the only one. There was no car parked in the CBSA lot. I would have booked an Airbnb / hotel.

 

[SCOTCAD]

Hello !

I received this response from the IRCC agent to my change of address query today (a 1-day turn around time - wow !)


Thank you for contacting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
We have received your enquiry regarding your updated address and have updated it on file.

Furthermore, we verified the information you provided and can confirm that your application is still in process.

Since a valid Canadian address was only added on file on April 8, 2020, the processing times are effective as of this date.

We invite you to verify the processing times on our website and contact us using the IRCC Web form if they have passed.

We hope the information provided is helpful in assisting you with your enquiry.


Did you receive something similar too ?I just wanted to clarify what the underlined line -"application is still in process" is supposed to signify here - hasn't my landing into Canada completed the "application process" (or are they referring to the mailing of the PR card?)

And best of luck with everything that you have lined up btw !

Hello,

I didn’t get anything about an application in progress, it was just a notification they’d updated my address to the one I’d given. It seems a lot of responses from CIC can vary even for the same request so I wouldn’t worry about it.

I’m due out of isolation tomorrow, so need to start phoning around service Ontario/Canada to try sort driving license, SIN and OHIP to begin, I’m not sure if they’re allowing appointments at the moment to complete these tasks but will report back when I know more in case it’s any help to others in the same situation.