Ryester, I apply for my wife and her daughter under family class sponsorship, but they were not approved until March 30 2020, and I think that's why they sent the email to us, I am not sure how we should go about this, even if she can travel here I don't know what other documents she would need, besides COPR and her passport, and I have this feeling that Canada immigration at the airport is misinformed about things a this time, if my wife did arrive, the immigration officer would only have general information from their supervisor saying anyone coming into Canada with PPR and or COPR before June 18 2020 let them in anyone after send the back.
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- Thread starter FranFran
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Don't worry. I am in the same situation. My wife got her CoPR on March 26 and I already booked her air ticket on June 4. I posted a thread here to see what other people say but I firmly believe immediate family members are exempt from travel restrictions.
Ryester, can I have the link to where you posted, so I can monitor what people are saying or planing, actually we booked the flight for June 22, don't plan to change the flight or cancel it as situations can change rapidly, and we know that if restrictions are lifted flights will fill fast and price will sky rocket. Ryester as you plan to travel before us and if you do can you please post or message me on your experience after you travel on June 2, much appreciated Thanks.
Yes, I posted the link several time in my previous post, here it is,
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/travel-restrictions-exemptions.html#exemptions
Also, here is another link for definition of essential travel,
https://www.cicnews.com/2020/05/canada-refines-definition-of-essential-travel-during-coronavirus-0514270.html?_ga=2.118535041.923866568.1588383531-2022876598.1573527301#gs.546cli
BTW, my wife also got that email today and she is very upset
But I maintain my stand that immediate family members are exempt from travel restriction as long as the travel is considered as essential (e.g., landing)Yeah that email floored me, I hope Ryester your right, but if what you say stands true, why send the email to family class sponsorship applicates?I have this feeling that the Canadian government will slowly allow PR and COPR holds entry in to Canada, so my thoughts are like this, every person that was a approved for PR and holds COPR up to June 18 2020 will be able to enter Canada, then after June 30 2020 if travel restrictions are still in place the Canadian government will allow the next batch of people from June 19 2020 and on ward. to control the out break.
Finally, everything seems to be clear and fall in one complete picture.
Immediate family members of Canadian citizens and PRs are exempt from travel restriction (regardless their status, e.g., CoPR approved after March 18 etc.), as long as they have valid travel and relationship documents, AND their travel is considered essentials (E.g. establishing full-time residence in Canada) they are allowed to enter Canada. I also called CBSA agent today to confirm this.
Travel restriction exemptions
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/travel-restrictions.html#travel-restriction-exemptions
Non-optional and non-discretionary travel: COVID-19 program delivery
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/travel-restrictions/non-optional-non-discretionary.html
Please note as some people mentioned,
Officers should be aware that family ties will not automatically qualify the foreign national for non-optional or non-discretionary travel. Family members will be required to show that they are not travelling for a discretionary or optional purpose such as a routine family visit.
If you tell CBSA officer at the POE that you are coming for a short visit to your immediate family members or on a vacation, it will NOT be considered as non-optional or non-discretionary travel and be rejected to enter Canada.
Immediate family members of Canadian citizens and PRs are exempt from travel restriction (regardless their status, e.g., CoPR approved after March 18 etc.), as long as they have valid travel and relationship documents, AND their travel is considered essentials (E.g. establishing full-time residence in Canada) they are allowed to enter Canada. I also called CBSA agent today to confirm this.
Travel restriction exemptions
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/travel-restrictions.html#travel-restriction-exemptions
Non-optional and non-discretionary travel: COVID-19 program delivery
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/travel-restrictions/non-optional-non-discretionary.html
Please note as some people mentioned,
Officers should be aware that family ties will not automatically qualify the foreign national for non-optional or non-discretionary travel. Family members will be required to show that they are not travelling for a discretionary or optional purpose such as a routine family visit.
If you tell CBSA officer at the POE that you are coming for a short visit to your immediate family members or on a vacation, it will NOT be considered as non-optional or non-discretionary travel and be rejected to enter Canada.
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Hahaha, that is exactly what my wife asked me.
I think there are two reasons,
1. It is bulk email to all recently approved PRs (including family categories, skilled workers etc. so that it is more general and no any specific exemptions are mentioned)
2. It is NOT true to say all spouses (or immediate family members) who got CoPRs are allowed to Canada automatically. They still need to say/prove their travel to Canada is non-optional or non-discretionary.
As the second point is hard to explain in the email and very case-by-case, so IRCC chose not to mention it.
I think also to be fair to the appellant, they will batch the PR and COPR holders with medical that will expire first, Ryester I am hoping that your wife will arrive to Canada without a problem on June 2 so you can sure your experience, but their is still chance that the IRCC will get new information on how to handle this situation from the heads of government and heads of the IRCC
Medical is not primary concern. My wife's medical expired in Feb and it does not impact her CoPR issuance. More detailed definition of non-optional travel is more important and helpful for all immediate family members travel to Canada.
From this forum, there is already a case, Pakistan Husband who got his immigration visa on March 25 and flew from Pakistan to Canada and got admitted successfully in Toronto airport a few days ago.
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/copr-and-coronavirus.681880/page-247
The rules may be further updated, but more likely and hopefully to be more lenient than strict.
I think that it's risky to try to travel to Canada if you got your PR/CORP after June 18 2020 because in the email they make it clear.
Find out if the travel restrictions apply to you:
I am sure that the immigration officers have updated information that says the same thing as the email, will just look at the insurance date on the COPR and deny you entry in to Canada.
I don't know what to do how to do it, but I just know I miss my wife and I have been through so many bumps in the road to get these done and I am inches away to have a our dream come true, but I am stopped again do to something that is completely out of my control, I just know that we have no problem to isolate to keep Canada safe. we booked a ticket from China to Canada for june 22 and because there is no real transparency before between the IRCC and the applicant and sponsor earlier we may need to delay our reunion rebook or cancel our flight, its so sad, it's even more sad for me knowing that other people are going through same thing as us and that doesn't make me feel any better. I hope they a resolve this soon.
Find out if the travel restrictions apply to you:
- If your PR application was approved before or on March 18, 2020, you are allowed to travel to Canada. Please read about the public health measures below. If circumstances allow, we encourage you to continue to make plans to land in Canada in 2020.
- If your PR application was approved after March 18, 2020, you should not make any plans to travel to Canada until travel restrictions are lifted. You will not be allowed into Canada at this time.
- Use the issuance date on your CoPR to determine if you were approved before, on, or after March 18, 2020. If possible, we encourage you and your accompanying family members to arrive in Canada at the same time.
I am sure that the immigration officers have updated information that says the same thing as the email, will just look at the insurance date on the COPR and deny you entry in to Canada.
I don't know what to do how to do it, but I just know I miss my wife and I have been through so many bumps in the road to get these done and I am inches away to have a our dream come true, but I am stopped again do to something that is completely out of my control, I just know that we have no problem to isolate to keep Canada safe. we booked a ticket from China to Canada for june 22 and because there is no real transparency before between the IRCC and the applicant and sponsor earlier we may need to delay our reunion rebook or cancel our flight, its so sad, it's even more sad for me knowing that other people are going through same thing as us and that doesn't make me feel any better. I hope they a resolve this soon.
Yes, I totally understand your concern. I called CBSA today and they made it very clear that they are aware immediate family members are exempt from travel restriction regardless CoPR issuance date. As long as the travel is essentials (e.g., landing), they will not stop them at the border. Of course, the agent mentioned it is ultimately for the officer at the POE to make the final decision. But it is always like that regardless there is pandemic or not.
Air Canada resumes the direct between China and Canada on June 1. from June 1 to 23, directly flights resume between Vancouver and Beijing/Shanghai, after June 23, it will also include direct flights between Toronto and Beijing/Shanghai. I called Air Canada, so far there is no change of plan.