COPR and coronavirus

[nicolasf]

Congratulations on landing! Our CoPR expires on 26th June with no information whatsoever on when our country’s airspace will be opened. We stay hopeful! All the best as you start your new life

Good luck! I know exactly what you're going through... Like I said, when they opened the flights I booked the very first flight with my eyes closed. We had a NIGHTMARE of a week getting ready for the flight but it was worth it... We're finally here

 

[Getty]

Good luck! I know exactly what you're going through... Like I said, when they opened the flights I booked the very first flight with my eyes closed. We had a NIGHTMARE of a week getting ready for the flight but it was worth it... We're finally here

Thank you the uncertainty is killing! We really hope to land before the CoPR expires (some do not and it’s all good). We had resigned from our jobs and travelled home to be with our family before moving to Canada and then lockdown happened!
I am so happy you made it and i can imagine your joy. When the airspace opens, we will do the same, first flight out! Meanwhile, i rejoice with the ones who have already made it

 

[Farahnaz11]

Govt has issued guidelines for international travellers.I think they are considering to open international flights soon.May be June mid.I just hope vfs are also opened from 1 June .

R u sureeeeeee I saw that but was kinda confused I really wish they open regular flights and vfs

 

[CountessO]

Hello all! Just wanted to share our landing experience with everyone here

We had been trying to catch a flight to Toronto from Dubai for a couple months now. After several cancellations, Emirates finally started regular flights to Toronto from May 22nd. We took that very first flight. We only had 8 days to sell a car, sell our furniture, pack our belongings to send by freight and the rest to go with us. With an extra bonus challenge of bringing our pet cat along with us...

Of course, UAE announced revised timings for the sanitation drive a couple days before our flight so we had to scramble and find a way to get our cat to the aiport. The British Vet Clinic in Jumeirah offers such service and is classified as essential service so they picked up our cat the evening before our flight and met us at the airport the next morning.

Our flight was at 9am but we got to the airport 4 hours before as recommended by Emirates. All CoPR passengers were asked to stand aside initially and a gentleman proceeded to ask us some details which he checked directly with the Canadian embassy. Rule of thumb is that if you're planning to do a soft landing, you won't be allowed to board the plane. At least 3 families were not allowed to check in.
This process took almost 1/2h so make sure to come early! During check in, they AGAIN checked whether we were eligible to fly.
Finally, we checked all of our 9 suitcases and I took the cat to an area next to the oversize luggage check in to show her export permit and vaccination book.
Rest of the process was straightforward, nothing different from the usual . Boarding took A LONG time as they were cleaning the plane.

Flight was uneventful aside from one dude having a panic attack a couple hours before arrival, acting all irrational but thankfully the cabin crews were well trained and dealt with him professionally and calmed him down...

Upon arrival to Toronto, we were initially told that were going to disembark in small groups, but they just ejected us all at once so not sure what happened here.

I will describe the steps we went through in the airport to make it clearer to those curious about it :

Step 1 : Passport control.
We had a dude who was quite rude and nervous. You will need to show him your CoPRs and Custom form (one they give you on the plane). The dude was not patient at all and very pushy, but kept my calm to avoid any conflicts... Last thing I want after such a crazy month

Step 2 : CoPR check
Very friendly guy, took again our CoPR and custom form stamped by the guy above. He asked us some questions about plan for 14 days of self quarantine etc etc. Asked us to wait for 10-15 minutes then congratulated us on becoming Permanent Residents, asked for the address to send the PR card and we were done with that. By the way we weren't asked at all about proof of funds.

Step 3 : Collect our luggage and cat

Step 4 : Customs
Surprisingly easy and fast. You show them the forms for goods you're bringing in and goods to follow, they stamp them and you're done.
Same thing for the cat, they checked the vaccination certificate, the rabies certificate etc...
I was expecting them to scan our luggage, but nothing.

You won't be able to do anything else in the airport... SIN office is closed, shops that sell SIM cards closed.

We reached the airbnb in about 1/2h . We had made an online order for the cat stuff (you're not allowed to bring in pet food EXCEPT if it's made in US or Canada) that was waiting for us.
We are using mainly Grocery Gateway and Amazon for groceries. Gateway mainly as it has fast delivery times. Both accept international credit cards so very useful until we're able to open a bank account after the quarantine ends...

We're happy to finally be here! Let me know if you have any questions!

Thank you for sharing and congratulations.

 

[rezanowbari]

Hello all! Just wanted to share our landing experience with everyone here

We had been trying to catch a flight to Toronto from Dubai for a couple months now. After several cancellations, Emirates finally started regular flights to Toronto from May 22nd. We took that very first flight. We only had 8 days to sell a car, sell our furniture, pack our belongings to send by freight and the rest to go with us. With an extra bonus challenge of bringing our pet cat along with us...

Of course, UAE announced revised timings for the sanitation drive a couple days before our flight so we had to scramble and find a way to get our cat to the aiport. The British Vet Clinic in Jumeirah offers such service and is classified as essential service so they picked up our cat the evening before our flight and met us at the airport the next morning.

Our flight was at 9am but we got to the airport 4 hours before as recommended by Emirates. All CoPR passengers were asked to stand aside initially and a gentleman proceeded to ask us some details which he checked directly with the Canadian embassy. Rule of thumb is that if you're planning to do a soft landing, you won't be allowed to board the plane. At least 3 families were not allowed to check in.
This process took almost 1/2h so make sure to come early! During check in, they AGAIN checked whether we were eligible to fly.
Finally, we checked all of our 9 suitcases and I took the cat to an area next to the oversize luggage check in to show her export permit and vaccination book.
Rest of the process was straightforward, nothing different from the usual . Boarding took A LONG time as they were cleaning the plane.

Flight was uneventful aside from one dude having a panic attack a couple hours before arrival, acting all irrational but thankfully the cabin crews were well trained and dealt with him professionally and calmed him down...

Upon arrival to Toronto, we were initially told that were going to disembark in small groups, but they just ejected us all at once so not sure what happened here.

I will describe the steps we went through in the airport to make it clearer to those curious about it :

Step 1 : Passport control.
We had a dude who was quite rude and nervous. You will need to show him your CoPRs and Custom form (one they give you on the plane). The dude was not patient at all and very pushy, but kept my calm to avoid any conflicts... Last thing I want after such a crazy month

Step 2 : CoPR check
Very friendly guy, took again our CoPR and custom form stamped by the guy above. He asked us some questions about plan for 14 days of self quarantine etc etc. Asked us to wait for 10-15 minutes then congratulated us on becoming Permanent Residents, asked for the address to send the PR card and we were done with that. By the way we weren't asked at all about proof of funds.

Step 3 : Collect our luggage and cat

Step 4 : Customs
Surprisingly easy and fast. You show them the forms for goods you're bringing in and goods to follow, they stamp them and you're done.
Same thing for the cat, they checked the vaccination certificate, the rabies certificate etc...
I was expecting them to scan our luggage, but nothing.

You won't be able to do anything else in the airport... SIN office is closed, shops that sell SIM cards closed.

We reached the airbnb in about 1/2h . We had made an online order for the cat stuff (you're not allowed to bring in pet food EXCEPT if it's made in US or Canada) that was waiting for us.
We are using mainly Grocery Gateway and Amazon for groceries. Gateway mainly as it has fast delivery times. Both accept international credit cards so very useful until we're able to open a bank account after the quarantine ends...

We're happy to finally be here! Let me know if you have any questions!

It's great that you have done the landing. I just have a question about the check in. You mentioned that they would not allow those who planned to softland to board the plane. How do you convince them that it is not soft landing? Does the ticket have to be one way?

 

[alerb]

Hi all,

My wife and I are from Brazil and we are in the same boat as many of you. We are bit anxious, but happy to see the messages in this forum about the COPR subject and the experiences shared.

Our COPR was issued before March 18th and we should have gone to Canada on May 06th, but our flight was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. Our COPR expires in early September 2020.

On May 1st we have received an e-mail from IRCC (subject: “Information for approved permanent residents outside of Canada”) encouraging people in this situation to go to Canada. We also double checked the information on IRCC website that COPRs issued before March 18th are exempt from the travel restrictions.

Due to difficulties in finding a flight, we called the CA consulate (in São Paulo) hoping to get some insights. However, they recommended us to send an e-mail to the visa office to evaluate our case and check if our travel is essential.

We have got a bit confused with this orientation, as we are considered to be exempted from travel restrictions. Did anyone had to do this? Would that make sense?

In addition, is there anyone from Brazil here that found a route to Toronto and could share with us? Air Canada has extended the route suspension (SP – Toronto) to end of July. Our concern is that they can continue extending the route suspension and our COPR expires in early September 2020. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[foxstiger]

Hi guys, quick question about the period of time after landing and before receiving the actual PR card - can we travel freely within Canada using passport as the only ID? Like boarding domestic flights? Thanks!

 

[psato]

Hi all,

My wife and I are from Brazil and we are in the same boat as many of you. We are bit anxious, but happy to see the messages in this forum about the COPR subject and the experiences shared.

Our COPR was issued before March 18th and we should have gone to Canada on May 06th, but our flight was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. Our COPR expires in early September 2020.

On May 1st we have received an e-mail from IRCC (subject: “Information for approved permanent residents outside of Canada”) encouraging people in this situation to go to Canada. We also double checked the information on IRCC website that COPRs issued before March 18th are exempt from the travel restrictions.

Due to difficulties in finding a flight, we called the CA consulate (in São Paulo) hoping to get some insights. However, they recommended us to send an e-mail to the visa office to evaluate our case and check if our travel is essential.

We have got a bit confused with this orientation, as we are considered to be exempted from travel restrictions. Did anyone had to do this? Would that make sense?

In addition, is there anyone from Brazil here that found a route to Toronto and could share with us? Air Canada has extended the route suspension (SP – Toronto) to end of July. Our concern is that they can continue extending the route suspension and our COPR expires in early September 2020. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Really strange that recommendation! It doesn’t make any sense. You are allowed to enter Canada. Well I have flight tickets booked via Panana (Copa Airlines), we were schedueled to go on June 12 but the airline already cancelled the route Panama-Canada. Apparently they will resume flights on June 26, but every month since April there is an extension on that date. My COPR expires in the end of August, but as cases of covid-19 worsens in Brazil I think more and more extensions from airlines will be a reality, considering also that today Trump banned everybody non americans nor green card holders to enter USA if they have been in Brazil in the last 14 days from their entry. People are trying other flights through Air Mexico or even through Europe, but the tickets prices are prohibitive specially for the second option. Just found some tickets through Mexico (Latam + Air Canada)... Maybe you should try call Air Canada. Last week (before the new Air Canada extension for South America) some folks called the airline and they were trying to put passengers in flights with connection in USA, maybe there is an option through Mexico, in partnership with another airline.

 

[BB46]

Hello all, I'm a pnp applicant and I'm supposed to land in Alberta. I just need to know that is it possible to land in the province other than the one your being nominated from, since special flights from India are only being operated to either Toronto or Vancouver.

 

[pumpkin_latte]

Hello all! Just wanted to share our landing experience with everyone here
We're happy to finally be here! Let me know if you have any questions!

Hello @nicolasf, I'm so happy to hear that your trip was safe and uneventful. I hope I can trouble you for your thoughts on the following:
1. What is the address you gave to the officer for your PR card application? Was it the airBnB residence you are quarantining at? I ask because the current waiting times for PR card issuance is 113 days (as of May 20,2020), so are you staying at that AirBnB residence till then?
2. How are you approaching the SIN number application online? The application requires a proof of address (either as rent agreement, Canadian bank statement). What address are you planning to provide and how are you planning on providing proof for that?
3. How are you and your partner planning on finding employment? Is the SIN number required before you can job search?

Your answers will be very helpful for the members here. Thanks again and god bless in your new life! Give you cat a pet from me!

 

[canadadreamer2020]

Hi all

We are from india and our COPR has already expired..we have already raised the webform about our inability to travel..does anybody in this forum have raised the second webform that they are ready to travel???for indian people when would be right time to raise the second form considering vfs office open and resumption of international flights.. please suggest...it would be very helpful.Thanks in advance

@Canaspirant xyz
@Sidd1988can
@whyCorona

 

[Bs65]

Hello all, I'm a pnp applicant and I'm supposed to land in Alberta. I just need to know that is it possible to land in the province other than the one your being nominated from, since special flights from India are only being operated to either Toronto or Vancouver.

You can land in either Toronto or Vancouver but should be prepared to show you have onward travel to Alberta and also have an isolation plan when you arrive in Alberta. Basically you need to only transit either Toronto or Vancouver, complete your immigration/customs formalities there at first POE and make a connecting flight.

If you plan to leave the airport in either of those POEs then believe you would be expected to show an isolation plan in either one of those POEs as opposed to in Alberta. The guidance is badly worded in that says if leave airport but doesnt say have to stay airside whilst transiting although staying airside is a common requirement for other countries with quarantine requirements and makes more sense given once out of customs/immigration into arrivals/departure area of the terminal is a whole different situation versus airside.

 

[Rahil Lakhani]

Dear All,

Hope you all are doing good and are safe.
Does anyone know how to check medical results? Is it somewhere reflected in your CIC profile?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Canaspirant xyz]

Hi all

We are from india and our COPR has already expired..we have already raised the webform about our inability to travel..does anybody in this forum have raised the second webform that they are ready to travel???for indian people when would be right time to raise the second form considering vfs office open and resumption of international flights.. please suggest...it would be very helpful.Thanks in advance

@Canaspirant xyz
@Sidd1988can
@whyCorona

I think resumption of International flights should be the basis to assume that we are able to travel.As far as VFS are concerned I think that High Commission will decide the right time to send us ppr as vfs is there part only .So once we raise the webform atleast they can start the process to extend our medicals or if required ask to take remedical.

 

[Dia89]

I think resumption of International flights should be the basis to assume that we are able to travel.As far as VFS are concerned I think that High Commission will decide the right time to send us ppr as vfs is there part only .So once we raise the webform atleast they can start the process to extend our medicals or if required ask to take remedical.

Cant we raise webform on the basis of these repatriation flights? Govt is planning fr Phase 3, that means they are nt going to resume regular flights soon. Till when are we all gonna wait. :/