COPR and evacuation flights

[rd0640]

Hello.
My nationality is Indian and i currently am in India.
I received my COPR in November 2019. My flight to Canada was booked for 25th March 2020. I delayed my flight because i wanted to assess the situation and the flights were grounded in my country.
However, recently, there are evacuation flights that are happening from June 9th to June 31st. It is for Citizens and permanent residents. However, i cannot find the information whether COPR holders are eligible for these evacuation flights called "Vande Bharat Mission."

I am sure there are plenty of people sailing in the same boat as me and going through the same confusion but cannot find the answer. I would be grateful if someone could help me out? Are COPR holders eligible for these flights or not?

 

[scylla]

Hello.
My nationality is Indian and i currently am in India.
I received my COPR in November 2019. My flight to Canada was booked for 25th March 2020. I delayed my flight because i wanted to assess the situation and the flights were grounded in my country.
However, recently, there are evacuation flights that are happening from June 9th to June 31st. It is for Citizens and permanent residents. However, i cannot find the information whether COPR holders are eligible for these evacuation flights called "Vande Bharat Mission."

I am sure there are plenty of people sailing in the same boat as me and going through the same confusion but cannot find the answer. I would be grateful if someone could help me out? Are COPR holders eligible for these flights or not?

See the information below. COPR holders are not citizens or permanent residents. So you would need to prove your travel is essential / non-optional to be able to board.

http://www.airindia.in/images/pdf/Revised-Spain-and-Netherlands-advisory-24th-May-converted.pdf

Following are permitted: Canadian citizens and permanent resident card-holders are eligible to enter Canada. Eligible travellers do not require additional permission letters

Travellers who are not in one of these categories are NOT eligible to travel unless they meet travel restriction exemptions AND their travel is deemed non-optional and non-discretionary

Detailed eligibility rules and criteria to enter Canada can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronaviruscovid19/travel-restrictions-exemptions.html#exemptions Please note that final determinations of eligibility to enter Canada are made by Canada Border Services Agency at the port of entry to Canada

 

[rd0640]

i understand.
So COPR is different from PR? Because i thought COPR is just Confirmation Of PR.
Perhaps i just want to be there real bad and I'm rationalising.

 

[rd0640]

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


If you read under "Permanent Resident Visa Holder", there is an exception there. I got my COPR in November 2019.

 

[scylla]

i understand.
So COPR is different from PR? Because i thought COPR is just Confirmation Of PR.
Perhaps i just want to be there real bad and I'm rationalising.

Yes - COPR is certainly different than PR.

COPR is a visa that confirms you have been approved as a permanent resident. However a person who has a COPR isn't a permanent resident until they have actually landed in Canada and completed procedures to officially become a PR. Until then, a COPR holder is still a foreigner with no status in Canada.

A permanent resident is just that. Someone with PR status in Canada. A COPR holder does not have PR status in Canada.

 

[scylla]

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


If you read under "Permanent Resident Visa Holder", there is an exception there. I got my COPR in November 2019.

Yes - you fall under the exemption. However per the flight details, you must also prove your travel is essential.

Only PRs and citizens can travel without showing their travel is essential.

 

[rd0640]

Desperation and anxiety doesn't qualify as essential, i take it.

Thanks anyway. You saved me the effort of buying the flight and then running around to get a refund.

 

[scylla]

Desperation and anxiety doesn't qualify as essential, i take it.

Thanks anyway. You saved me the effort of buying the flight and then running around to get a refund.

I would contact IRCC and see if you can be classified as essential since you have a COPR. No harm in asking. I wouldn't book a flight until you hear back from them. And it might take a while to hear back since I think they are being flodded with email. There's an email in the link below.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/travel-restrictions-exemptions.html

 

[rd0640]

Yes, Thankyou so much. I have emailed them. I have my fingers crossed.

 

[canuck78]

When does your COPR expire?

 

[rd0640]

November 2020

 

[Shilpa D W]

Until when is your copr valid?????

Hello.
My nationality is Indian and i currently am in India.
I received my COPR in November 2019. My flight to Canada was booked for 25th March 2020. I delayed my flight because i wanted to assess the situation and the flights were grounded in my country.
However, recently, there are evacuation flights that are happening from June 9th to June 31st. It is for Citizens and permanent residents. However, i cannot find the information whether COPR holders are eligible for these evacuation flights called "Vande Bharat Mission."

I am sure there are plenty of people sailing in the same boat as me and going through the same confusion but cannot find the answer. I would be grateful if someone could help me out? Are COPR holders eligible for these flights or not?

 

[steaky]

Until when is your copr valid?????

According to the post before you, November 2020!

 

[canuck78]

November 2020

Are you sure you had a full year for COPR validity? That is pretty rare.

 

[rd0640]

Well, yes. it would seem so. but regardless, are COPR holders eligible to take Vande Bharat flights?