Am sharing my recent landing experience, landed end of April and returned to US after 16 days of self isolation.
Took a direct flight from US to Toronto airport, American Airlines. The agent took our visa and did not even ask for COPR document, though he was on the phone for sometime and took about 10 minutes to check us in, but no issues. Traveled with spouse.
On landing we had to fill out a couple of forms about Covid, one for symptoms and declaration and one for details about where we will be staying and isolating. The forms also ask for detailed contact information, phone number email, address etc.
CBSA officer asked us for detailed plans about isolation, including how we plan to get groceries, we had all proof (bookings, statement from AirBnB host etc) but they took our word for it which was nice
. For groceries our AirBnB host delivered the first batch (which we told the officer and they seemed to accept that) and placed them in the house, for the rest of the days we ordered using online ordering. We used a site called inabuggy it was expensive ($20 delivery fee) but very fast, same day delivery.
The actual landing part is done by a different immigration agent, they asked all the usual questions about proof of funds, what are your plans etc. They also double checked our self isolation plans and asked about how we will go to the AirBnB, we said Uber, they said that is fine as long as you don't stop anywhere and wear a mask. Overall very friendly and smooth PR process, they said now you are officially PR and signed the COPR, said PR card will take 1-3 months, if it takes longer raise a webform but its probably because of Covid19
. The officer was very friendly and even accepted my cousins address to mail the PR card
. She asked us if we are "running away from Trump"
and said that current US immigration policy has been a gift to Canada
Finally at the airport we got our goods to follow stamped, this took the longest about 30 minutes, but eventually worked out.
Took an Uber to the AirBnB, Toronto airport was nearly empty.
We had carried dried food : rice, daal, spices, salt, sugar, tea etc. No fruits or vegetables, I think at some point CBSA asked us if we are carrying fruits but that's it. We were quite comfortable with online delivery + our packed items.
We spent 14 days locked up inside our AirBnB, ordered groceries and takeout, it was tiresome to be indoors but overall not too bad.
Our self isolation period was smooth except that I missed a call (my phone was turned off and it was 830AM on a Saturday
) from the Canadian health authorities, all it said was:
"Sorry to miss you, we will call you back"
It seems this was part of their effort to track self isolation and if you are following the guidelines, no one called me back and to the best of my knowledge no one came at my door either, so I am a little nervous about that but I would recommend that everyone traveling keep a phone on loud and near them at all times
.. because 99% someone will call you and you don't want the stress of missing their call!
When we originally traveled we booked a 1-way flight, and had planned to spend 2 weeks after isolation with my cousin and potentially look for jobs for my spouse, but rumors/reports started to circle about new H1B restrictions in the US so after 16 days we returned to US. I used AVR it was smooth but took a long time (total 2 hours at the airport even though it was fully empty).
Returning again Toronto airport was empty, we could not find a direct flight so had a connection the flight within the US was 100% full
.. the flight from Toronto to US was ~20% full, and the US airport seemed to be at 70% capacity!
I won't feel comfortable until I have the PR card (current wait time is ~115 days
) in hand, but happy to finish the landing process even though we had to return sooner than we wanted.
