HIV positive and applying for express entry

[Kumar15]

Hi Guys... I want to share with you my experience in order to bring a ray of hope for all HIV+ applicants.

I'm HIV+ since 2016 and I've been on ARV treatment since then. My viral load is undetectable and I have great health conditions taking the medication Genvoya.

I moved to Canada in 2018 as a graduate student and applied for the Express Entry (FSW) last year (2019). My score was 477 and the CRS was 471, so I received my ITA right away. Nevertheless, because of my medical condition, I was really concerned about the chances of my application to be rejected.

I underwent all the medical exams for the PR prior to the submission of all the documents and I was very clear with doctor about my situation. I presented a bottle of the medicine I take and I was asked to contact my infectious disease physician/clinic here in Canada so that they could provide more information about my medical history and conditions.

After submitting all the documents, I did not see any evolution in my case for 7 months ( not even in the background check or review of eligibility). I was losing my faith that I would get it. Last week, after exactly 7 months that I got my AOR, I passed the medical exams in one day and in the following morning, all the other topics were updated and I got my COPR.

If you are applying for the EE being HIV+, do not freak out like me! The chances of being approved are real, although apparently it takes a little longer than usual.

This link gives you an explanation about how the cost threshold for the medical inadmissibility is computed:

<< https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/excessive-demand.html >>

In the same website, you can find a link where you can estimate the costs per tablet of you medication to check if they are below the anual threshold (you have to calculate in accordance to the number of tablets you take per year). For Ontario, you can estimate the costs in the following link:

<< https://www.formulary.health.gov.on.ca/formulary/ >>

E.g: Brand name: Genvoya, Drug benefit price unit: CAN 45.1440 ___ Anual Costs = 365*45.1440 = 16,477.56 + medical expenses < 2019 Anual Threshold

Lastly, if you start to freak out and wish to get more information about what is going on with your process, you can request the GCMS notes. It costs only $5.00 and shows you all the comments and analysis that are associated with your case. However, I believe you must be present in Canada to request them.

<< https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/access-information-privacy/requests-information-act.html >>

It takes about 15 days to receive the attachment after the GCMS application/payment.

I wish you all the luck with your application!

 

[Andy Eddy]

Hi guys

I was diagnosed as HIV positive in 2004. On treatment and undetectable since 2006. I had several children from 2012 onwards, both they and my wife are negative.

I received my ITA beginning November 2020. I saw the panel physician three weeks later. Full disclosure of my condition. I presented him with full medical records and a certificate from my pharmacist. He wasn't remotely interested in reading the information but attached the documents to my file. He asked me to go for an additional TB test, the results of which I should receive in 6-8 weeks.

During my wife's exam, he revealed to her that he hadn't referred a previous candidate for the additional TB test (he wasn't aware it was necessary) and that that person's application had been susequently refused!

My application is moving in the right direction. I have provided all the information possible to the IRCC to demonstrate that the cost of my treatment is well below the threshold and that I pose no threat to public safety. I am nonetheless concerned about a long delay to the decision or even a refusal because an individual responsable for processing the application is unaware of certain procedures or elements (as occured with the physician's previous candidate..).

I have done some research for the up-to-date IRCC procedures regarding HIV positive candidates, notably around this additionnal TB testing (and any other additional exams that the physician is perhaps unaware of..), without success.

I have hired an immigration consultant to check the application before I send it, I hope she will be able to provide some information and reassurance!

Best of luck to all the other candidates in this situation

 

[Kismatk]

Hi Guys... I want to share with you my experience in order to bring a ray of hope for all HIV+ applicants.

I'm HIV+ since 2016 and I've been on ARV treatment since then. My viral load is undetectable and I have great health conditions taking the medication Genvoya.

I moved to Canada in 2018 as a graduate student and applied for the Express Entry (FSW) last year (2019). My score was 477 and the CRS was 471, so I received my ITA right away. Nevertheless, because of my medical condition, I was really concerned about the chances of my application to be rejected.

I underwent all the medical exams for the PR prior to the submission of all the documents and I was very clear with doctor about my situation. I presented a bottle of the medicine I take and I was asked to contact my infectious disease physician/clinic here in Canada so that they could provide more information about my medical history and conditions.

After submitting all the documents, I did not see any evolution in my case for 7 months ( not even in the background check or review of eligibility). I was losing my faith that I would get it. Last week, after exactly 7 months that I got my AOR, I passed the medical exams in one day and in the following morning, all the other topics were updated and I got my COPR.

If you are applying for the EE being HIV+, do not freak out like me! The chances of being approved are real, although apparently it takes a little longer than usual.

This link gives you an explanation about how the cost threshold for the medical inadmissibility is computed:

<< https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/excessive-demand.html >>

In the same website, you can find a link where you can estimate the costs per tablet of you medication to check if they are below the anual threshold (you have to calculate in accordance to the number of tablets you take per year). For Ontario, you can estimate the costs in the following link:

<< https://www.formulary.health.gov.on.ca/formulary/ >>

E.g: Brand name: Genvoya, Drug benefit price unit: CAN 45.1440 ___ Anual Costs = 365*45.1440 = 16,477.56 + medical expenses < 2019 Anual Threshold

Lastly, if you start to freak out and wish to get more information about what is going on with your process, you can request the GCMS notes. It costs only $5.00 and shows you all the comments and analysis that are associated with your case. However, I believe you must be present in Canada to request them.

<< https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/access-information-privacy/requests-information-act.html >>

It takes about 15 days to receive the attachment after the GCMS application/payment.

I wish you all the luck with your application!

Hello . Can i get your contact info . I need some information from you. Thank you

 

[yolo696]

v) 722 HIV Specialist report:
A recent report from an infectious disease specialist is required.
Please provide information about the applicant's HIV status including
viral load and CD4, AIDS-defining conditions, likely need for ARVs
and when, and prognosis.

Either CIC Panelist Doctor or the Specialist he recommended will then sit with you and discuss your treatment history. if you have all the records from the day you got diagnosed it would be better. else he will ask another round of CD4 and VL testing at his hospital to verify your records. He will then submit it to CIC Panelist doctor, who will then submit the entire medical report with all 5 reports to CIC.

Additional Tests may be asked by CIC in the future with related your medical report.

if I were you I will check myself for Syphilis, HEP A/B if sexually active in the past three months (and gets the necessary treatment if reactive) before I walk into the medical exam. Your file will move quickly if you have been treated or in treatment. if something pops up for the very first time during CIC exam then you will miss the 6 month Express Entry timeline.

Feel free to ask if you have any more questions. Good Luck

Hello, I am from India and I am hiv positive. I applied for study visa. My medical is done and I was asked for 722 hiv specialist report. I had already taken a report from my doctor upfront, which included my cd4, viral load, my treatment start date, my medicine name. So we submitted that. However it did not include AIDS defining conditions, need of arvs and when and prognosis. Do you think they’ll ask me for the these three things again? Or what I submitted will be enough?
Thank you.

 

[Express1991]

v) 722 HIV Specialist report:
A recent report from an infectious disease specialist is required.
Please provide information about the applicant's HIV status including
viral load and CD4, AIDS-defining conditions, likely need for ARVs
and when, and prognosis.

Either CIC Panelist Doctor or the Specialist he recommended will then sit with you and discuss your treatment history. if you have all the records from the day you got diagnosed it would be better. else he will ask another round of CD4 and VL testing at his hospital to verify your records. He will then submit it to CIC Panelist doctor, who will then submit the entire medical report with all 5 reports to CIC.

Additional Tests may be asked by CIC in the future with related your medical report.

if I were you I will check myself for Syphilis, HEP A/B if sexually active in the past three months (and gets the necessary treatment if reactive) before I walk into the medical exam. Your file will move quickly if you have been treated or in treatment. if something pops up for the very first time during CIC exam then you will miss the 6 month Express Entry timeline.

Feel free to ask if you have any more questions. Good Luck

Hey,
Thankyou for the above information. I have one query..my husband’s 707 test is coming repeatedly reactive but hiv specialist report comes non-reactive making the overall status negative. This was our result first time and canada has asked us to repeat the same test 707 again after 28 days. It is still coming repeatedly reactive for 707 but hiv specialist report makes final status As HIV negative. Will there be a problem or we should wait some time to give the additional tests?

 

[Express1991]

Hello . Can i get your contact info . I need some information from you. Thank you

Hello,
Can we connect.. need some information from you..thanks in advance

 

[canuck78]

Hello,
Can we connect.. need some information from you..thanks in advance

He is still considered HIV positive but viral load issue detectable. That is very important distinction than saying that his test is coming out negative for HIV. Assume that is the issue.