Approval in Principal without complete medical

[akayalto1]

Does anyone know if they need a complete medical for the first stage approval (approval in Principal) of a spousal sponsorship. I am asking because my wife if already pregnant and we are trying to calculate if she can get OHIP by being in Ontario and having the application process underway. As I've read, for OHIP, you need Approval in Principal and to have lived in ontario for at least 3 months. So, if it's impossible to get that first stage approval without the complete medical, then for sure we know that it will be impossible to get OHIP coverage for the birth. Hope someone can help. Thanks.

 

[Ponga]

Technically, the medical is required for stage two as it is part of the admissibility check for the applicant. For an Inland applicant, AIP means that the sponsor has been approved and the applicant has been deemed qualified to apply for PR (even though they already have). This includes validation/verification of their relationship with their sponsor.

For this reason, most (but not all) that did not include it with their application are asked for it after they have reached AIP stage.

 

[akayalto1]

Technically, the medical is required for stage two as it is part of the admissibility check for the applicant. For an Inland applicant, AIP means that the sponsor has been approved and the applicant has been deemed qualified to apply for PR (even though they already have). This includes validation/verification of their relationship with their sponsor.

For this reason, most (but not all) that did not include it with their application are asked for it after they have reached AIP stage.

Oh, I see. So for outland, because you have to submit the medical upfront, it needs to be complete for the stage 2 approval. Which means that it would not be possible to get the medical done (chest xray) until after the birth, therefore no coverage for the birth.

However, applying inland means that the approval comes after the sponsor is approved and the relationship is legitimate. Then they would request the medical, which we could submit after the birth.

It would also be a benefit to apply inland as well for the work permit even though the waiting time is much longer, and she would have stay in Canada the entire time?

 

[Ponga]

Since it takes well over a year for an Inland applicant to reach the AIP stage (most people that have applied within the last few years have waited 18 + months), that would not help you with health coverage for the birth of your baby.

The lure of the OWP with an Inland application is usually not worth the ridiculous wait for completion of the PR process, versus applying Outland.

Inland applicants are cautioned NOT to leave Canada at all during the process. It's not that they can't leave, it's that if they leave and are denied at re-entry...the application is in real jeopardy. Nothing can guarantee re-entry.

 

[akayalto1]

Since it takes well over a year for an Inland applicant to reach the AIP stage (most people that have applied within the last few years have waited 18 + months), that would not help you with health coverage for the birth of your baby.

The lure of the OWP with an Inland application is usually not worth the ridiculous wait for completion of the PR process, versus applying Outland.

Inland applicants are cautioned NOT to leave Canada at all during the process. It's not that they can't leave, it's that if they leave and are denied at re-entry...the application is in real jeopardy. Nothing can guarantee re-entry.

Oh, I thought I had read in other threads that some inland applicants get their AIP after 4-5 months. This would still make it fairly tight, and risky if it takes longer, but if today the usual time is a year or more, than it's surely not worth it for the reasons of trying to get OHIP.

Also as you said the risk of not being able to re-enter if we have to leave throughout the entire process is pretty lame.

With an outland application, they request the medical upfront....as she is pregnant, she will be able to do everything but the chest x-ray. Could she still get AIP if everything else is correct except that, or does the chest xray make the difference for a valid medical and AIP?

 

[profiler]

Oh, I thought I had read in other threads that some inland applicants get their AIP after 4-5 months. This would still make it fairly tight, and risky if it takes longer, but if today the usual time is a year or more, than it's surely not worth it for the reasons of trying to get OHIP.

You can qualify for OHIP if you get the OWP and work for at least 6 months.

Yes it does take time -- no doubts here. Also they are working to reduce inland processing times. Some have reported getting their COPR and landing before the 4 months it takes to get the OWP. Even though they applied at the same time. It really depends on how complete and "straightforward" the case is it seems.

Also as you said the risk of not being able to re-enter if we have to leave throughout the entire process is pretty lame.

If you have trouble re-entering they could deem the case abandoned, and you may have to start over. That said, they don't say you can't leave -- just suggest against it.

With an outland application, they request the medical upfront....as she is pregnant, she will be able to do everything but the chest x-ray. Could she still get AIP if everything else is correct except that, or does the chest xray make the difference for a valid medical and AIP?

She is pregnant, therefore the panel doctor she will see will not a do an xray. Therefore, CIC will wait until she gives birth to request the xray. This does mean that she will have to wait until she has had the baby before she will complete the process...

 

[akayalto1]

You can qualify for OHIP if you get the OWP and work for at least 6 months.

Yes it does take time -- no doubts here. Also they are working to reduce inland processing times. Some have reported getting their COPR and landing before the 4 months it takes to get the OWP. Even though they applied at the same time. It really depends on how complete and "straightforward" the case is it seems.


If you have trouble re-entering they could deem the case abandoned, and you may have to start over. That said, they don't say you can't leave -- just suggest against it.


She is pregnant, therefore the panel doctor she will see will not a do an xray. Therefore, CIC will wait until she gives birth to request the xray. This does mean that she will have to wait until she has had the baby before she will complete the process...

Thanks for your help. I understand she won't be able to complete the process, but does it also mean that she can't get approval as written on OHIP site; "Citizenship and Immigration Canada has confirmed that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence in Canada"? At what point is this for both the Inland and Outland application. Knowing this would help me to know the estimated time for that to come, and then I would be just judging the gamble on if it would come in time or not, or whether we would still do it and take the risk that the birth is healthy and normal and have it at home, or accept that in case of a hospital birth we would need to pay the fees.

 

[profiler]

Thanks for your help. I understand she won't be able to complete the process, but does it also mean that she can't get approval as written on OHIP site; "Citizenship and Immigration Canada has confirmed that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence in Canada"? At what point is this for both the Inland and Outland application. Knowing this would help me to know the estimated time for that to come, and then I would be just judging the gamble on if it would come in time or not, or whether we would still do it and take the risk that the birth is healthy and normal and have it at home, or accept that in case of a hospital birth we would need to pay the fees.

OHIP requires she have one of:
- Acceptance in Principal (you can get this without the medical being complete)
- A work permit and have a letter from an employer that states the company intends to employ the PA for 6 (or more) months.

Both have a 90-day waiting period from the date the application is accepted.

That said, I have read that midwives can help out here. They do deal with ladies who are immigrating and are pregnant. Apparently OHIP is not required for them. You may want to talk to them...

 

[Rob_TO]

Thanks for your help. I understand she won't be able to complete the process, but does it also mean that she can't get approval as written on OHIP site; "Citizenship and Immigration Canada has confirmed that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence in Canada"? At what point is this for both the Inland and Outland application.

The OHIP rules are written based on INLAND processing terms.
For OUTLAND apps, there is a way to get OHIP during the process but it is more complex and requires appealing to a review board. See this post for more: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/important-ohip-eligibility-info-for-all-pr-applicants-residing-in-ontario-t56695.0.html;msg2518001#msg2518001

Long story short, if she is already pregnant and you haven't submitted any app yet, most likely she will NOT have OHIP coverage in time for the birth no matter which way you apply.

As mentioned look into midwives. Note though you need to start contacting midwives as soon as you find out you're pregnant since they are in very high demand and will become fully booked very quickly.

 

[akayalto1]

The OHIP rules are written based on INLAND processing terms.
For OUTLAND apps, there is a way to get OHIP during the process but it is more complex and requires appealing to a review board. See this post for more: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/important-ohip-eligibility-info-for-all-pr-applicants-residing-in-ontario-t56695.0.html;msg2518001#msg2518001

Long story short, if she is already pregnant and you haven't submitted any app yet, most likely she will NOT have OHIP coverage in time for the birth no matter which way you apply.

As mentioned look into midwives. Note though you need to start contacting midwives as soon as you find out you're pregnant since they are in very high demand and will become fully booked very quickly.

Thanks for the useful info Rob_TO. I have already looked into midwives and there are some available...we are just worried about the worst case scenario and having to give birth in a hospital without insurance and how much that might cost us!

We are still not yet sure about what to do, but getting closer to knowing all the information. Thanks.

 

[profiler]

Here is a story from someone in a similar situation: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/do-i-qualify-for-ohip-through-family-sponsorship-t275107.0.html;msg5431642#msg5431642

 

[Rob_TO]

Thanks for the useful info Rob_TO. I have already looked into midwives and there are some available...we are just worried about the worst case scenario and having to give birth in a hospital without insurance and how much that might cost us!

You can deliver in a hospital using your midwife, and the costs will be substantially cheaper. The local hospital should have rooms reserved for midwives. Basically you will not see a doctor or nurse the entire time.

Basically if there are any complications during pregnancy or delivery, the midwife will no longer be able to care for you and you must be sent to a doctor instead. If this happens you should budget $5K - $10K for the delivery, with costs possibly increasing further depending what complications arise and if a long hospital stay is required.