Can I apply for schenegen visitor visa and UK visitor visa with COPR

[dna211]

Hi all,

I did my landing on 4th Feb and now waiting for my PR card. I have to go to the conference to the UK and Spain starting 27th May. I am pretty sure, to receive PR card by then, but since I am an Indian citizen, I need to apply for Visa to travel to UK and Europe. Since I need to obtain visa from 2 different countries, I want to apply atleast 3 months in advance. Going through visa requirements, they need PR card. I was wondering if anyone has an idea to get visa with COPR instead of PR card?

 

[evdm]

I think your question is best asked directly to the Spanish Embassy or Consulate and the British High Commission, though I think it may be difficult. The CoPR confirms your status as a PR, but it is not a valid travel document. I don't have any experience with this, but I reason below why I think it may be difficult. This is just my opinion, so hopefully someone will be able to better help you with this question.

One of the things that the embassies are looking for when you apply for the visa is your ability to leave their country and in your case return to Canada. The only way that you will be able to board a flight back to Canada would be if you had the PR Card in hand, or you have a PRTD. Because you cannot apply for the PRTD in Canada in advance (has to be done at Canadian Visa Office abroad, and you need to submit passport) this wouldn't be an option. Therefore, for the Spaniards and British, the only way they can see that you will leave the country at the end of your stay and return to Canada is with a PR Card. Even though you have the right as a PR to enter Canada, no airline will carry you without one of the two documents mentioned above, and you would be stranded in Britain or Spain until you can get them.

You mentioned you are likely to receive the PR card. How close are you to a Spanish Consulate and British High Commission? It's my understanding that you have to apply in-person anyway. You could always go to the offices with the completed forms and the CoPR and see what they say (perhaps get the process started), but I don't think they will be able to issue the visas until you have the PR Card.

 

[vensak]

Your question has nothing to do with visiting Europe. In order to do that you will need proper visa for UK and Schengen area (and for that you will need a valid passport).
Returning without PR card is a problem. And funny enough it is not really problem to go through the Canadian borders, but to be able to board the plane.
Because flight companies do not want additional costs when transporting somebody that was refused the entry back home, they simply request valid PR card before you can board.
The way around is surprisingly not that difficult. All you need is to return to USA and then cross borders using private vehicle (rented car or a taxi). That way you can avoid the whole problem. Or simply wait until your PR card has arrived and do not take such commitment.
Other solution is to get PRTD but there is difficult to say how fast will it go. You may or may not be lucky. good luck

 

[dna211]

Your question has nothing to do with visiting Europe. In order to do that you will need proper visa for UK and Schengen area (and for that you will need a valid passport).
Returning without PR card is a problem. And funny enough it is not really problem to go through the Canadian borders, but to be able to board the plane.
Because flight companies do not want additional costs when transporting somebody that was refused the entry back home, they simply request valid PR card before you can board.
The way around is surprisingly not that difficult. All you need is to return to USA and then cross borders using private vehicle (rented car or a taxi). That way you can avoid the whole problem. Or simply wait until your PR card has arrived and do not take such commitment.
Other solution is to get PRTD but there is difficult to say how fast will it go. You may or may not be lucky. good luck

Hey,

Thanks. I meant is if PR card is required to obtain visa? I don't mind booking a ticket until USA (need to show air tickets to get visa) but my concern is that if only COPR is okay to obtain visa. I am definitely sure to get my PR card by mid April.

 

[vensak]

Look EU does not really care where you go as long as you leave the country. So all they care is a booked flight ticket somewhere outside Schengen or UK (for each of them). It is not their concern to check if you have or have not visa for that country.
What you have to prove of course is that you really intend to leave and stay somewhere (that is residency and assets in other country for example). But that somewhere does not have to be where your current flight ticket is booked.
But again, for that purpose different alternative documents can be accepted. So check with the embassy you will be dealing what type of proof is acceptable.

 

[evdm]

It is not their concern to check if you have or have not visa for that country.

Actually, it is... questions 18 and 28 on the Schengen visa application form specifically ask for the residency document or the visa (entry permit) for the final destination country.

 

[rish888]

Hi all,

I did my landing on 4th Feb and now waiting for my PR card. I have to go to the conference to the UK and Spain starting 27th May. I am pretty sure, to receive PR card by then, but since I am an Indian citizen, I need to apply for Visa to travel to UK and Europe. Since I need to obtain visa from 2 different countries, I want to apply atleast 3 months in advance. Going through visa requirements, they need PR card. I was wondering if anyone has an idea to get visa with COPR instead of PR card?

Do you have a US visa?

You could book your return ticket to the US and write a letter explaining that you'll return to Canada via car since the CoPR is good enough for entry is you're driving to Canada.

 

[dna211]

Do you have a US visa?

You could book your return ticket to the US and write a letter explaining that you'll return to Canada via car since the CoPR is good enough for entry is you're driving to Canada.

@evdm

Actually, it is... questions 18 and 28 on the Schengen visa application form specifically ask for the residency document or the visa (entry permit) for the final destination country.

Actually, it is... questions 18 and 28 on the Schengen visa application form specifically ask for the residency document or the visa (entry permit) for the final destination country.

Hi,

Yes, I can drive from US. Do you know about UK visa? I will be visiting UK and spain, so If I get UK visa first then I can wait to apply for schenegen visa when I get the PR card.

 

[rish888]

@evdm


Hi,

Yes, I can drive from US. Do you know about UK visa? I will be visiting UK and spain, so If I get UK visa first then I can wait to apply for schenegen visa when I get the PR card.

I think with an explanation that you still haven't received your PR card and flight tickets showing your return to the US rather than Canada, you should be fine regardless of the country you plan on applying too.

Do attach your CoPR to show that you're a PR.

 

[negarmkh]

Hi

Hi all,

I did my landing on 4th Feb and now waiting for my PR card. I have to go to the conference to the UK and Spain starting 27th May. I am pretty sure, to receive PR card by then, but since I am an Indian citizen, I need to apply for Visa to travel to UK and Europe. Since I need to obtain visa from 2 different countries, I want to apply atleast 3 months in advance. Going through visa requirements, they need PR card. I was wondering if anyone has an idea to get visa with COPR instead of PR card?

Hi,
I am in the same situation. Did you be able to get Schengen visa with CoPR?
Thanks

 

[vensak]

PR card has nothing to do with being PR. So for all that purposes, you can state that you are PR resident of Canada. So that part will not be problem for EU embassy.
It will be problem for boarding the plane to Canada. So your COPR (especially if it is less than 3 years old) should be enough. But you would have to travel through USA.

 

[PranavSam]

@evdm


Hi,

Yes, I can drive from US. Do you know about UK visa? I will be visiting UK and spain, so If I get UK visa first then I can wait to apply for schenegen visa when I get the PR card.

Hello,
I'm in the same situation now, need to travel immediately. I live close to US. I can cross borders. But did you end up applying Schengen with just CopR? Thanks in Advance.

 

[canuck78]

Hello,
I'm in the same situation now, need to travel immediately. I live close to US. I can cross borders. But did you end up applying Schengen with just CopR? Thanks in Advance.

You will always need to apply with your passport in conjunction to your residency status.

 

[PranavSam]

You will always need to apply with your passport in conjunction to your residency status.

Hi,
Yeah I will be applying Schengen visa with my passport and Just Copr. Because I still haven't received my PR card yet. Is that fine to do?

Thanks,

 

[canuck78]

Hi,
Yeah I will be applying Schengen visa with my passport and Just Copr. Because I still haven't received my PR card yet. Is that fine to do?

Thanks,

Yes. You will have a problem getting bacm into Canada without your PR card so will either need to get prtd or land in the US and return to Canada via private car.