COPR and coronavirus

[indpnv]

Did you hear back from them?

Yes, The response I got can be found here:

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/copr-and-coronavirus.681880/post-8602286

 

[ryeCatcher]

Just got an email from CBP, see the last line. Applies to land travel only:


Thank you for contacting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Information Center.

In order to limit the further spread of coronavirus, on March 21, 2020, the U.S. reached an agreement with both Canada and Mexico to limit all non-essential travel across land borders. On April 20, 2020, all parties extended these measures for an additional 30 days.

Examples of non-essential travel include:
• tourism
• recreation
• entertainment
If you are healthy and must cross the border for work or other essential purposes, you may continue to do so. Some examples of essential travel purposes are:
• work and study
• critical infrastructure support
• economic services and supply chains
• shopping for essential goods, such as:
o medication
o items necessary for the health and safety of an individual or family
• health, immediate medical care, safety and security
Again, the recent border restrictions affect land travel. They do not affect travelers entering by air, freight rail, or sea.

Yes I was told same by CBP that I can travel by air.
But I have not got a clear answer on whether I can use AVR. The officer said that AVR can be used, but did not confirm if having a cancelled visa appointment means I am disqualified from using AVR or not. My appointment was cancelled due to Covid and the consulate closing.

 

[raxx.cater]

Yes I was told same by CBP that I can travel by air.
But I have not got a clear answer on whether I can use AVR. The officer said that AVR can be used, but did not confirm if having a cancelled visa appointment means I am disqualified from using AVR or not. My appointment was cancelled due to Covid and the consulate closing.

Hi RyeCatcher, even I had same doubt as my appointment was also cancelled. But while going thru in other forums, someone did a soft landing last year and came back to US using AVR even though his Visa appointment was in the near future. He mentioned that the AVR becomes invalid once you drop the passport to consulate which takes it to the stage of "Visa application in progress" which then makes AVR as invalid.

 

[niswe]

I received an email today from ircc etobicoke:

I am pleased to advise you that your application for permanent residence in Canada is now complete. Congratulations! You are now a permanent resident of Canada!
This letter constitutes an official document issued by the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. You can provide a copy of this letter to prove that you are a permanent resident of Canada and to apply for government benefits and services for which you are eligible, until you receive your permanent resident card.
This letter does not replace the permanent resident card; you are still required to submit the documentation to obtain your permanent resident card. If you have a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) document in-hand, please send it along with one photo that meets our photo specifications to the address listed above. Please ensure that you write your unique client identifier (UCI) and name on the back of the photo. If your address has changed, please provide us with your current address.
If you do not have a (CoPR), please print a copy of this letter and send it to us along with one photo that meets our photo specifications to the address listed above; we will produce your permanent resident card once we receive it.
We realize that you may not be able to send this photo right now due to the Government of Canada’s order to stay home during the COVID-19 situation. Please send this photo to us when it will be possible as per your provincial and/or local authorities’ guidelines. In the meantime, this letter will serve as proof of your permanent resident status in Canada. You can use this letter for one year and it must be accompanied by a travel document or a federal/provincial/territorial identity document. The permanent resident card is required after this one-year period.
We are making every effort to produce and mail your permanent resident card, but there will be delays as our offices are either closed or working at minimum capacity. Issuance of permanent resident cards should gradually resume as COVID-19 related restrictions are eased.

For those who received this, do we have to sign ircc copy of the copr or no need? I will only send ircc copy plus 1 photo to the address of etobicoke ircc. We need to keep the client copy right?

Congratulations.. Could you pls share the email address for ircc etobicoke from you received this email

 

[UsakaurB]

Hi RyeCatcher, even I had same doubt as my appointment was also cancelled. But while going thru in other forums, someone did a soft landing last year and came back to US using AVR even though his Visa appointment was in the near future. He mentioned that the AVR becomes invalid once you drop the passport to consulate which takes it to the stage of "Visa application in progress" which then makes AVR as invalid.

Does it matter if your expired stamp and current i94 are from different employers?
Also can ARV Be used by air?

 

[ryeCatcher]

Hi RyeCatcher, even I had same doubt as my appointment was also cancelled. But while going thru in other forums, someone did a soft landing last year and came back to US using AVR even though his Visa appointment was in the near future. He mentioned that the AVR becomes invalid once you drop the passport to consulate which takes it to the stage of "Visa application in progress" which then makes AVR as invalid.

Thanks, I read something similar and was confident that AVR should be fine, but someone else shared an experience on a whatsapp group that CBP officer told them that even submitting DS160 means your application is in progress .. so not sure what to believe. I think no matter what its up to the CBP office and how his day is going :|

 

[ryeCatcher]

Does it matter if your expired stamp and current i94 are from different employers?
Also can ARV Be used by air?

Yes I think they can be. That is my situation too
And yes can be used by air, but its harder to convince airline staff so I have heard people run into issues and have to convince them.

 

[nirjhar18]

We sent our passports to IRCC which were received on 11th March'2020. We have not heard anything after that. We did raise a webform and they confirmed that they have our passports but the processing can take some time.

Questions:

1. My medicals are valid until the end of next month? Has anyone received COPR/visa with an extension because of Covid 19? As far as I know, we cannot travel to Canada currently because of the restrictions.

2. Has anyone recently traveled to Canada for landing and returned to the US on Automatic Re-validation (AVR)? With all the travel restrictions currently, can we use AVR for entry into the US?

 

[UsakaurB]

Yes I think they can be. That is my situation too
And yes can be used by air, but its harder to convince airline staff so I have heard people run into issues and have to convince them.

When are you planning to travel?

 

[ryeCatcher]

When are you planning to travel?

Thinking of traveling this weekend, what about you?
I have contacted my employers immigration folks, waiting to see what they say.

 

[UsakaurB]

I haven't decided yet, if AVR is an option, I will do it end of may.
Else I don't see any other option except of getting copr extension.

 

[raxx.cater]

I'm planning to travel around second week of May. Fighting with my employer for leaves..

 

[ryeCatcher]

I'm planning to travel around second week of May. Fighting with my employer for leaves..

Are you driving? If not do you need to take time off? I am hoping to just continue working remotely

 

[niko80]

Nope, I tried to land the day before they issued the lock down, but not successful. Never scheduled an appointment

did they confirm PR or they will do it after interview?

 

[hinavin]

What exactly do u mean by soft landing? Could you pls explain?

In addition to what experienced members have already mentioned - Soft Landing is NOT an official term or way. It is merely a colloquial term (informal) used by us immigrants to describe that you perform a 'landing' simply to get a PR card, SIN number, sign in into the Canadian system as a PR. But return as soon as possible so you can come to Canada to settle down permanently - once you feel it is more suitable.

Makes sense? - So please dont be saying to officials that you are soft landing - my two cents!

Best wishes!