COPR and coronavirus

[ab282]

You will have to call airlines and ask.

Air India seem to have no idea about my situation and straight away asked to check traveling guidelines on their website.
Everything seems okay except - one must ensure the visa is valid for 1 year from the date of travel.
Which cannot be true in our case (copr holder first time lander).....

 

[canadadreamer2020]

Does it happen after CoPR expiry?

Yes

 

[M160RA]

Hi guys, I would like to share my landing experience with you so that you may find it helpful!
Around the last part of April I heard about the chartered flights taking back cityzens and PRs. So I registered myself in the consulate (office in Bangladesh ) web sight. They said a flight may be arranged around the first week of May. But they remain silent upto 8th May. On 9th May 1.30am I got a mail from the consulate that a flight will be on 10th May 4.45 pm and if I am interested I have to purchase tickets as soon as possible. The news was a huge joy as well as a big pain for me because literally I had only a day left to book the tickets and also complete preparation .

Anyhow I managed both. On 10th May I started for Toronto via Doha. The plane was jam packed. There was no sign of social isolation. A total of 316 passengers flew. Reached Toronto at 7.30 am on 11th May. Here we faced some measures taken for covid19. 30 people were allowed to leave the aircraft in every 5 minutes. Though we were given the declaration forms in the aircraft that was of no use as we had to fill up electronically generated information instead! Then smoothly we entered crossing the boarder services. They showed us the immigration area and we went there. The immigration officer was so helpful. He asked us only about whether we have earlier applied for PR? Whether we have any other dependent? Where shall we quarantine? How shall we manage medicine if needed etc. Then he asked us to wait as he completes some formality. After 5 minutes he came back and took our sign on the COPR and signed himself and assured us that we are now PR in Canada. He told us that we shall receive our PR in our mail address and. PR card in our given address by 6 to 8 weeks.
Then we went to complete customs formalities. The officer ask for the list of goods to follow. And how mush fund we have. Not asked for any proof of fund. Even he didn’t check any luggage or ask for any other information.
The process was real smooth and hassle free. The best part was we were able to fly in a chartered flight. And everything ended nicely. By the way our COPR/PRV validity was upto 27th June.
At last I want to thank all of you as I followed this forum and it was a great help and also a place of hope in this unprecedented COVID19 situation.

Congrats on making it there!

I was following the updates from the consulate here as well, but I decided against it. Mainly, because my ticket with Emirates is still 'open', the fare was too expensive, and they would be flying to Montreal not Toronto. At least you saw the email at 1.30 am and were able to pack in less than 24 hours.

Surprised too see no social distancing being maintained on the flight. Did everyone have to wear masks and gloves throughout the entire flight? Did you manage to take a recent bank statement with you?

 

[Canaspirant xyz]

Air India seem to have no idea about my situation and straight away asked to check traveling guidelines on their website.
Everything seems okay except - one must ensure the visa is valid for 1 year from the date of travel.
Which cannot be true in our case (copr holder first time lander).....

This is confusing.During initial exemption too many copr faced trouble in boarding.

 

[FJK1982]

A question for all UAE residents.
Do we need any special approval/permission to leave UAE? There are several KLM flights from Dubai to Toronto via Amsterdam. I spoke with KLM and they said that these are NOT special flights and are available to book for anyone.
My question is, even if the airline has no issue, do we still need approval from Ministry of Foreign Affairs to leave UAE?

Edit: I'm referring to a one-way outbound flight ONLY

Hi Saad, I am sure that there is no special arrangements for the people who want to leave the country, but yes if you want to travel back than it will be an issue, nevertheless as you mentioned that you are going to fly one way. I don't think so you need any kind pf special permission. As I am in UAE and following up day to day updates as well, so if you can make it go ahead and keep me posted.

 

[ab282]

This is confusing.During initial exemption too many copr faced trouble in boarding.

That is right.... I believe the airlines should have clear instructions on this....it really is very confusing and frustrating too!!

 

[saad_im]

Hi there, I am not a UAE resident but a good question. How do you want to fly to Canada as it seems Canadian POEs are just open for citizens&PRs but not for approved permanent residents without necessary reasons?

Canadian POE are allowing approved applicants whose applications were approved on or before March 18th. Therefore COPR holders are allowed to enter as long as they were approved before March 18

 

[saad_im]

Hi Saad, I am sure that there is no special arrangements for the people who want to leave the country, but yes if you want to travel back than it will be an issue, nevertheless as you mentioned that you are going to fly one way. I don't think so you need any kind pf special permission. As I am in UAE and following up day to day updates as well, so if you can make it go ahead and keep me posted.

Hi @FJK1982
Thanks for the reply. Also, Emirates Airlines just posted on Instagram that they are restarting scheduled flights to 9 cities in 8 countries starting from 21 May. The list includes Toronto.. This is definitely good news as well. I will stick to KLM as I already have a voucher from them.

I'll keep you posted with updates.

 

[FJK1982]

Hi @FJK1982
Thanks for the reply. Also, Emirates Airlines just posted on Instagram that they are restarting scheduled flights to 9 cities in 8 countries starting from 21 May. The list includes Toronto.. This is definitely good news as well. I will stick to KLM as I already have a voucher from them.

I'll keep you posted with updates.

Yeah just saw that, I am feeling things will get better by 1st June. Good luck!

 

[Lachelle]

Received another email again in response to the first webform that i sent. These would be their 3rd email..all were generic but this one stating to forward it to responsible office

 

[Nityar]

Hi Members...
Anyone planning to book Delhi Toronto flight in the 2 phase of the evacuation flights? PLEASE ADVICE as to whether we (COPR aplroved before 18 march 2020 holders) can/should book tickets on these evacuation flights?????
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!

Yeah me and my partner are planning from delhi. However called air india few hours back and they seem to not having a clear idea of our situation. Also they said they haven’t received any list from MOCL as of now so cant help with booking. They sounded confused and so we are!

 

[ab282]

Yeah me and my partner are planning from delhi. However called air india few hours back and they seem to not having a clear idea of our situation. Also they said they haven’t received any list from MOCL as of now so cant help with booking. They sounded confused and so we are!

U are not alone in the confusion guys.......

 

[hinavin]

Hi Members...
Anyone planning to book Delhi Toronto flight in the 2 phase of the evacuation flights? PLEASE ADVICE as to whether we (COPR aplroved before 18 march 2020 holders) can/should book tickets on these evacuation flights?????
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!

That will be me. Actually from Hyderabad to Toronto. For Mom. CoPR expires 19 May. Could not find any Canadian cities in the Air India flight list.

 

[mac88]

Air India is going to start some evacuation flight for Toronto/Vancouver from different cities in India but I am not sure about the connecting commutation to those cities. You can go to Air India site and chat with online agent.

No but question is do airindia allow COPR holder as, all of them has visa validity less then one year for sure

 

[Avid_Reader]

That will be me. Actually from Hyderabad to Toronto. For Mom. CoPR expires 19 May. Could not find any Canadian cities in the Air India flight list.

Same scenario have booked a flight already from Delhi to Toronto for June 15. i am planning to reschedule it for the upcoming week. Not sure whether they would allow COPR tho