COPR and coronavirus

[ralirehmani0617]

Hi, If you cannot travel or you are unwilling to travel, it won't affect your PR status. Please go through the following excerpt from the Information Letter I received from IRCC, after submitting the webform.

"Thank you for contacting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This is in reference to your application for permanent residence in Canada. We have received your request to extend the duration within which you can confirm your status as a permanent resident. Please be assured that your application will not be refused if you are unable or unwilling to travel as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If the situation is resolved and you are able to travel within the existing validity of your documents, you may do so. Otherwise, once you and your family members (if applicable) are able to travel, please notify us through the IRCC Web form. At that time, IRCC will respond with the most up to date information we have on next steps. "

However, I am planning to travel on June 23rd before the expiry of my visa.

SAME HERE, MY VISA EXPIRED ON JUNE 12, 2020, I had same kind of reply and now I have requested for extension uptil october november 2020

 

[hinavin]

Yes I know, but the thing is I live in Atlanta, not Detroit. I was thinking of working remotely from Detroit. But if the daily commute between borders is not allowed until you have physical PR card in hand, I will not move to Detroit, and will move permanently to Toronto by July end.

It'll be great if daily commute is allowed so I can get all the Canadian stuff sorted(Bank account, SIN, Phone etc.) while not being jobless, because the Canadian job market seems really slow.

Good point - no reason to go jobless of course. Anything stopping you working from home in Windsor or somewhere else in Canada - instead of wfh in Detroit? Afterall you are already leaving Atlanta - so does is make a difference to your employer whether you are in Detroit or Windsor. There might be an angle that I havent been able to consider...just wondering is all!

 

[DIJ2]

Good point - no reason to go jobless of course. Anything stopping you working from home in Windsor or somewhere else in Canada - instead of wfh in Detroit? Afterall you are already leaving Atlanta - so does is make a difference to your employer whether you are in Detroit or Windsor. There might be an angle that I havent been able to consider...just wondering is all!

We have data restrictions in our company, the data can only be within U.S, hence they won't let me work from Canada. The only option is working from Detroit, and living in Windsor. If the daily travel is not permitted without PR card, I might just take the risk of moving permanently to Toronto July end, and remain jobless until I get lucky.

 

[Ships123]

Hello Everyone, this question is for those who have recently landed in Canada.I had applied for a SIN number and it didn't get processed saying that essential documents were missing.I had provided my CoPR documents, passport and address proof of my friend.Do we need to provide a proof of address of ours in Canada for getting sin number??

 

[canuck78]

I don't think it would not be an issue if @saad_im gonna use private room and a private bathroom with online deliveries for food. If the house is big enough then it should not matter. He should be clear enough to convince officer that he will not come into contact with anyone in his stay for 14 days. I am thinking of those who have travelled to Canada and quarantined themselves in the same house(separate room) where their immediate family member(s) lives.

The rules have changed and what is considered quarantine especially for newcomers.

 

[canuck78]

I'm from India. My visa is going to expire on July 4. I had already filled in the webform(in the middle of may)...stating the non availability of flights...they verified it and said they have forwarded the request for extension to the responsible office. Does anybody have similar experience?? Did u get any further notifications regarding this?? Should I fill in the webform again??

Nothing will happen until your COPR expires. Then ab extension eill start to be processed which will take weeks. There is no need to contact CIC again.

 

[ayeetee]

Hi everyone,
I’m sharing this in case it helps any of you. VERY LONG POST.

COPR issue date: Early march
Landing date: apr 12 2020
Landing location: by land, through Sault Ste Marie, ON.
US status: H1B and H4

Details on landing:
We called the border several times to ask if we could cross, we got mixed responses but during the last one, around a week before we landed, a very helpful agent transferred us to the superintendent. He asked us a lot of questions about why we needed to travel at that time. We got ‘lucky’ because we had an urgent personal reason to travel to Canada. He made an appointment for us to land so he could make sure there was an immigration agent. This might me specific to this site, as it might not get as much traffic as other sites around Detroit, NewYork, etc.
We crossed early and waited for over two hours even though there was no one else there. They checked our CoPRs, passports,asked us about funds available, asked for address for quarantine (airbnb), and our lists of goods accompanying/to-follow. They made us recite an acknowledgment that we were to follow the strict quarantine requirements. We actually got several emails during the quarantine period reminding us. After that we finished our trip to Toronto.
Once we got there we returned our rental car at the airport and took an uber to the airbnb. We used instacart for groceries, plus some dry goods we brought from the US. We opened our accounts with RBC by phone, but had to take our CoPRs to the branch after the quarantine to finalize the process. During the quarantine period we used condos.ca to find an apartment and we signed everything electronically. We only got photos and a video, so it’s always a risk if you don’t see the place, but fortunately it went well.
For SIN: we used the condo lease agreement as proof of address and applied online. We got them about a month later by mail to our leased condo.

The biggest advantage we had is that throughout all this period I have continued to work for my US employer. They agreed to transfer me permanently to Canada, so we didn’t have income concerns.
I think the part that might be useful for others is that I actually returned to the US by plane 3 weeks after our landing. This was only in our plan, but we never mentioned it.

Details on return to US:
I had my H1B stamped on my passport, so I didn’t use AVR, but I don’t think that would have been a problem. I flew Toronto-Detroit-Msp and as usual did immigration at Toronto airport. The agent asked why I was going to the US, I said that I worked there, so he asked for my employer details. He asked me why I was in Canada, and I said that I got my PR approved. I tried to be as concise as possible without giving too much info. He was very nice and calmed, he was actually chatting with a neighboring agent. After that I was done and proceded to my flights. The reason I was going back was beyond just work, I needed to get the rest of our things out of storage and return our leased apt.
After 2-weeks in the US (non mandatory quarantine) I returned to Canada by land once again, I followed the same route through Sault Ste Marie. This time I didnt call ahead, because I was already a PR. I just got there and the border agent asked me why I was coming to Canada. I told him that I was a landed PR and was just returning home. Again, being concise and answering just what I was asked. I only provided CoPR and passport. This time I provided my updated address and Canadian cell phone number. During this final quarantine period of 2 weeks, I was actually called by the federal government, the Ontario government, and sent multiples emails. They asked me about whether I was still maintaining my quarantine and reminding me of the regulation. They also thanked me for helping control the spread of COVID. I imagine the first time we landed they only emailed us and didn’t call u because we had provided US numbers. But they are definitely keeping tabs of everyone coming in.
After my final quarantine was over we went to ServiceOntario College Park to get driver license (exchange from US license) and health card. We got both numbers immediately, but will get our physical license in around 4-8 weeks, and the health card they said could take longer. However we can use the paper they gave us with the number on it. We used our lease agreement as proof of address.

I know this was very long, but hopefully it is helpful.

Let me know if you have questions, I’ll try to answer as I can.

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience with good details.
I have questions regarding renting a place:
- did already having a job help you in any way? Or did they ask for other proofs of funds such as bank statement or credit check? Or did you just pay first and last + security?

 

[mrr2019]

Do you know the phone number or email where I can call and ask if this is allowed?(regarding Canadian border people end).

And when you say, it's more restricted landing into U.S, do you mean JUST because of Covid, and they might ask what's the urgency? Because I have a valid U.S student visa and am working under CPT visa

I don’t know the phone number for the crossing in Detroit. Search for the phone number for the border crossing on each side. In the Canada side I believe there is a central number and you can ask to be transferred to the specific border crossing.

To your second question, yes, it is COVID related. I’m basing that based on the accounts shared earlier on this forum, and on what is posted online by CBP. But I would always recommend to call and confirm.

 

[mrr2019]

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience with good details.
I have questions regarding renting a place:
- did already having a job help you in any way? Or did they ask for other proofs of funds such as bank statement or credit check? Or did you just pay first and last + security?

I would say it did help. I was asked for the following documents:
- credit score and report (I used my US credit history)
- Employment letter and recent pay stubs
- Personal references
- at least 1 prior landlord reference was recommended (they did call mine)
Rental Application

After we application was completed they asked for first and last month rent, plus 10 post dated checks. I initially provided US checks but I later replaced them with Canadian checks.
I would recommend reaching out to different agents and asking about options if you don’t have employment or credit history. There might be other ways, like giving extra deposit or something.

 

[RitzzG]

Hi, glad it helps!

1) yes, once you are PR it is easier to say that you are just returning home. This is just my opinion based on my experience.
2) you can apply for SIN online with any valid proof of address, but it will take around a month, so you need an address that is not just temporary or is safe for it to arrive.
3) i generally carry my approved H1B notification, even though I have a stamped visa. I always carry recent pay stubs and, if I can, an employer letter. I was not asked for any of this, but it may be because I had already entered the US on H1B before and it might have been in their system.

Thanks for the response.

1. Did you took pre-filled BSF186 and BSF 186A forms on your first visit before landing? Or can we just prepare a long list on a plain paper and get it stamped?
2. I believe funds need not to be in CAD for meeting proof of funds condition and bank letter from a US bank indicating funds in USD should suffice the requirement for having minimum funds. Do you agree?
2. Were you able to use US credit/debit cards for ordering grocerices/booking cab/etc. till the time we did not open a Canadian bank account?
3. Did US phone number work without any hassles while you were there?

 

[0VISHNUM]

Landed in Toronto this morning Via VB flights. (Mumbai-Delhi-Toronto).
COPR expiry: Mid july

Flights were full.(Both domestic,International)
Immigration went smooth with general questions/documents regarding proof of funds, any criminal background,
where I am planning to stay,family background)
Stamped goods to follow list and went straight to accommodation.

They casually asked us to isolate for 14 days, didn't take any address. Haven't applied for SIN yet.

I was given a separate form for address change notification to CIC for PR card delivery.Since I didn't have a permanent address he asked to notify CIC when I do have it,so the card could be delivered to that address.
Process can be done online.

Congratulations to you!!!!!

Can you please let us know the process you followed to book flight from India to Toronto via VandeBharat (VB) mission?

I was thinking that VB mission is only to bring back Indians from other countries to India. and not Viceversa... please clarify. Thanks in advance.

 

[raaz141083]

Again this isn't up for debate. All visas will be extended without medicals.

I really hope so, but what makes you so sure? I havent come across any news or guidelines which says so.

 

[raaz141083]

Air India is also denying flight booking for COPR holders approved before 18th March.Is that true or a rumour?

Pretty sure No. I know many who have travelled and landed.

 

[0VISHNUM]

Pretty sure No. I know many who have travelled and landed.

quick question:: is International travel from India allowed? can you please let us know in which flights does people traveled from India and landed during lockdown time.

 

[raaz141083]

quick question:: is International travel from India allowed? can you please let us know in which flights does people traveled from India and landed during lockdown time.

Commercial flights are not available. Air India is running these flights repatriation flights for bringing indians stranded in other countries. So the flight which leaves from India is open for booking to destination countries.