Quarantine Exemption - Entry without visa

[Toss]

Hi, we have got an exemption to enter Canada and also to not quarantine at Govt authorized facility (We will be quarantining at private residence). IRCC says we have to provide the exemption letter at the time of check-In, and at the Border.

Are we good to travel with the exemption letter and valid passport. Our Visitor Visa application was stuck in biometrics stage and we then got an exemption on compassionate grounds. Will there be any questioning at the airlines or in the border since we don’t have valid visa to enter to Canada and our application is still in processing stage?

Anything else that we need to take note of?

 

[canuck78]

Hi, we have got an exemption to enter Canada and also to not quarantine at Govt authorized facility (We will be quarantining at private residence). IRCC says we have to provide the exemption letter at the time of check-In, and at the Border.

Are we good to travel with the exemption letter and valid passport. Our Visitor Visa application was stuck in biometrics stage and we then got an exemption on compassionate grounds. Will there be any questioning at the airlines or in the border since we don’t have valid visa to enter to Canada and our application is still in processing stage?

Anything else that we need to take note of?

Yes there could be questioning by the airline. I assume you have been given paperwork to show that you have been granted entry via compassionate grounds. The grounds may need to call immigration to verify this so I would give yourself enough time at the airport. Depending on your grounds for compassionate entry public health in that province may have different requirements than IRCC. Public health and CBSA will be the one to determine if your quarantine plans are acceptable. For example if you are visiting someone who is pregnant you will need to remain in a separate location like a basement suite or public health will not allow you to remain in the home with someone more vulnerable to covid.

 

[Toss]

Thank you for the response.

I re-read the letter and realized that the approval letter on compassionate grounds is from PHAC and not IRCC. It also mentions that this letter alone is not to be considered a valid travel document. Does that mean that I still need to get visitor visa to travel(My visitor visa application is stuck in biometrics stage.)?

 

[Naturgrl]

You still need a visitor visa to enter Canada. You say “we” got an exemption letter so is it just you.

 

[Toss]

I said “we” but it is really just me that is travelling.

 

[Naturgrl]

I said “we” but it is really just me that is travelling.

Ok. You still need your TRV.

 

[Toss]

Ok. You still need your TRV.

Will I be able to get an eTA instead or use the letter to book a biometric appointment?

 

[Naturgrl]

Will I be able to get an eTA instead or use the letter to book a biometric appointment?

eTAs are only for people from visa exempt countries like European countries. What country are you from?

 

[Toss]

Subcontinent.

So, it looks like I need visitor visa, but will I be able to book a biometric appointment with this letter?

 

[scylla]

Subcontinent.

So, it looks like I need visitor visa, but will I be able to book a biometric appointment with this letter?

It depends whether the biometrics centres in your country are accepting appoints for TRVs or not.

Which country are you from?

 

[scylla]

Will I be able to get an eTA instead or use the letter to book a biometric appointment?

Any chance you hold a valid US green card? If so, you would qualify for an eTA. Otherwise you need to get a TRV to travel to Canada.

 

[scylla]

Subcontinent.

So, it looks like I need visitor visa, but will I be able to book a biometric appointment with this letter?

Sorry - I was reading too quickly. Looks like you are from India. In that case, you should expect that getting biometrics done in India at this time will not be possible You can fly to Dubai or Nepal to get biometrics done.

 

[canuck78]

Thank you for the response.

I re-read the letter and realized that the approval letter on compassionate grounds is from PHAC and not IRCC. It also mentions that this letter alone is not to be considered a valid travel document. Does that mean that I still need to get visitor visa to travel(My visitor visa application is stuck in biometrics stage.)?

Is the letter to enter Canada or to be able to quarantine in a private residence not a quarantine hotel? If you could post the information without any personal information that would be more helpful.

 

[PMM]

Hi

Thank you for the response.

I re-read the letter and realized that the approval letter on compassionate grounds is from PHAC and not IRCC. It also mentions that this letter alone is not to be considered a valid travel document. Does that mean that I still need to get visitor visa to travel(My visitor visa application is stuck in biometrics stage.)?

1. If you are from a non exempt country, then you need a TRV as well to travel.

 

[Toss]

Hi



1. If you are from a non exempt country, then you need a TRV as well to travel.

Ok, but I am still unclear what’s the purpose of the PHAC approval then. Do I need to reach to IRCC to expedite my visa application...exempting biometrics?