Traveling/Flights to Canada from India during COVID 19

[mage]

US probably the only country that does not allow any landing without Visa(if not from visa free country).
Also, before this pandemic no airlines would have allowed you to travel on 2 separate tickets and tag the luggage from Delhi till Toronto (even after alliance) but now they know the scenario and doing it from Delhi(which is good).

I believe Europe would be best if you want to travel as of now. USA was never a scene unless you have USA Visa.

Yup, this is why I'm in this conundrum as I do have a US visa. Otherwise there would be just the EU option.
It's just that I expected a transit zone to be the norm including within US. If that were the case, the touch points where I could be stopped/questioned would reduce a lot (in case there's indeed any problem with transiting on B1). But, I guess, we should always count on US to do things differently than everybody else
Btw, Canada (and Australia) also require an explicit transit visa (in absence of any other Canadian visa), at least for Indians. As usual, things may start to get a little better, once you have an immigrant level visa for one of their partner nations.

 

[mage]

FWIW, official guidance from USCIC hasn't changed:

If you already have a valid visitor (B) visa, you may be able to use it to transit the United States

Reference: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/transit.html

 

[crackMBA]

Yup, this is why I'm in this conundrum as I do have a US visa. Otherwise there would be just the EU option.
It's just that I expected a transit zone to be the norm including within US. If that were the case, the touch points where I could be stopped/questioned would reduce a lot (in case there's indeed any problem with transiting on B1). But, I guess, we should always count on US to do things differently than everybody else
Btw, Canada (and Australia) also require an explicit transit visa (in absence of any other Canadian visa), at least for Indians. As usual, things may start to get a little better, once you have an immigrant level visa for one of their partner nations.

It is your take but you can pass on B1. I don't think they have a reason to stop you.
All the best.

 

[mage]

More flights To Canada confirmed to come with VBM phase-5. Also, a bunch of other destination countries seem to be onboard with the whole travel bubble thing

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1287375496607498242

Hope they keep same passenger eligibility criteria for all airlines and let travelers make their choice.

 

[canuck78]

1. As long as the PR holder is your immediate family (spouse/brother/sister) You would be allowed. If not then you will need written authorisation letter from IRCC.
2. Even though Emirates are currently operating their flights they have very specific instructions to ferry only those people who have UAE visa and you require GDFRA approval to board the flights. You cannot transit through Dubai because indian government hasn't given permission to Airlines to do so.
3. So even though you have a valid ticket and everything sadly you can't board Emirates at this time. Your only options currently are VBM flights or wait till travel restrictions are lifted.

Immediate family members don’t include brothers and sisters.

 

[pkhare23]

Immediate family members don’t include brothers and sisters.

Mate I haven't used plurals I have specifically mentioned brother/sister which means either a real younger/elder sibling.

 

[going2CA]

Immediate family members don’t include brothers and sisters.

of course, they do. parents and siblings are considered immediate family.

 

[haihttran]

of course, they do. parents and siblings are considered immediate family.

IRCC has clearly defined Immediate Family Members as following and I don't think siblings counted in:

Definition of immediate family members
The definition of immediate family members set out in the Orders is broader than the definition of family members in subsection 1(3) of the IRPR (spouses and common-law partners, and their dependent children and any dependent children of their dependent children) and includes:

• parents or step-parents
• a parent’s or step-parent’s spouse or common-law partner
• a guardian or tutor

For additional information related to the interpretation of a dependent child, consult:

• Dependent children – program delivery

Guardians and tutors are individuals who are responsible for caring for a foreign national minor who is living apart from a parent for an extended period of time, for example to attend a secondary school in Canada. The guardian or tutor should be able to demonstrate that they habitually reside at the same address as the minor. Officers should be flexible in accepting documentary evidence.

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/travel-restrictions.html#immediate-family-members

 

[Bs65]

of course, they do. parents and siblings are considered immediate family.

see definition here siblings are not classified as immediate family of a citizen or PR for travel purposes

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/travel-restrictions-exemptions.html#immediate

 

[navyasri99]

Hi @navyasri99, Can I please ask you to share more details on your conversation with the consulate?
I take it that it was a verbal conversation (not a chat or email). Did they also provide any context/reasoning or quote any (new?) rule/regulation? Were you conversing with a consular or perhaps a support staff member? Did you feel that they had properly understood your query and are giving you a confident response?

My apologies for being so inquisitive (perhaps even intrusive). I realize that I'm probably clutching at straws here, but if I end up gaining some more context, it'd still be worth it.

Hey! Yes, it was a verbal conversation with the consulate staff member and he was pretty rude. So I would second your idea that he didnt really put in an effort in understanding my situation/query.

When does your COPR expire? Try booking via London (I know that few folks have travelled via London to Vancouver and few more are booked for Aig 1st)

US seems a risk to me (especially with their current COVID scenario).

 

[mr1989]

Hey! Yes, it was a verbal conversation with the consulate staff member and he was pretty rude. So I would second your idea that he didnt really put in an effort in understanding my situation/query.

When does your COPR expire? Try booking via London (I know that few folks have travelled via London to Vancouver and few more are booked for Aig 1st)

US seems a risk to me (especially with their current COVID scenario).

Btw I got an update from the consulate that with B visa we can travel to USA but they asked to check with CBP (US Customs & Border Protection). Today I got an update from CBP they just told that "India is not in the list of restricted nations". I assume all this is a positive sign although the main challenge now remaining if you are planning to take United Airlines (Delhi - Newark - Toronto) flight, they had their approvals till 31st July and they are waiting for extension of the approval.

 

[mage]

Thank you @navyasri99 and @mr1989 !
I feel better than earlier. I really appreciate you all taking the time to respond and share things!

Also, another positive news. AI just opened their next flights' schedule for London. Bookings open today at 2:00 pm IST

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1287985965017919488

 

[mage]

Hey! Yes, it was a verbal conversation with the consulate staff member and he was pretty rude. So I would second your idea that he didnt really put in an effort in understanding my situation/query.

When does your COPR expire? Try booking via London (I know that few folks have travelled via London to Vancouver and few more are booked for Aig 1st)

US seems a risk to me (especially with their current COVID scenario).

Thank you!
My COPR expires in around 10 days from now. Yes, transiting through US is relatively more risky in terms of COVID-19 at the moment. Hope you guys also land there safely!
The pace at which travel restrictions in various countries are changing these days, I wonder sometimes, if they would stay the same between when I book the ticket and when I travel.

 

[mage]

Btw I got an update from the consulate that with B visa we can travel to USA but they asked to check with CBP (US Customs & Border Protection). Today I got an update from CBP they just told that "India is not in the list of restricted nations". I assume all this is a positive sign although the main challenge now remaining if you are planning to take United Airlines (Delhi - Newark - Toronto) flight, they had their approvals till 31st July and they are waiting for extension of the approval.

Thank you for sharing this! This clears up things manifold.
Yeah, looks like United is going to need a renewal.

The way travel to so many countries is being opened, even with restrictions, it would be super helpful, if MoCA keeps an up-to-date page on their site or elsewhere about currently allowed flights and links to their eligibilty criteria. One source of truth would also go a long way in their quest to promote air travel in times of COVID-19. I hope they are working on it.

 

[pumpkin_latte]

Thank you!
My COPR expires in around 10 days from now.

What are your travel plans then?