Urgent - PPR via VAC but Applicant in Canada

[IrisSphere]

Hi All,

Have an urgent question for everyone (tried searching but i think my heart beating a mile a minute is not helping).

We got the amazing news from the Lima office requesting our passport for the Visa this morning! The letter states we have to submit everything through the local VAC office. The challenge is that my husband is in Canada as he holds another visa-exempt passport (Italy) and a work permit. I heard not all couriers accept passports.

Since we have 30 days to send everything, I want to figure out the best/fastest thing to do here:
- Do we somehow inform CIC that my husband has another passport and doesn't need a Visa, and can land with a CoPR? Can the Lima office issue this (this sounds complicated)
- Do we courier the passport to the VAC office in Lima? Which courier?
- Should my husband go to Lima with the passport, submit everything and wait until they send it back (letter states it can take 2-3 weeks for this)

What does everyone think? Thanks so much!!

 

[YYC787]

I was going to say "doesn't the PPR letter specify that applicants already in Canada can send their passport to Ottawa?", but I don't know the rules on dual passport holders.

Perhaps someone else can comment...

 

[IrisSphere]

Thanks for the response - unfortunately nothing like that is stated in the letter (i know some VOs give that option). It specifically states to send to VAC or courier:

NOTE: Please be advised that you must send above requested documents through the Visa Application Centre (VAC). You may find information of the VAC in: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/vac/list.asp Please ensure that you submit the required documents within the next 30 days from this letter.

Documents should be submitted with a copy of this letter and with your cellular phone number in order that we may be able to contact you in case of an unforeseen event.

You may send the required information via courier. Please include your file number next to your name in order to identify your package as soon as it arrives. Our office is not responsible for loss of documents in the mail. It could take us from two to three weeks to issue the visa(s) and return your passport(s).

 

[YYC787]

Honestly, if it was me, I would just go back to Lima, if you can do that. As long as the travel cost and taking time off work isn't an issue, you're only talking about a maximum of 2 or 3 weeks.

That being said though, I am not at all familiar with the rules for dual passport holders. You might be able to courier the passport to Lima, but remember you are talking about sending a passport thousands of miles, versus sending it locally from there.

This may be a stupid question, but do they (Lima VO) know that your husband is in Canada on a different passport? This wouldn't raise any red flags, would it? (Again, I am completely uninformed when it comes to matters regarding dual citizenship, so forgive me, haha)

 

[warzo]

I would send urgent case specific inquiry and send the passport to Ottawa. I am sure you can.

Hi All,

Have an urgent question for everyone (tried searching but i think my heart beating a mile a minute is not helping).

We got the amazing news from the Lima office requesting our passport for the Visa this morning! The letter states we have to submit everything through the local VAC office. The challenge is that my husband is in Canada as he holds another visa-exempt passport (Italy) and a work permit. I heard not all couriers accept passports.

Since we have 30 days to send everything, I want to figure out the best/fastest thing to do here:
- Do we somehow inform CIC that my husband has another passport and doesn't need a Visa, and can land with a CoPR? Can the Lima office issue this (this sounds complicated)
- Do we courier the passport to the VAC office in Lima? Which courier?
- Should my husband go to Lima with the passport, submit everything and wait until they send it back (letter states it can take 2-3 weeks for this)

What does everyone think? Thanks so much!!

 

[IrisSphere]

Honestly, if it was me, I would just go back to Lima, if you can do that. As long as the travel cost and taking time off work isn't an issue, you're only talking about a maximum of 2 or 3 weeks.

That being said though, I am not at all familiar with the rules for dual passport holders. You might be able to courier the passport to Lima, but remember you are talking about sending a passport thousands of miles, versus sending it locally from there.

This may be a stupid question, but do they (Lima VO) know that your husband is in Canada on a different passport? This wouldn't raise any red flags, would it? (Again, I am completely uninformed when it comes to matters regarding dual citizenship, so forgive me, haha)

I think we might have to do that. I did a bit more digging in case anyone is interested and looks like DHL couriers passports (except from and to India, looks like its illegal there) but we'd still be looking at how to get it back (another courier, family, etc..) so that complicates matters as VAC will only ship back the stamped passport to a Peruvian address.

Not at all a stupid question, haha! Yes, they should definitely know he has an Italian passport as we included it in the application (there is an area where you can add a second passport), plus we added photocopies of it. However, i guess because it was transferred to Lima, they follow the "Lima" protocol. It's not exactly logical, as I expected them to just send a CoPR but maybe its too much for them to think outside the lines. Of course, we'd love to ask but any email response would be answered within 28 days.. not exactly helpful.

 

[IrisSphere]

I would send urgent case specific inquiry and send the passport to Ottawa. I am sure you can.

Any idea how quickly they respond? Do we explain the situation, and just attach the email to the case specific inquiry?

 

[YYC787]

I would send them a case specific enquiry, and see if they answer within a week or 10 days. Usually it takes a month for them to get back to you, but you never know. You could also ask your MP to contact the VO on your behalf and ask about sending it to Ottawa.

You could maybe try calling the visa office in Lima. They probably don't take phone inquiries, but its worth a shot. Just ask nicely, I guess, haha.

Is there a specific thread for Lima applicants? You could ask your fellow applicants there if anyone has sent their passport to Ottawa. I sort of thought anyone could do it, but I suppose its possible that some VO's may not allow it.

Sending the passport is a dicey matter, like I said. Its a very sensitive document, especially with your PR visa in there. If it was me, and I couldn't find a way to do it in Ottawa, I would just fly to Lima for a couple of weeks. Just think of it as a vacation, lol.

 

[IrisSphere]

I would send them a case specific enquiry, and see if they answer within a week or 10 days. Usually it takes a month for them to get back to you, but you never know. You could also ask your MP to contact the VO on your behalf and ask about sending it to Ottawa.

You could maybe try calling the visa office in Lima. They probably don't take phone inquiries, but its worth a shot. Just ask nicely, I guess, haha.

Is there a specific thread for Lima applicants? You could ask your fellow applicants there if anyone has sent their passport to Ottawa. I sort of thought anyone could do it, but I suppose its possible that some VO's may not allow it.

Sending the passport is a dicey matter, like I said. Its a very sensitive document, especially with your PR visa in there. If it was me, and I couldn't find a way to do it in Ottawa, I would just fly to Lima for a couple of weeks. Just think of it as a vacation, lol.

Really appreciate your help! Good to know about the timelines on Case specific inquiries. Unfortunately no thread as there are not that many of us (and I think most are actually in Lima - makes sense as its not a visa exempt country). I'm already looking up Air canada flights, ahaha. Luckily its not high season so at least that saves a few hundred dollars.

 

[IrisSphere]

We ended up buying a ticket for my husband - travelled on Saturday and delivered the Passport to the VAC office this morning with all required docs. Hoping it won't take too long and he can come back earlier than our planned 3 weeks.