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andr34s

Newbie
May 16, 2022
7
1
Hi,


I just got a passport request letter from IRCC (AOR JUNE 2020). The only problem is that I am a citizen of Sweden and I am already in Canada currently. I thought that you did not need to submit your passport if you were from a visa-exempt country? I am very worried as there is a hard deadline in the passport request letter.

Has anyone got any tips on what to do here? I've raised a number of web forms and tried to reach IRCC to let them know - but it is impossible to get through.
 
What does the letter say you shoudl do? Read it carefully.

Also, would help to know if this is for a PR application. If in Canada you may be able to do landing procedure in Canada.

In both cases - no, you probably won't have to send your passport. But start with the instructions in the letter.
 
Yes, this is for a PR application.


I've copied the text from the letter here:


YOUR IMMIGRANT VISA(S) APPEAR(S) READY TO BE ISSUED, IF THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN YOUR FAMILY CONFIGURATION. IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY CHANGES, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE BEFORE PROCEEDING. PASSPORT(S)

As of May 1, 2018, all original documents, including passports, must be submitted via the VAC. Please see: http://www.vfsglobal.ca/canada/ and follow the instructions under the “Passport Transmission Services” section. Please note that the VAC is accepting passports via courier (DHL, UPS, etc.) only. IMPORTANT: As per Canadian regulations, it is your responsibility to have a quarantine plan before landing in Canada. This plan should be provided upon request The visa(s) will be valid until the expiry of your medical results or until the expiry of your passports, whichever is earliest. As the validity of your visa(s) has been already established and is limited to a fixed date, it CANNOT be extended under any circumstances. We therefore urge you to read and follow carefully the instructions outlined in this letter without delay. PHOTOGRAPHS You must also provide two passport photos for every person receiving a visa on your application. Photograph specifications can be found at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/pdf/5445EB-e.pdf. Print the specifications and bring them with you to a commercial photographer. A visa will not be issued if your photo does not match the specifications listed in the link above.


**** PLEASE NOTE:


Failure to provide the required travel document(s) within 15 days from the date of this letter will lead us to conclude that you are no longer interested in immigrating to Canada and your application will be refused based on the information that is available in your file. Once the application is refused, you would be able to reapply, but you would be required to submit a new application and pay a new processing fee. The new application would be assessed according to the Canadian Immigration legislations in force at the time that the new application was filed.


Please note that we will strive to meet the foregoing service standards. However, there may be occasions when we cannot issue your visas within these standards. Accordingly, you are advised not to commit to any travel plans, purchase tickets, or take any irrevocable action such as selling property or resign employment until you have received your immigrant visas.


Kindly be informed that we will not respond to status update queries once you have submitted your passports. We ask for your patience while we prepare your visas.


THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO ISSUE YOUR VISA:








☐UPDATED FAMILY INFORMATION: You must advise us of any change in your marital status or family composition. All family members must be listed on your IMM008 and Additional Family Information forms. Failure to comply may result in a delay in the issuance of your visa.


☐PASSPORTS: Ensure you read and follow the points below:


 There is an individual passport for each family member accompanying you to Canada. Children must have their own passports.


 Each passport is valid for at least 6 months from the time you come for the visa.


 Each passport has sufficient free pages (two required for our visa, plus pages for any transit visa)





☐TWO (2) PHOTOS FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER:


These photographs must follow the photo specifications outlined in the following link: www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/pdf/5445EB-e.pdf. Ensure they are taken with a WHITE BACKGROUND and that the SIZE OF THE FACE is between 31 – 36 mm. Photos should not be stapled, glued or pinned (you can paperclip or attach them using an envelope). The photographs must be unblemished as they will be used to produce your Permanent Resident Card once you are in Canada.


☐MEDICAL EXAMS AND POLICE CLEARANCES: This is relevant only if specifically requested and not already provided. If you must provide these documents, be sure to complete your medical exams and submit your police clearances either AT THE SAME TIME or BEFORE you submit your passport.


PLANNING AHEAD – PRE-ARRIVAL SERVICES


As you have now received a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) or have been notified to submit your travel documents in preparation for the issuance of a COPR, you are strongly encouraged to use free pre-arrival services funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Several online and in-person services are available to you, your spouse and your dependants. These services can help you find out more about living and working in Canada. They can also help you take steps to get your education, work experience, and professional licenses/certificates recognized in Canada, and access other free settlement services once you have arrived in Canada.


To learn more about free pre-arrival services that you can access before you leave, please visit the IRCC website (canada.ca/pre-arrival-services). Please note that in order to access these services, you must show a copy of this letter to the service provider. In-person orientation sessions are very popular and space is limited. We encourage you to register early to secure a spot in an upcoming session.


As you may know, Canada is a bilingual country where both French and English are spoken. If you are interested in living in French, you can get information about Francophone life across Canada by visiting Canada.ca/francoimmigration.


PLEASE INCLUDE A COPY OF THIS LETTER IN YOUR ENVELOPE.


Thank you for the interest you have shown in Canada.


Regards,


Immigration Section


Height and Eye Colour Chart


Please list height and eye colour for yourself and all accompanying family members below.


Eye colour choices: Blue, Green, Gray, Black, Brown, Hazel or Other. Principal Applicant
Name
: ____________________________________________ Date of Birth: __________________
HEIGHT: ___________CM or ________ FEET ________INCHES EYE COLOUR: __________
Spouse/ Common-Law Partner
Name
:_____________________________________________ Date of Birth:__________________
HEIGHT: ___________CM or ________ FEET ________INCHES EYE COLOUR: _________
Dependent
Name
:_____________________________________________ Date of Birth:__________________
HEIGHT: ___________CM or ________ FEET ________INCHES EYE COLOUR: __________
Dependent
Name
:_____________________________________________ Date of Birth:__________________
HEIGHT: ___________CM or ________ FEET ________INCHES EYE COLOUR: _________
Dependent
Name
:_____________________________________________ Date of Birth:__________________
HEIGHT: ___________CM or ________ FEET ________INCHES EYE COLOUR: __________
Dependent
Name:_____________________________________________ Date of Birth:_____________ _
HEIGHT: ___________
CM or ________ FEET ________INCHES EYE COLOUR: __________
 
Our passport request letter was completely different, with a section devoted to the question 'Determine if you need to submit your passport' and another 'submitting documents in Canada.'

Personally I'd suggest contacting IRCC by phone.

Which visa office was this? London?
 
Ok, interesting.

Yes, my visa offices are Ottowa, ON and London, UK. I've emailed and raised web forms to both - but no answer.

I've also tried to call IRCC, but it's impossible to make it through.

Thank you so much for your replies.
 
Ok, interesting.

Yes, my visa offices are Ottowa, ON and London, UK. I've emailed and raised web forms to both - but no answer.

I've also tried to call IRCC, but it's impossible to make it through.

Thank you so much for your replies.

Was the passport request letter from London or from Ottawa?
 
I was trying to see, but the letter does not have a sender stated but Government Of Canada/High Commission Of Canada and Immigration Section.
 
I was trying to see, but the letter does not have a sender stated but Government Of Canada/High Commission Of Canada and Immigration Section.

In this instance high commission = London.

You could also try your MP's office. The specific thing basically you should be looking for is how to submit in Canada - to which the answer really should be how to do the virtual landing and get registered for the virtual landing process.

Had you updated your address wtih IRCC once arriving in canada?
 
Got it! I am in contact with my local MP who has been in contact with IRCC every month since December 2021 in an effort to get IRCC to issue my COPR document. I think this letter I just received was triggered by her calling IRCC. The letter is called "Information Letter" in the log-in section of the IRCC website.

I did inform IRCC via web form that I was traveling to Canada, I did also inform them that I had arrived in Canada the moment I landed, but I did not update my address specifically as I did not have one until just recently.
 
Got it! I am in contact with my local MP who has been in contact with IRCC every month since December 2021 in an effort to get IRCC to issue my COPR document. I think this letter I just received was triggered by her calling IRCC. The letter is called "Information Letter" in the log-in section of the IRCC website.

Whatever it is, the content of the letter a bit of a jumble.

I did inform IRCC via web form that I was traveling to Canada, I did also inform them that I had arrived in Canada the moment I landed, but I did not update my address specifically as I did not have one until just recently.

Well, without the actual address to update, they'd not have done anything with the updates.
 
Thank you! I did raise a web form with my new address and got a confirmation email from the London, UK office that it had been updated and that they sent an urgent action to CPC in Ottowa for updating. Hopefully, this will give me more time and follow up accordingly with what they need me to do.
 
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Thank you! I did raise a web form with my new address and got a confirmation email from the London, UK office that it had been updated and that they sent an urgent action to CPC in Ottowa for updating. Hopefully, this will give me more time and follow up accordingly with what they need me to do.

I would still absolutely inquire of your MP. There are not many cases where they can do much but I think this may be one, as the inquiry is really "you do know applicant is in Canada and you need to provide appropriate instructions, right? because sending passport to London would be silly, right?"