New travel exemption for immediate family member not being honoured or implemented by OUTCAN visa offices
- Thread starter CDNsoldier
- Start date
hi,
Since i didn't know that to prioritize my visitor visa application, i needed to put "other" in purpose of travel and under description field - i needed to write “COVID-19” as I am spouse (immediate family member) of Canadian permanent resident and eligible to travel to canada at this time.
can i resubmit imm5257e form via webForm? or is it too late ? or resubmit the visitor visa application ?
Since i didn't know that to prioritize my visitor visa application, i needed to put "other" in purpose of travel and under description field - i needed to write “COVID-19” as I am spouse (immediate family member) of Canadian permanent resident and eligible to travel to canada at this time.
can i resubmit imm5257e form via webForm? or is it too late ? or resubmit the visitor visa application ?
Do you know after how long, we can expect to get a decision from IRCC for TRV irrespective of the biometrics being done?
Hi All,
I am reading this thread and found that I am also in same situation , however i need you suggestions.
I am Permanent Resident of Canada and after update on 8th June that immidiate family memebers can eneter canada so I started apply my Mother's TRV application . Though she visited 3 times to me here but this time her passport expire so she need new Visa.
I applied her visa on 21st June 2020 and got letter from CIC to give Biometrics ( She never did before) and on 23rd June she got Information letter stating below:-
"Based on our assessment of your recent enquiry, we cannot process your request as you have not provided sufficient evidence that you meet an exemption criterion and/or that your travel to Canada is non-discretionary, per the travel restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID 19) in Canada.
Even though you do not meet an exemption criterion and/or your travel has not been deemed non-discretionary, your application will now be put on hold until after the travel restriction pause has been lifted."
As per CIC's Website we should meet any 1 of the creteria Essential travel or Immiiate family memeber , however they give us reason that this is not essential travel . Can anybody give us any suggestion on this.
How to challange them. I appriciate your comments.
"
If you need to apply for a visitor visa
While these temporary changes are in effect, we’ll process your online visitor visa application only if you’re eligible to travel to Canada at this time.
You also must meet all regular visitor visa eligibility and admissibility requirements.
Step 1: If you need a visitor visa to travel to Canada, you must apply online for one. Only online applications will be accepted and processed.
Step 2: When answering the question on the application form about the purpose of travel, enter the following information exactly as written to ensure your application is prioritized:
If you’re outside the US
You must be able to prove that either
The type of evidence you need to submit depends on what you qualify for. For example, if you qualify as an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident, you can provide one of the following:
Extension to give fingerprints and photo (biometrics)
If you haven’t been able to give your biometrics due to a service disruption, we’re now giving applicants an extension until the biometrics collection sites reopen. Some visa application centres (VACs) are starting to reopen, check the VAC website closest to you so you can book an appointment to give biometrics as soon as you’re able. Find out more on giving biometrics.
Step 5: You’ll receive an email confirming if your application is approved or refused, or you may receive a letter requesting more information, so we can make a decision. This will be sent to your IRCC Secure Account. If your application is approved, we’ll tell you the next steps in the process.
Your application won’t be processed until the suspension is lifted if an officer determines that you’re not able to prove that you’re eligible to travel at this time.
Step 6: You need to prepare properly before arriving at the airport to fly to Canada.
Important: You must bring evidence that you’re eligible to travel at this time, see step 3.
Thanks
I am reading this thread and found that I am also in same situation , however i need you suggestions.
I am Permanent Resident of Canada and after update on 8th June that immidiate family memebers can eneter canada so I started apply my Mother's TRV application . Though she visited 3 times to me here but this time her passport expire so she need new Visa.
I applied her visa on 21st June 2020 and got letter from CIC to give Biometrics ( She never did before) and on 23rd June she got Information letter stating below:-
"Based on our assessment of your recent enquiry, we cannot process your request as you have not provided sufficient evidence that you meet an exemption criterion and/or that your travel to Canada is non-discretionary, per the travel restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID 19) in Canada.
Even though you do not meet an exemption criterion and/or your travel has not been deemed non-discretionary, your application will now be put on hold until after the travel restriction pause has been lifted."
As per CIC's Website we should meet any 1 of the creteria Essential travel or Immiiate family memeber , however they give us reason that this is not essential travel . Can anybody give us any suggestion on this.
How to challange them. I appriciate your comments.
"
If you need to apply for a visitor visa
While these temporary changes are in effect, we’ll process your online visitor visa application only if you’re eligible to travel to Canada at this time.
You also must meet all regular visitor visa eligibility and admissibility requirements.
Step 1: If you need a visitor visa to travel to Canada, you must apply online for one. Only online applications will be accepted and processed.
Step 2: When answering the question on the application form about the purpose of travel, enter the following information exactly as written to ensure your application is prioritized:
- For question 1 a) purpose of travel, choose “other” from the drop-down menu.
- For question 1 b) description field, write “COVID-19” exactly like this (you must use capital letters).
If you’re outside the US
You must be able to prove that either
- you qualify for an exemption and are coming for an essentialFootnote1 (non discretionary) reason
- you’re an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is staying in Canada for at least 15 days.
The type of evidence you need to submit depends on what you qualify for. For example, if you qualify as an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident, you can provide one of the following:
- a letter of support from your family member
- your birth certificate
- your marriage licence
- a letter from your spouse, partner or parent
Extension to give fingerprints and photo (biometrics)
If you haven’t been able to give your biometrics due to a service disruption, we’re now giving applicants an extension until the biometrics collection sites reopen. Some visa application centres (VACs) are starting to reopen, check the VAC website closest to you so you can book an appointment to give biometrics as soon as you’re able. Find out more on giving biometrics.
Step 5: You’ll receive an email confirming if your application is approved or refused, or you may receive a letter requesting more information, so we can make a decision. This will be sent to your IRCC Secure Account. If your application is approved, we’ll tell you the next steps in the process.
Your application won’t be processed until the suspension is lifted if an officer determines that you’re not able to prove that you’re eligible to travel at this time.
Step 6: You need to prepare properly before arriving at the airport to fly to Canada.
Important: You must bring evidence that you’re eligible to travel at this time, see step 3.
- If you can’t provide this information, you won’t be allowed to board your flight to Canada.
- If you’re travelling by air, you need to
- pass a health check conducted by airlines before you’ll be allowed to board your flight
- wear a non-medical mask during travel and follow any other airline requirements
- Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 won’t be able to board their flight to Canada.
Thanks
I share this info to give you all hope...
My daughter in-law got her COVID-19 TRV application approved!
She applied on June 19, got a notification about biometrics June 24, and now today, June 25 notification of final decision.
She has a PRV in process with AOR in February 2020 with SA, biometrics and medical passed. Have not got moved to VO or AOR2. Last update was April 6 with medical passed.
They paid the biometric’s fee again for the TRV and used the PRV biometrics.
She is arriving from a European country that’s on the restricted travel list. She requested a specific time period to visit in Canada that was less than 6 months.
She has travelled outside her country many times but not to UK, USA or Canada.
That’s all the pertinent info I know and can share. Sorry I won’t be answering any questions.
My daughter in-law got her COVID-19 TRV application approved!
She applied on June 19, got a notification about biometrics June 24, and now today, June 25 notification of final decision.
She has a PRV in process with AOR in February 2020 with SA, biometrics and medical passed. Have not got moved to VO or AOR2. Last update was April 6 with medical passed.
They paid the biometric’s fee again for the TRV and used the PRV biometrics.
She is arriving from a European country that’s on the restricted travel list. She requested a specific time period to visit in Canada that was less than 6 months.
She has travelled outside her country many times but not to UK, USA or Canada.
That’s all the pertinent info I know and can share. Sorry I won’t be answering any questions.
i have applied for trv on 21 jun but only received application no. and back groundcheck in process update nothing else till now and sponsorship application file moved to lvo in feb 2020.....In how many days we get update for trv? and i didnt select covid as purpose of travel.
Hi everyone,
I had a question about travel exemption for immediate family members during this covid-19 situation.
Does anyone have recent experience after Canada recently announced that immediate family members can enter Canada without essential reason? What are the procedures before they can board the airplane?
Any answer would be much appreciated!
I had a question about travel exemption for immediate family members during this covid-19 situation.
Does anyone have recent experience after Canada recently announced that immediate family members can enter Canada without essential reason? What are the procedures before they can board the airplane?
Any answer would be much appreciated!
HI ,
I am in same situation but for my Mother, Can you please share format of Letter to MP and What need to write , what to attach and to whom we can put in CC.
After getting response from MP what are the furthur steps?
This is important please buddy help me here, It would be much appriciable.
Thanks
Aside from all of this, do you need to provide some sort of cover letter stating that you will respect covid 19 quarantine? I did update this in my invitation letters for me and my wife. My lawyer didn't even know about this and I find im editing the forms now. What else am I possibly missing? I want this done right.
I tried last year and all the application process time took 3-4 weeks since the beginning. After they asked the biometrics, it took 1 week for the TRV result, it was refused by the way
From my recent communications with the department, I don’t think a quarantine plan is required as part of the application but you need to have one when you arrive at the border and be able to show it to the border officer.
Though I did mention on the application that I can’t provide a flight or hotel accommodations because I don’t even know which city I will land at. It will all depend on the available travel services from my country to canada (nowadays they aren’t many and the schedule keeps changing) and not many airlines provide refundable tickets at this stage.
I found today the official Non-optional and non-discretionary travel: COVID-19 program delivery page: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/travel-restrictions/non-optional-non-discretionary.html.
It clearly states the following:
It clearly states the following:
The letter sent to us clearly contradicts the official instructions. Also, the embassy tried to make up another excuse saying that the Canadian citizen/PR holder must be in Canada but the above page says the sponsor can travel with you or already be in Canada. I'm raising an official complaint because this is not right.
The reason a lot of you are getting denied under the exemption is you have not proved the travel is not optional/discretionary. It’s important that there are letters from both spouses to indicate why the travel is not optional- there has to be some compelling reason. It’s clearly stated here.
“Immediate family members of temporary residents in Canada will still be required to provide evidence that their travel is non-optional or non-discretionary. For these immediate family members seeking to travel to Canada from any country other than the United States, an authorization letterissued by IRCC is required. This letter, issued for the purposes of reuniting immediate family members, should be sufficient evidence that travel is non-discretionary, as letters are only issued by IRCC when travel is for a non-discretionary purpose...”
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/travel-restrictions/non-optional-non-discretionary.html
“Immediate family members of temporary residents in Canada will still be required to provide evidence that their travel is non-optional or non-discretionary. For these immediate family members seeking to travel to Canada from any country other than the United States, an authorization letterissued by IRCC is required. This letter, issued for the purposes of reuniting immediate family members, should be sufficient evidence that travel is non-discretionary, as letters are only issued by IRCC when travel is for a non-discretionary purpose...”
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/travel-restrictions/non-optional-non-discretionary.html