Urgent processing of permanent residence medical condition

[john087]

Hello all,

In a bit of a predicament here, some background information:

I've been in living/working Canada for about 4 years on a work permit and was recently laid off by my company due to COVID. My work permit and health card then expired and my company refused to resubmit my work permit authorization paperwork (e.g., for the "A" number) to IRCC, so I have only visitor status in Canada currently. I cannot return to my home country due to COVID travel restrictions.

I submitted my full application for Express Entry PR (Canadian Experience class) about a month ago, passed the medical exam, and finished biometrics.

The problem:

Yesterday I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis through a walk-in clinic in Ontario, confirmed by blood tests & x-rays. The doctor says I should see a Rheumatologist specialist within 3 months MAXIMUM to get medication & treatment.

However, this is impossible without a provincial health card: Rheumatologists in all of Canada operate within provincial health networks ONLY. Absolutely no exceptions, there are no private rheumatologists. Even if I had private insurance I still would not be able to see a rheumatologist.

While it is true that my PR application is in progress and once (hopefully) approved, It would allow me to obtain a health card in Canada and see a Rheumatologist. However there is a near 11-month backlog of Express entry applications and I absolutely should not wait that long to get seen by a Rheumatologist per my doctors recommendation.

I was thinking of trying to apply for urgent PR processing given my complex and rather dangerous situation:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/apply-renew-replace/urgent.html

However, it looks like this only applies to a PR card, not to PR status and/or express entry applications themselves. But I'm honestly not sure.

Can anyone comment on this? Has anyone successfully applied for PR express entry with urgent processing? Any idea what should I do here?

 

[scylla]

Hello all,

In a bit of a predicament here, some background information:

I've been in living/working Canada for about 4 years on a work permit and was recently laid off by my company due to COVID. My work permit and health card then expired and my company refused to resubmit my work permit authorization paperwork (e.g., for the "A" number) to IRCC, so I have only visitor status in Canada currently. I cannot return to my home country due to COVID travel restrictions.

I submitted my full application for Express Entry PR (Canadian Experience class) about a month ago, passed the medical exam, and finished biometrics.

The problem:

Yesterday I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis through a walk-in clinic in Ontario, confirmed by blood tests & x-rays. The doctor says I should see a Rheumatologist specialist within 3 months MAXIMUM to get medication & treatment.

However, this is impossible without a provincial health card: Rheumatologists in all of Canada operate within provincial health networks ONLY. Absolutely no exceptions, there are no private rheumatologists. Even if I had private insurance I still would not be able to see a rheumatologist.

While it is true that my PR application is in progress and once (hopefully) approved, It would allow me to obtain a health card in Canada and see a Rheumatologist. However there is a near 11-month backlog of Express entry applications and I absolutely should not wait that long to get seen by a Rheumatologist per my doctors recommendation.

I was thinking of trying to apply for urgent PR processing given my complex and rather dangerous situation:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/apply-renew-replace/urgent.html

However, it looks like this only applies to a PR card, not to PR status and/or express entry applications themselves. But I'm honestly not sure.

Can anyone comment on this? Has anyone successfully applied for PR express entry with urgent processing? Any idea what should I do here?

This urgent processing is for PR card renewals for people who are already PRs. It's not to expedite express entry applications. So this process is of no help to you unfortunately - it doesn't apply to your situation.

IRCC won't expedite the processing of an express entry application. That's the short answer.

What country are you from?

 

[YVR123]

I think you may need to notify them if your heath has changed. Even after you passed your health exam...

 

[john087]

This urgent processing is for PR card renewals for people who are already PRs. It's not to expedite express entry applications. So this process is of no help to you unfortunately - it doesn't apply to your situation.

IRCC won't expedite the processing of an express entry application. That's the short answer.

What country are you from?

Originally from the USA. So if I went across the border into the USA, Its not clear if I would be allowed back in as a visitor.

 

[john087]

I think you may need to notify them if your heath has changed. Even after you passed your health exam...

Thank you for the response I will look into this. However this is more concerning as now this could potentially compromise the PR application itself?

 

[scylla]

Originally from the USA. So if I went across the border into the USA, Its not clear if I would be allowed back in as a visitor.

You're not impacted by travel restrictions at it relates to returning home. You can easily return to the US at any time.

Leaving Canada will not impact your CEC application. It can continue to be processed while you are outside of Canada.

Coming back to Canada as a visitor won't be possible until travel restrictions are lifted. Right now your travel would be deemed non-essential since you are no longer on a work permit.

 

[Copingwithlife]

Originally from the USA. So if I went across the border into the USA, Its not clear if I would be allowed back in as a visitor.

That’s up for discussion, but ultimately your health would take precedence, and seeing a specialist in the United States

 

[canuck78]

Originally from the USA. So if I went across the border into the USA, Its not clear if I would be allowed back in as a visitor.

If you want to see a rheumatologist this year you will probably have to go to the US. Depending on where you live you could also face long wait times after secure provincial healthcare. A GP in a walk-in clinic is not able to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis so you may not have RA or have another autoimmune issue.