₦airaland Forum

spongebobsquare:
Hi Motheexplorer: please can you share the format of your Quarantine plan. Thank you

Here you go(please note that this was done in July. Not sure quarantine plans are necessary anymore)


Dear Sir,
COVID-19 QUARANTINE PLANS
Please see below myself and my daughter's detailed quarantine plans upon our arrival in Canada.
I’ll be arriving with my 5 year old daughter at the Toronto Pearson airport and after our mandatory 3 day stay at any of the recommended COVID-19 stopover hotels, we will proceed to an Airbnb in ……... The plan is to spend our 14 day quarantine there and proceed to my brother's house after we have received our negative COVID-19 test result. Our transportation from the COVID-19 stopover hotel to the Airbnb will be via Uber or Lyft.
For our groceries while we are there, we will order them via Amazon prime and have it delivered to our door. There is also the option of the Walmart delivery service which I hear is very efficient. All our take outs/meals will be delivered via Uber Eats and my brother or his wife will also send home-made meals to us via Ubers as well. Once the 14 day quarantine is over & we have received our negative COVID-19 test result, we will proceed to my brothers house, also in …….., for the rest of our vacation.
I undertake to do all the necessary COVID-19 tests before and during our stay in Canada and will also ensure our health insurance is updated and covers any possible COVID-19 emergencies throughout.
Regards,

Name
Email
Date

Can’t really answer a lot of these questions as I just shared what worked for my husband and I. This was submitting the webform along side a request for authorization and necessary documents (this worked for my husband), submitting a new application + webform along side request for authorization and necessary documents (this worked for me). Also worked for a friend and her brother.

Re not seeing anywhere, it was there in July and I remember munching it and sharing with a friend. If it’s no longer there then rules could have changed.

Re not sending web form, entirely up to you. Again I just shared what worked for me. My application had been pending since November 2020 and when I submitted the webform I got an email saying “we have received your webform and will contact you within 14-30 business days”. This action I believe prompts them to look at your application and prioritize it but again, it’s entirely up to you. Everyone on this thread that got a response submitted a webform. Read from Sept/Oct 2020 to get better insight.


Yes re discretionary travel now allowed but your family member does not have an approved visa yet. How does the IRCC distinguish your application from the pool of others pending since February 2020 (or even longer) if there’s nothing to prompt them? Discretionary or non discretionary travel is irrelevant to your current situation at the moment, you worry about that when your application has been approved. Figuring out how to get them to take a look at your application should be your primary goal the rest is secondary. In my opinion it’s via submitting that webform.

Again, just shared what worked for me based on what I read extensively on this forum. Best thing will be to read & tailor your application based on the rule changes & your needs.

galala123:
Thanks for your response.

Unfortunately, I already submitted. I changed it to family visit as tourism that was selected in the previous application.

I don't know whether to reapply or send a webform. However, I didn't see anywhere in the guidance notes where they specifically mentioned that we should write covid-19 although it feels like déjà vu. The only thing I saw was to make sure to include previous application details which were all stated in the submission letter.

Can you please help pin point where where it was mentioned on CIC website if any? This will help me decide my next line of action.

I have not sent the webform. I don't even know whether to request for authorization as the impression I have is that the request is implied upon re-applying. In fact, discretionary travel is now allowed and as such, what is the need for the letter of authorization? It appears to be at best, a key to signify the travel is non-discretionary (i.e. distinguish non-discretionary travelers from others). Now everyone with visa seems to be able to travel although there always seem to be a disconnect as the airlines may still be asking for the letter. I may send a webform after waiting a while with no movement or updates.

Lastly, now that visitors are allowed to enter, is the letter of authorization still required? I thought the essence of the September 7 further opening was to allow visitors as usual with quarantine requirements subject to covid-19 immunization status.

Please seeking your opinion on the issues observed. The more I read, the more confused I become.

Below from their website:

"Travel restriction exemptions for those departing from the U.S. or countries other than the U.S.
Fully vaccinated foreign nationals
Foreign nationals do not need to be travelling for a non-discretionary purpose if they have proof that they are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated travellers do not need written authorization from IRCC. Foreign nationals who are not fully vaccinated still need to be travelling for a non-discretionary purpose or meet an exemption."

Meanwhile I read so many conflicting messages (One line, they say you need don't need travel authorization and then the next line they say you do!) from IRCC here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/travel-restrictions.html.

See from same page below (September 9 Release):

Recommended documentation for travel
Documentation showing their immediate family member’s temporary resident status and their relationship to that family member, and written authorization from IRCC:

Copy of the immediate family member’s work permit, study permit, temporary resident permit, or visitor record (please note that a visitor record may not be suitable to meet an exemption in all circumstances)
Documentation showing the foreign national’s relationship to the family member in Canada
Written authorization from an IRCC officer.

Let me rest my head. The IRCC staff may become confused with all these rules as I am which may lead to subjectivity and varied interpretation as they have to push files off their desk.

Anyway, I've submitted again and the bullet has left the gun barrel again!

Thanks a lot.

Details are here
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/visitors/immediate-family.html

Teeeee89:
Hi what's the application for authorization for? and how do I do that ?

I did that. Please note that my application was extended family exemption (my brother is Canadian) and my initial visit visa application had been pending since November 2020. Read the thread from October 2020 and you’ll be able to get enough information to tailored to your specific application.

gbawee:
Thank you! submitted now. Is there any other thing i have to do (like submit a webform or something)?

Not sure what you mean by “guide you” but I submitted it via the webform link.

zigzig:
Goodday ma, please I wish you can guide me on how you submitted your Form IMM0006 (Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration) . Thanks in anticipation of your response.

You are most welcome! I got all my answers from here tbh & started reading the thread from July 2020 till date, making notes along the way. Just paying it forward.

borvick:
God bless you madam for your time to explain in this platform. Your responses have answered many other questions that we need to ask. Keep it up ma.


Motheexplorer

Yes I did. I resubmitted a regular visit visa application with all the necessary requirements; bank statements, filled all the forma again etc. AND submitted these additional documents (to expedite my visa process) via the webform.

Selected “other” & then typed out “COVID-19” on the “ other” section. I think this is what bumps your application to priority.

gbawee:
For the 'Purpose of visit' (both on the questionnaire and on the Application form), what did you select? 'Visit Family' or 'Other'?

Sorry just getting to this. Hopefully not too late.

Honestly, my first application mirrored my second. The only difference was my travel dates. I didn’t change anything. I was going to visit my brother with my family. The only additional difference was my husband had been issued a Canadian visa and I hadn’t. So change in travel dates and a copy of my husbands visa, that’s all.

You don’t “write” exemption anywhere you just put that in your letter of explanation/cover letter. Make sure you use words like family reunion etc.

Yes the webform was filled and submitted separately.

Authorization is not a separate request it comes along side your visa approval.

Honestly I feel whatever you have in your cover letter is what will work along side other documentation you are uploading on the webform. For example our had a birth certificates to prove we were siblings and a detailed quarantine plan too.

Yes on the application form IMM5257 there is “purpose of my visit”, you chose “other” and then write/type “COVID-19” in the other column.

galala123:
Back again!

Please how do I distinguish this application from the previous one? Where do I write exemption, etc. Will the web form be filled and submitted separately?

How do I request authorisation. They said they may issue it simultaneously if your application is approved. Is there any specific trigger I need to put in the application to ensure it goes into the intended pool?

I started the application but quite confused as it's looking like my previous application. Plan to fill the application forms tomorrow.

Thanks.

I've been going through their website and it seems to be taking me round and round in circles. I might be missing something.

Is there a place in the TRV form where one will put Covid-19 exemption now? Or by looking at your application, will they know from the letter of invitation, evidence of relationship, etc?

Thanks.

Yes I did. I resubmitted a regular visit visa application with all the necessary requirements; bank statements, filled all the forma again etc. AND submitted these additional documents (to expedite my visa process) via the webform.

loodba:
Congrats, will like to confirm if Proof of funds was attached as part of your application.

Makes sense, I definitely missed that. You are right re humans being behind these applications. My husband and I had the same exact application. His sister signed his extended family application, my brother signed mine...He got his in 24 working days & it took me reapplying to get mine! Everything is just weird tbh & all over the place.

All the best with yours as well.

galala123:
I think students are allowed to have their immediate families unite with them per the second option in the final group of listings (i.e to be reunited with an immediate family member who is in Canada temporarily ).

"you’re travelling for one of the following reasons:
to be reunited with an immediate family member who is a Canadian citizen, a person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or a permanent resident of Canada
to be reunited with an immediate family member who is in Canada temporarily
to be reunited with an extended family member who is a Canadian citizen, a person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or a permanent resident of Canada."

Thanks for your quick response. I've been procrastinating. I sent a web form to UK office even though I don't even know where their applications are being processed. It seems the whole thing is haphazard because the second condition was if your situation has changed. A computer will throw your new application out if it hasn't changed but I guess they're all human

Congratulations and wish you a safe trip. Eventually it may not be of any harm to reapply again even if it is to encourage the to look at the old application.

Let me see if I get any response per the webform. I hope the UK office will forward it to the actual processing office. I may have to make time to call their office here tough I hear you may spend hours waiting on the phone.

I appreciate your timely response.

I actually think you should re webform cos I feel they look at that to expedite your process. You put in “COVID-19” as your purpose in her visa application form yes?

I think fill the webform and upload all the required documents except the notarized authorization & statutory declaration (which you don’t need).

Kaylash:
Oh wow congrats. I just also reapplied reapplied my mum inlaw after Sept 7. Noticed 3 ghost updates and even a mail from ircc on an applicationupdate. I checked her profile but nothing yet, so hoping for somethingbefore the month ends.

Also, do you reckon I should fill the webform again, but again is it needed for immediatefamily members?

Did you go through the link? I’m not sure people on the student status fall under the “Canadians” family members can reunite with. PR holders and citizens yes but students I don’t remember seeing them.

It’s a visitors visa so I definitely had/have a return date. My situation has still not changed, it’s for the same purpose, reuniting with my brother who is Canadian. The only thing that changed was my travel dates. If you remember correctly there have been at least 3 updates after September 7 and resubmitted my application after the first update.

galala123:
Thanks for the information. I applied for my kids since March 2020.

I thought reuniting meant to come and be with me permanently.

If I don't hear from them till towards the end of the year, I may reapply. My children just resumed school back in Naija and as such any travel for now is on hold.

Lastly, did you have an intended return date on your visit visa application? I'm a bit lost as the summer holiday period has just ended.

I'm actually studying in Canada and my wife's visa expired while waiting for my children's visa to be processed. She used it to visit Canada for about 10 days. Now her own visa renewal is also in the queue since this February. In fact, my own TRV renewal application is also now in the queue since August after successfully extending my study permit in July (It was approved within 1 week).

What bothers me is the statement below..

....AND
<b>If your situation has changed since you submitted your visitor visa application<\b> AND...

How did your situation change? Or how has nine changed. Perhaps I analyse too much because I was looking at the first condition and (it was boldface) Condition 2 and then any of condition 3

Apologies for asking so many questions.... I like to ask a lot to avoid the parable of the masquerades.... One was showered with money in the market Square... Along came masquerade 2 with same dance step but it was flogged

Message was received under the GC key portal, the withdrawal is a bit confusing cos their earlier update said “your application will be withdraw but you will not get a notification” so I assumed it was withdrawn. Guess what The application number quoted in the PPR was the old one! Lol. Didn’t really care or think too much about it anyways…just submitted my passport immediately!

hazzaman:
Ok.. so did the PPR come under the GC key account or the IRCC portal account?
Was the first application withdrawn?

Yes I applied for a visit visa & no reuniting under Canadian laws does not mean travelling to be with someone permanently. I'll explain.

Ideally, if you apply for a Canadian visit visa, your wait time should be anything between 300-400 days (I have no idea what the current wait time is saying). However, the Canadian government has given concession to a certain group of people & are saying we can expedite your visa process if you fall under certain categories. The categories are listed in the link below and documentation you are required to upload as proof too. I fall under the category of extended family member of a Canadian citizen & I was able to get my visa faster that normal because of this. They are big on family and they understand a lot of us have probably not seen our siblings/spouses/kids/parents in over a year due to covid. What they are pretty much saying is if you call under any of these categories, then we will make your visa process faster and let you in.

Here's the link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/visitors/immediate-family.html

If you don't fall under any of the categories then you'll have to wait like everyone else.

galala123:
Hello,

Did you apply for a visit visa? The part about uniting with family member confuses me as I have the impression that to unite means to travel to be with someone more or less permanently.

Then how did your status change with respect to the second condition?

Thanks.

Both. GC key was for my visitors visa application (I did another one on the 8th of September). IRCC portal was for uploading all the documents as proof of exemption(also submitted this on the 8th of September) .

hazzaman:
Congratulations, did you submit via GC key account or IRCC portal?

UPDATE:
Ive finally gotten my email to transmit my passport to the VFS. However I must state that I reapplied after the September 7th update. So new timeline:

Fresh application: September 8th, 2021
Response: September 24th, 2021
Timeline: 13 working days.
Might actually be helpful to resubmit your application based on their update. For ease these are the documents I submitted with online my application(I submitted the additional documents via the webform):
1. Application for authorization & statutory declaration for extended family members
2. Biodata page and drivers license of my brother
3. Letter of invitation from my brother
4. Proof of relationship between my brother end I (birth certificates in this case)
5. Proof of change of name (I’m married so I needed to have documents bearing my maiden name)
6. Detailed quarantine plan
7. Biodata page and birth certificate of my daughter, she’s Canadian.

Motheexplorer:
They said a couple of documents were not uploaded “authorization form” & “status of Canadian family member” so my application could not be processed. Which is weird as we used the web form and crossed checked everything. I’ve done a fresh application, submitted via mail this time and hopefully it’s sorted soon. However, my husband got his. His sister has PR & he applied just like me using her as his extended family member.

Entire process & timing:
Submitted 26th July: application authorization to travel + visa expedition
Response August 23rd: Visa approval
Passport delivered august 26th: to the VFS in Abuja via DHL w a return envelope.
Passport pick up September 3rd: DHL Abuja
Total process took about 5 weeks from start to finish.
[What's the update
quote author=Motheexplorer post=103922724]Hi Everyone,

I literally just found out about this request for authorization to travel and a little bit of hope has been restored. I have a pending application since November 2020 and I fall under the extended family exempt category. My brother lives in Canada with his family and my daughter is also Canadian. I’ll be sending in my application this week using all the tips I’ve read here and will update on how it goes. I’ve seen that apart from the notarized statutory declaration, my birth certificate and my brothers & perhaps a quarantine plan will also help my application? Is there anything else I’m missing outside the usual (Biodata page, drivers license etc?) Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping they give a positive response.

They said a couple of documents were not uploaded “authorization form” & “status of Canadian family member” so my application could not be processed. Which is weird as we used the web form and crossed checked everything. I’ve done a fresh application, submitted via mail this time and hopefully it’s sorted soon. However, my husband got his. His sister has PR & he applied just like me using her as his extended family member.

Entire process & timing:
Submitted 26th July: application authorization to travel + visa expedition
Response August 23rd: Visa approval
Passport delivered august 26th: to the VFS in Abuja via DHL w a return envelope.
Passport pick up September 3rd: DHL Abuja
Total process took about 5 weeks from start to finish.[/quote][

gracecheller:
What's the update

quote author=Motheexplorer post=103922724]Hi Everyone,

I literally just found out about this request for authorization to travel and a little bit of hope has been restored. I have a pending application since November 2020 and I fall under the extended family exempt category. My brother lives in Canada with his family and my daughter is also Canadian. I’ll be sending in my application this week using all the tips I’ve read here and will update on how it goes. I’ve seen that apart from the notarized statutory declaration, my birth certificate and my brothers & perhaps a quarantine plan will also help my application? Is there anything else I’m missing outside the usual (Biodata page, drivers license etc?) Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping they give a positive response.[/quote]

Hi Everyone,

I literally just found out about this request for authorization to travel and a little bit of hope has been restored. I have a pending application since November 2020 and I fall under the extended family exempt category. My brother lives in Canada with his family and my daughter is also Canadian. I’ll be sending in my application this week using all the tips I’ve read here and will update on how it goes. I’ve seen that apart from the notarized statutory declaration, my birth certificate and my brothers & perhaps a quarantine plan will also help my application? Is there anything else I’m missing outside the usual (Biodata page, drivers license etc?) Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping they give a positive response.