Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

Hi,

My family and I have applied for Canada under the skilled worker and professional category. Having had our medicals on the 2nd June 2011, we received an email only yesterday (3rd May 2012) from the Canadian authorities that we now need to submit all out passports to the Canadian Embassy in London before the 2nd June 2012 deadline date and would need to enter Canada on or before the expiry date of our visas. A visa, cannot be issued beyond the validity date of the immigration medical exam.

Please can someone clarify - If we submit our passports, how long do we have to travel to Canada before our visas expire? Surly, they don’t expect us sell up, take the kids out of school and travel to Canada within the next 4 weeks?

Many thanks

Shawaz

Re: Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

Your medical is valid for 12 months therefore the visa will be issued and valid until that date. You must enter Canada prior to that visa expiring.

Re: Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

Hi, and welcome to BE.

I'm afraid they do expect you to do that - well, you don't have to sell up obviously, but you do need to go to Canada to 'land' and activate your PR before 2nd June 2012.

We've had quite a few forum members in the same situation and it is a real pain I know, but they won't extend the deadline.

Good luck.

Re: Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

But that’s ridiculous! They can’t expect us to wait for almost 4 years for a decision and then give us literally 4 weeks to get out there. A few more questions..

Can we just jump on a plane and then come back again to sort out matters? Does the whole family have to go or just the main applicant?
Can we complain about this and if so, who to?

Btw, thanks for the quick response.

Re: Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

Yes, of course. You can turn around and get on the next plane back if you wish.

The whole family - well, anybody who is activating a visa anyway.

You can complain to CIC if you wish.

HTH.

Re: Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

Jumping back on a plane after activating your PR to sort out things should give you adequate time if you bear in mind the Residency Obligation:

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Reside...gations-Canada

Pain it might be to activate - but at least you'll have time afterwards to sort out things.

Re: Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

Oh my god, this is crazy. Just before we got the confirmation, we sent off two of the families passports to be renewed and they are due back in a couple of weeks. That gives us around 2 weeks to book tickets and get out there.

As there are 6 of us, it’s going to cost a fortune just to go, activate the visas and come back. My eldest is also sitting her exams so it’s come at a really bad time. Just reading this seems like we now won't be able to go and all the money we've spent so far has been a waste, including the time it’s taken to do everything. I am seriously P* off!

Re: Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

Perhaps the timeframe was short as you say 2 of the passports were due to expire.
Unfortunately you have 2 x choices
1. Travel to Canada before the visas expire and activate PR status and return back with almost 3 years to sort out your affairs.

2. Let the visas expire and not travel and start the whole process again.

Re: Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

I think the other option is to redo the medicals and extend the via for another 12 months, which might work out a cheaper option.

Re: Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

I would 'buy' the time to do that considering your passports, family circumstances with your daughters exams etc..

Such a pain but seems to be a common occurrence unfortunately

Re: Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

Hate to say this, but I don't think you've factored in the time to actually get the visas put in your passports - even if you drop them off in person, you can't collect them until two weeks later. And you can't just 'redo the medical' either. Sorry to be the bearer of even more bad news. :(

You could book flights for the 1st June, and then at least they're sorted and you know you'll be in time to get your visas, although you'll need to figure out exactly when you can get passports to London and how long that will take to make sure it will all be done by then.

Best of luck.

Re: Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

I agree with you, I haven't factored in this time. A copy of the email I received the other day can be seen below. I think I have no alternative but to write to the authorities and wait for their response... Lets just hope that alls not lost and I don't have to start the damn process again...

Anyhow, copy of email as follows:

Dear S
As stated in our email of April 24th, your visas will expire on June 2nd, 2012. Given the short validity of the visa, you were provided with instructions for Priority visa issuance in London. You and your family would need to enter Canada on or before the expiry date of your visa.

A visa cannot be issued beyond the validity date of the immigration medical exam. If you would prefer to be issued visas with a longer validity, you and your family will need to complete new medical examinations. If this is your preference, please advise so that we can issue new medical instructions.

Regards,

Case Processing Pilot - Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Re: Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

You can't just retake the medicals without CIC's say so, but if they'll authorise new ones, then that's great - and more than other forum members have got, who have been forced to land with less than a week to go before their visa expire.

So if they're offered to give you new medical requests, then that seems the best solution unless you're prepared to book flights now and take a chance for 1st June.

If you are thinking of starting 'the damn process again', then do make sure you're eligible - as I'm sure you are aware, just having 67 points is no longer enough for FSW visas, you now also need experience in one of the 29 eligible occupations, so it's much tougher than it used to be.

But fingers crossed it doesn't come to that, and you can either book flights quickly or retake your medicals.

:fingerscrossed:

Re: Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

Will write to them over the weekend and let you know how I get on. In the meantime, many thanks for all your input.

Re: Entering Canada and Visa Expiry Question
 

Looks like they have authorised new medicals based on that letter which is good news.