RKS_in_Calgary

We sent off our passports to the UK for PR visas and are now awaiting their return but it could be anything up to 6 weeks. Unfortunately, I am likely to need to return to the UK at short notice before then (we couldn't delay sending the passports as CIC only give 45 days and we were already well into that timeframe). I understand from the British Embassy website that I could apply for emergancy travel documents but the small print states that if I do (and assuming that they would give me one), they will cancel my existing passport. Does anyone know if this will affect my PR visa which I am assuming will be tied to my current passport number? I don't want to jeapodise my PR visa (and potentially start the immigration process over again!) but would really like to be able to travel if I have to. Anyone had a similar experience or have any suggestions please?

PMM

HI

1. Look at this way, if they cancel your existing passport, then you can't "land" as the passport with the visa has to be valid.

RKS_in_Calgary

yes, but therefore I would have to start the whole immigration process again to get another visa?

bewillow

If you got the emergency travel document (which you would definitely get if you applied for it!), you could travel, but after you were done traveling you would then have to get a new UK passport and then send that back to the UK to get the PR visa.

It might be best to focus on trying to avoid travel right now.

Also remember that USUALLY the quoted number of weeks/months to get something done are conservative estimates so that you are pleasantly surprised in how quickly it really happens.

RKS_in_Calgary

Thanks bewillow, unfortunately its for a funeral so I won't have control of dates. Didn't think i could get a duplicate visa as the guidelines imply that you have to start the whole immigration process again - fingers crossed my visa and passport arrives quickly

bewillow

If I were you I would talk with the British HC and see if a temporary passport is possible because of the family emergency without canceling your old one.

Alternatively you could contact the Canadians in London about sending somebody to the HC to pick up your passport because of the family emergency.

Good luck!

RKS_in_Calgary

Thanks, hopefully it won't arise but will try out your suggestions

RKS_in_Calgary

So the British HC have confirmed that they can issue a passport without cancelling my old one which is great.....They also pointed out that I may not actually be able to get back into Canada afterwards as I dont have my passport /work permit which allow me to be in Canada..... one step forward, two steps back....

bewillow

Do you have somebody in London who could collect your passport from the Canadian HC if you can not do so? If so, then I would contact the Canadian HC in London. Explain why you will be travelling to London. Ask them to NOT send your passport to Canada and instead request to pick it up.

Hopefully the real passport will be done and ready by the time you need it.

RKS_in_Calgary

thanks but therein lies the problem, you can't "contact" Canadian HC - you can use the webform with no guarantee of a response (in my and others on BE experience). If I travel to London, I then almost certainly cannot re-enter Canada without my passport / work permit and sadly I can;t afford to end up stranded in London for an indeterminate period!

bewillow

Use the web form. If you get a confirmation from them, then the message has gotten through. I can also privately give you tips for making direct contact.

RKS_in_Calgary

Hi Sadly no automatic confirmation to the webform I used Friday and Saturday (and its over 24 hours now) so if you could PM me with anything else to help, I would be very grateful