IR-1/CR-1 Montreal DQ'd private message group goes public CONTINUED

[Space_17 0]

Hello, a few things.

 

1. are interviews being scheduled and notified to us by email, paper mail or both? We should hear in the next few weeks. 

 

2. does anyone know the timeline for the medical in Vancouver? 
 

3. Has anyone crossed the border at Portal. If so, can you tell me your experience? 

[Sparkie 3]

22 minutes ago, Sparkie said:

Have been waiting on the phone for a while with CBP, trying to get the answer to the same thing. Will report back when we hear something.

I couldn't edit the post that I could see but CBP said they have nothing to do with it and we have no idea who else to call, :(.

[Meghan.brooke 60]

2 minutes ago, Sparkie said:

I couldn't edit the post that I could see but CBP said they have nothing to do with it and we have no idea who else to call, :(.

Just go early if you can! My husband went a week ago lol. Also, you can try calling the Ontario police and see if they can direct you to someone 

[CarolynAllan 24]

1 hour ago, AnkitShah20 said:

When was your interview ?

Wed at 10am.

[Kai G. Llewellyn 837]

54 minutes ago, Sparkie said:

Have been waiting on the phone for a while with CBP, trying to get the answer to the same thing. Will report back when we hear something.

It's not CBP's jurisdiction. You'd be better off calling the Ontario Provincial Police to be honest. That being said, I'm not seeing restrictions *into* QC right now, just on entry to ON.

Arrivals by air are federal jurisdiction I believe so I think people can still fly into ON and QC for now.

[Danii 312]

23 minutes ago, CanadaDude said:

It's not CBP's jurisdiction. You'd be better off calling the Ontario Provincial Police to be honest. That being said, I'm not seeing restrictions *into* QC right now, just on entry to ON.

Arrivals by air are federal jurisdiction I believe so I think people can still fly into ON and QC for now.

That's a really good point. Despite that, I don't see why a visa interview would be deemed non essential, especially since people have waited months for it. As long as the consulate is open, I hope OPP won't stop anyone from crossing/returning.

Edited April 16, 2021 by Dania A

[Kai G. Llewellyn 837]

6 minutes ago, Dania A said:

That's a really good point. Despite that, I don't see why a visa interview would be deemed non essential, especially since people have waited months for it. As long as the consulate is open, I hope OPP won't stop anyone from crossing/returning.

In the pandemic essential is considered essential to the state and to the essentials of life, not to the individual. While a visa interview is essential to us, Canadian authorities don't see it that way. I think it could entirely be possible that we might not be able to get into QC for our interviews. Right now that isn't the case but we should keep an eye on the situation.

Edited April 16, 2021 by CanadaDude

[Danii 312]

5 minutes ago, CanadaDude said:

In the pandemic essential is considered essential to the state and to the essentials of life, not to the individual. While a visa interview is essential to us, Canadian authorities don't see it that way. I think it could entirely be possible that we might not be able to get into QC for our interviews. Right now that isn't the case but we should keep an eye on the situation.

Ah, I see. Well, I guess all we can really do is hope. 

[Flowergirl 737 45]

4 minutes ago, Dania A said:

Ah, I see. Well, I guess all we can really do is hope. 

I guess we will find out from the next person in line for an interview travelling in.

But I imagine that the US Embassy would be mindful and check on the situation 

and cancel our interviews rather than get turned around at the Quebec border.  

Why would they wait for people to come to an interview when they have no way to enter the province.

Makes no sense.

It would be ridiculous to be let into Quebec and not be allowed to return home.

My thinking is, we might see interviews being rescheduled.

[Kai G. Llewellyn 837]

I think it is gonna come down to flights. If flights are still running and the Consulate is allowed to continue doing interviews then they'll proceed. Don't forget Atlantic Canada has had on-off travel restrictions for awhile and this did not impact consular operations. My guess is that their line will be 'if you can't make the interview, please reschedule'.

 

It would be rather unprecedented for the Feds to completely ground domestic flights, as they will be killing off the air carriers if they do that.

 

I think without exception, provincial travel restrictions have always allowed a province's resident to return home and not be stranded. That would be the height of stupidity.

Edited April 16, 2021 by CanadaDude

[Kai G. Llewellyn 837]

Ah, looks like QC has announced they will be closing their borders to travelers from ON. At the moment this appears to just be crossings from ON to QC by land, so if you're interviewing and the police don't let you through flying might be the best option (despite the additional exposure risk)

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-ontario-border-closed-1.5991552

Edited April 16, 2021 by CanadaDude

[Danii 312]

6 minutes ago, CanadaDude said:

Ah, looks like QC has announced they will be closing their borders to travelers from ON. At the moment this appears to just be crossings from ON to QC by land, so if you're interviewing and the police don't let you through flying might be the best option (despite the additional exposure risk)

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-ontario-border-closed-1.5991552

Wow Best of luck to those in Ontario who have an interview soon, hope you all don't have to reschedule

Edited April 16, 2021 by Dania A

[Kai G. Llewellyn 837]

If anyone from Ontario can confirm whether travel to Quebec is allowed for a visa interview, please post it here as I'm sure it'll be a big help to others!

[Meghan.brooke 60]

My husband has his interview on Monday. He is in Montreal right now. But when he travels back home to Ontario, he'll ask an officer for you guys if travelling to Quebec for a government visa interview is allowed!

[LisaD1234 28]

My interview is on the 26th.  I'm more than a little bummed to hear of these new restrictions today, I am in ontario and will be driving to my appointment, going early is not a option for me, as I have kids and work to still attend.    I had my medical done Monday and have had nothing but hassles all week trying to get my daughter's immunization (didn't get the hep B before the medical, my own stupid fault for not double checking the lists)  my family doctor couldn't understand and comprehend that we needed to give it to her 7 years early because of immigration 🤦.  Regardless, it's done and the doctor sent the medical results to the consulate!

Interestingly enough on the ontario covid-19 website https://covid-19.ontario.ca/zones-and-restrictions they link to the april 7th emergency order that I am sure will be updated soon with today's announcement, but maybe not as it's just extended.  But the wording in that PDF clearly states that travel to "Obtaining government services, social services and supports, mental health support
services or addictions support services.". Also says "Attending an appointment at a business or place that is permitted to be open by

appointment only."  Is a valid reason to travel.   And also reading the info here.....https://www.ontario.ca/page/emergency-information it seems the order really only cares about your reentry to ontario, not your exit. I will be carrying copies of these documents with me when I travel. 

Hopefully that info can put some of your minds at ease, but I am still on edge and super curious to see if anyone has any troubles attending the interviews this week.