Saturday, October 06, 2007

Visas ... Priceless

OK, I know that's MasterCard ...

We received our passports with the permanent resident visas attached on Thursday (4 October 2007). For the newbies out there (present and future), I will give a detailed description and quote completely everything in the envelope in an amendment to this post.

Here's why it took a bit to announce this news: I was, um ... "recovering" from one aspect of the paperwork. I'm feeling better now, especially after receiving wise words and advice from the "Grand Dame" (sp?) of our U.S. to Canada blogging community, L-girl.

On the "Confirmation of Permanent Residence" form (which, by the way, has the old-fashioned computer printer paper feed holes on the sides and -- get this -- actual carbon paper) for Alan, under item 43: Conditions, it says "Must report for medical examination, surveillance or treatment." It's not very prominent, not highlighted or anything. And it's not referenced in anything else the CIC enclosed.

So what the *&%$#@! does it mean?

I wrote to L-girl and this was her reply with her aforementioned words of wisdom (permission to quote was given):

I hope I will not add to your worries when I tell you I haven't heard of a medical restriction on a visa before. However, many of the US-to-Canada emigrants who write me don't disclose a lot of details. It's very possible someone had it, but didn't tell me about it.

If it were me, I would not contact the consulate about it.

Here's what I would do. If there are any instructions or directions about this follow-up or monitoring, follow them. If there aren't, just go about your business, landing, moving, as if it weren't there. If they haven't told you "you must do this or that," then don't worry. Perhaps Immigration will tell you something when you land. Perhaps not.

The medical exams are such a bizarre area of the process in the first place. We all jump through all these hoops for the medicals, then we get our visas, we land, and it's like the whole thing never happened. There's no record of it with our provincial health care, for example.

The way I see it, you got your passports with the visas, you're ready to land. If more follow-up is needed in Canada, you'll do it. But until you know what that is, you can proceed as if the restriction isn't there. I think asking the consulate for more info is like being a squeaky wheel, possibly getting more scrutiny than you want.

Obviously if they've given you a procedure to follow, I'd follow that. Other than that, I would ignore it. If the follow-up or monitoring was that important, wouldn't they have told you how to go about it? As I said, perhaps they will mention it at landing, or perhaps not.

Your applications have been processed and accepted, and you've got your visas. That's all you need.

That's my take, for what it's worth.

It's worth A LOT. The support and help of our online "family" is priceless, too!

9 Comments:

Blogger West End Bob said...

I'm with L-Girl . . . . Unless there is a BIG WARNING: YOU MUST DO THIS kind of thing, don't sweat it.

Plus you guys are definitely in a good position being so close with the landing location. Run up to Blaine, land, and zip back to Seattle.

"Poof" you're a Canadian PR . . . .

4:50 PM, October 06, 2007  
Blogger Emilio said...

Congratulations guys! I'm sure that that follow up will be beneficial for Alan.

6:07 PM, October 06, 2007  
Blogger Emilio said...

Daniel,
In the letter we got with the passports Said "Medical Surveillance: If your CPR or that of a dependant shows that medical surveillance is required as a condition of landing (taht is if there is the code 2.02 or 2.04 in section 28 of the CPR), this office will provide you with a separate surveillance form to accompany your visa. If this has been omitted, please contact us."

6:35 PM, October 06, 2007  
Blogger Daniel wbc said...

Well, there is a "2.02" in section 28 of Alan's CPR. I hadn't noticed it because there is no chart explaning what the codes are. Also, we did not receive that same letter or same instruction.

I'm confused; should we have received the same letter as Emilio describes? Folks, any more thoughts on this matter?

8:31 PM, October 06, 2007  
Blogger laura k said...

Also, we did not receive that same letter or same instruction.

In my opinion, this is the key.

If Immigration omitted a letter telling you to do something, you can't be expected to know that the letter was omitted and what it may have said. It happens that you know someone else in the process, but what if you didn't? Most people probably don't.

I stand by my original thoughts. I wouldn't do anything unless instructed to.

Obviously everyone's comfort level is different, and if you feel it's better to contact the consulate about this, then you'll do that, and I don't think anything awful will come of it. You've been accepted. They're not going to rescind your acceptance because you ask a question.

But in my opinion, why ask? As WEB says above, they didn't say YOU MUST DO THIS. You're not required to read their minds.

8:30 AM, October 07, 2007  
Blogger Unknown said...

I don't think there is much to worry about, if there is anything specific they will tell you at the order when you land, or in later paperwork with you PR Card. DOn't worry about it, just land and start your adventure...once you're in, you're in

3:12 PM, October 07, 2007  
Blogger gito said...

I think, like L said... Maybe what they would do is, a follow up kinda of thing... when you land they will give you a medical form for you to take to a local clinic or hospital and then return it to the place where you did your landing.... that's just what I feel they will do... but is not that big of deal... the worse that can happen is, a little bit more of questioning or more forms to fill!!!;-) at the time of landing. I was following up a girl who was taking pills for stress and to keep the high blood pressure down because all of the processsssssss. I was so freaking out too for small details when I land, so its normal.... hurry up guys!!!! hugs!

2:39 AM, October 08, 2007  
Blogger Daniel wbc said...

I'm going with the advice to leave it alone. Either they'll say something when we land or they won't. If they ask us to do something, we'll do it. If they don't say anything, we're not going to solicit. We have done everything they have asked -- and then some. We have our visas; it's up to them to communicate further instructions, if any.

Thanks, folks (especially L-girl) for your input.

12:18 PM, October 08, 2007  
Blogger laura k said...

You embarrass me. :)

But ain't community great? I feel so fortunate to know you all.

10:43 AM, October 16, 2007  

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