Posted on: 04-02-10 16:29:50
I am in Canada on work permit and had applied for permanent residency via provincial nomination in February 2009. Today I got a letter from the immigration office asking to pay right of landing fees and send passports with at least one year validity. We have to send these documents before 7 th March 2010 (60 days from the date of letter
Issue is that passport is valid for 7 months ending 30th August 2010. I called VFS and I was told that if original passport is issued from Indian I can not apply for renewal before 6 months of the expiry date.
Which means I can apply for passport renewal in early march 2010 and wont be able to send the documents before CGC dead line
Please advice how should I proceed.
Quote:
Originally posted by john26
I am in Canada on work permit and had applied for permanent residency via provincial nomination in February 2009. Today I got a letter from the immigration office asking to pay right of landing fees and send passports with at least one year validity. We have to send these documents before 7 th March 2010 (60 days from the date of letter
Issue is that passport is valid for 7 months ending 30th August 2010. I called VFS and I was told that if original passport is issued from Indian I can not apply for renewal before 6 months of the expiry date.
Which means I can apply for passport renewal in early march 2010 and wont be able to send the documents before CGC dead line
Please advice how should I proceed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are human beings at the VFS and also at the Indian Consulate. They will certainly oblige you with a One year renewal which will provide you with ample time to the needful, after you get the Canadian requirements.
Get two photocopies of the letter that was issued to you by the CIC and get the required Demand Draft for the Indian renewal. Call the VFS and write an e-mail to the Indian High Commission and they will respond back by Monday to give you the exact details. Also get a set of Passport Photos to go with everything.
You have to be specific with your questions for the request for renewal and the dollar amount that is requiresd to do that. Drop in and get that done in person if feasible at the VFS. Do the same in your e-mail to the IHC in Toronto. Canada also.
Follow through with their instructions.
Freddie.
Likewise there are human beings who have asked for your passport . Explain the situation from them and ask for a deadline exension . Show them the clause which states 6 months from the Indian Consultate website .
There s a Tatkal seva perhaps for Passports which need to be renewed urgently . Check that out as well . Better to speak with the Indian Consulate then the VFS .
I believe passport renewal in your case is needed first before submission to Canadian Authorities .
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fido.
Thanks Fido
I checked on the VFS site and I am a bit confused with the statement on the website. It states that;
Your Indian Passport establishes your identity in a foreign country. Hence it is IMPORTANT to have it renewed before the date of expiry. The passport can be renewed up to 6 months before or after the date of expiry. The passport can be renewed up to one year before or after the date of expiry.
I am not sure how to interpret last two sentences
I have written an email to Newyork CGC requesting them that this requirement should not be applicable to us as we are already in Canada and have an option to do landing internally in Canada. It seems that the letter is a standard format because it says that we must re-enter canada before certain date. Seems that one year validity requirement is to make sure that there are no issues with travelling outside Canada.
If I don't get any reply, by Monday, then I think the best option is to get the passport renewed for one year under tatkal scheme. Hope it is really "tatkal"
I am in Halifax so going to VFS office is not an option.
Thanks for your support
If they need 1 yr validity then they won't discount that rule so you should work towards getting your renewal done first ... request for deferral from Canadian Autorities by sending the appropriate reasons ...
My experience is that CGI is less entertaining .
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fido.
I have renewed (or probably they say new passport) almost 11-12 months before expiry but it was in other country and few years ago.
I will suggest to write an email to the consular-passport (email address at following http://www.cgitoronto.ca/Misc/contactus.html ) and also to Vancouver consulate (I have good experience with Vancouver consulate) and hopefully you will get reply in 1-2 working days.
Otherwise apply it and attach copy of Canadian immigration (in which they are asking for 1 year validity) and also attach link (underline the 1 year part) of vfs website and explain why you need to renew passport now. If you get any positive reply to your e-mail, attach its copy too.
Just now talked to CGI Toronto
Emergency passport can be issued only by visiting CGI in person. The case will be reviewed by an officer and if the officer is convinced, emergency passport will be issued on the same day..
I think I will wait for few days to get reply from Canadian Consul in New York and then if required fly to Toronto for a day trip.. may be in the middle of the week..
