Hong Kong timeline

[salmonarm]

My advice for those waiting for their PPR is to:
1) know exactly how you are going to pay the VAC online (look up bank for your city)
2) get two pictures done according to specifications I'll put below (it appears to be the same as passport photos):

• Make sure you provide the correct number of photos specified in your application guide.
• You must provide identical and unaltered photographs.
• Photographs may be in colour or black and white.
• Photographs must be original and not altered in any way or taken from an existing photograph.
• Photographs must reflect your current appearance (taken within the past six (6) months).

Notes to the photographer



The photographs must be:

• taken by a commercial photographer
• 50 mm x 70 mm (2 inches wide x 2 3/4 inches long) and sized so the height of the face measures between 31 mm and 36 mm (1 1/4 inches and 1 7/16 inches) from chin to crown of head (natural top of head)
• clear, sharp and in focus
• taken with a neutral facial expression (eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, no smiling)
• taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows, glare or flash reflections
• taken straight on, with face and shoulders centred and squared to the camera (i.e. the photographs must show the full front view of the person’s head and shoulders, showing full face centred in the middle of the photograph)
• taken in front of a plain white background with a clear difference between the person’s face and the background. Photographs must reflect/represent natural skin tones

*The back of one (1) photograph must:

• bear the name and date of birth of the subject, as well as the name and complete address of the photography studio
• bear the date the photograph was taken
• the photographer may use a stamp or handwrite this information. Stick-on labels are unacceptable.

 

[ryester]

Got my wife's passport back April 10. Can't leave tho because of the ticket prices and Taiwan and HK aren't letting non-citizens transfer.

Same situation here!
I think the most promising route is coming to Canada via HK. HK government would allow airport transfer when virus is under control.
Traveling to Taiwan is banned by Chinese government due to political reasons and it cannot predict when it will be lifted.
The other alternative is to wait until June when Air Canada resumes direct flights from China.

 

[ryester]

So happy I got the e-mail request for Visa today.
Glad to share my application timeline with everyone.


PS: I live with my husband in Canada, so my application was submitted in Canada in the beginning.

• Date Received: November 15, 2019(APP sent to Ottawa VO )
• Medical exam and Bio info request: Decemeber13,2019
• Date of Biometrics Enrolment: December 23, 2019
• Passed the medical exam: December 24, 2019.
• Start processing: December 24,2019(Transferred to Hong kong VO from Canada)
• Document request: January 9, 2020
• Bulletin 1: March 18,2020
• Pre arrival services: April 1, 2020
• Decision made shown in ECAS: April 14, 2020
• Request for Visa: April 16, 2020

Congratulatins!

 

[Western Mountain Man]

Same situation here!
I think the most promising route is coming to Canada via HK. HK government would allow airport transfer when virus is under control.
Traveling to Taiwan is banned by Chinese government due to political reasons and it cannot predict when it will be lifted.
The other alternative is to wait until June when Air Canada resumes direct flights from China.

I would think twice about transfer through HK?
Spent some time there last year. Even if the virus under control so many transfers from India and the Philippines.
Just wait it out and fly direct from Beijing/Shanghai. Much safer. We used ( China Eastern ) a month ago...... No Problem.

 

[ryester]

I would think twice about transfer through HK?
Spent some time there last year. Even if the virus under control so many transfers from India and the Philippines.
Just wait it out and fly direct from Beijing/Shanghai. Much safer. We used ( China Eastern ) a month ago...... No Problem.

that is true, but it will push the arrival time to June...

 

[Western Mountain Man]

that is true, but it will push the arrival time to June...

What else can you do? Pay big bucks to fly now and deal with the risks and quarantine issues.
Everything is shut down here with nothing to do except eat, drink and keeping the bears away.
You have been waiting for long time so make the best decision. Wife will understand.

 

[salmonarm]

I found a ticket for June 2 that stops only in Shanghai. First leg is Air China, second leg Air Canada. only 900 cad a pop.

 

[Western Mountain Man]

I found a ticket for June 2 that stops only in Shanghai. First leg is Air China, second leg Air Canada. only 900 cad a pop.

I think the airlines will be desperate for business if things get somewhat better.
The initial flights should be very busy though I would still be concerned with virus issues depending on what city/area you are flying to.
Prices were always more expensive during the summer and who can predict what will happen?

 

[JeanP.]

I think the airlines will be desperate for business if things get somewhat better.
The initial flights should be very busy though I would still be concerned with virus issues depending on what city/area you are flying to.
Prices were always more expensive during the summer and who can predict what will happen?

I have book a ticket with Delta (YUL-ATL-PVG) for Middle June, a little less than 1000cad, today the same is over 2200cad...

 

[ryester]

I found a ticket for June 2 that stops only in Shanghai. First leg is Air China, second leg Air Canada. only 900 cad a pop.

Lucky you! I booked flight from Beijing to Ottawa on June 4, Air Canada which stops over Vancouver and Toronto for 1800 CAD, one way!

 

[ryester]

I have book a ticket with Delta (YUL-ATL-PVG) for Middle June, a little less than 1000cad, today the same is over 2200cad...

Routing via USA is always cheaper. Unfortunately my wife does not have visa to USA so that she can only take direct flight from China to Canada.

 

[JeanP.]

Routing via USA is always cheaper. Unfortunately my wife does not have visa to USA so that she can only take direct flight from China to Canada.

My wife did not also have visa for USA,
Because she will have a visa for Canada (to obtain her permanent residence), she can ask for a "transit visa", very easy to have.
Also I suggest you take a 2 way ticket (return in 4 to 5 months), more "cheap".

 

[Matthewcares]

I am wondering something people flying there spouse to Canada, the spouse would have to isolate for 14 days right? so that means your spouse can't live in the same home as you because you can't share things like washrooms etc, so what kinda plans do you have to follow the isolation laws?

 

[JeanP.]

I am wondering something people flying there spouse to Canada, the spouse would have to isolate for 14 days right? so that means your spouse can't live in the same home as you because you can't share things like washrooms etc, so what kinda plans do you have to follow the isolation laws?

I go to China the 14 June and return with her (we must close our apt.), I will stay with her (in my house) for quarantine time...
Also when we will return end of June, not sure quarantine will still be in effect (this is in near 2 months).

 

[ryester]

My wife did not also have visa for USA,
Because she will have a visa for Canada (to obtain her permanent residence), she can ask for a "transit visa", very easy to have.
Also I suggest you take a 2 way ticket (return in 4 to 5 months), more "cheap".

I don't think US embassy is open to process transit visa yet. And it is also a hassle going through both USA and Canada customs when doing the landing.