Hi Everyone,

My parents are coming next month (They are Permanent Residents) .The first query I have is on Immigration status. We (My parents, myself and my brother) landed in Canada in 2009, my parents returned back in a month. I came back 2 years back and now I am here in Canada. My brother has been here in Canada ever since 2009. The PR card of my parents expires in May 2014. So they have 1 year with them. However when their PR expires they would not have completed 2 years in Canada. So will they face any problem entering Canada? If yes then what do you suggest. Once they enter Canada how will they renew their PR cards when it expires?

Health Coverage

My parents did not apply for OHIP when they had 1st come in Canada because they stayed here for only one month. If they are allowed to enter Canada , will they face any problems getting their health card because of their status in question? Even if they get health card how long will it be valid for? How can they get drug plans? My father has diabetes and my mom has blood pressure and both are under medication especially my father who is on insulin pump. I cannot afford to shell out lot of money from pocket since I am myself having lot of student debt. Can they get Ontario Trillium drug benefit plan???

Please help me with regards to these queries. I would be really thankful if you can.

Is there no one who can help/advise?

Is there no one who can help me on this?

For first question, I am not sure about the latest rule. On the PR, I believe one can stay away from Canada for 3 years or less (or could be 2 years or less).

If they still have valid PR, and if it is within reasonable limit and they can give reasonable answer about their absence from Canada, they should not have any issues.

For the second part, once they are allowed in Canada, after 3 months, they should get the health cards without any issues. Meanwhile you can buy visitor insurance.

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Hurat Honani Murat!

Thanks Surti, I am aware of the rule, my only concern is whether they will be allowed inside or not? If yes will the POE officer give some note or something..and how will they renew the PR CARD which expires in 2014..And also I wanted to know about Drug Plan. I can’t afford to buy medicines on a regular basis. What are the options, My parents won’t be working as well. My father is 61 and my mother is 54. Please help..with responses and suggestions.

I don't know the answer to the first question.

I'll just comment on the insurance part. They can apply for OHIP as soon as they get here. However, the coverage will take three months before it starts. So, usually new arrivals purchase a visitors to Canada policy, as mentioned above. You're always better off to look at a wide selection of policies because prices can vary alot.

This is the best selection of policies found online:
http://www.bestquotetravelinsurance.ca/visitors-to-canada-insurance" target="_blank">http://www.bestquotetravelinsurance.ca/visitors-to-canada-insurance</a>

Also, you'll want to make sure that they cover 'illnesses related to pre-existing medical conditions". These polices cover emergency illness and accidental injury related expenses only, they won't cover regular checkups, or medications/ prescription drugs that are for chronic conditions (like diabetes).

The general principle of health insurance (whether it's visitor to canada insurance, or a private supplemental health insurance policy) is that it will not cover foreseeable expenses, at least, not immediately. Private supplemental plans (the kind you buy from blue cross, gms, manulife, etc.) will pay for some part of prescription medications, but only after the plan holder has paid for the insurance for a certain period of time first (like two years!).

So, you won't be able to pay $100/month and get $300/month in foreseeable expenses covered. The insurance company would go out of business.

Still, with health conditions like those, it sounds like it'll be best to buy your parents a 3 month basic 'visitors to Canada' policy, just in case something goes wrong.

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It is at the discretion of the entry officer to let anyone into the country who wont be able to complete the mandatory 2yrs which is required to renew PR status.If you have 2years left in your PR status or if you can complete the mandatory 2 yr within the 5 yr period legally they cannot stop you. Beyond this time period it is upto the officer at POE. But there are many instances where people have been admitted into country without satisfying this requirement.