Source
r/LongDistance•
quantumtoad

A tragic situation.

Venting

I just feel so helpless and lost.

My boyfriend is literally on the opposite side of the world. He's in South Korea and I'm in eastern Canada.

I got our apartment all ready in Canada. He landed a full time essential job in my city. We are all set to go and start a real life together.

The airline wouldn't let him board. We don't know the reason. He's fully legal to work in Canada, he fit all the entry requirements. We can't get ahold of the Canadian immigration office to demand answers.

I feel so unbelievably helpless right now. My boyfriend landed an awesome job here, and he's going to lose it. We've already signed the lease to an apartment that I can't afford to pay by myself.

Nothing is making sense right now. I see the life we were supposed to have together just slipping through my fingers. He is supposed to be in my bed right now but instead I'm just cold.

I'm scared. I don't know whats going to happen next. He is going to the airport soon to talk to them again, but I don't know if it's going to do anything.

This hurts so much.

Update: We figured out travel policies changed due to COVID-19, but these changes have not been reflected on the Canadian government website or any travel website at all. His company is in the process of hiring an immigration lawyer to help. We will use every resource possible to get him back to Canada so he can work his essential job and so that we can start our life together.

Posted Aug 11, 2021, 2:52 AM UTC · edited

18436
InfamousDollymop13[🇺🇸] to [🇨🇦] •

If it's the airline and not security or customs try using a different airline and sorting out the situation with this airline later. Yes the extra cost sucks but its less stress right now.

77
quantumtoadOP•

Unfortunately, there are no other airlines to use. It sucks so bad.

28
RomanTheAbsentee[Cyprus] to [Finland] (3500km)•

Have you been in touch with the airline? From your story this seems unacceptable, especially if they're not providing a reason.

If you get in touch, legal action probably won't even be necessary, if you throw enough of a tantrum over the phone (while remembering that the Customer Support person is not the company itself, and should be treated with respect)

32
quantumtoadOP•

Thank you for your reply. We have approached the airline directly. We figured out what is wrong and what we need, you can see my post update. We have decided to take legal action. Thankfully, the company that hired him is helping us.

2
Alternative-Push3767•

Did he have a negative COVID test within the set deadline? Some countries require a test within a few days of entry. Did he have all the relevant paperwork to board an international flight? Did he have the correct visas? Was he at the gate on time to board?

Its very rare that an airline just refuses to let someone who fits all the requirements board a plane especially if he made it through security etc. to take an international flight. Are you sure your partner is telling you the truth?

How did he get his job? Did he come to Canada to do his job interviews?

28
quantumtoadOP•

He did have a negative COVID test. He had all the paperwork. Yes he's telling the truth.

34
Alternative-Push3767•

But how did he get his job? Virtual interview? Or did he come to Canada to do interviews in person? Did he have proof of a job in Canada?

Was it the airline or the security/customs people that would not let him board?

18
quantumtoadOP•

Yes, he carried a letter from his employer stating he is an essential worker and that he is hired. He got the job through a Zoom interview.

It was the airline. Not security. The situation is crazy.

29
Alternative-Push3767•

Is he possibly on the airlines No Fly list by some odd chance?

Its really weird that the airline would not give a reason for not allowing him to board. The only reasons I can think of are improper boarding pass, arriving too late to board, arriving to the gate intoxicated, harrassing/abusing an airline staff member, overbooking a flight, or being on the no-fly list.

If the flight was overbooked then he would have been bumped to the next flight out and then just assigned a seat on it. Or the airline would have tried to get him on a different flight from a different airline.

Have you tried going to a sub reddit dedicated to that specific airline? Maybe someone there has a better idea?

As a side note: I briefly checked out your other posts regarding his situation with his family and I just have to ask: are you positive his family has nothing to do with this and that he isnt having some last second doubts or being manipulated somehow?

It sounds awful but it wouldnt be out of the range of possibility given how his mother seems to act.

28
[deleted]•

[deleted]

5
c_metaphorique•

You say he had a letter from his employer and a work permit, but the only thing the airline would care about is a valid visa (or visa waiver) from the Canadian government that would allow him to enter the country legally.

Airlines don’t transport people unless they can demonstrate that they have a legal right to enter the destination country (citizenship, visa waiver, visa, etc.).

Did your boyfriend have a valid visa in his passport to enter Canada?

17
c_metaphorique•

Ok, I checked Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's website.

IF he already has a work permit, he needs a passport, valid electronic travel authorisation and the valid work permit.

Did he apply for and receive the eTA?

​

You can use the handy tool here for more info: https://www.cic.gc.ca/francais/visiter/visas.asp

14
quantumtoadOP•

Thank you for your reply. He has the eTA and its working just fine. We found out COVID-19 policies have changed and the Canadian government hasn't updated their website regarding it at all. So we are taking legal action now.

1
Wi5dom12•

Does he already have his approved work permit application and the required documents and exams? Canada is specific on what pre-approvals Temporary Foreign Workers need in order to board a flight to Canada. Even if his job is considered essential, he still has to notify the government and get approved before airline staff will allow him on the plane. Link: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/visitors-workers-students.

He was probably stressed and not paying attention when he was refused boarding, but he may be able to call the airline and ask their customer service staff (in case it’s noted on his ticket/record). Airline staff ultimately get their boarding requirements from the government, so they’re a good place to start.

Even with approved paperwork, a non-PR/citizen could theoretically be denied boarding or entry, even if there wasn’t a pandemic happening. He is ultimately a foreign national and the burden is on him to prove why he’s allowed to enter. The Canadian government has no obligation or responsibility to allow him in - this is no different than if you were to travel to South Korea for a job. I know that sounds cruel and unfair, but that’s the reality of immigration. The person immigrating has to prove their responsibility and value to the accepting country’s government (this is something we often don’t see as the citizen/receiving partner).

If he’s fully vaccinated, he can travel after September 7th when the border reopens to vaccinated foreign nationals (Monday’s reopening was specifically for US citizens/residents as part of the government’s phased approach). If his job is willing to wait until then, I think that’s your best option, as it gives you more time to investigate and confirm that he has all approvals and entry requirements needed. I know that that’s not ideal financially, but it’s better than him losing another flight cost by trying to travel when the border is still closed.

One other thing to remember: take a deep breath. You’re going to make hasty decisions and upset the people who decide his fate if you’re angry and unleash that on them. This is a global pandemic and travel and immigration staff are doing their best to navigate these confusing times. You can’t “demand” answers from anyone because you are dealing with the government - they have the final authority and decision-making power. Reach out to the airline and to his local embassy or consulate to understand his specific requirements. Seriously consider waiting until September 7th for your peace of mind and minimizing risk of further boarding denial. Good luck.

7
Alternative-Push3767•

I hadnt thought about this! Yes its possible the airline didnt let him board because he didnt fall into the approved group for entry into Canada. In this case youll have to wait until Sept. 7th.

2
Rare-Confidence7616•

I’m sure it will all work out. May just take a little time

6
quantumtoadOP•

Thank you for your blessings. 🙏

1
m00n5t0n3•

You guys can figure this out. I hope he won't lose the job. Let them know what's going on. Maybe just delay start date. !!

4
SexxyGothBabe[USA] to [UK] •

I'm just sorry this is happening to you

3
rena-ja02•

This is such a horrible situation, please update us ):

3
quantumtoadOP•

I updated the post with what I know now!

1
Akashdeeeep•

Stay strong. Things happen for a reason. This will make yall stronger. A few years from now, yall will tell people about this, sitting side by side :)

2
quantumtoadOP•

Thank you so much kind stranger. I strongly feel this will happen in my heart, I have no doubts. ❤

2
bears_breeches•

Did he have a transfer in another country? I've heard of some other travelers being denied because they didn't meet the requirements of one of the countries they were transferring through.

I'm so sorry this is happening, I hope it gets resolved!

1
vancity_vagabond•

I'd take this to social media and a bigger platform that might push the airline to consider. It's weird to not let him board for no reason at all, especially if he has his offer letters, covid tests and other formalities sorted out :( Sorry you're in this soup

1
hisprincessbunbun•

probs vaccination

1
Own_Scallion_8504•

but the question is, have you really met him in person? What if he's just manipulating to use you? Take a advice from me, if you haven't really met someone in reality then don't trust them with your personal info or money.

-20
Confuzzledpeep0•

Dude, this is a long distance subreddit. Your advice also has nothing to help with OP

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SadNAloneOnChristmas[Serbia] to [USA] (distance closed)•

You’re on the wrong subreddit.

6
Own_Scallion_8504•

why you all are booing at me? I said nothing wrong

0
StoicMess•

A lot of people who live together gets manipulated often. Meeting someone in person isn't a definite way to make clear of manipulation.

2