On June 21, Canada announced that Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) holders can now enter the country and complete their landing.
Canada issues the Confirmation of Permanent Residence to individuals who have been approved to immigrate to Canada. An individual with a COPR has met all the criteria needed to immigrate, paid off the necessary fees, and completed their health, security, and criminality screenings. With a COPR, they can then travel to Canada and begin their new life.
Unfortunately, due to travel restrictions imposed in March 2020 in order to combat the spread of COVID-19, at least 23,000 COPR holders have been unable to enter Canada. Only COPR holders whose confirmations were issued on or before March 18, 2020 could enter the country, and that was only if they could also comply with Canada’s other travel exemptions.
According to this announcement, only valid Confirmation of Permanent Residence holders could enter the country and complete their landing. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is working fast to reissue valid COPRs to those whose COPRs expired during the pandemic. More on how to obtain a new COPR will be posted to the IRCC’s website soon. Those who have yet to obtain valid COPRs are highly advised not to book travel tickets into Canada.
A Confirmation of Permanent Residence is valid for up to one year and is tied to an applicant’s passport and medical assessment. Those who have been unable to travel to Canada due to their COPR expiring during the pandemic need not go through the immigration process again, but will need to have a new COPR issued by the IRCC.
This decision was announced alongside Canada’s decision to extend border closure until July 2021, as well as the decision to ease travel restrictions for eligible individuals who have received vaccinations. As the global vaccination rollout continues, the country has opted to gradually reopen borders and ease travel restrictions.
If you’d like to learn more about permanent residency and immigration to Canada, register to one of our private online discussions. Register to an orientation for free here.
Like and follow our Facebook page or join our LinkedIn community to get the latest updates on immigration news.
