Confirmation of Permanent Residence in Canada: Your Guide

Suppose you have recently been approved for Permanent Residence in Canada; congratulations! One of the next steps will be to receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document. This document is proof that you are now a permanent resident of Canada and contains essential information about your status in Canada. What is COPR? How do you apply for COPR via the PR confirmation portal? What information is contained in it? Where can I get it? In this guide, we will answer all these questions and more.

What is Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)?

COPR is a document that new permanent residents receive from IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) upon first landing in Canada. It confirms both your status in Canada at the time of landing and the date you landed in Canada. COPRs have been issued to new Permanent Residents since July 2002.

How do I tell if my COPR is valid?

All COPRs are genuine and have a unique barcode. If you are ever in doubt, you can compare your COPR to the images on our website or contact Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for help.

To validate your confirmation of permanent residence document in Canada, check to ensure that the COPR has the following information:

1. Your name.
2. Date of birth.
3. Gender.
4. Photograph.
5. The COPR document number (starting with the letters CA and then numbers).

It may be fake if your CIC COPR does not have all this information. For more information, please go to the Government of Canada website.

Requirements to obtain Confirmation of Permanent Residency

To be eligible for Confirmation of Permanent Residence, you must:

• have been approved for permanent residence by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC);
• have a valid permanent resident visa;
• have a valid travel document, such as a passport; and
• be physically present in Canada.

If you meet these requirements, you can apply for the Confirmation of Permanent Residence via the PR confirmation portal.

How to use PR Confirmation Portal?

The Confirmation of Permanent Residence Portal (COPR portal) is a secure online application that allows new permanent residents to apply for the Confirmation of Permanent Residence. The PR confirmation portal can be used to apply for Confirmation of Permanent Residence if you are:

• a permanent resident of Canada;
• have been approved for permanent residence by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC);
• have a valid passport or travel document; and
• are physically present in Canada.

To use the COPR portal, you will need the following:

• your Confirmation of Permanent Residence document number (starting with the letters CA and followed by numbers);
• your date of birth;
• your passport or travel document number; and
• the country where you were issued your permanent resident visa.

Once you have entered all this information, the COPR portal will tell you if you are eligible to apply for the Confirmation of Permanent Residence. It will also provide instructions on how to complete your application.

Where can I get a copy of my Confirmation of Permanent Residence?

If you need a hard copy of your Confirmation of Permanent Residence, you can print it from the PR Confirmation Portal. You can also get a copy from IRCC by mail or in person.

Confirmation of Permanent Residence Interview

Sometimes, the interview leading to issuing of COPR is referred to as a landing appointment. For example, a confirmation of Permanent Residence interview is conducted by an immigration officer at the port of entry (POE) or a Canada visa office.

There are three options for the Confirmation of a Permanent Residence interview:

1. physical presence at the port of entry; or
2. virtually (telephone or video call) – introduced during COVID-19; or
3. in person at an IRCC office.

The Confirmation of Permanent Residence interview is a chance for you to confirm your identity and answer any questions that an immigration officer may have about your application. During the Confirmation of Permanent Residence interview, you will be asked to provide your:

• full name;
• date of birth;
• passport or travel document number;
• country where you were issued your permanent resident visa.
• the same information above for your spouse/partner and dependents, if applicable.

If you are unable to attend the Confirmation of Permanent Residence interview in person, you may choose to have a virtual interview. After a successful COPR, your record of landing will be updated in IRCC systems, and a Confirmation of Permanent Residence document (COPR) will be mailed to your Canadian address.

Confirmation of Permanent Residence Processing Time

Once you have applied for Confirmation of Permanent Residence, it will take about four weeks to process your application. During this time, Canada Immigration will verify the information you provided in your application and conduct a security check. COPR processing times vary depending on your location. You can check your area’s Confirmation of Permanent Residence processing times on the IRCC website.

After you have received the Confirmation of Permanent Residence, you will need to apply for a permanent resident card (PR card). The PR card is the physical proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada. You will need a PR card to leave and re-enter Canada and to apply for most jobs in Canada. We have more information on how to apply for a permanent resident card here on Work Study Visa.

Pre-Removal Risk Assessment

What Happens During the Interview Process?

During the interview process, the officer in charge will do the following:

• Make sure that all your documents are valid
• Ask you a few direct questions to make sure that you meet the immigrate to Canada terms and conditions.
• Confirm your mailing address in Canada to enable the government to mail your PR card to the right address.

Additionally, if you change your address within six months or 180 days of getting your status, you will need to update the information with the government.

What if You are Outside Canada?

If you are outside Canada, you will need to register your presence in Canada to complete your Permanent Residence process and to receive your Permanent Residence card (PR card). However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may not be able to enter Canada.

It is necessary to wait for further instruction, regardless of the expiry status of your COPR. Once the border opens, you will receive an extension status.

Online Procedure for Confirmation of Permanent Residence

If you received an email regarding the Permanent Residency Portal, it could only be authentic if you notice the following:

• The email address ends in @cic.gc.ca.
• It is written in both English and French.
• The subject goes thus: “IRCC – Permanent Residence Portal (PR) Confirmation) / Portail de residence Permanente (Confirm de la RP).
• The link takes you to the official website.

The board can confirm your permanent resident (PR) status through a secure online portal without an in-person interview.

And so once your application receives approval, you will receive an invitation asking you to confirm your email address, all email addresses for each individual on your application, and if you are in Canada. Try not to create your account. Doing so will delay the application process. Also, ensure to follow the instructions in the email you received.

What will happen afterward?

After that, you will need to:

• Sign in for the first time to enable you to create your password
• Confirm that you are in Canada
• Provide proof of residential or postal address
• Upload your current photo. Here, you must ensure to upload a digitally scanned photo of yours. In addition, it must be in JPEG or PNG format. Any other photo will receive a total rejection.

After your photo and submission have been reviewed and accepted, the IRCC board will create your Permanent Residence card within two weeks. This will be sent to the Canadian mailing address you gave.

As a result, you may need to check the portal from time to time to ensure your photo has been accepted. Notably, the confirmation may take some to come.

Also, if your photo is not approved, you can submit another photo into the new portal. It is not all. Ensure that the new photo is of standard quality and meets the requirements. If not, your picture may receive another rejection.

What could make the photo get a rejection?

If your photo is rejected, all or any of the reasons below might be the cause:

• The photo is too dark
• It does not have a white background
• Your focus was not on the camera lens
• It is a selfie that does not feature other requirements
• There could be other reasons too.

Additional Information

• You can access the portal using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. It works on both mobile devices and desktop
• You will need to permit privacy access to the system to enable you to access your photos and select the suitable photo for the application. Aside from this, the system will not have anything to do with your gallery.

What to do after receiving Confirmation of Permanent Residence

Now that you have received your Confirmation of Permanent Residence, it is good to do anything possible to secure your future in Canada. So, you must ensure that you have actually ‘landed’ in Canada. The following tips will be helpful:

• Spend time inside Canada. Once you are officially confirmed as a permanent resident of Canada, you will need to spend up to two years in Canada out of every five years of your stay. Good a thing. The two years must not be consecutive. That is, you can leave Canada at any time and return. But make sure the number of days you spend inside Canada equals two years. In addition, the five-year period is a rolling calculation which means that every day starts a new five years for you.
• Keep track of your travels outside Canada. To achieve this, keep your boarding cards when flying and ensure your passport is usually stamped.
• Know the requirements of the programs you received approval for. Ensure that your activities in Canada reflect the requirements of the program you came to Canada for. For instance, if you moved into Canada through Provincial Nominee, you will need to live in that province for two years.
• Keep the original confirmation of your permanent residence document. For one thing, you will need them for the application for your Canadian citizenship.
• Do not leave Canada without your PR card.
• Always make sure you maintain a valid Permanent Residence card.
• Apply for your Canadian citizenship
• File your Canadian taxes each year.
• Make sure you stay out of trouble

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Confirmation of Permanent Residence Expire?

The Confirmation of Permanent Residence is typically valid for one year. However, in some situations, it may vary. Therefore, take note of the date. There is no extension for a COPR, except under unusual situations such as COVID-19 interruptions. As such, you should plan to use your COPR before it expires.

Can I travel outside Canada while my Permanent Residence is in the process?

Yes, you can travel out of Canada while you wait to process your PR card. Typically, you will need to show the PR card at the port of entry while returning to Canada from a trip.

What if my COPR is lost, can I replace it?

Replacing your lost Confirmation of Permanent Residency is not a possibility. Once it is lost, you cannot replace it. However, you will need to get a verification of status that will serve the same purpose.

What happens if I arrive in Canada with over CAD 10 000?

If you have more than CAD 10 000 on you when you arrive in Canada, you must disclose it to the CBSA officer. Failure to do this may attract a fine, which may also lead to the seizure of your money. Therefore, verify the things you can or cannot bring to Canada.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has helped you understand the Confirmation of Permanent Residence in Canada. If you have questions that were not answered here, please feel free to reach out; we would be happy to help! Best of luck in your journey as a new permanent resident of Canada!