How Important Is My Confirmation Of Permanent Residence Document?
If you are a permanent resident yet to be issued a Permanent resident card, you likely have a Confirmation of Permanent Residence document or letter to prove your status at the port of entry or any immigration office.
It is important to keep and protect your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) document (previously known as the Record of Landing). You definitely will need this document to apply for certain government programs and benefits in the nearest future as you age in Canada.
What will I need my CoPR document for?
As stated above, you will need your CoPR document to apply for government benefits and programs as you settle in Canada.
Immigration
You will need your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) documents for immigration purposes. For example, when you immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident for the first time, you must present your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) to an immigration officer at the port of entry.
Whichever way you plan to enter Canada, whether by land, sea, or air, you will meet an immigration officer who will demand proof of permanent resident status. You will need your CoPR for passage to Canada. Without it, you will be denied entry into Canada.
Important Documents
You can also use your confirmation of permanent residence document to apply for a Social Insurance Number when you first arrive. Upon landing in Canada, one of the first tasks you will need to do will be to apply for a Social Security Number (SIN).
The SIN is a nine-digit number everyone in Canada above 12 must have to enjoy certain government benefits. Any Canadian employer who wants to hire you will ask for your Social Security Number. You can only work in Canada with it.
Social Benefits
Whenever you are applying for an Old Age Security Pension (OAS), you can use certified copies of your CoPR document or Record of Landing (as it was previously called) as “Proof of Canadian Legal Status.”
If Your Loose your CoPR document, What Next?
If you need to place or retain your confirmation of permanent residence (CoPR) documents, you must apply for a Verification of Landing document. The process for replacement may take a while, so it is advisable to protect and maintain your CoPR document carefully.
Conclusion
In conclusion, keeping your permanent residency document safe, preferably with copies, is essential. If you lose or damage your document, you must go through the lengthy and expensive process of obtaining a replacement. So make sure to keep your document security and always have a copy on hand.
