What are New Instructions Issued by IRCC?
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced fresh instructions on the process for allowing approved permanent residency holders or candidates to travel to Canada, if their documents have expired during the pandemic or due to travel restrictions. The IRCC provided new instructions to expired COPR holders explaining them the new process in place for post-March 18 COPR holders with expired documents.
These new instructions are meant for expired Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) holders in order to guide them how they can renew their documents to be able to travel to Canada or reach here once travel restrictions are lifted.
It is important to note that Canada security agencies do not accept expired documents at the border. The travel restrictions due to COVID 19 pandemic forced many COPR holders to wait for the border to reopen. As a result while waiting for borders to reopen, documents of many COPR holders got expired. The IRCC announced new guidelines for convenience of such candidates (COPR holders).
What is Confirmation of Permanent Residence?
The Confirmation of Permanent Residence or COPR is a document that is issued to candidates, who were allowed to migrate to Canada after receiving permanent residency status. These candidates are allowed to migrate to Canada after evaluating various human capital factors like age, education, language proficiency, skills training, relevant work experience, sufficient funds and adaptability. They must have met all eligibility criteria, paid application fees, and must have cleared medical, security and past records screenings. It is important to note that without a COPR, eligible candidates cannot migrate to Canada as permanent residents.
How Candidates Can Reach Canada With an Expired COPR?
All COPR holders must note that they cannot reach or travel to Canada with expired documents. The IRCC recently announced that expired COPR holders will be contacted by them through electronic mail in order to update candidates about status of their applications. Those, who are interested to migrate to Canada, must reply electronic mails mentioning their willingness to migrate to Canada.
The IRCC will further need new medical reports or other updated information. If candidates do not respond within given deadline or time period, their case file will be closed by the IRCC. This means that they need to reapply or create online Express Entry profile, if they want to migrate to Canada in future after securing permanent residency status.
- The IRCC stated that most candidates with expired COPRs (or that were issued on or before March 18, 2020) have been contacted already through electronic mail or communication.
- Candidates should wait for response of IRCC, if they have been asked to submit new medical reports or fresh set of documents. The IRCC will contact them soon after going through their documents.
Earlier or before the COVID-19 pandemic, holders of expired documents or COPR holders were supposed to reapply to secure permanent residency status of Canada. It is important to note that the IRCC is giving concessions or making exceptions for those candidates, who could not travel due to the travel restrictions across the world.
Which Documents Should be Submitted By COPR Holders to IRCC?
➡ After receiving official mail from the IRCC, the expired COPR holders must submit proof of change in personal and professional details. This includes all required personal, career and professional informational updates. In case of change in status, the IRCC will update applications of expired COPR holders and require submission of relevant documents in ready to use formats.
➡ Candidates may need to submit fresh documents, if documents submitted earlier (with their applications) have expired. These documents include police (verification) certificates and reports of medical exams.
It is important to note that candidates should wait for official information (communication) or instructions from IRCC before going for medical exam (check up). The IRCC provides candidates instruction forms (particular format) which should be filled by physicians (doctors). It should be submitted later by expired COPR holders or candidates as a reply to official mail of IRCC.
When Can Candidates Travel to Canada?
The candidates are advised to wait for official confirmation (information) sent by the IRCC that they have been re-issued required documents. The IRCC must issue fresh COPR in such cases along with a new visa sticker in passports of candidates, if needed.
In case the IRCC reissues fresh COPR to eligible candidates, the authorities will also send the required set of documents to candidates so that they are able to travel to Canada.
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