Immigrants With Expired COPR And PR Visas May Travel To Canada

The Canadian Department of Immigration has issued new guidelines for holders of expired permanent residence visas.

Persons who are in possession of a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a Permanent Resident (PR) Visa but whose documents have now expired will be permitted in Canada.

Canada has implemented different policies for expired visa holders depending on whether they are from the United States or other countries. People from outside the United States must have obtained their visas on or before March 18 in order to benefit from the new measure. U.S. visa holders are eligible regardless of when they received their visas.

Only those who intend to stay and settle will be allowed to travel to Canada at this time and become permanent residents. Those who intend to come to Canada temporarily and leave cannot do so now unless they are exempt from the restrictions.

Travel to Canada must be non-discretionary. The government offers examples of the definition of non-discretionary travel on its website.

Different groups have been made for the process. These groups are as follows:

Group 1: Valid COPR and PRV and traveling from any country other than the U.S

Those traveling from countries other than the United States who received a COPR and PRV on or before March 18 and are still valid are:

Exempt from travel restrictions;
Allowed to travel to Canada for non-discretionary reasons with expired documents; and
Required to have an acceptable 14-day quarantine plan.

Group 2: Valid COPR and PRV and traveling from the U.S

Applicants may travel to Canada from the United States for non-discretionary purposes to settle and reside in Canada if:

Received approval for their application;
Both their COPR and PRV have been received and are still valid; and
They have an acceptable 14-day quarantine plan.

Group 3: Expired COPR and PRV and traveling from any other country other than the U.S

Once the web forms are received, applicants will be directed to the appropriate processing network and will be assessed according to the following eligibility criteria:

Documents to support proof of an acceptable plan to settle in the country;
Proof of an acceptable plan to quarantine; and their
Proposed travel itinerary;

Group 4: Expired COPR and PRV and Travelling from the U.S

Persons traveling from the United States with expired COPRs may travel to Canada for non-discretionary reasons to settle in Canada as permanent residents provided:

Their application was approved;
They received their COPR and PRV; and
They have a 14-day quarantine plan

What to do if you have an expired COPR and PRV and are ready to travel to Canada?

Applicants for permanent residence who are in possession of an expired COPR and PRV and who are ready to travel to Canada are asked to contact Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) using a web form. Applicants are requested to provide the COPR expiration date and the non-discretionary reason (s) for their trip. IRCC will then return the web form request to the appropriate processing network who will assess the request based on the following eligibility criteria.

You need to gather evidence that:

An acceptable settlement plan such as documents to support your living situation in Canada (address, rental agreement, homeownership document) or employment plans in Canada (place of work, a letter from ’employer);
Acceptable 14-day quarantine plan in Canada that includes proof of funds and how you will shop for groceries, medical care, among other essential services; and
A suggested travel itinerary, including, for example, travel tickets if they have already been purchased.

You should also make sure that you and your accompanying family members meet the following criteria:

Had a valid COPR and PRV on or before March 18, 2020, but these documents are now expired; no specific date for applicants based in the United States;
Have a compelling reason to travel to Canada now: such as family reunification, the need for immediate medical attention, the expiration of status in the United States, the need to deal with non-discretionary family matters, for economic reasons such as support for economic services and supply chains, support for critical infrastructure; and
The country where you reside is not subject to exit controls that limit your ability to travel to Canada.

IRCC will give priority to clients with a detailed proposed or confirmed travel plan, or to clients who demonstrate a willingness to book and confirm travel plans as soon as they are approved.

Processing of new PR Visa applications

Canada is currently accepting new applications for permanent residence.

New files incomplete due to missing documents will be retained and reviewed within 90 days.

However, if a new app lacks supporting documentation, an explanation should be added to the app that refers to service disruptions due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions. Providing this explanation is important and may result in the promotion and consideration of the application within 90 days. New requests will be processed in the order in which they are received.

New completed permanent residence applications continue to be processed according to normal procedures.