Category Codes on Confirmation of Permanent Resident (COPR)

Ahmed, a recent immigrant from Egypt, finally received his Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). He reviewed the document and noticed a code: “FCC” under the “Category” section. Curious, he wondered what this code meant for his immigration status. Like many new immigrants, Ahmed found the codes somewhat confusing and decided to learn more about what they represented. This article explains these category codes to help people like Ahmed understand their significance.

What is COPR and eCOPR

The Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) is a document issued to new permanent residents of Canada. It confirms the approval of their permanent residence application. An immigration officer at a port of entry or a CIC office signs and dates the COPR upon granting permanent residence. This document is crucial for accessing many services and benefits in Canada. On the other hand, the eCOPR (Electronic COPR) is an electronic version of the COPR that serves the same purpose. IRCC usually issues this document for those who apply for PR in Canada. Many new immigrants receive either the COPR or the eCOPR as proof of their immigration status.

Sample category codes on a typical COPR and eCOPR

Below are sample images of a typical COPR and eCOPR, each displaying different category codes. These codes help identify the specific immigration pathway an individual follows to obtain permanent residence.

Permanent Resident Category Codes on COPR

IRCC has published the following codes on their website. I repeat them here, but I’ll try to explain each briefly.

Economic application class

Economic immigration covers those who can show they can economically establish themselves in Canada. All the programs under the Express Entry, Start-Up Visa, and PNP fall under this group. Please note that some of these programs are no longer active.

• CEC (Canadian Experience Class): This program allows those with Canadian work experience to become permanent residents.
• CG (Caring for Children Program): CG provides caregivers for children with a pathway to permanent residence.
• EN2-FED (Entrepreneur – Federal): This program allowed federal entrepreneurs to settle in Canada and establish businesses.
• EN2-QC (Entrepreneur – Quebec): This is the Quebec counterpart for entrepreneurs settling in the province.
• HMN (Caring for People with High Medical Needs Program): HMN offers permanent residence to caregivers for people with high medical needs.
• LC (In-Canada Live-in Caregiver): LC is for those working as live-in caregivers in Canada.
• LC2: A dependent residing abroad of a member of the live-in caregivers in Canada class
• MST-FED (Skilled Trades – Federal): This federal program allows skilled tradespeople to become permanent residents.
• NV5-FED (Investor – Federal): NV5-FED is for investors who contribute to the Canadian economy at the federal level.
• NV5-QC (Investor – Quebec): NV5-QC is for investors specifically targeting Quebec.
• PV2 (Provincial Nominee): PV2 applies to individuals nominated by provinces other than Quebec.
• SE2-FED (Self-employed – Federal): SE2-FED is for self-employed people who want to settle in Canada.
• SE2-QC (Self-employed – Quebec): SE2-QC applies to self-employed individuals settling in Quebec.
• SUD-FED (Startup Business): SUD-FED is for entrepreneurs starting a new business in Canada, also known as the Startup Visa category.
• SW1-FED (Skilled Worker – Federal): This federal program allows skilled workers to become permanent residents.
• SW1-QC (Skilled Worker – Quebec): SW1-QC is for skilled workers settling in Quebec.

Family application class

• FC1 (Spouse): FC1 is for spouses of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• FC3 (Son/Daughter): FC3 applies to the son or daughter of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• FC4 (Parent/Grandparent): FC4 is for parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• FC5 (Orphaned sibling/nephew/niece/grandchild): FC5 covers orphaned relatives of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• FC6 (Child to be Adopted in Canada): FC6 applies to children a Canadian citizen or permanent resident will adopt.
• FC7 (Other Relative): FC7 allows for sponsorship of other eligible relatives.
• FC9 (Child adopted by permanent resident of Canada): FC9 covers children adopted by Canadian permanent residents.
• FCC (Common Law Partner): FCC is for common-law partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• FCD (Dependant on a member of the spousal in Canada class residing abroad): FCD applies to dependents of spousal applicants living outside Canada.
• FCE (Conjugal Partner): FCE is for conjugal partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Refugee application class

• BSR (Blended Sponsorship Refugee): BSR refers to refugees sponsored by government and private individuals.
• CR8 (Convention Refugee): CR is for those recognized as refugees under the UN Convention.
• DR (Dependent of REF-CDA residing abroad and in Canada): DR applies to dependents of refugees or those living abroad.
• DR2 (Dependant of CR8 refugee claimant residing abroad): DR2 applies to dependents of refugee claimants living outside Canada.
• RA (Country of Asylum): RA is for refugees seeking protection from countries of asylum.
• REF-CDA (In-Canada Refugee and Protected Persons): REF-CDA is for those claiming refugee status in Canada.
• REF-OVS (Refugee Overseas): REF-OVS is for refugees claiming protection from outside Canada.
• RS (Source Country): RS is for refugees from designated source countries.
• REF-CLM (Refugee Claim): REF-CLM refers to general refugee claimants.

Other application class

• DPO (Dependent residing abroad of a member of the in Canada H&C and TRP class—Admissibility): DPO applies to dependents of humanitarian or temporary resident permit holders.
• PD2 (Dependant of a member of the post-determination refugee claimant in Canada class residing abroad): PD2 applies to dependents of refugees whose claims were reviewed in Canada.
• PP1 (Public Policy Processing): PP1 refers to individuals processed under public policy guidelines by the minister.
• RM2 (Dependent residing abroad of a member of the deferred removal class): RM2 covers dependents of those whose removal has been deferred.

Other

• ARC (Authorization to Return to Canada): ARC is required for individuals previously removed from Canada who wish to return.
• PRTD (Permanent Resident Travel Document): The PRTD helps permanent residents return to Canada without their PR card.
• RHB (Rehabilitation): Rehabilitation is for individuals deemed inadmissible but has since been rehabilitated.
• SV (Status Verification): Status Verification confirms the applicant’s status in Canada for various purposes.
• TRP (Temporary Resident Permit): TRP allows inadmissible individuals to enter Canada temporarily.

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