eCOPR – Electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence in Canada
The COVID-19 pandemic imposed many changes to the Canadian immigration system. eCOPR is one of those changes. Of course, eCOPR is a PDF file that you receive confirming your permanent residence in Canada. Let’s explore who receives this document and how.
- Defining COPR
- The traditional processing of a COPR
- Who are inland applicants?
- eCOPR is for those applicants who are inside Canada
- Can I use eCOPR as a PR card?
- Let us help!
What is a COPR?
If IRCC approves your PR application, you will receive a COPR. The acronym stands for Confirmation of Permanent Residence. A typical COPR indicates you have become a permanent resident of Canada. Nonetheless, it includes essential personal information about you. Take the following into consideration:
- The form number of a COPR is either IMM 5292 or IMM 5688. The number appears on the lower left side corner of the form.
- You receive the COPR in hard copy on paper.
- COPR replaced the Record of Landing form (IMM 1000) in 2002.
- COPR is an important document. However, you still need a valid PR card to travel to Canada.
The traditional processing of a COPR
Before discussing eCOPR let’s focus on the traditional COPR. In the past, you always received a raw COPR. Thus, you had to travel to Canada with the help of a PR visa. Then you could validate your COPR at the port of entry. Of course, if you were from a visa-exempt country, you could travel without a visa but with the help of an eFoil. The same applied to those who were visa-exempt because of their passports. Luckily, the process for outside Canada applicants remains the same today.
For those applicants who resided in Canada, they could take one of the following options:
- Flagpole!
- Validate their COPR at an inland IRCC office.
- Travel abroad and on their way back validate their COPR. However, for this option, they needed a valid TRV or eTA.
The introduction of eCOPR has changed the process for inland applicants.
Who are inland applicants?
Some immigration applicants reside inside Canada while applying for a PR. However, exceptions apply. The typical inland applications are the following:
- Spousal or common-law sponsorship inside Canada
- TR to PR Pathway (a one-time option so far)
- Caregivers
- Majority of Canadian Experience Class applicants under the Express Entry system
On top of that, some of the following groups are inside Canada while they are waiting for their PRs:
- Many PNP applicants (especially those with work or study experience in the province)
- Some FSWC and FSTC applicants under the Express Entry system
- A group of Agri-Food Pilot applicants
Of course, these lists are not exhaustive. You may have applied for immigration with another outside Canada process. However, you may be inside Canada when they finalize your application. An example is receiving a work permit, study permit, or TRV despite dual intent.
eCOPR is for those applicants who are inside Canada
If you are inside Canada, then you may qualify for an eCOPR. If you do, IRCC will contact you by email. They will let you sign up for an online PR profile when you reply. Consequently, you may verify you are in Canada and upload your immigration photos. You may go through the process via the existing profile if you already have a PR profile. However, your representative may not use their portal for the eCOPR process. If everything goes right, you will receive a validated eCOPR. Therefore, you do not need to leave Canada, flagpole, or visit an inland office to validate your COPR.
The process of eCOPR is evolving and subject to change. Nonetheless, at this time, it assists inside Canada applicants to become permanent residents quickly. If you have a representative, you are almost on your own in this part of the process. However, you may undoubtedly ask questions from your representative.
Relevant article: Online confirmation of permanent residence in Canada
Does eCOPR replace a PR card?
A PR card allows you to travel to Canada while boarding an airplane. It is also a picture-ID that shows you are a permanent resident of Canada. Therefore, a PR card is the best document to show you are a permanent resident. The landing papers such as COPR, eCOPR, or IMM 1000 show that you became a PR at one point in time. However, they do not go beyond that. For example, they do not have an expiration date or hold your picture. Consequently, you may not use these documents in lieu of a PR card. Of course, some exceptions apply.
Can we assist you with the eCOPR process?
We usually cannot assist you with the eCOPR process. However, please fill out our assessment form if you intend to immigrate to Canada. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session with me or fill out the following contact form.
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Please fill out our free assessment form if you wish to visit or move to Canada. We will review it for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal advice from a licensed practitioner.
Al Parsai, LLM, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
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