Lost, stolen, or destroyed visas and other Canadian immigration documents
Sometimes you may lose your Canadian visas or immigration documents. What if someone steals your documents? What if they get destroyed in an incident? These are unfortunate events. However, there is hope. This article discusses lost, stolen, or destroyed visas and other Canadian immigration documents. Of course, I’ll explain how to resolve the problem.
- Which lost documents?
- How to apply
- Mailing the package
- Making amendments to the documents
- Let us help!
Attention! If you are dealing with a lost or damaged TRV sticker outside Canada, read my other article on the subject.
What do I mean by lost visas or documents?
This article focuses on the following lost visas or documents:
- certificate of departure (IMM 0056);
- immigrant visa and record of landing (IMM 1000)/confirmation of permanent residence (IMM 5292);
- visitor record (IMM 1097 or IMM 1442);
- work permit (IMM 1102 or IMM 1442);
- study permit (IMM 1208 or IMM 1442);
- a removal order:
- exclusion order (IMM 1214);
- deportation order (IMM 1215);
- departure order (IMM 5238);
- a TRP or rather a permit to come into or remain in Canada (IMM 1263); and
- authorization to return to Canada according to sec. 52 (1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IMM 1203). (source: IRCC help centre)
Of course, IRCC may make changes to this list in the future. Moreover, our focus is on those applicants who are inside Canada.
How to reclaim the lost visas and documents?
The Verification of Status (VOS) process could assist you in retrieving the lost visas and documents in Canada. Also, if you are a protected person, you may use this process to confirm your status.
The VOS process includes the following:
- Fill out the Verification of Status or Replacement of an Immigration Document [IMM 5009] form.
- Pay the $30 processing fee.
- Enclose the following forms and documents in your package:
- The signed IMM 5009
- At least two government-issued IDs (preferably at least one Canadian Federal or Provincial ID)
- The court documents that reflect your convictions (if applicable)
- A copy of the receipt of the processing fee payment
- The signed Use of a Representative form (if applicable)
- Proof of urgency (if applicable)
- Any other evidence that could assist officers in locating your lost visas or documents.
- Mail the package to Operations Support Centre (OSC) in Ottawa.
You may apply on behalf of a deceased person. However, you must include the following in the package:
- Proof of death
- Proof of being the lawful executor or administrator of the estate (exceptions apply if the death occurred more than 20 years ago)
- A document showing your ID. Remember the rest of the package contains documents related to the deceased person.
Where to mail the application package
For documents less than 75 years old, you must mail the package to the following address.
| Regular mail:
Verification of Status (VOS) or Replacement of an Immigration Document |
Courier or registered mail:
Verification of Status (VOS) or Replacement of an Immigration Document |
However, contact Canadian Genealogy Centre Library and Archives Canada for older documents. Moreover, if you landed in Newfoundland before 1949, contact The Rooms for advice.
Making changes or corrections to the documents
The instructions I presented cover lost visas or documents. Also, they cover damaged or stolen records. However, you need to follow a different procedure for making changes or corrections to your documents.
Let us help!
If you are dealing with a lost visa or document, fill out the following form. Alternatively, please book a consultation session with me. For immigration options, please consider filling out our assessment form.
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Would you 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 immigration advice from a licensed practitioner.
Al Parsai, LLM, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Adjunct Professor – Queen’s University – Faculty of Law
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
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