top of page

What Is a Confirmation of Permanent Residence(COPR) in Canada?

A confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) is the official document IRCC issues when your

permanent residence application is approved. It proves your PR status and is used to complete

your landing in Canada as a new permanent resident.


The COPR is also known as IMM 5292 (paper version) or IMM 5688 (electronic version). If you

applied through Express Entry, family sponsorship, or a provincial nominee program, you will

receive a COPR once IRCC finalizes your application.


A close-up photograph of hands holding a paper Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document issued by IRCC. The document is titled and shows fields including 'Canadian Experience Class' and a red box highlighting the 'Valid To:' date. A Canadian passport and a calculator rest on the desk.

What Does a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) Contain?

Your COPR includes the following information:

  • Your full name and date of birth

  • Your immigration category (for example, Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled

    Worker)

  • Your city and province of destination in Canada

  • Any conditions of stay attached to your permanent residence

  • The "Valid to" date: the deadline by which you must enter Canada to become a permanent

    resident, if you are outside Canada

  • The expiry date of your travel document

  • The date you officially became a permanent resident (completed after landing)


Check every field carefully when you receive your COPR. If any information does not match your

passport, contact IRCC to have the error corrected before you travel.


When Does IRCC Issue the COPR?

How you receive your COPR depends on where you are when your application is approved.


If you are outside Canada: IRCC sends the COPR before you travel. You must arrive in Canada

and present it at a port of entry on or before the "Valid to" date. Missing this date means your

COPR expires and you cannot use it to land.


If you are already in Canada: IRCC asks you to confirm your permanent residence through the

PR Confirmation Portal. Once you confirm, IRCC uploads an electronic COPR (e-COPR) directly

to your IRCC portal account.

If your PR application is approaching a decision and you have questions about what to expect, Amir Ansari, RCIC can walk you through the process in a consultation whether you are applying from abroad or already in Canada.

What Happens at the Border When You Land?

When you arrive in Canada with your COPR, present it to the Canada Border Services Agency

(CBSA) officer at the port of entry. The officer will:

  1. Verify that the information on your COPR matches your passport and other documents

  2. Sign and date the COPR with your official entry date

  3. Confirm you as a landed permanent resident

Keep the completed COPR. It is your proof of permanent resident status until your PR card arrives

by mail.


What Can You Use Your Confirmation of Permanent Residence COPR For?

After landing, your PR card is mailed to you automatically if you provided your Canadian mailing

address and photo within 180 days of immigrating. While you wait, your COPR or e-COPR serves

as official proof of status. You can use it to:

  • Prove your permanent resident status to employers, landlords, or government offices

  • Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

  • Access provincial health coverage

  • Open a Canadian bank account


Once your PR card arrives, keep your COPR in a safe place. You may need it in the future if you

apply for citizenship, renew your PR card, or need to correct information on official records.


A medium shot taken inside a Canadian airport arrival hall, showing a young couple at a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) counter. The man presents a physical paper Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), similar to the document in image_0.png, alongside a Canadian passport. A smiling, uniformed CBSA officer, holding a landing stamp, examines the documents. Official signage reads 'CANADA CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION / DOUANES ET IMMIGRATION CANADA'

Frequently Asked Questions About Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)

What is COPR in Canada?

COPR stands for Confirmation of Permanent Residence. It is the official IRCC document that

proves your permanent residence has been approved and allows you to complete the landing

process in Canada.


Can I enter Canada with COPR?

Yes. If you are outside Canada, you must present your COPR at a Canadian port of entry before

its "Valid to" date. Depending on your country of citizenship, you may also need a valid visa or

electronic travel authorization (eTA) to board your flight.


What happens if my COPR expires?

If your COPR expires before you land, you can no longer use it to enter Canada as a permanent

resident. You would need to contact IRCC or reapply, depending on your situation. Contact an

RCIC immediately if your COPR is at risk of expiring.


What should I do after getting my COPR in Canada?

Log in to your IRCC portal and confirm your landing through the PR Confirmation Portal. IRCC will

then upload your e-COPR. Provide your Canadian mailing address and photo so IRCC can mail

your PR card automatically.


Can I work with COPR in Canada?

Yes. Your COPR or e-COPR proves your permanent resident status, which includes the right to

work for any employer in Canada without a work permit.


Can I travel outside Canada with COPR?

If you have not yet received your PR card, re-entering Canada after an international trip can be

complicated. You would typically need a valid PR travel document (PRTD) to board a flight back to

Canada. Speak with an RCIC before travelling abroad if you do not yet have your PR card.

If you are waiting for your COPR or have questions about what happens after approval, book a consultation with Amir Ansari, RCIC. He can review your specific situation and explain exactly what to expect at every step of the landing process.

This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Program criteria, requirements, processing times, and selection approaches can change without notice. Always confirm details on official government websites or consult a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for advice specific to your situation.

 
 
 

Comments


bottom of page