If your COPR (Confirmation of Permanent Residence) has expired, you can no longer submit a “Ready to Travel” web form to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This process change is effective as of January 5, 2021.
Previous Web Form Process for Expired COPR
When COVID-19 forced countries to impose travel restrictions, people could enter Canada if their COPR was approved before March 18, 2020. But many people were unable to travel. For example, some people were unable to travel from their home country because of travel bans, or flights were canceled. As a result, many people had to let their COPR expire.
In July 2020, IRCC created a new web form process for people with an expired COPR. If you were ready to land in Canada, but your COPR expired you could use the web form and request to travel to Canada. IRCC would provide an official letter to allow you to travel to Canada with an expired COPR.
Thousands of people submitted a web form to IRCC only to receive a generic response or still waiting for a response. This has left many people in a difficult position and feeling uncertain about immigrating to Canada. Some people may have lost money on flights or left their jobs in their home country.
These changes have been frustrating for many people. And while COVID-19 has created many immigration changes, Canada is still welcoming immigrants.
New Process for Expiring or Expired COPR
As of January, 2021, IRCC will contact expired COPR holders to ask if you’re able to travel, live, and settle in Canada. When you receive approval to travel to Canada, IRCC will issue the travel documents that you need. At that point, you can book and confirm your travel plans.
If you contacted IRCC using the web form before December 23, 2020, IRCC will look into your request.
In the past, some people traveled to Canada for a short period to search for housing as an example, and then returned home. However, during the pandemic, you can no longer travel to Canada for a temporary period.
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What to Include in a Quarantine Plan
Use ArriveCAN to Meet New Border Measures
What Happens if Your Supporting Documents Have Expired?
IRCC may require new supporting documents for:
- Medical exams
- Police certificates
- Passports.
However, IRCC will tell you if you need to update the documents when they contact you.
These changes have affected thousands of hopeful immigrants to Canada. And many people are facing uncertainly while your plans on hold.
Other Travel Updates:
You Must Provide a Negative COVID-19 Test
As of January 7, 2021, you will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before you can board a plane to Canada. All travelers ages five and older must provide one of two types of COVID-19 tests:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or
- Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP)
The test must be conducted within 72 hours of your scheduled departure to Canada. You must present your results when you board the plane. Without a negative test result, you will not be allowed to board the plane. When you arrive in Canada, border officials will conduct other public health assessments and ask questions about your quarantine plan.
“The COVID 19 pandemic is far from over. We need to continue to be vigilant, and we need to continue to take action to reduce the risks of spreading the virus by air travel. This new interim order will help protect Canadians and air travellers. We continue to assess public health risks, as we to work to limit the spread of COVID 19 in Canada.”
Minister of Transport
The Honourable Marc Garneau
You Need a Quarantine Plan
You need to show that you have a credible quarantine plan when you arrive in Canada. This is mandatory, and you must follow the quarantine plan for 14 days.
You can face penalties if you don’t follow the quarantine plan that includes a fine, jail time, or being removed from Canada. However, by following a quarantine plan and all other public health measures, you can protect your health and the health of others.
