How do you protect your PR approval until you land?
Keep everything in your application true and current until your landing is complete. Do not change the facts your approval was based on, and if something genuinely changes, such as a relationship ending, a birth, or a lost job offer, tell IRCC rather than hiding it. Never use false documents or make a false statement, because misrepresentation is the fastest way to lose an approval and earn a five-year ban, a consequence IRCC describes in its guidance on protecting yourself from fraud. Land before your COPR expires, since IRCC will not extend it. No agent or consultant can guarantee your permanent residence. Honest, accurate guidance can only help you follow the process correctly and avoid the mistakes that get a file reopened.
Go Far Global is a licensed RCIC firm in Toronto, and our consultants help applicants protect their approval all the way through to landing.
Frequently asked questions
Does COPR mean PR is approved?
Receiving a COPR means IRCC approved your permanent residence application, but it does not make you a permanent resident on its own. You become a permanent resident only when you complete your landing at a port of entry or through the Permanent Residence Confirmation Portal. Until then, your approval is still subject to review.
What happens after you receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)?
After you receive your COPR, you must travel to Canada, or confirm your status online if you are already inside Canada, and complete your landing before the COPR expires. An officer or the online portal verifies your documents and admits you as a permanent resident. Only then does the COPR become valid proof of your status.
Does getting my eCOPR mean I am a permanent resident?
No. The electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence (eCOPR) is the digital version of the document, and receiving it means your application was approved. You are a permanent resident only after you confirm your landing, either at the border or through the Permanent Residence Confirmation Portal. The eCOPR by itself does not complete the process.
How long is a COPR valid in Canada?
A COPR is generally valid for one year from the date it is issued, and IRCC cannot extend it. You must travel to Canada and land before it expires. If your COPR expires before you complete your landing, you usually have to apply for permanent residence again from the beginning.
Can IRCC take back permanent residence after you land?
In narrow situations, yes. After you land, your permanent residence can be challenged mainly where IRCC later finds misrepresentation or serious inadmissibility, and this is handled through a separate process rather than a simple cancellation. Most cancellations happen before landing, while the COPR is still in your possession and your status is pending.
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