IRCC has advised all expired Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) holders to restrain from using the webform to contact the Canadian immigration department. This advice is as per the government media that was released on January 5.
IRCC’s new program delivery update states that expired COPR holders should not contact the immigration department through the processing office email or webform. These COPR holders are the one who is ready to fly to Canada.
IRCC says that they will get in touch with clients once they are approved to visit Canada.
In July 2020, IRCC had asked all expired COPR holders to use the webform to let the department know whether they are ready to arrive in Canada. Once an immigration applicant is given the approval for permanent residence, COPRs are issued.
Normally, these approved PR holders simply need to reach Canada and complete their landing process.
During the first couple of months of the global pandemic, the steps to control the spread of Covid-19 wreaked havoc in people’s travel plans. Canada’s borders were left open for people with approved COPRs before March 18. However, many were unable to travel due to several factors in their home countries.
This is the time when the COPRs of many people expired before they could fly to Canada. As per the rule, foreign nationals cannot land on Canadian soil with expired documents. This rule has been prevalent since before the pandemic.
This is why a new web form process was announced by IRCC in July. This would let people with expired COPRs request an authorization letter to enter the country. Upon receipt of the official letter, people may use it to fly to Canada.
The launch of the ready-to-travel webform process was in the summer. Nonetheless, IRCC started sending out authorization letters in September.
Daniel Mills, IRCC’s assistant deputy minister made a suggestion that there were close to 10,000 cases of expired COPR holders. He made this suggestion while talking at a federal immigration committee meeting during the fall.
By November, 6,000 out of 10,000 expired COPR holders were contacted by the IRCC. The department also issued 500 authorization letters.
There were several COPR holders who had submitted several webforms informing of their intent to travel. Those who failed to receive a letter received generic responses stating that their file was under processing.
There were many COPR holders who got stuck in the maze of confusion. They did not have any ability to travel to Canada and did not know by when they should expect their authorization letter. These people found it rather difficult to make plans in Canada or in their home country.
According to an IRCC spokesperson, the department has made an option to issue authorization letters individually. This will be done rather than sending them out in bulk due to the health and safety risks.
IRCC will also have to confirm that medical exams and passports are still valid. This is because the validity of the COPR is connected to these vital documents.
Get in touch with us on WhatsApp or Call us at 905-671-4442. You may even email us at info@immigrationterminal.ca if you have any queries about your permanent residence application.