Received COPR - can I extend PR deadline?

[bobbypollock]

Hi all. I worked in Canada for a year and qualified for PR so I applied via Express Entry / Canada Experience Class. However, because the application process took SO LONG, my visa expired and I was eventually forced to leave Canada returning to my home country. Now, almost a year later, I have finally received my Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR) which instructs me to go back to Canada and collect my PR card. I have to do this within the next few months apparently or else my application will be cancelled and I would have to start the application process over again.

My problem is this - Because I had to leave Canada, I have been forced to re-establish myself in another country. For various reasons I would not be ready to leave here and go back to Canada in the next few months as the letter is demanding. However, I do not want the application to be cancelled as I do want to go back to Canada eventually when I'm ready.
Does anybody here know if I can delay the date I have to re-enter Canada by? Alternatively would it be within the rules to go to Canada, collect the PR card (so the application isn't cancelled) but then leave immediately and then return when I'm ready? I read that the rules for PR status are that 3 out of 5 years have to be spent in Canada. That would mean I would have a year or two to get ready and then move (not that I would need that long). Any advice or recommendations appreciated. Thank you.

 

[jes_ON]

Alternatively would it be within the rules to go to Canada, collect the PR card (so the application isn't cancelled) but then leave immediately and then return when I'm ready?

Yes, lots of people do this. You would just need to be able to provide a Canadian address to which IRCC can mail the PR Card. If you have a friend or family member in Canada, you can use this address. Assuming you won´t be bringing all your personal belongings at that time, you would also have to complete a "goods to follow" form when you clear customs to preserve your ability to bring your belongings into Canada duty-free at a later date.

 

[bobbypollock]

Thanks for your reply. I have sent a message to CIC asking them what my options are. It would be an expensive trip to fly to Canada to literally just show them my COPR letter and then fly back, so I'm hoping there is another way.

 

[21Goose]

Thanks for your reply. I have sent a message to CIC asking them what my options are. It would be an expensive trip to fly to Canada to literally just show them my COPR letter and then fly back, so I'm hoping there is another way.

COPR's aren't extended unless IRCC made a mistake somewhere. You should plan to make a trip before it expires.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thanks for your reply. I have sent a message to CIC asking them what my options are. It would be an expensive trip to fly to Canada to literally just show them my COPR letter and then fly back, so I'm hoping there is another way.

There is no other way. Unless there were extreme circumstances, such as a serious medical issue preventing travel, COPR validity is not extended.

Use it or lose it.

 

[Aman679878]

hello ,

I am also in a similar situation.

My US visa is expired and COPR deadline is 16 Jan . I can’t travel outside US as I will not be able to renter . Please suggest options

 

[canuck_in_uk]

hello ,

I am also in a similar situation.

My US visa is expired and COPR deadline is 16 Jan . I can’t travel outside US as I will not be able to renter . Please suggest options

Choose between Canada and the US.

 

[Aman679878]

Choose between Canada and the US.

I was not able to get a IT job in Canada , I am searching since 3 months .
I raised a request with IRCC to extend my COPR due to personal issues , they changed the status of my application from approved to In progress

 

[21Goose]

I was not able to get a IT job in Canada , I am searching since 3 months .
I raised a request with IRCC to extend my COPR due to personal issues , they changed the status of my application from approved to In progress

Did they confirm that they have changed your CoPR deadline? Or issue you a new CoPR? Till you don’t have that confirmation, the change in your profile doesn’t mean much.

IRCC almost never extends CoPR deadlines for issues like yours. You may be lucky (or maybe IRCC is changing policy). Either way, please come back and update this thread on the final decision. It will be useful for people in the future.

 

[Aman679878]

Did they confirm that they have changed your CoPR deadline? Or issue you a new CoPR? Till you don’t have that confirmation, the change in your profile doesn’t mean much.

IRCC almost never extends CoPR deadlines for issues like yours. You may be lucky (or maybe IRCC is changing policy). Either way, please come back and update this thread on the final decision. It will be useful for people in the future.

Hello everyone,
I just wanna update here. I called IRCC and they said they have cancelled my old COPR and they will send me instructions to send the passport for extended COPR.
They said I need not to do medicals again

 

[21Goose]

Hello everyone,
I just wanna update here. I called IRCC and they said they have cancelled my old COPR and they will send me instructions to send the passport for extended COPR.
They said I need not to do medicals again

Thank you for the update. It appears that IRCC may be changing their earlier strict stance on not extending CoPRs.

 

[nitikagoyal]

Hello everyone,
I just wanna update here. I called IRCC and they said they have cancelled my old COPR and they will send me instructions to send the passport for extended COPR.
They said I need not to do medicals again

Hi Aman, I am in a very similar situation and would need to request extension of my COPR. Could you please share contact information of IRCC that you used to reach them? Thanks!

 

[pinkyrjk]

Hello everyone,
I just wanna update here. I called IRCC and they said they have cancelled my old COPR and they will send me instructions to send the passport for extended COPR.
They said I need not to do medicals again

What phone number did you call? I missed my deadline as it went in spam and emailed COPR 4 times, no response yet. Unable to find the phone number to contact. I live in the USA. Really anxious. Thank you for help in advance.

 

[mp1807]

Hello All - I am in a similar position where my COPR has expired. I was not able to travel to make a landing due to urgent medical reasons. Have any of you been able to successfully get your copr extended? If yes, please please post here the process or the contact numbers where you called and how you handled it. If I have to start the application process all over again then I probably won't get an ITA because the cutoff score has gone far above my original score. Thanks.

 

[PMM]

Hi

Hello All - I am in a similar position where my COPR has expired. I was not able to travel to make a landing due to urgent medical reasons. Have any of you been able to successfully get your copr extended? If yes, please please post here the process or the contact numbers where you called and how you handled it. If I have to start the application process all over again then I probably won't get an ITA because the cutoff score has gone far above my original score. Thanks.

1. As you have found out it is a case of "use it or lose it" You will have to start over again.