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BOWP - Validity after COPR?

birwin91

Star Member
Jan 20, 2020
123
104
Hi all,

Throwing a question out there. With all the new procedures and extensions, wondering if someone knows the answer to this.

Applied for BOWP (Bridging Visa) whilst waiting for COPR. Biometrics completed on Oct 23rd, so hopefully (fingers crossed) COPR is not far behind. My BOWP is valid for a year, until next October (2021).

I know previously, when you received COPR, your bridging visa was not longer valid while you waited for your PR card and everything to be finalised. Basically, between receiving confirmation of COPR and receiving the actual PR card, you cannot really travel.

Do we know if that is still the case, even with the extensions of the BOWPs? I've heard there is a backlog with receiving the PR cards for some people, with some people waiting months for theirs. I am supposed to be travelling for a wedding in March/April 2021, which i know is like 4-5 months away, but will all the delays, just want to make sure I have the right information. If I needed to travel (COVID pending), and had received PR but not had the card yet, could I travel with my BOWP visa?

Let me know what ye think,

Thanks :)
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,878
22,134
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Hi all,

Throwing a question out there. With all the new procedures and extensions, wondering if someone knows the answer to this.

Applied for BOWP (Bridging Visa) whilst waiting for COPR. Biometrics completed on Oct 23rd, so hopefully (fingers crossed) COPR is not far behind. My BOWP is valid for a year, until next October (2021).

I know previously, when you received COPR, your bridging visa was not longer valid while you waited for your PR card and everything to be finalised. Basically, between receiving confirmation of COPR and receiving the actual PR card, you cannot really travel.

Do we know if that is still the case, even with the extensions of the BOWPs? I've heard there is a backlog with receiving the PR cards for some people, with some people waiting months for theirs. I am supposed to be travelling for a wedding in March/April 2021, which i know is like 4-5 months away, but will all the delays, just want to make sure I have the right information. If I needed to travel (COVID pending), and had received PR but not had the card yet, could I travel with my BOWP visa?

Let me know what ye think,

Thanks :)
Short answer is no.

A BOWP doesn't allow you to travel. If you are not yet a PR, you would need a TRV. However once you are a PR, you can't get a TRV.

Once you have received your COPR and landed, you need either a PR card or PR Travel Document to return to Canada - unless you are coming from the U.S. by road in which case the COPR wil work.
 
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birwin91

Star Member
Jan 20, 2020
123
104
Short answer is no.

A BOWP doesn't allow you to travel. If you are not yet a PR, you would need a TRV. However once you are a PR, you can't get a TRV.

Once you have received your COPR and landed, you need either a PR card or PR Travel Document to return to Canada - unless you are coming from the U.S. by road in which case the COPR wil work.
Perfect!! Thank you so much for this reply, I will have to work around this so, and hope my PR card comes through before I have to travel! Appreciate the feedback! :)
 

Pray4PR247

Hero Member
Aug 2, 2017
231
201
Perfect!! Thank you so much for this reply, I will have to work around this so, and hope my PR card comes through before I have to travel! Appreciate the feedback! :)
If you have a valid visitor visa you could technically come back on that. But depending on covid you may not be allowed on visit.