COPR Expiry

[AJDrinko]

I have just received my COPR in the UK. I originally applied while in Canada on the TR/PR pathway. my medical expiry date on the IRCC website says October but on my COPR it is valid until 20th July 23, which is in 3 weeks. It is currently unsigned as I am still in the UK
my questions are
1) can that be extended until my medical expiry?
2) if question one is a no, would it be possible to visit Canada for a couple of weeks (I do have a Canadian address) to get it signed and then return to the UK until I can fly out in October which was my original plan when it all came through.
3) it says not valid for travel, Do I need anything else?

I'm a little bit stressed and I don't want to miss my opportunity to move to Canada after almost 2 years of waiting

Thank you in advance

 

[aqfleet]

That seems really weird - is your passport due to expire in July? It’s usually linked to your medicals, or your passport validity if that falls sooner. You can always try emailing the address you got the COPR instructions from and/or submitting a web form questioning it - but they would probably need to re-issue a COPR and given the lack of communication from IRCC that might feel a little risky.

I have applied (I’m a dependent of my partner who is primary applicant) via CEC, originally in land but they have switched me to outland process for COPR as I’m living in the UK for a bit until November. My medicals are due to expire end of July 18th so I’m patiently (not that patiently) waiting for my COPR to come through any minute. My plan is to do exactly what you’ve suggested - I have flights booked to Toronto for July 13th-20th, so assuming it comes through in the next couple of weeks (I have been waiting since June 8th) my plan is fly to Toronto, get my COPR stamped, sort my new SIN out, stay with a friend in Toronto for a week and then fly back here to live here until November.

If you haven’t lived in Canada before, planning for a couple of weeks wouldn’t hurt as you would be able to sort out your SIN, open a bank account and maybe even get a SIM card or something so you’re ready for heading over in October!

Unless I‘m mistaken you don’t need to remain in Canada once you have PR - just make sure you have a plan to get your PR card from your Canadian address (someone could post it to you?) or apply for a PRTD, because your PR could take anywhere from a few weeks to a longer than a month to arrive. All pretty normal, just have a plan. You also need to keep in mind that you need to be in Canada 730 days out of 5 years to keep your status valid, but a few months in the UK before you’re there permanently (like me) shouldn’t make a big difference.

If you’re a UK citizen like me, you don’t need an eTA to travel to Canada. You need your passport, of course, and your COPR will get you in the country for your stamping and then you enter as a resident! I think not valid for travel just means it‘s not a passport.

 

[armoured]

1) can that be extended until my medical expiry?

It may be possible but to even get an answer in three weeks might be difficult.

2) if question one is a no, would it be possible to visit Canada for a couple of weeks (I do have a Canadian address) to get it signed and then return to the UK until I can fly out in October which was my original plan when it all came through.

Yes, not a problem. Lots of people do it, usually called a 'soft landing.' About only complication is whether they'll submit the PR card application during the landing process. Seems to mostly depend on if they think you've come to land (permanently) and have an address where they can send it. Find an address, try to make it clear you're 'arriving' even if you may have to go back to UK for a short trip. (Do this without lying of course). While you're in Canada apply for the SIN#. Would suggest not applying for health card until you return.

3) it says not valid for travel, Do I need anything else?

When you got the COPR there should have been instructions. I think for UK citizens you also use/need an ETA but not certain.

 

[AJDrinko]

That seems really weird - is your passport due to expire in July?

my passport is valid until 2028, at first I thought it may be to do with my passport as it expires in July, but I have 5 years still on it.

try emailing the address you got the COPR instructions from and/or submitting a web form questioning it - but they would probably need to re-issue a COPR and given the lack of communication from IRCC that might feel a little risky.

I may have to send a Web form, not ideal as they do take some time

If you haven’t lived in Canada before, planning for a couple of weeks wouldn’t hurt as you would be able to sort out your SIN, open a bank account and maybe even get a SIM card or something so you’re ready for heading over in October!

Thankfully I have my SIN, Sim, bank account sorted feom when I originally moved there in 2019 but had to travel back because the process was taking to long (even to extend my work permit)

just make sure you have a plan to get your PR card from your Canadian address (someone could post it to you?) or apply for a PRTD, because your PR could take anywhere from a few weeks to a longer than a month to arrive. All pretty normal, just have a plan. You also need to keep in mind that you need to be in Canada 730 days out of 5 years to keep your status valid, but a few months in the UK before you’re there permanently (like me) shouldn’t make a big difference.

I have a plan in place, its just the COPR valid date that has thrown me slightly put of wack. Thanks for the info on the 730 days, I didn't know that, very handy to know but shouldn't make any impact on my plans.

 

[AJDrinko]

It may be possible but to even get an answer in three weeks might be difficult.



Yes, not a problem. Lots of people do it, usually called a 'soft landing.' About only complication is whether they'll submit the PR card application during the landing process. Seems to mostly depend on if they think you've come to land (permanently) and have an address where they can send it. Find an address, try to make it clear you're 'arriving' even if you may have to go back to UK for a short trip. (Do this without lying of course). While you're in Canada apply for the SIN#. Would suggest not applying for health card until you return.



When you got the COPR there should have been instructions. I think for UK citizens you also use/need an ETA but not certain.

Thank you for the information. It's very helpful

 

[armoured]

my passport is valid until 2028, at first I thought it may be to do with my passport as it expires in July, but I have 5 years still on it.

Stranger things have happened than a fat fingers error where someone entered it as 2023 instead of 2028. Esp since so many countries' passports only five year validity.

Anyway to make it more clear: I know a hassle but I think it would be far better for you to just plan to do a soft landing. You can really do the landing procedure and get back on the next flight out if you like - there's nothing remotely wrong with doing a soft landing. If you're in London area, you can be back the next day (although a bit extreme) and flights aren't that expensive fro the UK.

No harm in trying to change the date but I suspect in terms of uncertainty and hassle, you will find easier to just land and know you're a PR and not worry about it.

Ah there is one complication: when you return to Canada later - Octoberr or whatever - if you haven't received the PR card you may have to enter at a land border. Another reason to do everything to arrange to get the PR card done on landing and then sent to you by courier later.

 

[armoured]

Ah there is one complication: when you return to Canada later - Octoberr or whatever - if you haven't received the PR card you may have to enter at a land border. Another reason to do everything to arrange to get the PR card done on landing and then sent to you by courier later.

I forgot to clarify why this is: PRs need a PR card to board a plane, and your existing ETA will be cancelled (don't know how quickly). You wll be able to enter at a land border with the COPR though.