I am a permanent resident but I am unable to work and may become homeless.

[Kradomon]

I found this community to be a fantastic resource when I was going through the process of getting my PR as well as two work visas. Unfortunately I am currently facing a much more serious challenge and am posting my issue here in the hopes that anyone has suggestions or ideas on how to move forwards with this..


The Issue:

• -I visited Canada in 2014 on a working visa and was given a SIN that starts with a 9.
• -I became a permanent resident on Feb 2015 but was never told I had to update my SIN.
• -I recently visited family in the UK but while overseas I lost my PR card.
• -I was able to return to Canada after going to the London embassy and getting a travel document. The agent at the embassy explained that they recently changed the entry requirements and that they would put a new document into my passport and that this new document would effectively be my "new" PR card. I even paid extra for multiple re-entry.
• -At the end of August I ended my employment after a structured dismissal claim and found out I was not eligible for EI as my SIN number was expired.
• -I also found I was unable to obtain new employment as my SIN number is expired.
• -After going to service Canada they explained that I need to provide a copy of my PR card or Confirmation Of Permanent Residence Letter in order to get a SIN number. Unfortunately I don't have a PR card and they won't accept the letter as it is over a year old.
• -Application for a replacement PR card is ongoing but is expected to take 3-4 months. During this period I am unable to work, claim EI or apply for any sort of government assistance.

Steps I have taken thus far:

• Visited service Canada at 16826 107 Ave, Edmonton, AB T5P 4C3 - Spoke to three agents as well as the team leader and they said they can't help me and suggested the Jasper Place service Canada or the Airport immigration desk.
• Visited service Canada at 9700 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB T5J 4C1 - Spoke to two agents as well as the team leader and they said they cannot help me and suggested I call immigration..
• Called immigration at 1-888-242-2100 - Called 14 times over the period of three days at varied times but was unable to speak to a human being.
• Visited the immigration desk at YEG airport - Spoke to the agent and the team leader. They explained that they cannot help me said "It looks like you have fallen through the cracks, you may want to get in touch with your MP"
• Contacted the office of my local MP Linda Duncan, they are yet to get back to me and I don't have much hope in regards to this.
• Contacted the Alberta ombudsman office, they are yet to get back to me and I don't have much hope in regards to this.
• Contacted the office of Rachel Notle, they are yet to get back to me and I don't have much hope in regards to this.

 

[steaky]

What do you mean you cannot find work without SIN? Not even snow removal?

 

[Kradomon]

What do you mean you cannot find work without SIN? Not even snow removal?

I am unable to legally find work without a SIN. I would much rather get this resolved without having to find work under the table. But if I am unable to get this resolved snow removal is a pretty good suggestion.

 

[Officer Green]

I am unable to legally find work without a SIN. I would much rather get this resolved without having to find work under the table. But if I am unable to get this resolved snow removal is a pretty good suggestion.

I didn't know that the SIN of a permanent resident can expire (or at least so quick). You even don't need a PR card to apply a job or SIN card. As the people in service Canada said just "Confirmation Of Permanent Residence" document should be enough. If you lost it, you can order a copy. As a PR you should get EI. I never heard such issue before.

 

[Kradomon]

I didn't know that the SIN of a permanent resident can expire (or at least so quick). You even don't need a PR card to apply a job or SIN card. As the people in service Canada said just "Confirmation Of Permanent Residence" document should be enough. If you lost it, you can order a copy. As a PR you should get EI. I never heard such issue before.

The issue is I don't have a PR SIN number. The only SIN number I have is the one from my expired work permit and never got given a PR SIN number.
To my understanding to get a PR SIN number you have to provide a "Confirmation Of Permanent Residence" document that is within one year of issue. Unfortunately mine is past the one year mark as I was unaware that I had to apply for a new SIN as I was never informed.
You could also provide an original PR card however mine is lost in Europe and I do have an application in progress for a new one but it will take at-least three months before I get it. (But likely much longer..)

 

[vensak]

Listen carefuly:
1. Your COPR letter (the big white sheet of paper with your photo and the date becoming citizen) does not expire. You can use it if for whatever reasons you cannot present your PR card when in Canada
2. The only way it would become invalid if you would give up PR or if it was revoked from you (neither is the case).
3. So take that letter to the service in order to obtain your permanent SIN. And while there, you can kindly ask if it can be activated since the day of landing (also I do not think it can).
4. If you do not have your COPR then you have to get that one back (it takes up to 2 years to get it and then you will be using info like your UCI and the passport number that was used in that COPR).
5. The only validity of COPR is for the landing itself (which you already did). And of course you cannot use it as a travelling document (returning to Canada). But you can use it everywhere when in Canada.

Good luck.

 

[Kradomon]

Listen carefuly:
1. Your COPR letter (the big white sheet of paper with your photo and the date becoming citizen) does not expire. You can use it if for whatever reasons you cannot present your PR card when in Canada
2. The only way it would become invalid if you would give up PR or if it was revoked from you (neither is the case).
3. So take that letter to the service in order to obtain your permanent SIN. And while there, you can kindly ask if it can be activated since the day of landing (also I do not think it can).
4. If you do not have your COPR then you have to get that one back (it takes up to 2 years to get it and then you will be using info like your UCI and the passport number that was used in that COPR).
5. The only validity of COPR is for the landing itself (which you already did). And of course you cannot use it as a travelling document (returning to Canada). But you can use it everywhere when in Canada.

Good luck.

Hi Vensak,

Thank you for the clear information & instruction.
Unfortunately I have presented the COPR letter at these two service Canada locations.
16826 107 Ave, Edmonton, AB T5P 4C3
9700 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB T5J 4C1

I spoke to multiple agents as well as the team leaders at both locations and was explained that the letter is invalid after one year and that they can ONLY issue a new SIN number if I meet the following criteria.

A. I have an original PR card in hand (I only have a photocopy as mine is lost and a replacement is still being processed)
B. I present them my COPR letter that is signed and within one year of issue (Mine is past the one year of issue as I was never informed I have to get a new SIN)

What you are saying and the process you are describing makes complete sense to me. However unfortunately its not working out that way for me.

 

[Kradomon]

Steps I have taken thus far: (UPDATED)

• -Visited service Canada at 16826 107 Ave, Edmonton, AB T5P 4C3 - Spoke to three agents as well as the team leader and they said they can't help me and suggested the Jasper Place service Canada or the Airport immigration desk.
  
• -Visited service Canada at 9700 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB T5J 4C1 - Spoke to two agents as well as the team leader and they said they cannot help me and suggested I call immigration..
  
• -Called immigration at 1-888-242-2100 - Called 16 times over the period of four days at varied times but was unable to speak to a human being.
  
• -Visited the immigration desk at YEG airport - Spoke to the agent and the team leader. They explained that they cannot help me and said "It looks like you have fallen through the cracks, you may want to get in touch with your MP"
  
• -Contacted the Alberta ombudsman office, they contacted me back and advised me that they are unable to deal with federal level complaints and suggested I write to the Service Canada Office for client satisfaction.
  
• -Contacted the office of my local MP Linda Duncan, they took the information about my situation and her assistant Helene contacted their liaison officer from Service Canada, SIN unit. However unfortunately the outcome was that they couldn't do anything for me.
  
• -Wrote a letter to Service Canada Office for Client satisfaction. However they are yet to get back to me.
  
• -Contacted the office of Rachel Notley, her assistant Leanne got back to me and said that they will follow up with the office of MP Linda Duncan to see if there is anything else they can do to assist me.
  
• -Visited Andrea at Alberta Human Services Argyll Center. Andrea faxed documents on my behalf to the CIC to request a proof of permanent residence status in case it helps me resolve this situation sooner.

 

[vensak]

Hi Vensak,

Thank you for the clear information & instruction.
Unfortunately I have presented the COPR letter at these two service Canada locations.
16826 107 Ave, Edmonton, AB T5P 4C3
9700 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB T5J 4C1

I spoke to multiple agents as well as the team leaders at both locations and was explained that the letter is invalid after one year and that they can ONLY issue a new SIN number if I meet the following criteria.

A. I have an original PR card in hand (I only have a photocopy as mine is lost and a replacement is still being processed)
B. I present them my COPR letter that is signed and within one year of issue (Mine is past the one year of issue as I was never informed I have to get a new SIN)

What you are saying and the process you are describing makes complete sense to me. However unfortunately its not working out that way for me.

Since you want to amend your SIN - change it from temporary SIN to the permanent SIN, you also use following:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/before-applying.html

• Status Verification or Verification of Status issued by IRCC. This document is only acceptable to amend a SIN record or to obtain a confirmation of an existing SIN.

Then try to get it
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/certcopy.asp
You can even consider to try to apply for an urgent case (with nice LOE explaining your whole situation).
And with it you can proceed to amend your SIN - to switch it to permanent SIN.

Good luck.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Listen carefuly:
1. Your COPR letter (the big white sheet of paper with your photo and the date becoming citizen) does not expire. You can use it if for whatever reasons you cannot present your PR card when in Canada
2. The only way it would become invalid if you would give up PR or if it was revoked from you (neither is the case).
3. So take that letter to the service in order to obtain your permanent SIN. And while there, you can kindly ask if it can be activated since the day of landing (also I do not think it can).
4. If you do not have your COPR then you have to get that one back (it takes up to 2 years to get it and then you will be using info like your UCI and the passport number that was used in that COPR).
5. The only validity of COPR is for the landing itself (which you already did). And of course you cannot use it as a travelling document (returning to Canada). But you can use it everywhere when in Canada.

Good luck.

I suggest you do a bit of research before providing "facts".

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/before-applying.html

Confirmation of Permanent Residence issued by IRCC, accompanied by either a travel document (for example, a foreign passport) or an alternate photo identification issued by a provincial/territorial authority (for example, a driver’s licence). Note: The Confirmation of Permanent Residence is acceptable if used within one year of the date you became a permanent resident. The permanent resident card is required after this period.

 

[Officer Green]

Steps I have taken thus far: (UPDATED)

• -Visited service Canada at 16826 107 Ave, Edmonton, AB T5P 4C3 - Spoke to three agents as well as the team leader and they said they can't help me and suggested the Jasper Place service Canada or the Airport immigration desk.
  
• -Visited service Canada at 9700 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB T5J 4C1 - Spoke to two agents as well as the team leader and they said they cannot help me and suggested I call immigration..
  
• -Called immigration at 1-888-242-2100 - Called 16 times over the period of four days at varied times but was unable to speak to a human being.
  
• -Visited the immigration desk at YEG airport - Spoke to the agent and the team leader. They explained that they cannot help me and said "It looks like you have fallen through the cracks, you may want to get in touch with your MP"
  
• -Contacted the Alberta ombudsman office, they contacted me back and advised me that they are unable to deal with federal level complaints and suggested I write to the Service Canada Office for client satisfaction.
  
• -Contacted the office of my local MP Linda Duncan, they took the information about my situation and her assistant Helene contacted their liaison officer from Service Canada, SIN unit. However unfortunately the outcome was that they couldn't do anything for me.
  
• -Wrote a letter to Service Canada Office for Client satisfaction. However they are yet to get back to me.
  
• -Contacted the office of Rachel Notley, her assistant Leanne got back to me and said that they will follow up with the office of MP Linda Duncan to see if there is anything else they can do to assist me.
  
• -Visited Andrea at Alberta Human Services Argyll Center. Andrea faxed documents on my behalf to the CIC to request a proof of permanent residence status in case it helps me resolve this situation sooner.

Let me suggest you one thing: Apply for urgent processing of PR card. I guess as you have your political representatives and and also letter from Service Canada you should be able to get the urgent processing of PR card. Your case is so unique I never heard of any similar one before. The easiest way to go could be getting PR card on hand. I guess it should take less than 1 month for urgent processing of PR card (and you have a valid reason for urgent processing).

 

[Kradomon]

Let me suggest you one thing: Apply for urgent processing of PR card. I guess as you have your political representatives and and also letter from Service Canada you should be able to get the urgent processing of PR card. Your case is so unique I never heard of any similar one before. The easiest way to go could be getting PR card on hand. I guess it should take less than 1 month for urgent processing of PR card (and you have a valid reason for urgent processing).

Thanks for the advice Officer Green!
I applied for a replacement PR card last week as an urgent request. However they are yet to process it so I am unable to track the application online.
Knowing that it could be a one one month timeline for urgent applications helps. Much appreciated.

 

[Kradomon]

Since you want to amend your SIN - change it from temporary SIN to the permanent SIN, you also use following:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/before-applying.html

• Status Verification or Verification of Status issued by IRCC. This document is only acceptable to amend a SIN record or to obtain a confirmation of an existing SIN.

Then try to get it
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/certcopy.asp
You can even consider to try to apply for an urgent case (with nice LOE explaining your whole situation).
And with it you can proceed to amend your SIN - to switch it to permanent SIN.

Good luck.

Thanks for the suggestion.
Going to get the ball rolling with it right away and hopefully it works.
Much appreciated.

 

[vensak]

Thanks for the advice Officer Green!
I applied for a replacement PR card last week as an urgent request. However they are yet to process it so I am unable to track the application online.
Knowing that it could be a one one month timeline for urgent applications helps. Much appreciated.

Create your GCKey account and then you will be able to find your application. With that you can add application processed under that account. Good luck.

 

[Officer Green]

Thanks for the advice Officer Green!

I applied for a replacement PR card last week as an urgent request. However they are yet to process it so I am unable to track the application online.
Knowing that it could be a one one month timeline for urgent applications helps. Much appreciated.

You may get it soon if nothing goes wrong.
Every case may not be similar but don't worry about the online tracking. In my case, it took one month to get the PR card in hand by urgent processing. And in two other cases we got in process email one week before the PR card arrived.

I think the PR card replacement way should solve your problem in couple of weeks.