The highly coveted COPR document

[Ponga]

So...you finally have the official document, signed by you and the immigration officer, confirming that you are now a permanent resident of Canada; it even says so right there at the top...`CONFIRMATION of Permanent Residence', but...it doesn't seem to confirm much of anything, to any other government agency, commercial carrier, etc.

We're all told, at the landing, to "Keep this in a very secure place, because you will need it when you apply for OAS", but what they don't tell you is that in the interim, it's pretty much a worthless piece of paper.

Can anyone explain why this confirmation document, really doesn't confirm PR status to anyone besides, possibly, a CBSA officer at a land border...who will probably chew you out for not having your PR Card?

 

[Aquakitty]

Yea, and so many government agencies don't even allow it as proof of anything.

I figure it's because it is very easy to fake, being just a piece of paper with no security features. You couldn't just show up at the border with the paper and fake a landing(obviously as a PR you are in the database), but if airlines allowed it, non-immigrants could fake it to get on the plane then claim refugee status in Canada.

 

[PMM]

HI

So...you finally have the official document, signed by you and the immigration officer, confirming that you are now a permanent resident of Canada; it even says so right there at the top...`CONFIRMATION of Permanent Residence', but...it doesn't seem to confirm much of anything, to any other government agency, commercial carrier, etc.

We're all told, at the landing, to "Keep this in a very secure place, because you will need it when you apply for OAS", but what they don't tell you is that in the interim, it's pretty much a worthless piece of paper.

Can anyone explain why this confirmation document, really doesn't confirm PR status to anyone besides, possibly, a CBSA officer at a land border...who will probably chew you out for not having your PR Card?

1 It is as it says, your confirmation of PR, what it isn't is a travel document. Same as a citizenship certificate, proof of citizenship, but again it is not a travel document.

 

[Ponga]

HI

1 It is as it says, your confirmation of PR, what it isn't is a travel document. Same as a citizenship certificate, proof of citizenship, but again it is not a travel document.

I understand, hence the `Not Valid For Travel' written diagonally across the page, but...why can't it be used for anything like dealing with the Driver Licensing (ICBC), Service Canada, etc.?

I find it really surprising that a Work Permit has more security features than the COPR...it's even printed in color.

 

[Fawzietrim]

I understand, hence the `Not Valid For Travel' written diagonally across the page, but...why can't it be used for anything like dealing with the Driver Licensing (ICBC), Service Canada, etc.?

I find it really surprising that a Work Permit has more security features than the COPR...it's even printed in color.

I quebec we use it for everything, universities, degree equivalence, driver's licence, service quebec everything that needs confirmation of status we use the corp while waiting the pr

 

[Ponga]

You'd also think that having a permanent SIN (that does NOT start with 9) would also help to prove PR status.

 

[CDNPR2014]

in ontario it's valid for anything a pr card is valid for. i was able to use it to get my license, ohip, sin#, immigration services, etc. i know it's valid for signing up for free language classes too. i also used it for crossing the border by car many times. in fact i've used it more than my actual pr card.perhaps this is a province by province thing? i'm surprised you are having issues using it at service canada. i used it at my local office in ontario.

 

[ayrazar]

in ontario it's valid for anything a pr card is valid for. i was able to use it to get my license, ohip, sin#, immigration services, etc. i know it's valid for signing up for free language classes too. i also used it for crossing the border by car many times. in fact i've used it more than my actual pr card.perhaps this is a province by province thing? i'm surprised you are having issues using it at service canada. i used it at my local office in ontario.

This post stopped the sudden increase in my heart rate.

 

[mega_option101]

I quebec we use it for everything, universities, degree equivalence, driver's licence, service quebec everything that needs confirmation of status we use the corp while waiting the pr

You can also use it to apply for the Quebec Health Card (along with your CSQ). Of course, you will still need to wait the required 3 months to get coverage, but it should arrive before the PR card does - which in itself is reassuring.

 

[mikeymyke]

Actually, we found the COPR paper to be extremely valuable, since it was a document that contained my wife's birthdate, full name, and living address. SIN card, health care card, etc doesn't show that kind of complete info. There were many instances we needed it whether applying for a credit card, added on to a mortgage, taking the driver's test, etc.

Of course, when the PR card and her driver's license came, it became useless.

 

[CDNPR2014]

This post stopped the sudden increase in my heart rate.

yeah, if you're landing in Ontario, don't worry. What the OP suggests does not reflect my experience at all. Like I said the COPR is accepted anywhere a PR card is accepted. It's even listed on the required documentation lists for most services. And I've accepted COPR as proof of status in a job I had where I registered people for the free language classes CIC offers, so I know it's accepted very widely, at least in Ontario. Also, I've never been "chewed out" by a CBSA officer because of using my COPR. Maybe it's because i'm visa exempt and usually enter by land? who knows...

I'm curious is this is a BC specific issue, since that seems to be where Ponga landed?

 

[deepax]

It is the only proof that shows you became PR of Canada on this date. If you renewed PR card, I don't think it shows original landing date.

So it is important in that regard.

Also, the country of your current citizenship might ask for this document when you renounce the citizenship after acquiring Canadian. I know that Indian consulate does.

Sadly, my CoPR got misplaced probably when I was renewing Indian passport or when applying for US visa a while ago. In that event, CIC does issue a certified true copy (which is equally valid) from their records for a fee.

 

[canadausa#11]

I do find it funny that the visitor extension, so visitor record I guess, has security seals and unique paper etc. and the COPR is just a piece of normal paper with no unique identifiers on it.

 

[Ponga]

I do find it funny that the visitor extension, so visitor record I guess, has security seals and unique paper etc. and the COPR is just a piece of normal paper with no unique identifiers on it.

Exactly! The only unique identifier on my original COPR, is a small triangle in yellow highlighter that the officer drew on it at landing. He said "THIS is your original; don't give it to anyone". The three photocopies he gave me all look exactly like the original...minus the fancy`security feature'. ;D