Maple News reports that, as of June 21, 2021, individuals holding a valid Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) are now permitted to travel to Canada and complete their immigration process. This long-anticipated policy shift comes after over a year of stringent COVID-19 travel restrictions that left thousands unable to enter the country despite having approved immigration status.
The Canadian government made the announcement at 10 a.m. EST, officially lifting the travel ban for COPR holders whose documents remain valid. These individuals have passed all necessary background, medical, and security screenings, and have received final approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to become permanent residents.
Until now, COPR holders whose documents were issued after March 18, 2020, had been barred from entering unless they met other strict exemptions or were residents of the United States planning to move permanently. This change now allows thousands of prospective immigrants—estimated at 23,000—to proceed with their relocation plans.
However, the government emphasized that only COPRs that are still valid will be accepted for travel. Those whose COPRs have expired should not attempt to enter Canada. Instead, IRCC is working with affected individuals to reissue new COPRs. These reissued documents will allow them to complete their permanent residency once cleared.
A COPR is typically valid for up to one year and is linked to both the applicant’s passport and medical exam results. Due to the pandemic and resulting travel disruption, many documents lapsed before travel was possible. The good news is that affected individuals will not need to restart the immigration process—they’ll only need a refreshed COPR.
In line with public health measures, incoming COPR holders must still comply with Canada’s travel regulations. While quarantine was previously mandatory, the Canadian government now exempts fully vaccinated travelers from the 14-day isolation period, making the transition into Canada easier for many.
More detailed guidance on how individuals with expired COPRs can obtain new documentation will be published by IRCC soon. In the meantime, prospective immigrants are urged not to make travel plans until they receive new authorization.
This development marks a significant step forward in Canada’s progressive reopening and reaffirms its commitment to welcoming new permanent residents as part of its post-pandemic recovery strategy.