Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released new instructions to assist individuals holding expired Confirmations of Permanent Residence (COPRs) in renewing their documents and proceeding with their immigration journeys to Canada.
A COPR is a key document issued to individuals who have been approved to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents. It confirms that the applicant has successfully fulfilled all program requirements, including medical, security, and background checks. However, due to COVID-19 border restrictions, many approved applicants were unable to travel to Canada before their COPRs expired.
Canada does not permit entry with expired immigration documents, a policy that has remained in place both before and during the pandemic. As a result, many would-be immigrants who were granted COPRs before or during 2020 found themselves in limbo. According to Maple News, effective June 21, 2021, border restrictions were lifted for approved permanent residents, and now IRCC has established a clear procedure for expired COPR holders to renew their pathway to Canada.
Under the new guidance, IRCC will reach out via email to individuals holding expired COPRs. If the applicant still wishes to immigrate, they must respond confirming their intent. IRCC may then request updated information, such as new medical examination results or revised documentation. Failure to respond will result in the application being closed, meaning the individual would need to start a new application from scratch if they still wish to immigrate.
IRCC has noted that most individuals whose COPRs expired on or before March 18, 2020, have already been contacted. If you’ve already submitted additional medicals or documentation as requested by IRCC, there is no need to reach out again; applicants are advised to wait for follow-up communication.
This special measure is a departure from pre-COVID policy, under which expired documents automatically required a full reapplication. IRCC is now making exceptions to support applicants disadvantaged by pandemic-era travel bans.
Importantly, applicants receiving communication from IRCC will also be asked to declare any changes in their personal circumstances—such as marriage, divorce, or childbirth—that might impact their immigration status. Depending on the updates, further documentation may be required to reflect these life changes.
Maple News encourages all affected applicants to monitor their inboxes and stay responsive to IRCC communications in order to take advantage of this policy adjustment.
The Canadian government’s updated approach not only supports fairness toward pre-approved immigrants but also reflects its ongoing commitment to welcoming newcomers as part of post-pandemic recovery.