Maple News reports that certain temporary residents entering Canada must receive a Port of Entry (POE) letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before they are allowed to enter the country. POE letters, officially called ‘Port of Entry Letters of Introduction,’ play a pivotal role in confirming an individual’s eligibility to receive the proper entry documentation upon arrival.
This document is typically issued to foreign nationals who have been approved online for one of three types of temporary residence (TR) authorizations: a study permit, a work permit, or a super visa (commonly used by parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents). Importantly, only applicants who complete their application online and provide a valid email address will receive this letter through their IRCC account.
Despite their critical importance, POE letters are not permits themselves. They do not serve as study or work permits but instead act as proof that the document holder has been approved for one. Upon presentation at the Canadian port of entry, this letter allows officials from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to issue the corresponding permit.
According to IRCC rules, possession of the POE letter at arrival is mandatory. If a traveler does not have this letter, they will not be issued their permit – even if previously approved. This makes it essential for approved applicants to monitor their IRCC account closely and ensure they print or display the document at the border.
It’s worth noting that not all entrants to Canada require a POE letter. Visitors coming to Canada on a visitor visa or other non-permit TR categories will not receive or need this document.
The POE letter may also go by other names, such as ‘correspondence letter’ or ‘letter of introduction,’ which may appear in official communication. All these terms refer to the same document, which acts as the final verification step that allows border agents to issue the physical or digital permit.
Maple News emphasizes the importance of understanding this process clearly, as overlooking the POE letter may result in denied entry or administrative delays at the border. For students, workers, and super visa holders, it is not just a formality – it is a requirement.