After months without guidance from IRCC, individuals with valid Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) documents may travel to Canada as of June 21st.
Canada has maintained some of the strictest travel restrictions since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, creating issues for foreign nationals hoping to land, become permanent residents, and begin to build their lives in Canada. Prior to this change, foreign nationals could only enter Canada if they held a valid COPR issued on or before March 18, 2020 and were exempt from Canada’s travel restrictions, or held a valid COPR issued after March 18, 2020 and met another exemption or were coming from the US to settle permanently in Canada.
Individuals with expired COPRs issued after March 18, 2020 are expected to receive additional information in the future from IRCC to facilitate their landing in Canada. If you are in this situation, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
This is welcome news for future Canadian permanent residents and in line with the Government of Canada’s 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan. With a record low number of permanent residents welcomed to Canada in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing easier pathways for individuals to land in Canada will ensure Canada addresses its longstanding demographic challenges and labour market shortages.
