The Decision Timeline: When To Move To Canada After Your Pr Approval

Many individuals who have recently been granted Permanent Resident (PR) status often choose to delay their move to Canada due to commitments such as work, school, or familial responsibilities in their home country.

This raises the question: how soon should one make the move to Canada once their Express Entry PR application is approved?

Arrival in Canada

Upon receiving your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), it is crucial to arrive in Canada before the expiration date specified on your CoPR document. If your PR application includes dependent family members, their landing must occur either simultaneously with or before yours. All dependent family members must also complete the landing process before the CoPR expiry date.

For those already present in Canada, the confirmation of permanent residence status can be verified through the online portal of the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Validity of Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR):

After the processing of your application is complete, a CoPR visa will be stamped in your passport. The expiration date on the COPR is typically determined by the validity of your medical exam results, which remain valid for one year. For example, if you underwent a medical exam in June 2024, the CoPR visa would expire in June 2025. However, if your passport expires before your medical exam results, the CoPR validity is then tied to the passport's expiry date.

Initiating the Application for Your Initial PR Card:

Upon landing in Canada and gaining Canadian permanent resident status, you can apply for a Permanent Resident (PR) card. Since you need to demonstrate your permanent resident status for re-entry into Canada, it is advisable to start the PR card application promptly. It's important to note that IRCC does not send PR cards to addresses outside of Canada. If you are temporarily residing in Canada without a fixed address, you may want to consider having the card sent to your immigration lawyer or arrange for personal pickup once it is ready.

The processing time for a new PR card can extend beyond three months. If you need to travel back to your home country during this period, you must apply for a PR travel document, which serves as a substitute for a PR card when re-entering Canada.

What is the Required Duration of Stay in Canada After Completing the Landing Process?

Following the completion of the landing process and obtaining Canadian permanent residency, it is crucial to meet the residency obligations. This involves being physically present in Canada for a minimum of 730 days within five years. If you choose to return to your home country after completing the landing process, it is essential to ensure that you come back in time to spend at least 730 days in Canada to fulfill this obligation.

Certain exceptions exist for this requirement, such as residing outside of Canada but accompanying a close family member who is a Canadian citizen or being employed full-time by a Canadian company. For more information on satisfying this obligation, please visit our Residency Obligations page.