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After Landing2 min read

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Immigrant family walking through a snowy Canadian neighborhood at dusk

from copr to pr card: your first documents after landing

Applicants who have been granted permanent residence in Canada will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) upon landing. This document proves their permanent resident status and is usually accompanied by a permanent resident visa, if required. Newcomers should keep their COPR safe, as it's an essential document.

what happens after you land in canada

When you land in Canada, you'll need to provide your COPR to the border services officer. They will verify the document and confirm your permanent resident status. You'll also be asked to provide your contact information, including your address in Canada. If you don't have a fixed address, you can provide an alternate address where you can receive mail.

receiving your first pr card

Your first PR card is usually mailed to your Canadian address within a few weeks of landing. This card proves your permanent resident status in Canada and can be used to travel outside the country and re-enter. It's a crucial document, and you should make sure to keep it safe.

If you don't receive your PR card within a few weeks, you can use your COPR as proof of your permanent resident status. This document can be used to access various services, including healthcare and employment. I've heard that some newcomers have had issues with accessing these services without their PR card, so it's essential to have a plan in place.

Newcomers to Canada can find more information about the COPR and PR card process on the official IRCC website. You can also visit the IRCC.com after-landing page for more guidance on settling in Canada. For example, you can read about declaring more than CAD 10,000 when landing in Canada and your first tax year in Canada to ensure a smooth transition.

For more information on PR card renewal and urgent travel, you can visit the PR card renewal page. You can also learn about biometrics for Canada immigration and your first week in Canada checklist. The official current rules are at canada.ca/immigration, and this guide is independent reference content.

The information on this page is subject to change and may not be up to date. For the most recent information, please visit canada.ca.

A small portion of this article — research support, fact-cross-checking, and copy-editing — was assisted by AI tooling. Editorial decisions, source verification, and final sign-off remain with our team. We cite primary sources from canada.ca for every factual claim.

Last reviewed: July 21, 2026

IRCC.com is an independent news site and not affiliated with the Government of Canada.

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