CIC Eliminates Counterfoils for Approved PRs from Visa Exempt Countries

[rjessome]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2011/ob348.asp

Operational Bulletin 348 –
November 14, 2011

Elimination of Counterfoils for Approved Permanent Residence Applicants from Visa-Exempt Countries

Summary

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will no longer issue a counterfoil to applicants approved for permanent residence from visa exempt countries. All approved applicants will continue to be issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document.

Background

Currently, all applicants approved for permanent residence, even from countries exempt from the Temporary Resident Visa requirement, are issued a counterfoil and seal in the passport that they are using for their initial travel to Canada to become a permanent resident.

Instructions

As of December 1, 2011, missions will no longer issue a counterfoil to applicants approved for permanent residence, if the “CNTRY OF ISS. OF TRAVEL DOC:” field on the COPR identifies a regular passport issued by the United States of America or a country identified in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations 190(1)(a) or (b) or 190(2)(b), (c), (d) or (e).

The Canada Border Services Agency's Border Services Officers (BSOs) and Migration Integrity Officers in Canada and abroad will be advised of this change. BSOs will continue to evaluate individuals at the Primary Inspection Line and determine which persons are immigrating to Canada and refer those new immigrants to Immigration secondary for finalization of permanent residence status. In cases where the new immigrant is not finalized at the port of entry as required, staff should advise the individual to contact the CIC Call Centre for options to correct their status in Canada. The Call Centre will continue to follow their current procedures when contacted by immigrants who require finalization of permanent residence status.

[Elizabeth Joe]

I'm trying really hard to understand it, but what does it exactly mean? What is a counterfoil?

[rjessome]

I'm trying really hard to understand it, but what does it exactly mean? What is a counterfoil?

It's the visa that gets stamped in your passport when your PR application is approved.  It's now being eliminated for people who's PR application is approved AND are from a visa exempt country to Canada.  Makes sense.  They don't need it to travel.

[Indigo]

Does that mean you no longer have to send in your passport if you are from a visa exempt country and about to become a PR? But how do you land without a visa in your passport?

*finds this article very confusing*

[mirjahan]

Does that mean you no longer have to send in your passport if you are from a visa exempt country and about to become a PR? But how do you land without a visa in your passport?

*finds this article very confusing*

I am still confuse to understand their article. I think it will be confirm by CBSA by port of entry when you arrive with COPR.
Still did not understand in details.

[aerogurl87]

Does that mean you no longer have to send in your passport if you are from a visa exempt country and about to become a PR?

This is what I'm wondering, I mean yes that would make the processing time a little shorter, but how else are they gonna know your landing? Will they just look it up on the computer?

[justina]

Does this mean that these people will have to wait to apply for a SIN until they receive their PR card, like inlanders do? The counter foil allows outlanders to get their SIN right away....

I could see that being a potential issue!

[Indigo]

Anybody got some more information?

Not saying that CIC should use "Sesame Street English", but a bit more readability for this article would be nice.

[mmshock]

I imagine that you'd still have to provide them somehow with certain information and they would issue/send you your COPR to land.

You wouldn't have to wait for your PR card to get your SIN as you would still have your COPR document.

[Baloo]

This is what I'm wondering, I mean yes that would make the processing time a little shorter, but how else are they gonna know your landing? Will they just look it up on the computer?

They will look it up (more likely the system will flag you), and you will tell them.

[trini777]

I GUESS WE WILL WAIT TO SEE HOW THIS GOES, HOW MUCH TIME WILL IT REALLY SAVE PROBABLY DEPENDS ON THE VISA OFFICE AND HOW THEY WOULD USUALLY TAKE TO RETURN PASSPORTS AND HOW LONG THE APPLICANT TAKES TO SEND THE INFO.

[Baloo]

Eliminating counterfoils (in this case) certainly removes the risk that a passport would go missing in the post.

[rjessome]

Visa exempt people will still get a COPR.

[AmericaninQuebec]

So this would mean those of us from visa exempt countries would get our COPR and then be able to go directly to the border and land? As in, no need to send the passport for a visa and wait a couple of extra weeks? Actually, that would be really awesome if they did that. I thought that's what they did anyway until recently (I missed the memo about having to send my passport for a visa before landing). I actually wouldn't mind waiting another couple of weeks for my COPR (assuming I get it, hehe) if that means I can just drive 30 minutes to the border and land the same day! 

[Baloo]

Visa exempt people will still get a COPR.

Yes, but the good news is you don't have to mail a passport

It should save time as well, the odd thing is, this actually makes sense.