Unable to apply for SIN or PR Card - Please help!

[cancan0505]

Hi All, I did soft landing via the land border in July 2020 and then went back to the US.

I came back to Toronto a few days to visit some apartments. I am looking to move officially in June 2023.

I went to the SIN office to apply for SIN and they were unable to apply for my and my husband's SIN and the system said "COPR not valid ... advised to contact CIC."

I then tried applying for PR card using the following link. And when I enter our UCI number, it says "We were not able to identify you using the information you provided".

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/change-address.html

Can someone help?

 

[scylla]

Hi All, I did soft landing via the land border in July 2020 and then went back to the US.

I came back to Toronto a few days to visit some apartments. I am looking to move officially in June 2023.

I went to the SIN office to apply for SIN and they were unable to apply for my and my husband's SIN and the system said "COPR not valid ... advised to contact CIC."

I then tried applying for PR card using the following link. And when I enter our UCI number, it says "We were not able to identify you using the information you provided".

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/change-address.html

Can someone help?

That's the wrong link for your PR card. It's been too long since you landed. You can no longer use the change of address process. You need to apply for a PR card using this link:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/who-can-apply.html

 

[cancan0505]

When I move to Canada in June 2023, will they just apply for my card at the border? Or do I need to go thru this process regardless?
And any thoughts on why I couldn't apply for SIN?

 

[scylla]

When I move to Canada in June 2023, will they just apply for my card at the border? Or do I need to go thru this process regardless?
And any thoughts on why I couldn't apply for SIN?

No, they will not apply for your PR card at the border. Again, it's been too long since you landed. You need to follow this process regardless.

You need a valid PR card to apply for a SIN. You cannot use your COPR. You can only use the COPR within 1 year of landing and you are well beyond that. These details are on the government web site:

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/required-documents.html

 

[cancan0505]

Ok, so can I submit the PR card application while in the US so that it's ready by the time I move? Can I enter through the land border using my COPR? The COPR document says it's valid until 2025.

 

[scylla]

Ok, so can I submit the PR card application while in the US so that it's ready by the time I move? Can I enter through the land border using my COPR? The COPR document says it's valid until 2025.

The application has to be submitted in Canada, meaning you need to be physically in Canada at the time you apply. See the IRCC website.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/who-can-apply.html

Yes, you can re-enter Canada using the COPR.