COPR vs PR Card

[Claudzilla]

Hopefully you guys can clear up some confusion for me regarding the next, and final, steps of the process. I received DM yesterday. With no other contact from the CIC, I'm assuming its good news. As I understand it, and I may be way off, the final process is:

Wait for COPR in the mail which will tell me the date by which I need to officially land in Canada.
When I land, that will start the process for the CIC to send me my PR card. I've read it takes approximately 50-60 days.

Do I receive my SIN at landing? Or after I receive my PR card?

Do I need my PR Card before I can begin working, or is the COPR enough?

Thanks!

 

[MiriamT]

Do I receive my SIN at landing? Or after I receive my PR card?

No. After the landing, you go to Service Canada and apply for a SIN.

How do I apply for a SIN? — http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sin/apply/how.shtml

What information/documents do I need to apply? — http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sin/apply/proof.shtml

"Confirmation of Permanent Residence issued by CIC, accompanied by either a travel document (for example, a foreign passport) or an alternate photo identification issued by a provincial/territorial authority (for example, a driver's licence). Note:The Confirmation of Permanent Residence is acceptable if used within one year of the date you became a permanent resident. The Permanent Resident card is required after this period."

When I initially got mine, they used my COPR and my immigrant visa. I see that the rules changed a bit now.

Do I need my PR Card before I can begin working, or is the COPR enough?

Thanks!

The COPR should be enough for now if the employer wants to check your status. While the SIN should be enough, many employers ask for proof of status. And if you get a job with benefits after a number of months, they'll collect this info to provide the health insurance company.

 

[brucem]

No. After the landing, you go to Service Canada and apply for a SIN.

How do I apply for a SIN? — http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sin/apply/how.shtml

What information/documents do I need to apply? — http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sin/apply/proof.shtml

"Confirmation of Permanent Residence issued by CIC, accompanied by either a travel document (for example, a foreign passport) or an alternate photo identification issued by a provincial/territorial authority (for example, a driver's licence). Note:The Confirmation of Permanent Residence is acceptable if used within one year of the date you became a permanent resident. The Permanent Resident card is required after this period."

When I initially got mine, they used my COPR and my immigrant visa. I see that the rules changed a bit now.

The COPR should be enough for now if the employer wants to check your status. While the SIN should be enough, many employers ask for proof of status. And if you get a job with benefits after a number of months, they'll collect this info to provide the health insurance company.

Actually depending on where you land you can receive your SIN straight away. For example at Pearson airport in Toronto once they have processed your COPR they will direct you to another kiosk where you can get your SIN. Obviously depends what time you land at as its not 24hrs.

 

[MiriamT]

Actually depending on where you land you can receive your SIN straight away. For example at Pearson airport in Toronto once they have processed your COPR they will direct you to another kiosk where you can get your SIN. Obviously depends what time you land at as its not 24hrs.

This is awesome. I landed at a border crossing in BC, so this was obviously not available to me. And it was also in 2009, some things have changed since then.

 

[brucem]

This is awesome. I landed at a border crossing in BC, so this was obviously not available to me. And it was also in 2009, some things have changed since then.

Yeah not a bad service if you land at the right time

 

[Claudzilla]

Thanks for the clarification!