VisabuddiesVB
ExploreGuidesQuestionsHow it works
Sign inStart selling
GuidesCanadaPermanent Resident

Landed on an expired COPR and your landing isn't flagged — how to fix it and get your SIN

Canada • Permanent Resident • immigration 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Documents Needed

  • New/valid Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)

    May need to be reissued at the airport (Port of Entry) if the original was expired or not properly recorded at landing.

Step-by-Step

Someone landed on November 20 while traveling on an already-expired COPR plus an Authorization to Return (AL). After completing quarantine, they went to Service Canada to apply for a SIN, but were told their landing hadn't been properly updated/flagged in the system, and they needed to contact IRCC to confirm it — but couldn't get through by phone.

What the thread advised:
  1. Call IRCC and explain the situation — they will likely direct you to go back to the airport (Port of Entry) to obtain a new, valid COPR, since the original had expired. Once you have the corrected COPR, you can proceed to apply for your SIN.

  2. If the immigration officer at the Port of Entry didn't issue you a valid COPR at the time of landing, you need to go back to them to get a valid one before reapplying for your SIN — Service Canada cannot issue a SIN without a properly recorded, valid landing document.


The practical takeaway: if your landing isn't showing as flagged/confirmed in the system, don't try to work around it at Service Canada — go back through IRCC/the Port of Entry to get a valid COPR reissued first, since your SIN application depends on that record being correct.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Do: Contact IRCC and be prepared to return to the airport (Port of Entry) to get a new, valid COPR if your original was expired at landing.
  • Don't: Don't expect Service Canada to issue a SIN if your landing/COPR record isn't properly flagged — fix that with IRCC first.

Have a question about this? Join the discussion.

View Thread

Related Guides

immigration

Traveling Back to Canada on COPR Without a PR Card During a Family Emergency

immigration

Police Clearance Certificate older than 6 months: is it still valid?

immigration

How to submit Proof of Funds (POF) bank statements if your bank only provides separate monthly statements

immigration

Left Canada for a family emergency shortly after getting PR: how long can you stay away?

immigration

Submitted an expired medical via webform for PR, but IRCC still requested a new one? Do the new medical