What happens when I land in Canada as a new permanent resident?

When your Express Entry application is approved, IRCC issues a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document and, if you are outside Canada, a permanent resident visa. You must present these at a port of entry to complete the landing process and officially become a Canadian permanent resident. If you are already inside Canada when your application is approved, you will be directed to complete a landing at a border crossing or IRCC inland office.

At the point of entry, a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer will verify your COPR and your passport, confirm your identity, and record the landing. This is the moment your permanent residence status formally begins. You do not receive your PR card at the border — the card is mailed to your Canadian address after landing, typically within several weeks.

Until your PR card arrives, you can use your COPR document and passport to prove your status inside Canada. However, if you leave Canada before your card arrives, you will need to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) at a Canadian embassy or consulate abroad to return. It is generally advisable to avoid international travel immediately after landing until you have your PR card in hand.