Chapter CP 5 - Residence

Section 3 - Documenting, verifying permanent resident status

3.1 This section is about

• verifying proof of landing with Immigration
• Immigration documents substantiating permanent resident status
• verifying permanent resident status

Related topics--Establishing applicant’s identity, documents

3.2 Authorities

3.3 Verifying status

All applications for a grant of citizenship are electronically checked against Immigration records to verify landed immigrant status.

3.4 If there is no record of permanent residence

In some cases, a record of the applicant's landing in Canada cannot be located in Immigration’s electronic records. It is possible that these people are permanent residents even though the cannot be located.

If a record of the person's admission to Canada for permanent residence cannot be located, CPC Sydney should send the application to the local citizenship office for resolution:

3.5 Request client to verify status

A letter is sent to the applicant asking the applicant to submit the immigration document (again if was submitted with mailed in application). See sample letter at end of this section. The client has 60 days to respond to the request for documentation. See abandonment

3.6 Proof of landing comes from Immigration

Applicants requiring proof of permanent resident status for citizenship must deal directly with Immigration.

There is usually a fee for a replacement of proof of permanent resident status.

3.7 No fee for Citizenship

The fee for verification of landing records does not apply when citizenship officials require the records for internal administration purposes. Always ask for these verifications in writing. Send the form to your immigration colleagues in your area or to the:

Query Response Centre
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
2nd Floor, 300 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 1L1.

3.8 Accept only IMM 1000 or E&I 2740 for permanent residence

Only IMM 1000 or Form E&I 2740 issued by Immigration can be accepted as official documents to establish permanent resident status.

Form E&I 2740 confirms the permanent resident status of a person who arrived in Canada before 1952 when the IMM 1000 replaced the E&I 2740. Please see Chapter 12, section 1.4 for more extensive documentation.

In rare circumstances, other documentation can be used to verify permanent residence status. Information can also be obtained through FOSS.

When a citizenship official has seen the document and is satisfied that it is genuine, continue processing the file.

3.9 Fraudulent documents

If a client submits documentation which may be fraudulent, contact the local RCMP, Immigration and Passport section. See Chapter 12 --Documents

Urgent cases--see urgent policy and chapter on Prohibitions and Clearances.

Use of section 2(2)(b) to deem landing--see Section 2, this chapter

3.10 Sample of letter used to request immigration document from applicant

The following letter should be sent to the applicant asking him or her to re-submit his or her immigration document, or the applicant can be asked to appear in person. Do not change this letter.

(Date)

(Address)

Dear:

Your citizenship application has been referred to this office by our processing centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia

In order to continue processing your application for citizenship, it is necessary that we re-examine the original or certified true copy of the immigration document you were given when you entered Canada. If it has been lost or stolen, form E&I 2740 or a certified copy of the original form IMM 1000 may be obtained from the Immigration authorities.

You may either send me the original or certified true copy of your immigration document or contact our office to make arrangements so that this document can be reviewed. Your immigration document will be returned to you as soon as our review is completed.

Thank you for your cooperation-operation. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Yours sincerely,

___________________

Citizenship Officer