Operational Bulletin 481 - November 21, 2012

Pilot Project to Print Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) Documents and Permanent Resident Visa Counterfoils by the Case Processing Centre-Ottawa (CPC-O)

Issue

As a modernization initiative, Case Processing Centre-Ottawa (CPC-O) will begin to print Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) documents and permanent resident visa counterfoils (if required) for applications processed to finalization in that office.

Background

As part of Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) Modernization Agenda, CPC-O was established in May 2010 and has gradually taken on more responsibilities for visa processing in a centralized environment. CIC has reorganized its North American network to do business more efficiently. By centralizing processing of files that are low risk and straightforward in Canada, CIC will be able to increase processing efficiencies. In the past, files finalized at the CPC-O were transferred to other offices for the printing of the CoPR and permanent resident visa counterfoils. By centralizing the printing of CoPRs and visa counterfoils in Canada, CPC-O will support the overseas network by allowing it to focus on inventories and processing more complex cases that require local knowledge and expertise.

CPC-O processing

Effective November 27, 2012, CPC-O will begin to print CoPR documents and permanent resident visa counterfoils (if required) for applications processed to finalization in that office.

1. CPC-O will appear as the issuing office on the documents.
2. The documents will be mailed to clients from Ottawa to addresses primarily within North America.
3. As per OB 348, visa counterfoils are no longer required for permanent residents from visa-exempt countries.
4. CPC-O continues to work with visa offices outside of North America to issue documents to certain clients.
5. CoPRs and visa counterfoils issued by CPC-O will appear identical to those issued by visa offices. The CoPR will include a photograph of the client and will be printed on plain paper as per OB 379.
6. Clients will receive two copies of the CoPR as per current instructions.

Related information

Relevant OBs previously published are OB 402 and OB 358.