Port of Entry (POE) letter
Statutory definition
IRPA s 27 requires permanent residents to hold a valid permanent resident visa or other documentation issued by IRCC. The POE letter is issued in conjunction with the COPR to confirm that the applicant has been approved for permanent residence and is expected to attend a port of entry to complete their landing. The CBSA officer at the port of entry interviews the applicant, reviews the COPR, and formally establishes permanent residence.
Explanation
The POE letter is used primarily by Express Entry applicants who received their COPR while already in Canada (often living on a work permit) and who will land at an airport. It informs the CBSA officer that the person should be processed for permanent residence landing rather than as a temporary resident. If the applicant is outside Canada, they present the COPR at the border. The landing interview is typically brief — CBSA confirms identity, verifies the COPR information, and formally records the date and place of landing.