When you arrive in Canada, you will be greeted by an officer from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

The officer will ask to see your passport and other travel documents. Make sure they are not packed in your luggage and that you have them with you. This will help speed up your entry to Canada.

Make sure you have the following:

• Your valid passport or travel documents. Your passport must be a regular, private passport. You cannot immigrate to Canada with a diplomatic, government service or public affairs passport.
• Both your valid permanent resident visa and your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). The officer will make sure you complete this final step before or on the expiry date of your permanent resident visa. Please note that your visa cannot be extended. Make sure you use it before it expires.

The officer will ask you a few questions to make sure you are still eligible to immigrate to Canada. The questions will be a lot like the ones you answered when you applied. This should only take a few minutes.

CIC may deny your application if:

• you give false or incomplete information, or
• if you do not convince the officer that you meet the conditions to become a permanent resident of Canada.

If there are no problems during this final step, the officer will grant you permanent resident status. The officer will also confirm your Canadian mailing address. Your Permanent resident Card will be mailed to you at this address.

If you intend to travel, the Permanent Resident Card is the official proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada. This plastic card is used by permanent residents of Canada seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or bus). If you leave the country, you are expected to have this card when returning to Canada. If you do not plan to leave the country, you do not need the card.

You are now officially a permanent resident of Canada!

This means that you and your dependant have the right to:

• To receive most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage.
• To live, work or study anywhere in Canada.
• To apply for Canadian citizenship.

To protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Things you are not yet eligible to do are:

• Vote or run for political office.
• Hold certain jobs that have a high-level security clearance requirement.
• Remain in Canada if you are convicted of a serious criminal offence and have been told to leave the country.