Application for a Verification of Status (VOS) or Replacement of an Immigration Document

Use this application to:

• get a Verification of Status document (for a $30 fee) or
• replace a temporary resident document

See the list of information [IMM 5545] that could be found in a VOS document.

The instruction guide tells you what you need to prove your status if you are a permanent resident travelling outside Canada.

This application package includes:

• Verification of Status or Replacement of an Immigration Document [IMM 5009] (PDF, 745.33KB)
• Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF, 1.49 MB)
• Instruction Guide [IMM 5545]

Do not use this application if you are asking for changes to your:

• • Immigrant Visa and Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
  • Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688)

Instead, fill out the Request to Amend the Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Valid Temporary Resident Documents (Guide – IMM 5218).

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Instruction:

1. Read the instruction guide and download the application forms.
2. Fill out, sign and date your application forms.
3. Pay the fees.
4. Mail your application.

Before you apply

Use this application to obtain a Verification of Status (VOS) document or a replacement copy of a valid temporary resident document that has been lost, stolen or destroyed.

Verification of Status document

A Verification of Status document will contain information that appeared on your original Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence, Work Permit, Study Permit or other immigration documents. This document can be used when you must provide proof of historical immigration information, such as the date and place of entry to Canada.

You may obtain a VOS document outlining the pertinent historical information for the following:

• Certificate of Departure (IMM 0056)
• Immigrant Visa and Record of Landing (IMM 1000)/Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688)
• Visitor Record (IMM 1097 or IMM 1442)
• Work Permit (IMM 1102 or IMM 1442)
• Study Permit (IMM 1208 or IMM 1442)
• Exclusion Order (IMM 1214)
• Deportation Order (IMM 1215)
• Departure Order (IMM 5238)
• Permit to Come Into or Remain in Canada (IMM 1263)
• Authorization to Return to Canada (IMM 1203)
• Protected Persons

Note: The actual document itself will not be issued. Instead, a plain paper document will be issued that will provide information about your immigration history.

If you require specific information that was originally captured on the immigration document (immigration category, document validity dates etc), you must specify this in your application for a Verification of Status document.

The Verification of Status document cannot be used for travel and is not an identity document.

The Permanent Resident Card is the proof of status document for permanent residents re-entering Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or bus).

If you are a permanent resident of Canada and are travelling outside the country without the appropriate documentation to prove your status in Canada, you will need to obtain a travel document to demonstrate to representatives of a transportation company that you are entitled to re-enter Canada as a permanent resident. For more information, consult the application package

• Applying for a Permanent Resident Travel Document [IMM 5529]
• Application for a Permanent Resident Travel Document [IMM 5524]

Replacement of a valid Temporary Resident document

You may request a replacement of a current and valid temporary resident document if it is lost or stolen. You must provide the police report number proving that your current and valid temporary resident document has been lost or stolen. The following documents can be replaced:

• Visitor Record
• Work Permit
• Study Permit
• Temporary Resident Permit

If your document was issued:

• Within the last 75 years, you must contact IRCC.
• 76 years ago or more, you must contact the Canadian Genealogy Centre Library and Archives Canada for further instructions on how to obtain verification of your document.
• when you landed in Newfoundland before 1949, you must contact The Rooms for further instructions on how to obtain verification of your document.

Note: To request changes to your Immigrant Visa and Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688) complete the Request to Amend the Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Valid Temporary Resident Documents (IMM 5218).

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Urgent applications

In certain circumstances, you may qualify for urgent processing. If you meet one of the criteria outlined below, you must clearly mark “URGENT” on your mailing envelope and must submit sufficient proof why urgent processing is required. If you do not meet the criteria below, your application will be placed in the regular processing queue.

The criteria for urgent processing are as follow:

• You are applying for your pension and have received a notice from Service Canada advising that your file will be closed if you do not provide proof of your immigration information (Note: If you did not receive this notice, you cannot request urgent processing under this criteria).
• You must include a copy of your letter from Service Canada as proof.
• You need to travel because of a death or serious illness in the family and require proof of your immigration information in order to obtain a travel document. You must include proof of death or serious illness (example: a note from the attending physician).
• You face immediate loss of employment or loss of an employment opportunity because you are not in possession of proof of your immigration information. Include an original letter from the employer.

In each of the above circumstances, you must provide:

• The document(s) related to your situation (see above);
• a copy of your expired travel document, and
• a list of documentary requirements to obtain your travel document (example: a checklist for a passport application for another country).

Verification of Status of a deceased person