If you are coming to Canada on a study permit, work permit, or a visitor visa/super visa, you will need to show a Port of Entry (POE) letter of introduction to the border services officer.
A POE letter does not mean that you are allowed to enter Canada or that the POE letter itself is your study or work permit. It only shows that your visa application has been approved and after your interview with the border services officer, you may be granted a visa or permit to enter Canada.
This POE letter is also known as:
- Introduction Letter
- Introductory Letter
- Correspondence Letter
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How can you get Port of Entry letter in Canada?
You can obtain this letter if your Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) application has been approved by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). To get a POE letter, you must apply for a study/work/visitor visa online and in your visa application, you must have provided your email address.
When do I need a Canada Port of Entry Letter?
When you arrive at any port of entry in Canada on temporary resident status, you must show this letter to the border services officer interviewing you. At the time of entry, you are required to keep a few documents in hand so you don’t have to rummage through your luggage and be able to give the interview easily.
Though usually you need a printed copy of the introduction letter, in case you don’t have it, you can either show:
- the electronic version of the introduction letter, or a
- visitor visa (if it’s in your passport)
Can you travel to Canada without POE letter?
No, you cannot travel to Canada without a POE letter. Being issued a correspondence letter means that IRCC has approved your visa application and you may arrive in Canada. Hence, if you haven’t received a letter of introduction, that means IRCC hasn’t approved of you. Thus, you cannot enter Canada without a POE letter.
Though the border services officer may approve you to enter Canada as a tourist, you might not receive a work permit (if you entered Canada on a work permit). Keep in mind that tourists are not allowed to work in the country.
What if you receive POE letter while you are in Canada?
In such a case, you must first leave Canada and then re-enter. This way, you will be able to receive your work permit at the port of entry.
Which documents are required at a Canadian port of entry?
Temporary residents arriving in Canada need to show the following documents at a POE:
- Letter of Introduction
- Letter of invitation
- Medical Exam
- Other documents
How Can TCWW Assist
Talent Connected Worldwide is the only CICC-certified immigration consultancy in India, with its headquarters in Mississauga, Canada. TCWW has over 15 years of expertise in the field of immigration which has been gained after helping thousands of clients along the way.
The aim of TCWW is to help out clients in need and make their dreams come true by bringing out the best in them. Experts at TCWW assist you in gathering and uploading the required documents and information. We look over your whole case and even after you land in Canada, you may reach out to us for post-landing support.
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