Guide 5218: Request to Amend Valid Temporary Resident Documents, or Information Contained in the Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Protected Person Document

This application is for permanent residents, Canadian citizens or protected persons who wish to correct errors made by Canadian immigration officials when recording certain personal information on the Record of Landing (RoL), Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR), or document issued to a protected person by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). A document issued to a protected person includes a Protected Person document issued prior to January 1, 2013, or Verification of Status – Protected Person document issued on or after January 1, 2013 (collectively referred to as a “protected person document” throughout this Guide). Note: a protected person includes individuals found to be Convention refugees or persons in need of protection.

This application is also for temporary residents who wish to correct errors made by Canadian immigration officials when recording certain personal information on valid temporary resident documents.

Note: You may request a name and/or gender change on certain documents using this form, for a fee.

See the “Requirements for a name and or gender change” section.

 For corrections to the PR card, including name and/or gender change requests, refer to the Request to Reissue a Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) application package and instructions.

 For corrections to Citizenship documents, including name and/or gender change requests, refer to the following instructions: Can I replace my citizenship certificate or card if there’s a mistake on it?

 For corrections to a refugee protection claimant document (RPCD) or refugee protection identity document (RPID), refer to the following instructions: Replace your refugee protection identity document.

 Note that if an error was made by the Refugee Protection Division or the Refugee Appeal Division on your Notice of Decision, please contact the Immigration Refugee Board.

IRCC Naming Policy

IRCC has specific policies in place to establish name records. Any amendments to names must conform to the Department’s naming policy which stipulates that for temporary residents or permanent residents, the passport is the primary document used to establish the name record. The name indicated on the machine-readable zone (MRZ) of your passport when you entered Canada is the main area relied upon to establish the primary name for your immigration file and documents. Policies regarding more complex names including single names, names with punctuation and long names that are truncated in the MRZ are explained in detail here: Identity management: Name structures and how to record them in the Global Case Management System (GCMS). If the name on your document matches the passport you used to enter Canada, your immigration record will not be amended. See also Identity management: Documents used to establish name records by business line for information on how the name is established for temporary residents, permanent residents or protected persons.

Requirements for a name and/or gender change

Some clients may request a name change for reasons other than an administrative error and/or a gender change for reasons other than an administrative error in certain cases by following the instructions in this Guide. This includes holders of a valid temporary resident document (visitor record, temporary resident permit, work permit, or study permit) or a protected person document (note that for requests for a change on a PR card or Citizenship certificate, see the directions in the section Before you apply). The supporting documents (linking documents) required for a name change depend on where you obtained the name change, and where you currently reside. No other supporting documents are required for a gender identifier change.

 Note that a legal name or gender identifier change on an immigration document may lead to inconsistencies with a client’s travel documents from their country of origin.

If applying for a name or gender change not due to an error made by an immigration officer, you must also include the following with your application:

• Completed Request for a Change of Name on IRCC Documents (IRM 0001) (PDF, 2.01 MB) (if applying for a name change);
• Completed Request for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier (IRM 0002) (PDF, 1.34 MB) (if applying for a gender identifier change);
• Fee receipt showing the amount paid (if applying for both a name and gender change at the same time, you only need to pay the fee once). See the "Pay the fees (for change of name or gender requests only)” section for instructions;
• Photocopy of the document(s) that link the previous name to the new name, (if applying for a name change).

Note: Permanent residents and protected persons residing in Canada that fall under the specified circumstances outlined in the exception to the naming policy, and who meet or have met the IRCC requirements for a change of sex or gender identifier may be eligible to change their given name(s) to a name of their choice. IRCC may issue a Verification of Status (VoS) as an identity-linking document in these cases. See Exceptions to change of name requirements for more information and instructions.

Your RoL, CoPR, or protected person document is a historical document which contains information about you when you obtained the status of permanent resident or protected person in Canada.

If an administrative or clerical error was made by an immigration official, the amendment will be made in IRCC’s system of record and you will be issued a Verification of Status (VoS) free of charge. The VoS is a plain paper document that provides information about your immigration history.

Which permanent resident, protected person, or other eligible documents may be corrected?

A VoS may be issued with amended information for the following documents:

• Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688)
• Protected person documents including Protected Person Status document (IMM 5292), and VoS issued to a protected person (IMM 5715)
• Permit to come into or remain in Canada (IMM 1263)

What information may be corrected on the CoPR, protected person document or other eligible document?

Information contained on your RoL, CoPR, protected person document, or other eligible document will be amended only to correct errors made by Canadian immigration officials in recording the information you provided when you originally applied for or were issued the document.

The following information only may be corrected with supporting evidence that an error was made by an immigration official:

• Family name
• Given name(s)
• Date of birth (Note there may be additional circumstances where a Date of Birth may be corrected. See types of date of birth corrections, and be sure to include the accompanying documentary evidence of a correction originating inside Canada, or outside Canada, if making a request.)
• Place of birth
• Country of birth
• Citizenship – Note that citizenship must always reflect the citizenship on the passport or travel document submitted with your application.
• Sex/Gender identifier
• Marital status

The following additional information may be corrected on the RoL or CoPR only, with supporting evidence that an error was made by an immigration official:

• Date of original entry
• Date of landing as a permanent resident

Your RoL, CoPR, or protected person document is not an identity document. Therefore, personal information that changed after the date permanent residence was granted or the date you became a protected person will not be amended.

Requests for these types of changes should go to the Registrar General of the province or territory in which you live.

In addition, the following information on the CoPR cannot be corrected:

• Height
• Eye color
• Photo
• Signature
• Immigration category
• Relationship
• Last entry date

IRCC will correct valid temporary resident documents free of charge if Canadian immigration officials have made an error in recording the information when you applied for the document.

Your valid temporary resident documents are meant to demonstrate to employers, schools, or other authorities that you are authorized to work, study, visit, or remain in Canada. The information contained in these documents should be the same as the information contained in your entry passport.

Changes made to personal information after you entered Canada will not be amended on your temporary resident document. The information on this document should match the passport you used to enter Canada. If the information on your passport changes (for example if you are issued a new passport and need your temporary resident document to reflect the new information), you should apply for a new temporary resident document using the following applications:

• Extend your stay as a visitor (obtain a new visitor record)
• Extend or change conditions on your work permit
• Extend or change conditions on your study permit
• Applying to remain in Canada as a temporary resident permit holder

Also see the instructions Changing your school or program if you have a study permit and you move to a new school or have changed programs.

Although most information will not be corrected unless an administrative error was made, you may request a name and/or gender change on your valid temporary resident document for a fee. In all other cases, information in the Client Information section of your document will only be amended if it is clearly different from the personal information contained on the passport you provided with your initial application. If you believe IRCC has made an error recording content in the Additional Information section of your document (for example, the issue date, employer, field of study, etc.) you must provide evidence that an administrative error was made.

The following temporary resident documents may be amended only if they are valid (have not expired):

• visitor record (IMM 1442)
• work permit (IMM 1442)
• study permit (IMM 1442)
• temporary resident permit (IMM 1442)

What information may be corrected on valid temporary resident documents?

 Note: There are special instructions for International Experience Canada (IEC) participants requiring certain amendments, including amendments to the expiry date. See IEC: Extend your participation or change your work permit for more information.

The following information only may be corrected with supporting evidence that an error was made by an immigration official:

• Family name
• Given name(s)
• Date of birth (Note there may be additional circumstances where a Date of Birth may be corrected. See Types of date of birth corrections, and be sure to include the accompanying documentary evidence of a correction originating inside Canada, or outside Canada, if making a request.)
• Country of birth
• Citizenship - Note that citizenship must always reflect the citizenship on the passport or travel document submitted with your application.
• Sex/Gender identifier
• Travel document number
  • must be accurate to when you originally applied for your document - if your travel document has changed since then and you need it updated, you must apply for a new temporary resident document
• Date of issue
• Expiry date (excluding IEC participants; see note at the start of this section)
• Employment information (work permit only)
  • must match your LMIA – if you change jobs, you must apply for a new work permit; see section “Corrections to work permits”
  • if you applied for an open work permit and restrictions were put on your application in error, you must provide proof that the employer submitted an offer of employment to IRCC and obtained an LMIA exemption code prior to you submitting your original application
• Remove condition restricting work in healthcare/childcare (work permit or study permit only)
  • only if the condition was added in error (proof of medical completion before original document issuance is required)
• Add condition to work on/off campus (study permit only)
  • only if eligible to work on or off campus; see section “On or off campus work authorization on a study permit”
• Institution/Field of study (study permit only)
  • must match the original Letter of Acceptance; See the instructions Changing your school or program if you move to a new school or have changed programs.

You can amend a valid study permit if one of the following conditions or remarks does not appear on the document:

• May accept employment on the campus of the institution at which registered in full-time studies
• May work 24 hrs off-campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting criteria outlined in section 186(v) of IRPR
• May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v) or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria

To amend your valid study permit to reflect one of the conditions or remarks listed above, submit a photocopy of your original letter of acceptance or a photocopy of your original letter of enrolment from your current designated learning institution.

 Note: If the following remark is printed on your study permit: “This permit does not permit the holder to engage in off campus employment in Canada,” and it was not added in error (you were not eligible to work off campus when the permit was issued) and you have since become eligible to work on or off campus without a work permit (e.g., you have transferred to an eligible program of study), you must get a new study permit by applying to extend your current one.

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
• submit sufficient proof as to why urgent processing is required.

 If you do not meet the criteria below or do not provide sufficient proof, your application will be placed in the regular processing queue.

The criteria for urgent processing are as follows:

• You face immediate loss of employment, or an employment opportunity, because you are not in possession of proof of your immigration information. Include an original letter from the employer indicating this requirement.
• You are unable to receive urgent services from other government departments at the federal, provincial, or municipal level as a result of the error that was made on your document. Urgent services may include medically urgent health services, obtaining a Social Insurance Number (SIN) if failing to obtain one will cause immediate loss of employment or an employment opportunity, etc.
• Your application was seriously delayed due to an administrative error on the part of Canadian immigration officials. Include a letter explaining the situation, and any supporting documents you may have.

You must provide proof of your situation, including:

• photocopies of any letters or other documentation from other federal, provincial or municipal government departments, or
• an original letter from your employer, or
• a letter explaining your situation, or
• any other documents you may have to support your request for urgent processing.

Note: Requests relating to inclusion of references to on and off campus work authorization on a study permit do not qualify for urgent processing.

The application form allows you to provide your email address. If you provide your email address, you are authorizing IRCC to use your email address to communicate with you. This includes the transmission of personal information on your file or case and all correspondence regarding your Request to Amend Valid Temporary Resident Documents or Information Contained in the Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Protected Person Document [IMM 1436] (opens in a new tab) to the email address you provided. This will reduce delays associated with mailing time if you need to be contacted. If you have not indicated an email address, all correspondence will go to the mailing address you provided on your application form.

Note: When you receive a VoS document by email, in order to properly view it, you must open it on a desktop or laptop computer. If you open the document on a smart phone or tablet, the document will often appear blank.

Refer to the Document Checklist [IMM 1436] (opens in a new tab) on the final page of the application form to assist in gathering the documents you need to include in your application. Failure to include the required documents may result in your application being returned to you without processing. Do not submit originals unless specifically requested, as these will not be returned to you.

Required documents

You must include:

1. Original application form: Request to Amend Valid Temporary Resident Documents, or Information Contained in the Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Protected Person Document (IMM 1436) (opens in a new tab) completed and signed. The step by step instructions for filling out this form are found at the above link, under the section “Complete the form” if you click the button “Show instructions.”
2. A photocopy of the passport or travel document used to enter Canada, or that you provided when you originally applied for the document. Include only copies of the passport or travel document pages showing:
   • • Passport number
     • Date of issue and expiry
     • Photo, name, date, and place of birth
     • Any amendments to your name, date of birth, expiration, or any other information on the document (usually on the ‘Observations’ page)
     • Entry stamps (if seeking a correction to the date of original entry or date of landing)

   or, if unavailable,

   • photocopies of the pages listed above from your current passport, if you no longer have the passport or travel document you used to enter Canada or from your original application

   or, if unavailable,

   • a photocopy of one piece of federal or provincial/territorial government issued photo identification or if unavailable, a photocopy of government issued or internationally recognized photo identification before your entry to Canada. This could include:
     • your driver’s licence
     • your photo health card (if applicable).

   Note: The information contained on your original passport simplifies the retrieval of your records. Please ensure that you have included your name at the time of entry to Canada (or that you provided when you originally applied for the document) on your application form, even if you do not have your original passport.

3. A photocopy of an additional piece of government issued or internationally recognized identification from outside Canada before your entry to Canada (or before you applied for the document) indicating that an error was made in recording your information (for errors in recording personal information other than name). This could include:
   • your marriage certificate, if applicable,
   • your identity card, or other government-issued documents from outside Canada prior to your entry to Canada,
   • your birth certificate.

     Note: If the country in which you were born does not or did not issue birth certificates, include an alternate official document providing your name, the date and place of birth, and names of your parents. This may include a baptismal certificate, family composition form, etc.

     Note: Baptismal certificates, birth certificates and marriage certificates issued in Québec before January 1, 1994, are no longer accepted. If you have one of these certificates you must obtain a new document through the office of the Registrar of Civil Status of Québec or by contacting them at one of the following numbers: Québec 418-644-4545, Montréal 514-644-4545, elsewhere in the province 1-877-644-4545.

4. Photocopies of any other supporting documents, if applicable:
   • A photocopy of legal documents showing name, gender or date of birth changes if you have obtained a legal name, or date of birth change before entering Canada, or before you applied for your document.
   • A photocopy of the letter of acceptance from your designated learning institution if applying for a correction to additional information in your study permit.
   • A photocopy of a letter from your employer confirming the original information in the Labour Market Impact Assessment or Labour Market Impact Assessment-Exempt application, if applying for a correction to additional information in your work permit.
5. Immigration document to be amended; either:
   1. A photocopy of your valid Work Permit, Study Permit, Visitor Record, or Temporary Resident Permit (IMMM1442) if you are applying for an amendment to any of these documents.

      • Note: Hold on to this document for now. If your application is approved, you will be asked to destroy the original permit once you receive your corrected document (temporary resident documents only).

   2. A photocopy of your RoL, CoPR, protected person document or other eligible document if you are applying for an amendment to one of these documents.

      • Note: Keep the original document safe. You may need to present it with the issued VoS if your application is approved.

6. A photocopy of proof of urgency, if you qualify for urgent processing (see section on Urgent Applications).
7. Photocopies of court documents if you have been convicted of a crime since becoming a permanent resident (if you are not a Canadian citizen).
8. A photocopy of the death certificate or provincial/territorial vital statistics document if the application is submitted on behalf of a deceased person.

   • • Note: If the person has been deceased for less than 20 years, you are required to provide proof that you are the executor or administrator of the estate and proof of your identity. Proof of your identity is a photocopy of one piece of federal or provincial/territorial government issued photo identification.

9. Original application form Request for a Change of Name on IRCC Documents (IRM 0001) (PDF, 2.01 MB) completed and signed, if you are requesting a name change that was not an administrative error.
10. Original application form Request for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier (IRM 0002) (PDF, 1.34 MB) completed and signed, if you are requesting a gender change that was not an administrative error.
11. A photocopy of the fee receipt showing the amount paid if you are requesting a name or gender change that was not an administrative error (See the "Pay the fees (for change of name or gender requests only)" section).
12. A photocopy of the document(s) that link the previous name to the new name, if you are requesting a name change that was not an administrative error; See Change of name for reasons other than clerical/administrative error for a list of change of name documents that may be accepted.
13. Original application form: Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) completed and signed, if applicable.

Follow the step-by-step instructions to complete the application forms. The step by step instructions for filling out these forms are found at the below links, under the section “Complete the form” when you click the button “Show instructions.”

The following are the forms that must be filled out and submitted:

• Request to Amend Valid Temporary Resident Documents or Information Contained in the Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Protected Person Document (IMM 1436) (opens in a new tab)

If using a Representative

If you are using a representative, see the application package Use of a Representative Form (IMM 5476) where you can download the form and view step by step instructions.

Pay the fees (for change of name or gender requests only)

Include the processing fee for your application submitted to IRCC. The fee is per document, non-refundable, and does not guarantee approval of your application.

Note: There is no fee for applicants in receipt of provincial welfare payments or assistance under the Resettlement Assistance Program. If you are receiving Social Assistance Benefits, provide a letter from the appropriate provincial Ministry or other proof that you are receiving benefits (proof of payment).

Note: There is no fee for a VOS document indicating Protected Person status if you are a Protected Person and are not a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen.

How to pay the fees for your application

To pay your fees for your application you’ll need:

• a valid e-mail address;
• access to a printer (you’ll need to print the receipt), and
• a credit card, Debit MasterCard® or Visa® Debit card.

Visit the link below and follow these instructions to pay:

• Go to Online Payment.
• Follow the online instructions.
  • At the end, click on the button to print the IRCC official receipt with barcode. Print two copies.
• Attach a copy of this receipt to your completed application.
  • Keep the second copy of the receipt for your records.

 Do not exit without printing the receipt! The printed receipt is your proof of payment!

The only acceptable form of payment is online payment. If you send any other form of payment, IRCC will return your application.

Track your application

If you’re submitting a paper application, we recommend you use a postal or courier service with tracking so you have proof your application was delivered.

Follow the instructions below to submit your application:

• Please address the envelope as shown below
• Print your name and address at the top left-hand side of the envelope
• Affix sufficient postage (top right of the envelope)

 Ensure that your address (including your email address) will be valid for the entire processing period. Documents lost in the mail are not our responsibility. If your documents are lost in the mail, you will be required to re-apply with new documents.

If your request for an amendment to a valid temporary resident document is approved, you will receive a new temporary resident document (IMM 1442) reflecting the amendment(s). Once you receive your new corrected temporary resident document, it is your responsibility to destroy the document that had the error by shredding it (make sure you do not destroy the new document by accident, or you will have to pay the fee to have it replaced). Do not destroy your original RoL, CoPR or protected person document.

If your request for an amendment to your record of landing, confirmation of permanent residence, protected person document or other eligible document is approved, you will receive a Verification of Status document that will show the amendment that was recorded in the system. Please present the VoS document with your original RoL, CoPR, protected person document or other eligible document when you are asked to present your entry documents.