Application for a Verification of Status (VOS) or Replacement of an Immigration Document (IMM 5545)

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Before you apply
• Gather documents
• Complete the application
• Pay the fees
• Submit the application
• What happens next?

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

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   Guide 5529 - Applying for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD).

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:

• On or after 1936, you must contact IRCC.
• Before 1936, 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.

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

If you are requesting a Verification of Status document for a deceased person, there are specific criteria that must be met. Please note that replacement of a valid temporary resident document will not be issued for a deceased person.

Personal information can be released, without consent, if an individual has been deceased for more than 20 years. If you are requesting a VOS document for someone who has been deceased for more than 20 years, you must include a death certificate or a copy of the vital statistics record from the province/territory where the person lived.

We cannot disclose personal information about an individual who has been dead for less than 20 years. In some cases, an exception will be made if the executor or the estate or on having Power of Attorney requires the deceased’s personal information to administer his/her estate. In these cases, you must provide proof of death, which may include a copy of an obituary notice, a death certificate or photograph of the person’s tombstone, as well as proof of executorship or Power of Attorney.

Communication from IRCC

The application form provides an opportunity to give your email address to IRCC. When you provide your e-mail address, you are authorizing IRCC to send all correspondence regarding Verification of Status documents, including your verification of status document and personal information on your file, to the e-mail address you provided. If you have not indicated an e-mail address, all correspondence will go to the mailing address you provided on your application form. This will reduce delays associated with mailing time.

Gather documents

Use the Document Checklist (part of the IMM 5009 application form) to gather the documents you need to support your application. Failure to include any of these documents will result in your application being returned to you without processing. Do not submit your originals unless specifically requested, as these will not be returned to you. The following documents must be included with your application:

1. 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 from outside Canada before your entry to Canada. This could include:

   • the passport or travel document you used to enter Canada as a permanent resident. If you have never entered as a Canadian permanent resident, include a photocopy of the passport or travel document you used as a temporary resident. 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, and
     • Any amendments to your name, date of birth, expiration, or any other information on the document.
   • your driver's license (issued by a federal or provincial/territorial authority).
   • your photo health card (if applicable)

   Note: If you no longer have the passport or travel document you used on entry, then include a copy of the pages listed above from your current passport. However, as the information contained on your original passport simplifies the retrieval of your records, this may result in delays in the processing of your application. Please ensure that you have included your name at the time of entry to Canada on your application form. This is particularly important, if you do not include your original passport.

2. Photocopy of one piece of federal or provincial/territorial government-issued identification with or without a photo, or if unavailable, a photocopy of government issued or internationally recognized identification from outside Canada before your entry to Canada. This could include:

   • your birth certificate.
   • your marriage certificate, if applicable

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

   Note: the following identification is not accepted:

   • Social Insurance Number (SIN) cards
   • bank card
   • credit card
   • school identification card (local or international)
   • income tax return
   • Temporary driver’s license

   Note: Baptismal certificates, birth certificates and marriage certificates issued in Quebec before January 1, 1994, are no longer accepted. If you have one of these certificates you must obtain a new document. Find out how to apply for a certificate.

3. 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.

Complete the application

Pay the fees

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. If you are not approved you will not be issued a Verification of Status document or receive a replacement document.

Submit the application

Please address the envelope: Verification of Status (VOS) as indicated below. If your application is not complete or does not include the correct processing fee it will be returned to you to be completed.

• If your document was issued 76 years ago or more, submit your application to the following address:

  Canadian Genealogy Centre Library and Archives Canada
  Library and Archives Canada
  395 Wellington St.
  Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N4

• If your document was issued when you landed in Newfoundland before 1949, contact The Rooms for further instruction on how to obtain verification of your document.

Urgent applications

If your application is urgent and meets the criteria for urgent processing (see Urgent Applications), mail your completed application by registered mail to the address shown above and write: “Urgent” on your envelope.

If you move

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

If you move or your address changes before your application has been processed, you must advise IRCC of your new address by changing your address online.

What happens next?

Processing your application

Processing times can change. Check application processing times.

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