Landing as a Canadian Permanent Resident from the US

If you live in the US, you become a permanent resident when a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer examines your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) at a port of entry. You must land on or before the COPR’s expiry date. Many Americans land by car, for example at the Ambassador Bridge or the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel. Bring your COPR, passport, a list of the goods you are bringing and any goods to follow, and a declaration of funds of CAD 10,000 or more.

This guide is the final step of our US to Canada move checklist. Our Windsor head office sits a few minutes from the Ambassador Bridge, so this is the crossing we know best.

Table of Contents

Your COPR and the landing deadline

IRCC is clear: if you are outside Canada, you must travel to Canada and become a permanent resident on or before the date on your COPR. Before you travel, check that every detail matches your passport. Errors are far easier to fix before landing than after.

Port of entry vs the PR confirmation portal

Where you are	How you land
Living in the US	At a Canadian port of entry (land, air or sea), in person with a CBSA officer
Already inside Canada (e.g., on a work permit)	Usually through IRCC’s PR confirmation portal, which issues an electronic COPR (e-COPR)

What to bring to the border

• COPR (and permanent resident visa, if you need one based on your citizenship)

• Valid passport for each family member landing

• Two copies of your list of goods you are bringing now, and a separate list of goods to follow (see below)

• Proof of funds, if your program required settlement funds

• The mailing address where your PR card should be sent (you can update it later)

Declaring money: CAD 10,000 or more

If you or your family carry CAD 10,000 or more (or the equivalent in USD) in cash or monetary instruments, you must declare it at the border. Declaring is not a tax. It is a reporting requirement, and failing to declare can lead to seizure.

Your belongings: BSF186 and goods to follow

Settlers can generally bring personal and household goods into Canada duty-free if the goods were owned, possessed and used before arrival. CBSA records these on the BSF186 Personal Effects Accounting Document, with a detailed list on BSF186A. List everything, including serial numbers for electronics. Anything arriving later, such as a moving truck, must be on your goods-to-follow list at landing. If you sell or dispose of an item in Canada within 12 months of importing it, you must notify CBSA.

Moving as a family? The moving from the USA with family guide covers pets, school records and driver’s licences.

Bringing your car

Many US-built vehicles can be imported, but they must meet Canadian safety requirements and go through the federal Registrar of Imported Vehicles process. They must also clear any open recalls. Check eligibility before you drive north rather than at the booth.