Losing your temporary protection visa in Canada, especially for Ukrainians who arrived under the CUAET (Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel) program in Edmonton, is one of the most critical and stressful moments a new immigrant can experience. At first glance, this may seem like an insurmountable problem that spells the end of your stay in Canada and your plans to build a new life. However, it is important to understand that losing your document does not necessarily mean losing your status or right to remain in Canada. The Canadian immigration system has procedures in place to restore or replace lost documents, but you must act quickly and correctly to avoid serious legal consequences, which may include deportation from Canada and permanent inability to return.
This article provides a detailed guide on what to do if you have lost your temporary protection visa in Edmonton. We will look at the specific steps you need to take, the documents you need, the time frame in which you need to act, and the possible consequences if you do not act in time. In addition, we will discuss the difference between losing the document itself (e.g., visitor status card or work permit) and losing the status itself, as well as how these two situations differ in terms of their legal consequences.
Understanding the difference: loss of document vs. loss of status
First of all, it is important to understand that there is a significant difference between losing a physical document (e.g., visitor status card or work permit) and losing your status in Canada. These are two completely different scenarios with different legal consequences and different ways of resolving them.
Losing a physical document means that you have lost the paper or card on which your status is written, but your status in the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) system remains valid and active. It is similar to losing your birth certificate or driver's license — the document is destroyed, but the fact of your existence and your status remain in the official records. If you have lost your physical document, you cannot work or participate in other activities that require you to demonstrate your status (since you do not have the document to show), but your status in the system remains valid, and you can obtain a replacement document.
Loss of status, on the other hand, means that your legal status in Canada has effectively expired or been revoked for various reasons. This can happen if your work or residence permit has expired and you have not submitted a new application to extend that permit before it expired. It can also happen if you have violated the terms of your permit (for example, if you worked without a work permit or your employer submitted false information to IRCC). Loss of status is a serious problem because it means that you no longer have the right to remain in Canada and may be deported.
First step: if you have lost the physical document
If you have simply lost the physical document (visitor status card, work permit, study permit), but your status in the IRCC system remains valid and unexpired, you must act immediately, but be aware that the process of replacing this document may take several weeks.
The first step is to make sure that the document is actually lost and not just misplaced somewhere in your home. Check all the pockets of your clothes, wallets, bags, and possible places where you could have left the document. If you have recently been somewhere (a restaurant, shop, public transport, etc.), try to contact that place and ask if they have found your document. Some people find their documents a few days or even weeks after thinking they were lost forever.
However, if you are certain that the document is truly lost (for example, if you lost it in water, fire, or another situation where the document could not be recovered), you must immediately file a loss report with the Edmonton police. This is a very important step because IRCC requires a police report number when you apply to replace a lost document.
Step Two: Filing a Report with the Edmonton Police
Filing a report with the Edmonton Police about the loss of your immigration document is a mandatory task, without which you will not be able to proceed. In Edmonton, you can file a report about the loss of a document in several ways, depending on how urgent it is.
The fastest way is to contact the Edmonton Police Service through their non-emergency line at 780-423-4567. You can call this number 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When you call, tell the operator that you want to file a report about the loss of your document. You may be asked to provide some details about the document (date of issue, number, expiration date, if known) and the circumstances under which you lost it.
It is important to understand that the Edmonton Police Service does not require you to visit a police station in person to report a lost document. You can do this over the phone, and the police will provide you with a report number, which you will need to apply for a replacement document. However, some people prefer to visit their local police station in person to obtain a written document confirming that they have filed a report.
If you decide to visit the police office, the main Edmonton Police Service location is at 9620 103A Avenue NW. However, it is recommended that you call first to find out the hours of operation and to make sure the station is available to file a report of the lost document.
Once you have filed a report with the police, you will be given a report number (also called a “case number”). Be sure to write down this number and keep it in a safe place, as you will need it to apply for a replacement document from IRCC.
Step Three: Complete Form IMM5009 to Replace Your Lost Document
Once you have filed a report with the police and obtained a report number, you must apply for a replacement of your lost immigration document. To do this, you will need to complete form IMM5009, called “Verification of Status or Replacement of an Immigration Document.”
This form is available on the IRCC website (www.ircc.gc.ca) and can be downloaded for free. It is important to download the form from the official IRCC website and not from other sites, as the form is constantly being updated and using an old version of the form may result in your application being returned without being processed.
When completing the IMM5009 form, you must indicate that you are requesting a “Replacement of a valid temporary resident document.” The form will ask you to select the type of document you have lost: Visitor Record, Work Permit, Study Permit, or Temporary Resident Permit.
The form has several sections. In the first section (“Part A”), you will need to fill in basic information about yourself: name, date of birth, address in Edmonton, contact information (phone number, email address). In the second section (“Part B”), you will need to provide as many details as possible about the document you have lost: date of issue, expiry date, document number (if known), and describe the circumstances under which you lost it.
It is very important to include the police report number on the form, as this is proof that you have reported the loss of the document. Without this number, IRCC will not be able to process your application.
Part C does not need to be completed if you are applying in person and not through a representative. However, if you are trying to apply through an immigration consultant or lawyer, this section requires information about your representative.
At the end of the form (in the “Declaration” section), you will need to sign and date the form. It is important to sign the form by hand, as IRCC does not accept electronic signatures on the IMM5009 form.
Step Four: Prepare the documents required for the application
In addition to the completed IMM5009 form, you will need to submit several other documents with your application to replace a lost document. These documents must be photocopies, not originals (with some exceptions, which will be discussed below).
First, you will need a copy of your passport. The most important pages of your passport to copy include: the first page with your name, date of birth, and photo; the page with your passport number, date of issue, and date of expiry; and any pages with stamps or visas from Canada or other countries. You will need to copy both sides of each page of your passport, i.e., if your passport has 50 pages, you will need to copy all of those pages. However, in practice, people often only copy the most important pages, and IRCC usually accepts this.
Second, you will need a copy of one document issued by Canadian authorities that contains your photo, or if such a document does not exist, a copy of a document without a photo. This can be a driver's license (issued by the province), a provincial health card, or any other document issued by Canadian authorities. If you do not have a Canadian document, you will need a copy of a document issued by the authorities in your country before entering Canada, such as a driver's license, ID card, or student ID card.
Third, if you have any copy of the lost document (for example, if you once scanned or photographed it), you will need to include that copy. However, if you do not have a copy, this is not a reason for your application to be rejected — IRCC understands that people often do not have copies of their immigration documents.
Fourth, you will need to include the police report number and, if possible, a copy of the written police report. If you do not have a written report, simply include the report number on the IMM5009 form, as discussed earlier.
Fifth, you will need to pay a document replacement fee. The document replacement fee is $30 CAD. This fee is paid through the IRCC online portal or by money order, depending on how you are submitting your application. If you pay online, you must keep the payment receipt and include it in the package of documents you submit.
You will also need to include a copy of the payment receipt in the package of documents you submit to IRCC. If you pay by money order, a copy of the receipt is also required.
Step Five: Submitting your application for a replacement document
Once you have prepared all the necessary documents, you must submit them to IRCC. Unfortunately, IRCC does not provide an online option for applying for a replacement of a lost temporary document at the time of writing. Instead, you must submit a paper application by mail.
The paper application must be sent to the following address:
Operations Support Centre Verification of Status or Replacement of an Immigration Document P.O. Box 8784, Station T Central Sorting Centre Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5J3
Alternatively, you can send your documents by private courier to:
Operations Support Centre Verification of Status or Replacement of an Immigration Document 365 Laurier Avenue West Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1L1
It is important to pack all your documents in one envelope and make sure that the envelope is correctly addressed. If you are sending your documents by mail, it is recommended that you use a “Registered Mail” or “Tracked Delivery” postal service so that you can track whether your documents have reached IRCC.
It is recommended that you write “IMM5009 - Replacement of Immigration Document” or “IMM5009 - Verification of Status” on the envelope so that postal workers know that it is an immigration application.
Timeframe for processing a document replacement application
The processing time for a lost document replacement application depends on the current workload at IRCC and how complete your application is. Under normal circumstances, IRCC processes temporary document replacement applications within a few months. You can find the latest information on processing times on the IRCC website by going to the “Processing Times” section and selecting “Replacing or amending documents, verifying status” and then “Replacement of valid temporary resident documents.”
However, if your situation is particularly urgent (for example, if you need the document urgently for work or other critical reasons), you can request “urgent processing” (priority processing). To do this, you need to clearly write the word “URGENT” on the envelope in which you send the documents and include details explaining why you need urgent processing.
If you qualify for priority processing and provide sufficient evidence, IRCC may process your application more quickly, possibly in a few weeks instead of several months. However, there is no guarantee that your application will receive priority processing simply because you wrote “URGENT” on the envelope — IRCC has the right to decide whether you qualify for it.
Step Six: Practical Questions While Waiting for Your New Document
While you wait for your new immigration document from IRCC, you may have practical questions about how you can live and work in Canada without the document. This is a very important question because many employers and institutions require your immigration document as proof of your status and right to work.
First, knowing that you have applied for a replacement document and that it is being reviewed by IRCC, you are still eligible to work as long as your original status remains valid. However, in practice, employers may be unsure whether they can hire you without a document. To resolve this issue, you can request a “letter of explanation” or “proof of application” from IRCC, which you can show to your employer. This letter will contain information that you have applied for a replacement document and that your status remains valid.
Second, you need to have a plan ready for institutions that require the document. For example, if you need to open a bank account, you will need to show a document proving your identity and immigration status. In this case, you can ask IRCC for a recommendation on what documents you can use instead of your immigration document, or you can try using your passport as an alternative.
Third, if your replacement application is taking a long time (more than 3-4 months) and you are having problems with your employer or with institutions that require the document, you may consider contacting IRCC to expedite the processing or request a document that you can use as temporary proof of status.
Critical issue: loss of status due to expiry of permit
It is very important to understand that if, while waiting for your new document, your original work, residence, or study permit actually expires, you will lose your status, even if you have applied for a replacement document. This is a very serious situation because losing your status means that you are no longer allowed to stay in Canada and are not allowed to work.
To avoid this situation, it is very important that you apply to extend or renew your permit BEFORE it expires. If you have applied for an extension before your permit expires, you can remain in Canada and work under “maintained status” even if your original permit has expired. However, if you have not applied for an extension and your permit has expired, you have lost your status and you only have 90 days to apply for “restoration of status.”
Loss of status: what to do if your status has expired
If you find yourself in a situation where your immigration status has expired and you have not submitted a new application on time, you are facing a serious problem. However, Canadian law provides a mechanism for restoring your status, but only under very specific conditions and within a very limited time frame.
If your status expired less than 90 days ago, you can apply for “restoration of status.” To do this, you will need to submit an application that includes an explanation of why you did not apply on time and proof that you were in Canada legally before your permit expired.
If you have applied for restoration of status, you cannot work while your application is being processed, even if you were previously eligible to work. If your application for restoration is approved, you will be issued a new permit and you will be able to start working again.
However, if 90 days have passed since your status expired and you have not yet applied for reinstatement, you are no longer eligible to apply for reinstatement within Canada. In this case, your only options are to either leave Canada and return to your country, or consider alternative ways to stay in Canada, such as applying for humanitarian and compassionate considerations or applying for refugee protection.
Common reasons why people lose their status
In addition to directly losing your permit due to its expiration, there are several other reasons why people may lose their status in Canada. Understanding these reasons is important so that you know how to avoid such situations.
First, if you worked without a work permit when you were not eligible to work, this is considered a violation of the conditions of your status. If IRCC finds out about this, your status may be revoked and you may be deported from Canada. In addition, even if your status is not cancelled immediately, the fact that you worked without permission will remain a permanent mark on your IRCC file and will make it very difficult for you to obtain permanent residence in the future.
Second, if you have violated other conditions of your permit (for example, if you were registered as a student but did not attend school), your status may be revoked.
Third, if your employer has been placed on IRCC's “ineligible employer list” due to violations of labor or immigration laws, your work permit may be canceled, even if you personally have done nothing wrong.
Fourth, if you have received a removal order from the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency), your status will be revoked and you will have to leave Canada.
Legal consequences of losing status: removal and bans on return
If you have lost your status in Canada and have not applied for reinstatement within the 90-day window, or if your application for reinstatement has been denied, you become “out of status.” This means that you no longer have the right to remain in Canada.
If the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) finds that you are out of status, they may issue you a “removal order.” There are three types of removal orders: a departure order, an exclusion order, and a deportation order.
A departure order gives you 30 days to leave Canada voluntarily. If you leave Canada within this time, you can return to Canada in the future without special permission, but you will have a record in your file that you were removed.
An exclusion order requires you to leave Canada immediately, and you are prohibited from returning to Canada for 1-2 years after removal. To return to Canada after this period, you will need to obtain an “Authorization to Return to Canada.”
A deportation order means that you must leave Canada immediately and are permanently barred from returning to Canada. This is the most severe type of removal order and is usually issued in cases of serious crimes or serious violations of immigration law.
In addition, if you have been removed from Canada, you may be deemed “inadmissible” to Canada based on the fact that you have violated immigration law. This means that in the future, even if your time limit has expired, you will not be able to apply to return to Canada without obtaining an Authorization to Return to Canada.
Getting help: legal resources in Edmonton
If you have lost your status or have other immigration problems, there are several organizations and legal services in Edmonton and across Canada that can help you.
First, there is a free telephone hotline for Ukrainians who have come to Canada. This line provides free legal advice in Ukrainian, English, and French. The hotline number is 1-877-873-7875, and it operates Tuesday through Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. On this line, you can speak with a Canadian lawyer and receive free advice on your immigration issues.
Second, Edmonton has an organization called the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA), which provides services to new immigrants, including assistance with immigration issues. You can contact them by phone or visit their office in person.
Third, Ukrainian Canadian Social Services (UCSS) specializes in helping Ukrainians and provides services in Ukrainian. They can help you with immigration issues and other settlement issues.
Fourth, the Edmonton Community Legal Centre provides free legal advice to low-income individuals. If your income is low, you can receive free advice regarding your issues.
Fifth, the Canadian Bar Association has a special program in which lawyers provide free services to Ukrainians who have been affected by Russian aggression. You can find the lawyers' contact information on their website.
Conclusion: Speed and correct actions are critically important
So, if you have lost your temporary protection visa in Edmonton, the most important thing is to act quickly and correctly. If you have simply lost the physical document but your status remains valid, you can apply for a replacement document using form IMM5009, and you will receive a new document in a few months.
However, if your status has expired or been cancelled, the situation is more serious. In this case, you only have 90 days to apply for reinstatement of your status, otherwise you will lose your ability to remain in Canada legally.
The most important thing is to inform settlement organizations and legal advisors about your situation as soon as possible. They can help you understand your specific situation and guide you through the right steps to protect your status and remain in Canada legally. Without quick and correct action, you may find yourself in a critical situation where you will have to leave Canada and be banned from returning. Therefore, it is wise to take advantage of available resources and get help as soon as possible.