Can new immigrants use UPS mailbox for PR card address?

[Surfing]

Hi all,

Can PR card be mailed to UPS mailbox if new immigrants have no permanent address at that time? Anyone having idea on this is welcome to input.

 

[DanMac]

You will have to check and get other advice on this but I'm sure I've read something along the lines of;

you have to give a residential address for PR card and driving license etc - PO box addresses will not be considered as residential addresses.
However, you can use the address of your local immigrant services for the address for your PR card but must then register a residential address within a given time.

 

[next2015]

Hi,
Actually if you check the UPS site they say the address you get is a residential address not a P.O box number. I suggest you go to the site and locate a store within your preferred Province/city and drop them an email inquiry. The site gives you contact info for each store. I'm sure they'll give any info you need.

 

[david1697]

CIC instructions state that you can give any residential address to deliver your PR Card , but I don't know if UPS address would qualify.

 

[Surfing]

You will have to check and get other advice on this but I'm sure I've read something along the lines of;

you have to give a residential address for PR card and driving license etc - PO box addresses will not be considered as residential addresses.
However, you can use the address of your local immigrant services for the address for your PR card but must then register a residential address within a given time.

Thanks DanMac for your valued information.

I was first time heard that the address for PR card can be the address of local immigrant services. When you say immigrant services, what are they? (Service Canada?) Could you please provide the specific name of those immigrant services, which are able to be used as the PR address.

 

[Surfing]

Hi,
Actually if you check the UPS site they say the address you get is a residential address not a P.O box number. I suggest you go to the site and locate a store within your preferred Province/city and drop them an email inquiry. The site gives you contact info for each store. I'm sure they'll give any info you need.

Thank your for your advice. Will do that later.

 

[DanMac]

This is where I found the location information for Immigrant services - I'm sure you could check directly with them if your PR card can be sent to them.
I cannot now find where I read this information so please check that it is correct.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/map/services.asp

UPS actually state their mail box services is a "street address" not a PO box so clarification would still be needed if this "street address" is considered to be a residential address. It may be that that they give you a "lot" address which may not be considered residential.

 

[saria1]

Hi all,

Can PR card be mailed to UPS mailbox if new immigrants have no permanent address at that time? Anyone having idea on this is welcome to input.

You can have the initial PR card mailed to a temporary address:

"For PR Cards issued to new immigrants upon entry to Canada (Phase I cards), it may be appropriate for clients to provide the address of a third party (friend, relative, service provider or a paid representative) in Canada in order to facilitate processing and issuance of the card following their arrival in Canada, as new immigrants may not have a permanent address."

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2013/ob491.asp

So this means, yes. I would use UPS, but they're expensive. There is a service in Toronto and Vancouver which I think is more reasonably priced. One second and I can find it for you. It's who we plan to use.

 

[saria1]

http://www.my-mail-service.com/Mail_box/Global_Mail_Forwarding.htm

 

[kumbu.bumbu]

If you are settling you would not worry about the address. So I assume you are moving after landing.

If you are going back to US I would suggest don't worry about the cards you will travel as many times by your private vehicle. You need a PR card only for commercial travel.

So give the address after you moved it. You will a PR card from the issue date to next 5 years. I see that as a benefit.

 

[david1697]

If you are settling you would not worry about the address. So I assume you are moving after landing.

If you are going back to US I would suggest don't worry about the cards you will travel as many times by your private vehicle. You need a PR card only for commercial travel.

So give the address after you moved it. You will a PR card from the issue date to next 5 years. I see that as a benefit.

Problem is, anytime he crosses from US to Canada via land the CBSA guard will ask him "where is your PR card?".
When he tells he didn't apply for one yet, he will be sent to secondary inspection.
Because PR card is a proof of status, landing document isn't.
He still must meet RO requirement to be admitted to Canada, but with his card they will only make sure it's still valid and let him go.
Without card, they will almost certainty send him to secondary. Very annoying.
Plus, there is a $50 charge to process a new card (which he will have to qualify for just as those who apply for renewal, meaning a lot more of
bureaucratic scrutiny and chances of delays).
Why not apply for a card while entitled to get one for free?

It is his codified in law right to apply for a card immediately upon landing, even if he has no intention to move permanently right away.

But I am not sure the mail forwarding address, such as UPS box, can be used for PR. I can't advise anything to OP and would say 'do it at your own risk' to anyone who was resolved to do it.

 

[rhcohen2014]

It is his codified in law right to apply for a card immediately upon landing, even if he has no intention to move permanently right away.

a person who lands does not need to apply for the initial pr card, it is automatically applied for by CBSA upon the completion of the landing interview. CBSA sends the application to the PR card processing center in sydney, ns. it is required to give CBSA a canadian address at landing for the card to be sent to the pr.

 

[david1697]

a person who lands does not need to apply for the initial pr card, it is automatically applied for by CBSA upon the completion of the landing interview. CBSA sends the application to the PR card processing center in sydney, ns. it is required to give CBSA a canadian address at landing for the card to be sent to the pr.

Not always exactly so. CBSA refused to do it in my case. I told them truth, that I would return to US after landing and I provided them with address to mail the card. They told me to notify CIC of my address (gave me a form to fax) once I move in and categorically refused to do so at the time of my landing.
Since I knew the law and knew CBSA officer was wrong, I faxed it right away. I got my PR card, and paid $0.00 in fees.
It was contrary to what CBSA officer wished to happen, but perfectly right under Canadian laws.

P.S. When I said "apply" in the context of my post, I meant submission of the address to CIC within statutory period of time when you are still entitled to receive your card without paying $50 fee for processing ,and filling out an entire application.
It was in response to advise given by kumbu.bumbu

 

[kumbu.bumbu]

okay. This what happened when I landed.

I landed by car in Dec and went back immediately to US.

From my landing experience quoted text below.

After this when I moved permanently in Aug next year I updated the address in CIC web site. And I got my PR card within 2 weeks with validity 5 years from Aug 2010.

I crossed border 4 or five times without any issue.

There were 4 counters open. Only one being busy.
We walked to counter and gave the passports and landing letters.
Show me proof of funds?
Gave him bank check and statements.
How long you you have the approval notice in US.?
October 28, 2009. (He did not even bother to check the approval notice)
Are you moving in now or later date?
We are landing today but come back in few months. (This was the mistake. I told I will come later since no one with right mind believe that we will stay permanent with rental car and just a suitcase. But this was not a problem for PR card in any of the forums I read)
Okay please have a seat.

we remain seated for about 20 minutes.

Another officer came and called us. Asked us to sign in the papers. Gave us the stamped passport and copy of landing papers.
Welcome to Canada. You are permanent residents now. Please visit the immigration department when you move back permanently. we will arrange for your PR Cards then.
I was startled. Can we give an address for the PR cards now.
No we can not send the PR cards to some one other than you. Now I cannot change my words that I will stay permanently.
I was not worried about the card as My intention was to land and come back. Card would have been good. But no big deal. Also I can come to Canada as many times from US just with the landing completed stamping.

*****************************

 

[david1697]

okay. This what happened when I landed.

I landed by car in Dec and went back immediately to US.

From my landing experience quoted text below.

After this when I moved permanently in Aug next year I updated the address in CIC web site. And I got my PR card within 2 weeks with validity 5 years from Aug 2010.

I crossed border 4 or five times without any issue.

There are instructions on CIC website which specifically state that you can have your card mailed to a residential address in Canada and that you can leave Canada after landing.

You did nothing wrong. In fact CBSA officer had to update CIC with your address and you should have received your PR Card, regardless when you moved to Canada.

In my case I told truth to CBSA officer(why should I lie to CBSA officer?), and was told the same thing as you.

Since I knew law was on my side, I have faxed the address to CIC the same day, and had my card mailed to me, even though I left Canada after landing, just as I said at landing I would.

Of course you can travel with COPR, but you would be referred to secondary each time you entered Canada without a Card.
Most importantly: why shouldn't you get a PR card, free of charge, when you are entitled to get it under the CIC instructions?