charalito said:
Thanks for the tips OhCanadiana!
Quick question: if we'll only be staying 6 months for the landing, do we have to stamp a B4/B4A? My concern is that our actual move to Canada might be a couple of years from now, so things in the list will be outdated by then... Appreciate your input on this-
In Canada, you can be a resident for immigration purposes but not for CBSA purposes (or medical care, CRA, etc.). So you could land and not be eligible for the B4 yet since you don't yet intend to establish a residence for at least 12 months. CBSA Memorandum D2-2-1 has the details, including:
Code:
Who are Considered Settlers?
1. For the purpose of tariff item No. 9807.00.00 of the Schedule to the Customs Tariff, settlers mean all individuals who enter Canada with [b]the intention of establishing for the first time a residence for a period of not less than 12 months.[/b]
...
Variation Between Customs/Immigration Legislation
9. A person’s status for customs purposes is not always the same as their status for immigration purposes.
10. As an example, a person can become a permanent resident without the intention of residing immediately in Canada. However, this person is not determined to be a settler as defined in the customs legislation, and be eligible for the provisions of tariff item No. 9807.00.00. In this case, since the person does not have any intention of remaining in Canada at that time, and will live outside Canada for an undetermined period of time, that person is considered a non-resident of Canada and not a settler, for the purpose of the Customs Tariff, and is eligible to temporarily import goods under tariff item No. 9803.00.00.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.pdf
So, you don't need to (and actually should not) turn in your B4 when you land but instead when you're actually moving.
That all being said, practically speaking, you may want to start work on a draft of your B4 anyway. That way if, for example, you find during the 6 months you are there that you actually you want to stay at least twelve months (you find the right opportunity and decide not to delay your move, etc), you'll have it available
Now that you've got me going, a couple other thoughts that come to mind:
1. You may become a resident for other purposes by staying in Canada for 6 months. For example, if you'll be in Canada over 183 days (the 6 months you're planning), you'll definitely become a resident for CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) purposes and need to submit a tax return. This may also be the case if you're there for less than 183 days and get close ties to Canada - such as provincial health insurance - as that also makes you a deemed Canadian resident for tax purposes.
2. Being in Canada for 6 months may trigger slightly different requirements than a shorter trip. For example, look into Driver's Licences requirements based on your plans. Depending on the province you'll be in - and how long - if you'll be driving you may need to get an international driver's permit (or get a Canadian DL). In Ontario, for example, you may only drive on a foreign license for 3 months (IIRC).