After landing to open up a bank account?

[JustMarried81]

I am landing in Ontario this month in 2 weeks. Can I open a bank account with just my passport and documents from immigration or do I need anything special?

Thank you!

 

[rhcohen2014]

i think it would depend on the bank. i've heard scotia bank has a package specifically for newcomers, so they might just accept immigration documents, and not require the PR card.

 

[JustMarried81]

i think it would depend on the bank. i've heard scotia bank has a package specifically for newcomers, so they might just accept immigration documents, and not require the PR card.

Thank you. I got money and will have my bank in Europe do a wire transfer to the newer account.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Thank you. I got money and will have my bank in Europe do a wire transfer to the newer account.

depending on how much money you have, taking it out of the ATM or writing yourself a check may be cheaper. Obviously, if it's a significant amount, it'll be easier to do the wire transfer. I'm not sure if Canada has the same rule as the US. In the US, any transaction over $9,999.00 is flagged and i think it's reported to the IRS. Something to check into before wiring a large lump sum.

 

[JustMarried81]

depending on how much money you have, taking it out of the ATM or writing yourself a check may be cheaper. Obviously, if it's a significant amount, it'll be easier to do the wire transfer. I'm not sure if Canada has the same rule as the US. In the US, any transaction over $9,999.00 is flagged and i think it's reported to the IRS. Something to check into before wiring a large lump sum.

LOL Yeah over $60k CAD.

Red flag or not. When you come into the country I am suppose to hand immigration a document with everything I have with value and things I am sending over that are not with me at the time I arrive so I don't care if CR will know or flag my account. I am a new comer. I don't think they will say anything the most they can do is lock my account to call immigration to find out if it's true or not about the funds being sent. I am not taking a check as it will take 30 days to clear and a wire takes 5 business days.

 

[Regina]

You could buy travel cheques.

 

[JustMarried81]

You could buy travel cheques.

My country doesn't offer it but I'll stick with the wire transfer.

As long as I don't have to wait 3 months for my SIN. Then I'm fine! I'll bring enough cash for a month. I just don't want to travel with that much cash on me. Risky.

Alright thank you!

 

[Matt the Aussie]

On the SIN front, they can issue a temporary one based on your passport and work permit.

 

[JustMarried81]

On the SIN front, they can issue a temporary one based on your passport and work permit.

Nice! Thanks!

 

[Regina]

My country doesn't offer it but I'll stick with the wire transfer

it is nothing to do with country. Ask you bank or any other bank. Travel cheques are safe because they are on YOUR name , signed by you and you can cash them showing your passport.

How you are going to transfer your money from the bank in your country to your newly opened Canadian one? Online? Check with your online banking for how much you could transfer daily,weekly and monthly. There are restrictions.

 

[Matt the Aussie]

it is nothing to do with country. Ask you bank or any other bank. Travel cheques are safe because they are on YOUR name , signed by you and you can cash them showing your passport.

How you are going to transfer your money from the bank in your country to your newly opened Canadian one? Online? Check with your online banking for how much you could transfer daily,weekly and monthly. There are restrictions.

OP already mentioned it would be a wire transfer, which is quite easy to achieve in Canada in the branch of the receiving bank. All you really need are the details of the account in the sending bank.

I've done this a few times myself as a temporary resident to get my Australian dollars over to my Canadian account.

 

[Regina]

All you really need are the details of the account in the sending bank.

And you need to have an account in Canadian bank which you cannot open being still in your home country.

 

[Matt the Aussie]

Right, but once you arrive here it's quite easy to open an account.

 

[hyjk1982]

Right, but once you arrive here it's quite easy to open an account.

Hello Matt the Aussie

I am going to land in Kitchener-CIC on May 23, 2014. Because I found you landed there, so could I ask you a few questions? Thanks in advance.

1. from the interview letter, they require all documents that CIC issued, however, I just have current work permit and lost the previous expired work permit, will this be a problem?
2.They also ask to bring SIN card, I am curious what they do with this SIN number, do they just check my status or will they revoke my SIN number and force me to reapply the new SIN number?
3. Do I need to bring anything else besides the required items from that interview letter?
4. Do you know if there is any place for parking?Is it FREE or I have to paid? And how far it is from parking lot to the interview office?Is it easy to find parking place around there?

Sorry for bothering you a lot and hope you have a great day.

HYJK1982

 

[Regina]

Right, but once you arrive here it's quite easy to open an account.

Yes. But how then make a wire transfer from home country?