Arriving in Canada question

[devilsofnj]

Hi,

My wife, whom I am sponsoring under family class, received pre-arrival letter on Friday (Feb 2). Although, we're not approved just yet, I do have some question regarding her actual arrival in Canada. Forgive me if these questions will be addressed later on in the process, but I am asking now so I can plan accordingly.

1) Once my wife's application is approved and her passport is stamped, whenever takes place, does she receive her PR card as well or does that come once she arrives in Canada?

2) Are there restrictions on the type of flight she can take? Does it need to be a direct flight? (She's coming from Manila)

3) When she physically lands in Canada, YVR Airport, does she need to go through a special immigration line? (I am a Nexus card holder and I haven't been through the normal immigration line at YVR in a long time so I have no idea how it works there)

3a) How long does it usually take for someone to go through immigration into Canada in this situation? Reason I ask is if I can get her on a flight that is MNL-YVR-YYJ that would be ideal. But of course, layover times can be relatively short.

4) Can she apply for a SIN prior to arriving in Canada?

5) Can she begin applying for jobs prior to physically arriving in Canada, even without a SIN?

6) Are there restrictions around travelling immediately following her arrival in Canada? She has family in the USA she'd like to visit. (I know she'll need a US visa for that)


If anyone can provide me with some more information that would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bellaluna]

Hi,

My wife, whom I am sponsoring under family class, received pre-arrival letter on Friday (Feb 2). Although, we're not approved just yet, I do have some question regarding her actual arrival in Canada. Forgive me if these questions will be addressed later on in the process, but I am asking now so I can plan accordingly.

1) Once my wife's application is approved and her passport is stamped, whenever takes place, does she receive her PR card as well or does that come once she arrives in Canada?

2) Are there restrictions on the type of flight she can take? Does it need to be a direct flight? (She's coming from Manila)

3) When she physically lands in Canada, YVR Airport, does she need to go through a special immigration line? (I am a Nexus card holder and I haven't been through the normal immigration line at YVR in a long time so I have no idea how it works there)

3a) How long does it usually take for someone to go through immigration into Canada in this situation? Reason I ask is if I can get her on a flight that is MNL-YVR-YYJ that would be ideal. But of course, layover times can be relatively short.

4) Can she apply for a SIN prior to arriving in Canada?

5) Can she begin applying for jobs prior to physically arriving in Canada, even without a SIN?

6) Are there restrictions around travelling immediately following her arrival in Canada? She has family in the USA she'd like to visit. (I know she'll need a US visa for that)


If anyone can provide me with some more information that would be greatly appreciated.

1. She'll get her PR card only after physically landing in Canada. She'll provide your address at her landing.
As of checking, processing time for first-time PR cards is 61 days: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/index.asp
If she is departing from the Philippines, she will need to attend the PDOS as she is getting her immigrant visa. Without the PDOS sticker in her passport, she can't board the flight.

2. No restrictions.

3. Yes, there is another office at YVR for completing the landing, not far from the regular immigration line. She can simply ask the employees there; every employee I encountered at YVR is very friendly.

3a. Depends on the queue, really, but assuming there are a lot of officers or there is no queue, landing takes about 15-20 minutes.

4. I don't think so, as she needs to present her signed COPR to get a SIN.
If she arrives at YVR during office hours, she may try at a Service Canada (if there is) there.
Otherwise, she can apply for it when she meets you. Again, it takes all of 15 minutes at a Service Canada office.

5. She can try and explain that she is going to complete her landing soon.

6. She needs her PR card to return to Canada by commercial means (plane, commercial bus, boat). If you are driving to the US, she can use her COPR to reenter Canada at a land border.

 

[devilsofnj]

1. She'll get her PR card only after physically landing in Canada. She'll provide your address at her landing.
As of checking, processing time for first-time PR cards is 61 days: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/index.asp
If she is departing from the Philippines, she will need to attend the PDOS as she is getting her immigrant visa. Without the PDOS sticker in her passport, she can't board the flight.

2. No restrictions.

3. Yes, there is another office at YVR for completing the landing, not far from the regular immigration line. She can simply ask the employees there; every employee I encountered at YVR is very friendly.

3a. Depends on the queue, really, but assuming there are a lot of officers or there is no queue, landing takes about 15-20 minutes.

4. I don't think so, as she needs to present her signed COPR to get a SIN.
If she arrives at YVR during office hours, she may try at a Service Canada (if there is) there.
Otherwise, she can apply for it when she meets you. Again, it takes all of 15 minutes at a Service Canada office.

5. She can try and explain that she is going to complete her landing soon.

6. She needs her PR card to return to Canada by commercial means (plane, commercial bus, boat). If you are driving to the US, she can use her COPR to reenter Canada at a land border.

Thank you. Your answers are extremely helpful. I do have some follow up questions.

1) I was doing some more reading about the things you have to declare at the border and that sort of thing. IRCC says items must be recorded with approximate value and model number. All my wife would be bringing is clothing and very little personal items, aside from things like a hair straightener, picture frames, shoes, some books, etc. Do clothing need to be itemized? Basically, she won't be bringing anything that won't fit in a cardboard box or suitcase, nothing will be shipped to her afterwards and she won't be bringing any restricted items, livestock etc.

2) When entering Canada is there a minimum amount of money my wife is expected to have either on her in cash or in a bank account somewhere? If so, how much?

3) Can a COPR holder enter the USA/apply for US visa at a land border?

4) Sounds like having a flight onwards to another destination in Canada will not be an issue for her or immigration officers. In that case, I will just need to make sure if we do choose to go that route (I am still debating about driving over from the Island and picking her up at the airport) that she has at least 2-5 hours of layover time in case of a long lineup.

5) Since a PR-card takes 60 plus days to receive for first time applicants, does my wife need to wait until receiving the card to apply for health care, i.e. BC Services Card, drivers license etc?

Any help is appreciated again, thanks.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

3) When she physically lands in Canada, YVR Airport, does she need to go through a special immigration line? (I am a Nexus card holder and I haven't been through the normal immigration line at YVR in a long time so I have no idea how it works there)

She goes to the Visitor line.

1) I was doing some more reading about the things you have to declare at the border and that sort of thing. IRCC says items must be recorded with approximate value and model number. All my wife would be bringing is clothing and very little personal items, aside from things like a hair straightener, picture frames, shoes, some books, etc. Do clothing need to be itemized? Basically, she won't be bringing anything that won't fit in a cardboard box or suitcase, nothing will be shipped to her afterwards and she won't be bringing any restricted items, livestock etc.

2) When entering Canada is there a minimum amount of money my wife is expected to have either on her in cash or in a bank account somewhere? If so, how much?

3) Can a COPR holder enter the USA/apply for US visa at a land border?

4) Sounds like having a flight onwards to another destination in Canada will not be an issue for her or immigration officers. In that case, I will just need to make sure if we do choose to go that route (I am still debating about driving over from the Island and picking her up at the airport) that she has at least 2-5 hours of layover time in case of a long lineup.

5) Since a PR-card takes 60 plus days to receive for first time applicants, does my wife need to wait until receiving the card to apply for health care, i.e. BC Services Card, drivers license etc?

Any help is appreciated again, thanks.

1. She doesn't need to itemize everything. She can group together clothes as one item, house stuff like frames/books as one, etc. Electronics should be listed separately with serial numbers.

2. No.

3. US entrance requirements depend entirely on her passport. Having a COPR makes zero difference.

5. She can apply with her COPR. She will only get a temporary DL until her PR card arrives.[/QUOTE]

 

[devilsofnj]

She goes to the Visitor line.



1. She doesn't need to itemize everything. She can group together clothes as one item, house stuff like frames/books as one, etc. Electronics should be listed separately with serial numbers.

2. No.

3. US entrance requirements depend entirely on her passport. Having a COPR makes zero difference.

5. She can apply with her COPR. She will only get a temporary DL until her PR card arrives.

[/QUOTE]


Thank you.

 

[bellaluna]

Thank you. Your answers are extremely helpful. I do have some follow up questions.

1) I was doing some more reading about the things you have to declare at the border and that sort of thing. IRCC says items must be recorded with approximate value and model number. All my wife would be bringing is clothing and very little personal items, aside from things like a hair straightener, picture frames, shoes, some books, etc. Do clothing need to be itemized? Basically, she won't be bringing anything that won't fit in a cardboard box or suitcase, nothing will be shipped to her afterwards and she won't be bringing any restricted items, livestock etc.

2) When entering Canada is there a minimum amount of money my wife is expected to have either on her in cash or in a bank account somewhere? If so, how much?

3) Can a COPR holder enter the USA/apply for US visa at a land border?

4) Sounds like having a flight onwards to another destination in Canada will not be an issue for her or immigration officers. In that case, I will just need to make sure if we do choose to go that route (I am still debating about driving over from the Island and picking her up at the airport) that she has at least 2-5 hours of layover time in case of a long lineup.

5) Since a PR-card takes 60 plus days to receive for first time applicants, does my wife need to wait until receiving the card to apply for health care, i.e. BC Services Card, drivers license etc?

Any help is appreciated again, thanks.

3. No. As a Philippine passport holder, she'll have to apply online (DS-160) and then schedule an in-person interview at the nearest US consulate, which I believe for you would be Vancouver. If approved, you can have the passport couriered to you. Alternatively, if she is near Manila and there is enough time, she can apply at the Embassy there. I believe the closest interview appointment at Manila is in 1 week. After approval, which the interviewing officer will inform her on the spot at the interview, stamping and delivery will take 2-3 business days. There might also be a pick-up option near the Embassy if you want the visa faster from Manila.

4. Yes that is safe.

 

[devilsofnj]

3. No. As a Philippine passport holder, she'll have to apply online (DS-160) and then schedule an in-person interview at the nearest US consulate, which I believe for you would be Vancouver. If approved, you can have the passport couriered to you. Alternatively, if she is near Manila and there is enough time, she can apply at the Embassy there. I believe the closest interview appointment at Manila is in 1 week. After approval, which the interviewing officer will inform her on the spot at the interview, stamping and delivery will take 2-3 business days. There might also be a pick-up option near the Embassy if you want the visa faster from Manila.

4. Yes that is safe.

Thank you. This next question is somewhat off topic but also on topic. My wife just signed up for pre-arrival services. She sent an e-mail to AEIP S.U.C.C.E.S.S for the Success BC program and received an e-mail back. We got an e-mail right after saying "Your application is currently being processed and may take up to one to three business days. We will send you another email with further instructions once your application has been reviewed. We will send you another email with account setup instructions once your application is approved."

It was then followed up by this second e-mail.

Subject: Missing Document: S.U.C.C.E.S.S AEIP Canada Orientation Services

Hello (they spelt my wife's name wrong and only had her first name)

You document cannot be open in our system, could please kindly forward me again your documents, one of the documents listed below. Thank you!

According to IRCC requirement, please email your “Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)” received from Canada Visa Office to me for us to verify your eligibility.

If you have NOT YET received your “Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)”, please email one of following documents for verification purpose:

- Medical Examination Instruction/Medical Report Form (IMM1017E) OR

- “Ready for Visa” email, received from IRCC Visa Office OR

- “Passport Submission Request” email, received from IRCC Visa Office

To obtain basic information about Canada, feel free to visit Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada. However, upon receiving your eligibility document, you will have access to personalized and in-depth landing, settlement and employment resource information, and you will be able to access our live workshops and webinars and resource library, absolutely free. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.

Please note, your accompanying spouse to Canada is obligated to submit a separate registration form.

Johnson Hou
Settlement Practitioner
Active Engagement & Integration Project (AEIP)
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Taipei Office
Tel: (02) 2389-9088 ext. 19
Website: www.aeipsuccess.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aeipasia/

I am concerned that this could be fake. I do suspect that it is legit but the poor English and the way it appears looks off to me. E-mail address is a success.bc.ca address though.

 

[bellaluna]

^ This pre-orientation service is listed on the CIC website:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/before-services.asp

If it's free, why not go for it.