Contacting Service Canada and Opening a bank account

[rhetorisch]

Hi Everyone!. I landed in Toronto more than 2 weeks ago and did apply for a SIN in person during that brief stay out there. They did give me my SIN straightaway. Its been more than 10 working days now and I havent gotten my SIN card at the address I specified. Is there a way to contact Service Canada from abroad? Does anyone of you have the access number for them?

The other thing I wish to know is whether I can open a bank account over the webpage of any bank simply by quoting my SIN. Do they need an ID proof in hard copy or will the bank be able to verify my identity using my SIN?

Would be grateful if someone can advise quickly. If anyone of you has the number for CIC, which I can use to call them from abroad, please let me have that as well. Looking at the way things are going, I am sure I would need to call them at some point to ask about my PR card as well.

Many Thanks

R

 

[steaky]

Contact CIC from abroad: 1-613-944-4000

 

[thezieglers]

The other thing I wish to know is whether I can open a bank account over the webpage of any bank simply by quoting my SIN. Do they need an ID proof in hard copy or will the bank be able to verify my identity using my SIN?

Nah... they need you in person!

 

[steaky]

Nah... they need you in person!

Actually, you can apply a PC Financial bank account online. Check this link for details:

https://www.txn.banking.pcfinancial.ca/a/servlet/ApplicationServlet?applicationProducts=overdraft_no

 

[angelbrat]

Why are you calling CIC for a SIN card????

They do not issue SIN cards, these are issued through Service Canada. SIN cards usually take 14 days to arrive but they are not that important as you have your SIN number.

If, however, you are talking about your PR card, these can take up to 6 weeks to arrive and that is without any photo issues.

 

[rhetorisch]

Why are you calling CIC for a SIN card????

They do not issue SIN cards, these are issued through Service Canada. SIN cards usually take 14 days to arrive but they are not that important as you have your SIN number.

If, however, you are talking about your PR card, these can take up to 6 weeks to arrive and that is without any photo issues.

Angelbrat, you misinterpreted my questions. There were TWO questions put together. I wish to make enquiries about my SIN card for which I need Service Canada's number. THE OTHER THING is that I need CIC's number which I may have to dial for enquiries regarding my PR card. The word "AT SOME POINT" in my original question clearly implies sometime in the future ie if it doesnt arrive in 6-8 weeks as was told to me by the IO. Hope this makes it clear??? Why on earth would I call CIC for my SIN card, when we are all aware that they dont issue SIN cards?

Then in addition to this I asked about opening a bank account from abroad. SO, IF YOU HAVE ANY INFO, please do let me know.

Thanks

 

[arron]

No I am fairly sure you can't open a regular bank account from abroad, or online. They do want to see you in person, you will need to sign an agreement with the bank, and they require your signature on your debit card. They will also want some evidence of proof of address.

That being said, there are many banks in Canada that will allow temporary residents to open bank accounts without a SIN card, CIBC being one of them, and I think a few others, there is a thread under Family class immigration that has this information. They will require photo ID however and your passport should be sufficient for this.

 

[CharlotteJ]

the banks sure need you in person as indeed to sign the contracts, but also not least and most importantly, to provide them with two pieces of identification.

if you happen to open a bank account at any bank, don't forget to choose for "paper" option regarding your bank account statements. So, when you are back in Canada and want to apply for your healthcard, you can easily and fastly proceed that.

I just got my bank account statement after 2 months! Now I can go and apply for my healthcard.