Drive own car Or rent one while landing?

[nix1]

I am in a huge dilemma. I was going to rent a car and drive it to Alberta from Utah (10 hours to Coutts, AB) to make a smooth landing.

I found an SUV from AVIS that will cost me $500 for a week. It is a standard SUV (Chevrolet Trailblazer or similar). We have been driving Toyota Sienna for a while and kids do not want to go back to sedan (not too much room) and I also do not find it very comfortable anymore. Minivans are even more expensive than the standard SUVs to rent. I am thinking about driving my own minivan (Toyota Sienna LE 2005) and going for a week.

1. What problems do I face on doing this? I do not have the title with me as the van is financed and the bank is willing to give me a letter of permission to take it to Canada. I will have this minivan listed in the list of “goods to follow”.

2. Do I have to fax any information to the border control office even though I am not importing/exporting it right now?

Thanks for your time and help.

 

[cchabert]

Good dilemma, in my personal opinion go for the less hassle to you, if the Chevy is the better option, talk to your kids, everybody have to paid a price for this journey, my daughters already donate her toys because I don;t have money for all the stuff they have.

Are you ready? I'm leaving on January

 

[nix1]

Good dilemma, in my personal opinion go for the less hassle to you, if the Chevy is the better option, talk to your kids, everybody have to paid a price for this journey, my daughters already donate her toys because I don;t have money for all the stuff they have.

Are you ready? I'm leaving on January

So you are saying I should take a rental car to make things easier?

I am almost ready. I am leaving this Saturday and entering Alberta on Sunday Nov 15th.

PMM, if you see my original message, would you please take a minute and give me some advice on whether to take a rental vehicle or own vehicle while landing? I am going to be there just for a week. Thanks.

 

[cchabert]

easier the better in my humble opinion :-D

 

[links18]

You don't have to export/import your car unless you are going to set up residence in Canada. Setting up residence is not the same thing as landing as a permanent resident. However, not all CBSA officers will readily get the distinction. You may have to explain that you are not coming to Canada to live just yet, you are only there to execute a landing in order to establish your permanent resident status. Still, there is no guarantee they won't make you import the car. If they decide to make you import the car they may or may not send you back to the U.S. to make sure the car was properly exported. In my experience, CBSA officers don't care if you faxed the title to U.S. customs 72 hours before export and the lack of a stamp from U.S. customs hasn't been a bar to importing the car into Canada. However, your experience may vary.

 

[nix1]

Thanks CCH and Links18.

I am leaving Utah in an hour and heading towards Montana with a plan to enter Alberta tomorrow before lunch. It is snowing here and hope the road condition would not be too bad. Wish me luck guys!

 

[cchabert]

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Cheers!!!

 

[J1visa]

hi nix1,

Are you sure you needed only 10 hours to Alberta from Utah? I thought it should be more than that.

My friend sent me what they received from CIC. Unfortunately, it is not my PR card, but a letter asking me go to local CIC to retake a photo. I have only a copy of COPR now so I have to drive to local CIC. It will take 18 hours. I cannot take a fly since I have no PR card or a visa.

Do you think it is ok if I wait till I go to Canada permanently? It takes time and money to go back Canada now for a PR card purpose. Will I have any trouble with them later?

 

[nix1]

J1Visa,

Sorry to hear what happened to your case. Yes, it takes about 10 hours from Salt Lake City, UT to Coutts, AB. But to get to Calgary and Edmonton, it takes much longer.

Driving your own car or rental car seems to be the only option for you to get to Canada as you do not have PR card. I am not sure if you can wait until you move there permanently. Probably PMM or Leon can asnwer that or you need to call the number you have on the letter (if there is one) and ask them or contact CIC somehow.

How long did it take for your friend to receive that letter from the date your landed?

 

[Suin]

if you are a US citizen you don't need actual PR card to enter Canada by air.

 

[J1visa]

I am a J1 visa holder in the US, not a US citizen.

It takes 2 months and 2 days from the landing day to the the day my friend received the letter.

Anyone can you help me for the answer? Can I ignore the letter and wait till the day I move there permanently (may be June) to meet them and retake the photos?

 

[Suin]

I guess you can. They just will not issue PR card until you retake photos. To get a better answer to your question you just need to phone the cic and they will give you a proper answer to all your questions.

 

[J1visa]

The proplem is that I don't want to let them know that I am in the US now. As I am a PNP, may I have some troubles if CIC know I am not in Canada now ?

 

[links18]

The proplem is that I don't want to let them know that I am in the US now. As I am a PNP, may I have some troubles if CIC know I am not in Canada now ?

Generally, they aren't unreasonable. They realize that it may take some time for you to actually move and you may need to make more than one trip.