Landing in Canada by Air for Outland Applicants
I wanted to write a detailed post about the landing process by air for Outland applicants, as you only become a Canadian permanent resident once you have landed at a Canadian port of entry and met with an immigration officer who approves your permanent resident VISA.
1)
Packing: Once you have acquired your precious Canadian permanent resident VISA, obviously the next step will be to prepare to move to Canada. The most common way is by air, but no matter which port of entry you use the immigration laws will be the same. Since your moving to Canada, you will probably want to bring a lot more things, and possibly cultural things from your home country. But it's very important to know what you can and can't bring, and in which bags you should pack these things. Prohibited items found at port of entries can result in expensive fines, confiscation, criminal records and even refusal of entry into Canada in the most extreme cases. Plus, you don't want to start off your new life in Canada in a negative way with immigration. It is a good idea to research
CBSA's (
Canada Border Security Agency) website about guidelines and allowed / prohibited items.
2)
Knowing what you have: It's very important to know what items you have, which bags there in, their value and why you have them. CBSA officers will ask you questions about what you are bringing into Canada. How many questions and how in depth the questions are will depend on your answers and attitude. If you say, “I don't know” this will automatically be red flagged and may result in hours added onto your border clearance. One of the best ways to help is to write or print a list that you keep in your passport. This can help you remember, and avoid hassle at the border. The list should at least include:
- List of all gifts you are bringing into Canada and their values.
- Brief list of jewelry and it's estimated value.
- List of any food, plant and animal products, so you remember to tell the CBSA officer about it.
- The total amount of currency you are bringing with you in Canadian Dollars.
- Contact information of family and friends in Canada, or back in your home country. Include full names, phone numbers, addresses and email addresses.
- Address and contact information of where you will be staying in Canada.
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Declare your Money: As stated above, it’s a good idea to have the amount of currency your bringing into Canada written down and known by heart. Sometimes, a CBSA officer may ask you how much money you are carrying with you. BUT, if you are bringing more than $10,000 Canadian Dollars of currency, YOU MUST DECLARE this to a CBSA Officer whether asked or not. If you don’t declare this money, you will be fined and lose some or all your money. The reason they want to know about amounts exceeding $10,000 CAD, is so they can investigate and make sure it’s not going to be used for criminal or terrorist purposes.
4)
Declarations: Normally, if you are travelling to Canada by air, you will receive a Declaration card on the plane to Canada. Which is a small piece of paper that you must fill out to declare the money, goods and intentions you have coming to Canada. You would then hand this card to a CBSA officer at the airport, who would check it.
But in a few Canadian airports and growing, are new security kiosks called “Primary Inspection Kiosks”. Instead of filling out a paper on the plane, you will now have to go to one of these kiosks upon arriving at the airport and answer some questions, scan your passport and take a photo. Then a receipt will be printed out, and you will need to take this receipt to a CBSA officer who will review it.
According to CBSA, the new kiosks are currently installed and operational at these Canadian airports right now:
- Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
- Toronto Pearson International Airport – Terminal 3 (YYZ)
- Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
As well, CBSA has come out with a new app called “eDeclaration”. This app can be used to create and save a declaration for 5 passengers on your mobile phone. It will create a QR code on your phone which then can be scanned at the “Primary Inspection Kiosks” completing the question part fast and simple.
5)
Landing Interview: This is CIC’s information about the landing process from Outside Canada. In their statement, they say you must show proof of funds to support your family in Canada. But I have read that this doesn’t apply to Sponsorship applicants as it’s the duty of the sponsor to support the applicant. However, to be safe I would make sure you at least know your funds and make sure you can show them if asked. You never know!
“ If you are outside Canada
When you arrive in Canada, you will be greeted by an officer from the
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
The officer will ask to see your passport and other travel documents. Make sure they are not packed in your luggage, and that you have them with you. This will help speed up your entry to Canada.
When you arrive, you must have:
- Your valid passport and/or travel documents. Your passport must be a regular, private passport. You cannot immigrate to Canada with a diplomatic, government service or public affairs passport.
- Your valid permanent resident visa (if you are from a country that requires visas) and your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). The officer will make sure you are entering Canada before or on the expiry date shown on your visa. Please note that this document cannot be extended; therefore, you should make sure to use it before it expires.
- Proof that you have the funds to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada.
The officer will ask you a few questions to make sure you still meet the terms to immigrate to Canada. They will be similar to the ones you answered when you applied.
You will not be allowed into Canada if you give false or incomplete information. After completing your COPR, the officer will allow you to enter Canada as a permanent resident. The officer will also confirm your Canadian mailing address. Your permanent resident card will be mailed to you at this address.
If you change your address within 180 days of arriving in Canada, you must notify IRCC using this online tool.
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Thank You
