Getting a cell phone contract while waiting

[annteacher]

Hello!
Does anyone know whether it's possible to get a cell phone contract while waiting for residency to be established? Or must you have a Canada-issued ID card?
Thanks!
Ann

 

[parker24]

I think it varies. But my husband was just added onto my phone plan so he was able to get it (as a visitor). No ID required.

 

[rachiy]

When I first came on a one year WP I got a two year contract with Virgin, based entirely on their lowest cancellation charge ($10 per month for remaining months in contract, or $100, whichever was higher) just in case I couldn't stay. They never asked for any details about my status, all they cared about was my signature on the contract. They did take a $150 deposit as at the time I did not have a Canadian credit card to put on my account, but that was refunded after the first year.

On a side note I HATED virgin mobile, and as soon as those two years were up I jumped onto my partners account with Telus, who also didn't question my status in Canada when I signed my new three year contract.

 

[couteausnob]

I was able to get one with Bell as a visitor. They never asked about my status or anything. Only slight issue was that they gave me a temporary credit limit because I had no Canadian credit yet.

 

[harrychahal007]

They don't ask to you for your resident proof. But it gives problem when you stop paying bills under contract. The cell phone company will shut off your service until they are paid in full. If they are not paid in full within a certain amount of time (this will vary by company), they will list your account with a collection agency. A collection agency will make attempts to get the debt paid in full–a good agency will not hound you–and if that doesn't happen, it is possible (but NOT certain) that they will try to sue you. It can depend on how large the balance of the account is. Once the account is listed with the collection agency, you will have 30 days to dispute the validity of the debt. After that thirty days, it will be reported to all three credit bureaus, no matter if you gave them your SSN or not. Cell phone accounts DO affect your credit score, which can later affect your ability to rent apartments, buy a house, get a car loan, etc.

 

[tinytortoise]

On that note, does it help build credit if you get a cell contract? Or can you not build credit until you have a SIN?

 

[harrychahal007]

It does not metter that you have a with or without contract cell. Credit is build via bank. When you pay ur bills from bank or with visas then credit ups.

 

[CharlieD10]

We are with Virgin Mobile, and my husband added me to his plan sight unseen and without any signature from me (I hadn't landed yet when he got the phone). The bill is in his name, and I don't deal with them at all.

On a side note: he added "unlimited international texting" to my phone, and as it turns out that does not include Jamaica! Read the fine print before you sign any contracts, naturally.