Got a Canadian number and Called CIC

[saria1]

I took the plunge today and found a Voip with outbound calling utilizing a Canadian number. It worked, and I spoke with an agent.

He didn't see my request for urgent processing anywhere in the system, plus he said there is no urgent processing for proof of citizenship. That completely contradicts what the CIC websites says. He also said my application was moved to a department to have everything verified. Ok..... ???? I confirmed that department is in Sydney, so at least it's not stuck in some mailroom somewhere.

All that effort to make the call and I learned nothing new, well, I did learn the agent who spoke to me doesn't seem to be too well informed.

 

[Lolote]

Why do you need urgent processing if you don't mind me asking?

 

[saria1]

Why do you need urgent processing if you don't mind me asking?

To obtain an SIN, since I've never had proof of citizenship. So I have no access to any of this. Between you and I, I need the SIN to setup a Canadian bank account and start establishing credit in Canada before we (my family) move up there. It's listed as one of the valid reasons for urgent processing.

 

[SenoritaBella]

A SIN in not required to open a Canadian bank account. The bank requires it when you apply for a credit card or open certain investment accounts like the TFSA(tax free savings account) and RRSP(registered retirement savings plan) because contributions to these accounts must be reported to Revenue Canada (i.e. the tax man).

I believe you need to physically be in Canada for the bank to activate your bank account, though you can transfer funds into it. (this was the case for me many years ago when I opened an account while overseas).

To establish credit once in Canada - pay your bills on time. Within 6 months to a year, you should have established some credit history such that the bank is willing to issue you a credit card. If you have a large cash deposit, you may be pre-approved for a credit card without you ever applying.

It's also possible to obtain a secured credit card i.e. the bank withholds say $500 - $1000 of your money and issues a pre-paid credit card in return. If you use it properly, pay balance on time each month, you can obtain an unsecured one.

In a nutshell, try to relax.

To obtain an SIN, since I've never had proof of citizenship. So I have no access to any of this. Between you and I, I need the SIN to setup a Canadian bank account and start establishing credit in Canada before we (my family) move up there. It's listed as one of the valid reasons for urgent processing.

 

[PMM]

Hi

A SIN in not required to open a Canadian bank account. The bank requires it when you apply for a credit card or open certain investment accounts like the TFSA(tax free savings account) and RRSP(registered retirement savings plan) because contributions to these accounts must be reported to Revenue Canada (i.e. the tax man).

I believe you need to physically be in Canada for the bank to activate your bank account, though you can transfer funds into it. (this was the case for me many years ago when I opened an account while overseas).

To establish credit once in Canada - pay your bills on time. Within 6 months to a year, you should have established some credit history such that the bank is willing to issue you a credit card. If you have a large cash deposit, you may be pre-approved for a credit card without you ever applying.

It's also possible to obtain a secured credit card i.e. the bank withholds say $500 - $1000 of your money and issues a pre-paid credit card in return. If you use it properly, pay balance on time each month, you can obtain an unsecured one.

In a nutshell, try to relax.

Any interest bearing account or product requires that you produce a SIN to the bank.

From the Office of the Privacy Commissioner

"Who can ask for my SIN?

Your SIN is a confidential number that is restricted to income reporting purposes. There are a select and limited number of federal government departments and programs specifically authorized to collect the SIN. See list below.

The authority to collect and use the SIN is tied to a specific legislated purpose, not necessarily to a particular body. For example, an employer can collect an employee's SIN to provide them with Records of Employment and T-4 slips for income tax purposes, as can provincial or municipal agencies to report financial assistance payments for income tax purposes.

Institutions from which you earn interest or income, such as banks, credit unions and trust companies, must also ask for your SIN."

 

[SenoritaBella]

I opened a bank account about 10 yrs ago while I was overseas, but was not asked for a SIN. Have the rules changed since then?

 

[alphazip]

1) There is urgent processing of proof of citizenship. The need to have it so you can move to Canada is a legitimate reason.

2) Banks don't seem too concerned about having your SIN. I opened an account without a SIN, though I eventually did provide it to them.

 

[kentTO]

Also, you only need a PR card for SIN, not citizenship.

 

[saria1]

Wow, I woke up to a whole lot of conversation. Good morning!

In my letter I listed off to the CIC that I need to obtain an SIN to seek employment because I will be moving to Canada. I didn't go into the "petty" nitty gritty of what I listed here.

In my area, the US, we have TD Bank which will allow me to open a Canadian bank account, but I need an SIN. Plus a few of my credit cards will transfer to a Canadian account, if I can provide an SIN.

KentTo, I am a citizen by decent born abroad. I have no proof and was one of the lucky ones who was made a citizen in 2009. I was one of the ones born between 47-77 to a naturalized father and my birth was never registered with Canada.

Now I'm just waiting and waiting and waiting. I have to chuckle at my lack of patience and wonder how my father didn't lose his mind during his long immigration journey from Italy to Canada and then Canada to the USA. I think he spent half his life buried in paperwork and waiting.

Senoritabell, YES, try and relax, the absolute best advice, hard to achieve, but I'm working on it ;-)

I have a 4 pack of fin du la monde waiting in my fridge to celebrate when my status changes to "Decision Made"

 

[alphazip]

I'm a Canadian citizen by descent, too. Like you, I had to wait for my proof of citizenship to arrive before moving to Canada. CIC said they were rushing my certificate, but it still took quite a while. As an American citizen living in Canada, get ready for VERY complicated tax filings, especially if you ever have more than $10,000 in a Canadian bank, or make Canadian investments...or even own a TFSA (tax free savings account). A good book on the subject (though it's mainly geared toward high-earners): "The American in Canada" by Brian Wruk. As an aside, you could have also inherited Italian citizenship, but since it appears that your father became a Canadian citizen before you were born (and lost his Italian citizenship at that time), that's probably not the case.

 

[saria1]

I'm a Canadian citizen by descent, too. Like you, I had to wait for my proof of citizenship to arrive before moving to Canada. CIC said they were rushing my certificate, but it still took quite a while. As an American citizen living in Canada, get ready for VERY complicated tax filings, especially if you ever have more than $10,000 in a Canadian bank, or make Canadian investments...or even own a TFSA (tax free savings account). A good book on the subject (though it's mainly geared toward high-earners): "The American in Canada" by Brian Wruk. As an aside, you could have also inherited Italian citizenship, but since it appears that your father became a Canadian citizen before you were born (and lost his Italian citizenship at that time), that's probably not the case.

Thanks for the book recommendation. I found it on Amazon. My husband is rather nervous about the concept of making the move. Having been a Jersey born and bred boy, he only knows urban sprawl and rude people. I'm seeing other book recommendations along with this, I may just pick up a few for him. He loves to read, so I can throw them in the mix on his nightstand

I did look into the Italian citizenship. You are correct, my dad renounced his citizenship at 12 when he became a Canadian citizen in 1959. I have a few friends/family who have and are now in the process of pursuing their Italian citizenship. It takes several years once you submit all the paperwork, which has to be translated, each document has to be original and have an apostille. The Italian government also keep all the documentation, except naturalization papers. Oh, and to get an appointment in my area, with the Philly Italian Consulate to hand over all your paperwork, is about 12 months out. And I'm struggling with my patience waiting for my Canadian proof, I would have an aneurysm waiting on Italian citizenship

 

[alphazip]

Thanks for the book recommendation. I found it on Amazon. My husband is rather nervous about the concept of making the move. Having been a Jersey born and bred boy, he only knows urban sprawl and rude people. I'm seeing other book recommendations along with this, I may just pick up a few for him. He loves to read, so I can throw them in the mix on his nightstand

I did look into the Italian citizenship. You are correct, my dad renounced his citizenship at 12 when he became a Canadian citizen in 1959. I have a few friends/family who have and are now in the process of pursuing their Italian citizenship. It takes several years once you submit all the paperwork, which has to be translated, each document has to be original and have an apostille. The Italian government also keep all the documentation, except naturalization papers. Oh, and to get an appointment in my area, with the Philly Italian Consulate to hand over all your paperwork, is about 12 months out. And I'm struggling with my patience waiting for my Canadian proof, I would have an aneurysm waiting on Italian citizenship

Actually, that book may scare him, since, as I mentioned, it's geared toward high-earners and keeps warning of high taxes in Canada. In actuality, once I moved here, I didn't have that problem, though filling out the forms required (mainly by the IRS) is another matter. You'll also notice that prices are a bit higher here. I'm in a border city, and it's quite common for Canadians to make frequent trips to the U.S. to shop...at least those Canadians who can put up with the U.S. border guards.

I'm Italian, too. In my case, my mother's father didn't become a U.S. citizen until after my mother was born, so she inherited Italian citizenship and passed it on to me. The process for me was fast...didn't need to go to the consulate in person, just gathered up, apostilled, and translated everything, sent it to the consulate, and that was that.