Got the immigration visa but still a few questions left!!

[sinwise]

Hello everyone,

First, I would like to thank everyone contributing on this great forum... After months of patience, I finally received an immigration visa TODAY !!! I am so glad this process is (almost) over
I still have a few questions and I was wondering if anyone could help on these:

- My immigration visa ends in a few weeks and I don't think I will be able to settle in Canada before my visa ends. Can I enter before my visa expires, leave 1-2 days after that, and come back to settle permanently later?

- I am planning to have my PR card mailed to a friend. Do I need special documents (other than my visa and COPR) for that?

- Would I loose my PR if I settle in Canada permanently in 2 years after becoming a PR? I am aware of the residency requirement, which says that I need to have spent at least 2 years in Canada within the last 5 years. However, in 2 years time, I would NOT have spent 2 years in Canada, so I am confused if I am allowed to do that or not.

Thanks all for your help!

 

[floomy]

1. yes you can.

2. no need special docs.

3. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=727&t=10

you can settle 2 years later.
if you live with your spouse(canadian) outside Canada, it would count toward 2 years.

 

[sinwise]

Thank you Floomy for this reply!

I still have one remaining question: I am supposed to settle in Toronto, Ontario (that's what mentionned in my COPR). Does that mean that my friend address should be in Ontario too? My friend is in Montreal, Quebec and I am wondering if this will be accepted by the Canadian border.

Overall, I am just not sure how to present my "friend" to the canadian border. Should we say that he/she is the one hosting me while I settle in Canada or can we just bluntly disclose that my friend is just here to collect the PR card for me?

Thanks all for your help!

 

[floomy]

don't think it would matter if your friend live in Montreal.
no need to worry about "present " your friend to CBSA.
you do not need to explain all situation to the officer.
He/she would ask few questions (landing interview )then you can ask the officer if you can put your friend address to receive PR card .

no worries.

Good luck.

 

[sinwise]

Thanks for the advice Floomy

 

[MilesAway]

I disagree here. If you give your address as a Quebec address, then CIC might have an issue with that since you did not go through the process of obtaining a CSQ.

 

[floomy]

she can ask CBSA when she lands, if he/she said no then she should find someone else's who lives in ON (not QC).


Another way would be set up private mailing address at UPS store : they provide residential address not p.o box.


http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/can-new-immigrants-use-ups-mailbox-for-pr-card-address-t262398.0.html

 

[kate_wins]

We are in a similar situation... Any idea on the sorts of questions you get asked by CBSA during the landing interview?

My husband will be "landing" approx 6 months before we move out as a family, and he is worried about lying to border security.

 

[floomy]

We are in a similar situation... Any idea on the sorts of questions you get asked by CBSA during the landing interview?

My husband will be "landing" approx 6 months before we move out as a family, and he is worried about lying to border security.

not sure why he would need to lie ..

 

[kate_wins]

not sure why he would need to lie ..

My understanding was that he shouldn't leave the country before he has his PR card in hand and that CBSA frown upon people not staying.

His landing would be temporary, since he'd come back to Australia and we'd return to Canada as a family 6ish months later.

If you're saying it's shouldn't be an issue, then all the better.

 

[Ponga]

The landing interview will be conducted by a CIC officer.

He may be concerned that if the officer knows that he's not really ready to move to Canada [yet], his landing will be refused.

While this has happened in the past, many people have had no problem doing this, because they MUST land before the expiry date on the CoPR. They can then return `home' to finalize their plans for the permanent move.

Bottom line...never lie to a CBSA or CIC officer.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

My understanding was that he shouldn't leave the country before he has his PR card in hand and that CBSA frown upon people not staying.

His landing would be temporary, since he'd come back to Australia and we'd return to Canada as a family 6ish months later.

If you're saying it's shouldn't be an issue, then all the better.

There is no issue with leaving before he has the PR card. If there is any problem and the PR card doesn't arrive before he returns to Canada, he will need to apply for a PRTD.

It can be an issue for CBSA if they think that the sponsor and applicant have no plans to return to Canada in the long-term. However, they understand that many people need to return to their country to wrap up their affairs, sell the house, finish a job, let the kids finish the school year etc. That is not a problem.

 

[Outlandish]

Hi I hope you don't mind me using your thread to ask a couple of questions as they are similar to yours

I am hoping my husband will receive his visa in the next month or so....so we have been looking at flights and most of the cheaper ones have a long stay in at least one airport; specifically, London Heathrow. He is coming from a country that is NOT visa exempt. Will he be able to leave the airport and come back to catch his next flight to Toronto? I understand he will be given a transit visa, but is there any chance of getting a visit visa to be able to leave the airport? I would appreciate any help!

 

[kate_wins]

There is no issue with leaving before he has the PR card. If there is any problem and the PR card doesn't arrive before he returns to Canada, he will need to apply for a PRTD.

It can be an issue for CBSA if they think that the sponsor and applicant have no plans to return to Canada in the long-term. However, they understand that many people need to return to their country to wrap up their affairs, sell the house, finish a job, let the kids finish the school year etc. That is not a problem.

Awesome!

To be honest, our main hold-up is the citizenship certificate for our son. We've no idea when that will come through.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I am hoping my husband will receive his visa in the next month or so....so we have been looking at flights and most of the cheaper ones have a long stay in at least one airport; specifically, London Heathrow. He is coming from a country that is NOT visa exempt. Will he be able to leave the airport and come back to catch his next flight to Toronto? I understand he will be given a transit visa, but is there any chance of getting a visit visa to be able to leave the airport? I would appreciate any help!

No one here can say if the UK will grant him a visa or not.