How much cash is recommended when you reach in Canada

[Catmom]

Hey guys,
if I have active bank accounts in two countries plus GIC in Canada. How much money am I recommended to carry with me to Canada?
Do they check for some travellers' checks or those specialsed cards or dollars at the airport?
Suppose if I am fully vaccinated and already have a stay arranged with airport pick up arranged for me?
Thanks in advance

 

[rogerdude1]

Tbh, they won't check readily for anything, although they may very rarely because IRCC has already approved your financial eligibility. But anyways, get ready with the GIC certificate and/or bank statements which you have shown earlier.

And you might have already taken into account the quarantine stay (paid online I presume) until results arrive so you just have to have a forex card till the time you are in quarantine for any sudden expenses and can't actually travel to get GIC activated. Cash is also recommended, but not too much, $300 per person sounds more than enough. Once you get GIC, they'll give you a debit/credit card too and rest you know is easy.

Also, if you are a cash maniac then just to inform you that $ 10k is the limit you can carry through the airport.

 

[Catmom]

Tbh, they won't check readily for anything, although they may very rarely because IRCC has already approved your financial eligibility. But anyways, get ready with the GIC certificate and/or bank statements which you have shown earlier.

And you might have already taken into account the quarantine stay (paid online I presume) until results arrive so you just have to have a forex card till the time you are in quarantine for any sudden expenses and can't actually travel to get GIC activated. Cash is also recommended, but not too much, $300 per person sounds more than enough. Once you get GIC, they'll give you a debit/credit card too and rest you know is easy.

Also, if you are a cash maniac then just to inform you that $ 10k is the limit you can carry through the airport.

Thanks. I did not show any bank statements. I will be except from quarantine hotel stay and will stay in someone's house. Is it compulsory to have a forex card?

 

[Alpha_Wolf]

Thanks. I did not show any bank statements. I will be except from quarantine hotel stay and will stay in someone's house. Is it compulsory to have a forex card?

I believe its not compulsory to have forex card. But because you won’t be able to use the overseas account instantly, it pays off to have cash+credit card (that works just fine) or a forex card (if your credit card provider has crazy rates).
You should just be able to show them that you have something (and it is for your own convenience too).

PS- You could even ensure your local debit card has international transaction turned ON and you are still fine. Its all a matter of choices and not a regulation.

 

[rogerdude1]

Thanks. I did not show any bank statements. I will be except from quarantine hotel stay and will stay in someone's house. Is it compulsory to have a forex card?

As @Alpha_Wolf said.

Also, make sure that you present a plan to the CBSA, because even though you are exempt from GAA hotel, you still have to show them a quarantine (completely isolate from others) plan of 14 days, from which you can get out as soon as you get negative results. Also, to avoid airport rush, now they are giving take-home test kits.

Fully vaccinated travellers must follow the entry requirements:

• Pre-entry test required
• Quarantine plan in case you don’t get the exemption
• Arrival test
• Requirements checklist

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada

Since its a relative's place, you dont have to worry about the cost, but I'd suggest you get this from the relatives in writing that they will provide you with food and that you will be staying at a room/setting with a separate bedroom and bathroom (if bathroom is not private, then say that you'll sanitize after each use).

 

[Catmom]

As @Alpha_Wolf said.

Also, make sure that you present a plan to the CBSA, because even though you are exempt from GAA hotel, you still have to show them a quarantine (completely isolate from others) plan of 14 days, from which you can get out as soon as you get negative results. Also, to avoid airport rush, now they are giving take-home test kits.

Fully vaccinated travellers must follow the entry requirements:

• Pre-entry test required
• Quarantine plan in case you don’t get the exemption
• Arrival test
• Requirements checklist

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada

Since its a relative's place, you dont have to worry about the cost, but I'd suggest you get this from the relatives in writing that they will provide you with food and that you will be staying at a room/setting with a separate bedroom and bathroom (if bathroom is not private, then say that you'll sanitize after each use).

Oh awesme. This is helpful. I can ask them to prepare letter in advance for me. Thanks

 

[rogerdude1]

I have a debit card with international transaction (India), a top UAE bank debit card and credit card with International transaction. In spite of everything taken care of for me in Canada plus a Scotia Bank GIC , will it be enough if I carry 1000 CAD cash?


Want to avoid Forex

Yup. 1000 sounds good, rest all is fine, more than enough.

 

[Laguna55]

Tbh, they won't check readily for anything, although they may very rarely because IRCC has already approved your financial eligibility. But anyways, get ready with the GIC certificate and/or bank statements which you have shown earlier.

And you might have already taken into account the quarantine stay (paid online I presume) until results arrive so you just have to have a forex card till the time you are in quarantine for any sudden expenses and can't actually travel to get GIC activated. Cash is also recommended, but not too much, $300 per person sounds more than enough. Once you get GIC, they'll give you a debit/credit card too and rest you know is easy.

Also, if you are a cash maniac then just to inform you that $ 10k is the limit you can carry through the airport.

$10k limit? Who told you this? You can take as much as cash you like, only that it has to be declared if over $10k.

 

[wonderbly]

$10k limit? Who told you this? You can take as much as cash you like, only that it has to be declared if over $10k.

You can, but you shouldn't really....theft/loss happens on planes and at airports. With the ease of moving money around globally these days, not worth taking the risk.

 

[Shmiler]

Whether you should or not is a different matter. As Laguna rightly pointed out, there is no limit on the amount of cash you can carry.

Ten thousand dollars is a declaration threshold and if you carry a significant amount more than that then it is highly likely that you would need to provide documentary proof as to its source.

Academic in this case, but always nice to have the facts straight.

 

[RamSatt]

I carried about C$700 in cash and I found it easier to have a forex card (I loaded mine with C$3000), as most transactions I made were card/app based, especially since I spent 14 days in quarantine when I arrived. I could go to the bank to activate my account 20 days after I landed. So I used my forex card to pay for uber rides, grocery deliveries (through instacart) and food delivery.

 

[Catmom]

I carried about C$700 in cash and I found it easier to have a forex card (I loaded mine with C$3000), as most transactions I made were card/app based, especially since I spent 14 days in quarantine when I arrived. I could go to the bank to activate my account 20 days after I landed. So I used my forex card to pay for uber rides, grocery deliveries (through instacart) and food delivery.

Sounds fab. Thanks for sharing.
I just want to know, I travel a lot and I often do long term travelling where I carry minimal cash (never more than 300 USD) because credit / debit card pretty much works everywhere.
Will I still need forex inspite of having debit/credit and some loose cash?

Cheers

 

[andrews17]

Very interesting topic. I have my savings in USD and I plan to bring some part in cash and then exchange it. Where's the best place or method to exchange USD to CAD?