IMM 5540

[Lynnekovan]

Another nightmare form! I just found IMM 5540. It's almost impossible for me to answer all of these questions. I am a Canadian Citizen, but have lived in England since I was 9. I'm 60 now, and really don't know all the details of addresses I have lived in over the years, phone numbers etc. I am retired, but apparantly need to give proof of my intention to re-establish in Canada. I won't have a property rental agreement until we get there. Do I just have to muddle through this one? If I do, a lot of it will be guess work. It's turning into a nightmare, just when I thought I'd got it all done! Advice/help please!!

Lynne

 

[CharlieD10]

Answer all questions to the best of your knowledge, and explain separately what you just wrote here.

Proof of re-establishment means you have a plan for the basics when you head back to Canada: where to live, what to do for income, what to do to leave wherever you are currently living. They don't need specifics, for example you don't have to rent an apartment and send them a lease, but you do need to show you have more than a vague intention. So, think about it...where are you going to live, how will you cover your expenses, what about closing out your life in England, what does your family know of this plan and what part are they playing (if any) in it?

 

[Fencesitter]

I agree with Charlie.

I wrote (now on page 3) a long semi-detailed guide as to our plans when we first arrive. Here is a general idea:

1. Day 1: Sort out cellular phones so we can stay in constant contact (mainly for safety reasons, we have a child)

2. Day 2: Banking - opening accounts, finding a good investment for our savings, securing a mortgage, going to realty companies to get info on the market in the area we want to buy

3. Day 3: Get license renewed. Buy a car. Get car insurance. Finalize employment contract (I have a job offer in Canada - have the original letter with company stamps - for sure thing)

4. Day 4: Sort out OHIP and SIN card for my wife (and update mine). Visit school where we plan to send our son (included the address and that it is just down the street from my parents' place).

5. Reference letter from parents offering us a place to stay until we can secure a mortgage (if we fail at getting a mortgage, I gave the exact address of the apartment complex where we will rent until establishing ourselves so that we can get a loan)

6. Meet family - sister and other relatives

I also noted that we would need to sort out phone / Internet / cable, and other similar stuff, but that these are minor and easy to do. The list above is not in the correct order as written in my explanation.

I go on to talk about how I will show my wife around where I grew up, take her to visit some places...go for a good meal...etc...etc...how we will easily close our bank accounts, phone service, cellular plans, sell our stuff...in China...it will be really easy to relocate...we're only taking our clothes, computers, money, and so on...

Hope this helps!

FS