just got my email requesting my passport! woohoo! now a few questions.... (USA)

[padgett]

Hi there, I just got my email requesting our passports! I wasn't expecting it to be this quick, I only mailed off my application 5 months ago. I do have a few questions... I got the email yesterday requesting passports, in my case photocopies since the us is visa exempt. I was planning on going to Vancouver next week for a 2 week trip. Is this going to be a problem? I am sending a photocopy so I will still have my passport. I don't see why this would be an issue, but I just wanted to make sure. As excited as I am about getting my permanent residence, not being able to take this trip would be quite a bummer.

My next question is regarding how soon we need to be living in canada. I was not expecting this to go through until the end of the year, and was hoping not to move until january. Moving before then is going to be really hard. Do they want you to move right away or can you take your time? My husband has his US residency so fortunately we are not in a big hurry.

 

[achander]

Hey,

I don't think your trip should be an issue. I got my email in Feb and i took a week long trip to Toronto. I only sent in the docs once i got back. I think the email tells u to send in the docs within 60 days, right? if so, you are good. Secondly, i think your COPR (confirmation of permanent residence) document, the one you will get once u sent in your photocopies, is valid for 6 months i think. But you should make sure once u get it. I am not sure about end of the year or January, but you will have some time.

good luck
cheers

 

[Isometry]

You should be fine. You can travel with your passport just fine, since you're not mailing it off.

You'll be given a date that you need to land by. This is usually either 1 year from the date of your medical or when your passport expires, whichever is first, and you MUST land by that date, or you might have to start the application process over from the beginning. You can land without moving--cross the border, then go back and wrap up your affairs in the US. If you want to land before you move, you will still need to fill out your B4 to avoid paying customs on the items that you're importing, once you do move.

 

[padgett]

Great! Thank you! In the email that I got they gave me until october 16th to land. The trip I have coming up is just me and my husband. We have another trip planned to toronto in august with my children. I am wondering if this will count as landing, since we will all be present? Can we do this at the airport? I will have my b4 filled out. It would definitely save me an extra trip if we can do it this way.

 

[Isometry]

You'll need to bring your COPR as well, and tell the officer at the border that you're landing (you can enter Canada after getting your COPR without actually landing).

They'll probably send you to a separate immigration area, and you fill out some paperwork. My landing took about half an hour, and from what I've read on these forums this is typical. I think most airports that have a customs area will allow this, but if you're not sure if the airport that you'll be landing at will accommodate you landing as a PR, call them and ask!