Landing in Canada to fulfill Landing obligation (only)

[busycheetah]

Dear Forum Members,

We have received our COPR and Immigrant Visas; planning to land in Toronto and staying on for about 2-3 weeks before we return to our current place of residence.

Here is our plan:

• 1. Land before the expiry of COPR document
• 2. Apply for SIN, PR Cards, open a Bank a/c, etc
• 3. Explore the city and possibly other provinces to see where we would like to ultimately settle
• 4. Exit Canada (without PR Card, which will be delivered to a family member in due course and brought back to us before we travel back to Canada) and return to current city of residence.

Here are my questions:

• 1. I read that one is required to bring a list of items to follow. The caveat in our case is that we will take about 2 years to finally wrap up our affairs and move to Canada for good. This means, there is no list of items to follow (at least for now).
• Do we carry a vague list that may change?
• Will we be questioned about why we are not moving for good at the time of landing? We will of course state the truth that we have a toddler and moving in the next 6 months (validity of COPR) may not be possible as we need more time to wrap up affairs in the country of (current) domicile. Could there be an objection?

Proof of Finances

• We plan to carry a few Manager Cheques (multiple cheques of smaller denominations)
• I plan to continue using my account in my country of residence. My bank offers international transfers - which means I have access to my funds anywhere in the world. Would not carrying cash/manager's cheques, etc be seen as insufficient funds in the eyes of the immigration officer?
• I have a valid credit cards

What do you think of the plan. Please feel free to recommend alternate/better ways to go about this.

 

[rish888]

Hi there, it's ok to do your landing and then exit Canada to wrap up your affairs.

Just make sure that you move to Canada within 3 years of your date of landing so you meet your residency obligations.

When questioned by the officer, say the truth, that you have come to do your landing and will stay for a little bit before going back home to wrap up affairs.

You should be fine and I wouldn't worry.

 

[rish888]

As far as the items to follow, tell the officer everything you have on your person, and as for the items to follow, just say at this this you are not importing anything.

The items to follow is more for tax purposes rather than PR status.

 

[HamiltonApplicant]

Q.I read that one is required to bring a list of items to follow. The caveat in our case is that we will take about 2 years to finally wrap up our affairs and move to Canada for good. This means, there is no list of items to follow (at least for now). Do we carry a vague list that may change?
A. If you are planning to bring expensive items like Car, Jewelry, Heavy duty electronics, etc you better make a list now and declare as items to follow. If not, you might end up paying import duty when you move to Canada for good. Also make a vague list of less expensive items of like clothes, furniture, etc. Provide higher estimate...

Q.Will we be questioned about why we are not moving for good at the time of landing? We will of course state the truth that we have a toddler and moving in the next 6 months (validity of COPR) may not be possible as we need more time to wrap up affairs in the country of (current) domicile. Could there be an objection?
A.No objection! The immigration officers are very familiar with the process and how people do it, you are not alone, many people have already done and the officers are aware of this. Only problem in divulging the fact that you are not moving permanently is the PR card application. I was told that I cannot apply for PR card under similar conditions. Some officer allow you to apply for PR card, some don't...

good luck!

 

[busycheetah]

Hi HamiltonApplicant!

You said you faced a problem and weren't allowed to apply for the PR Card? How did you manage in that case? It's a catch 22 situation because I will not lie about moving there permanently, immediately. However, with a 2 year old son, my job and my wife's job, we can't just uproot ourselves in the middle of the year and just leave. What do you recommend we do? Relying purely on the officer's discretion is really gonna be bad, planning-wise.

We will not be bringing a lot of expensive items; just my wife's jewelry, our personal computers, PS3 and PS4 and my camera equipment. I don't mind declaring any of these items. Do you think we should simply carry this list of items and proceed without stating our eventual plan? Technically, withholding the truth is lying too. What do we do if they refuse to allow us to apply for the PR card?!

 

[Rob_TO]

It's a catch 22 situation because I will not lie about moving there permanently,

Why even mention it to begin with?? Since this issue can create complications, it's best to just keep quiet about it unless asked. Not volunteering info when not asked is not lying. Only if specifically asked would you then need to explain your intentions honestly.

 

[HamiltonApplicant]

You said you faced a problem and weren't allowed to apply for the PR Card? How did you manage in that case?
Answer: This is not a big problem to manage, I made my landing, returned to the US 3 days later without applying for PR card.
When I moved to Canada for good after a good two years, I crossed the border at peace bridge showing the form 5292 Confirmation of Permanent resident

It's a catch 22 situation because I will not lie about moving there permanently, immediately. However, with a 2 year old son, my job and my wife's job, we can't just uproot ourselves in the middle of the year and just leave. What do you recommend we do? Relying purely on the officer's discretion is really gonna be bad, planning-wise.
Answer: I cannot predict how the officer is going to react, I know people who were allowed to apply for the PR card even though the made it perfectly clear that I will be leaving Canada immediately after making the landing. As I said above, PR card is necessary only if you will be coming to Canada later by a commercial vehicle like airplane or ferry. I my case, I knew that I will be entering by my own car, so PR card did not matter to me...

We will not be bringing a lot of expensive items; just my wife's jewelry, our personal computers, PS3 and PS4 and my camera equipment. I don't mind declaring any of these items. Do you think we should simply carry this list of items and proceed without stating our eventual plan? Technically, withholding the truth is lying too. What do we do if they refuse to allow us to apply for the PR card?!
Answer: Make a goods to follow list as accurate as possible, goods to follow has nothing to do with permanent move. Even people who moving to Canada for good prepare goods to follow. Example: People fly to Canada, and send their stuff by cargo ship!

 

[coffeeguy]

Hey! I found this topic pretty interesting as I'm on a similar situation.

Do you guys know if, under a common law relationship, would be fine if we arrived in Canada on separate dates? For instance, if I got here a month before my common law partner did.

Or even, if it would be fine for one of us to return after landing to wrap things up back home while the other carries on with stuff inside Canada?

Thanks!
Cheers

 

[Leolaz27]

I am following this discussion...my in laws have just received approval for PR status but are not ready to make permanent move by the expiry date (September) so they plan to come before the expiry date and stay for a few months to obtain the PR card then go back home to tie up all affairs before coming to Canada permanently.

I am assuming they are not required to show their funds as they are being sponsored by us so they can move their funds at a later date? Once they sell their house etc.

Any info regarding this situation with sponsored parents would be much appreciated!
Leo