Landing in Quebec, CSQ holder, Questions!

[pedi123]

Hi all,

I'd applied for Quebec immigration as skilled worker and have just received my permanent resident visa. I've got a question about the process of landing in Montréal with my visa and CSQ.

As I'm still working here in Switzerland and have quite some stuff to do before moving to Canada, I'm planning to land in Quebec late summer, stay there for just a week (can't stay more due to work issues), and then return to Switzerland. My ultimate move to Canada might be delayed one or even two years after I land. So my questions are:

- Is there any chance that I receive the PR card within one week? If not, would it be possible (and safe!) that a friend of mine (whom his address I give to the officer for mailing the PR card) send it to me by post after it has arrived, or should I sign something there in person?

- Are there any other formalities that I should do (or I better do!) there before leaving Canada, knowing that I might be back in 1-2 years? (e.g., do I already have to apply for SIN, register at some places, open a bank account, change driver's license, etc?!)

- Do I have to pay any sort of taxes/fees during the 1-2 years while I've not yet moved to Canada?

- Finally, would it suffice to show a bank statement of my Swiss bank account at arrival as the proof of funds? I'm not planning to take any large amounts of cash...

Thanks a lot for your helps!

 

[ronline]

I am subscribing to this topic because I am in exactly the same situation.
I will have to go to Montreal with my permanent visa and CSQ just to pick up the permanent resident card.
Then I have to flight back to EU before the beginning of September 2012 to start a Master in IT.
I have will move permanently to Canada after having finished the studies in September 2013.

 

[lepatissier07]

hi there,

i can tell you as much as I know:

Question 1: I don't think so that you will receive you PR Card within 1 week, it'll take currently about/min 3-4 weeks. Yes, after you've
landed, you can give an address of a friend who lives in Canada, and he can send it to you later. Make sure it'll be sent
tracked or similar (Fedex) you don't want to lose this one.

Question 2: Bank account can be useful to make money transfers for the future (before you come back to have cash). SIN not a
necessity AS LONG AS YOU DON'T WORK, it'll take also about 2-4 weeks ! But i'm not sure if you need the
address of yours' or a friend for that one. Drivers License should be fine. You could get at least
an international DL, (just a translation of your current DL) to possibly make things easier in case you get stopped by the police.

Question 3: As much as I know, If you don't work or have any property in Canada, there aren't any taxes to pay.

Question 4: A Certified Bank statement would be useful as proof of funds.


Appendix: You've mentioned (...if i come back 1-2years...) , be aware that have to be a certain amount of time in Canada to keep
your status (2 out of 5 years)....

As long as you've landed and did the formalities/paperwork, the counter starts at that day.

hope it helps...

if anyone wants to correct me,....go for it... every day is a school day.

 

[pedi123]

Hello,

Thanks a lot for the reply. I'm actually going to land in about a month. Just one urgent question as I'm now buying my plane tickets: Would it be enough if I stay in Montreal only for two working days (considering the formalities, things I should do, etc.)? I've heard that there is a course/session or something like that (about integration in Quebec), that we should attend after we arrive, and it seems obligatory! So again a few questions:

- Will I be able to register for this session right for the day after I arrive, or is it possible that it's fully booked for those days?!

- Which bank do you suggest for opening an account, and do they have monthly charges on the account as well?

- If I apply for SIN (and finally do you think it's better to do that?), can it also be posted to my friend's address or will I receive it right away?

- How much should there be on my bank account (for the bank statement), knowing that I will come back after a few days and do not plan to stay long for now?

- Which area would be suitable for booking a hotel, so that I'll be close to all commodities for doing all necessary things? (e.g., bank, driving license, SIN,...)

- I suppose I do not need to apply for any kind of insurance for now, right?!

- Finally, do you think all the administrative procedure, courses, etc., would fit in two working days?

Thanks a lot!

 

[lepatissier07]

hi pedi123,

One thing i just remember regarding your PR Card. There is also a "URGENT" way to get it faster, definitely within 1 week, tops 2 weeks. You will need to provide a RETURN Ticket to your Country, to show that it is urgent for you to leave. Check CIC for more details regarding this!

Question 1: Register for Session/Integration... don't know that one, never heard before. Can't advise.

Question 2: Personally, i wasn't (!) happy with DesJardins Bank, which is only for Quebec! If you go on Vacation in other provinces you
possibly will have fees for using another Banks' ATM. I changed recently to RBC, which I had a couple of years ago,
i was satisfied with them, and there are more branches all over the place. I've heard rumors from other friends, not to take
CIBC, they apparently spam you with customer calls blablabla... RBC has currently a 4$/Month bank account. Have a look,
should suffice. Again, an RELIABLE address where they send you your DEBIT Card.

Question 3: The SIN (number!) you should get the same day, the CARD will take 2-3 weeks. For the SIN you will need your DOC's....
like Landing Papers ect... Address, i don't know. you could possibly give a friends address for sending the card, but do not
forget to change it if you come back and start working. I don't know, Can't advise!!

Question 3: As you possibly know, Downtown is the best place for a room close to all Facilities, but will be way too expensive.
The Metro will bring to all the important places,that'll do it.

Question 4: Well, travel insurance is always recommmended. Regarding the "Carte de Soleil" RAMQ... haven't done it yet, don't know.
i will know more i a couple of months when i get my PR.

Question 5 : 2-3days for all formalities are very tight, possibly impossible. i don't think you will get this done so fast.
Where i wanted to open my bank account i needed to take an appointment, it was 1 week later!


Sry, couldn't answer everything, maybe somebody will else help with the remaining issues.

readya,

 

[pedi123]

Hello,

Thank you so much for your help and complete answers. Regarding the time limit, I guess I try to get SIN, and also a bank account (if possible taking an appointment in advance before flying there!). However, what I'm more concerned about, is whether there would be anything CRITICAL that should be done, and not feasible in two days? And by critical, I mean resulting in a delay/problem in receiving my PR or causing trouble if I pursue those formalities after 1-2 years (and not now). From your response I assume that even getting the SIN is not an obligation RIGHT AFTER ARRIVAL (and neither getting a bank account or driving license) and can be done next year, and the only crucial part is the LANDING and airport formalities. Am I right?!

Thanks!

 

[lepatissier07]

Hi pedi123,

yeah, i think the SIN would be the critical one, so you're there and "registered". The bank account, Drivers License, as you said, is not an obligation, it can wait.

There shouldn't be any problems with your PR, you do your landing, get the formalities done, give an address for where to send the PR Card, and thats it. The day(s) after you take care of your SIN (and Card), and that should be it for starters. try to come in the morning for you SIN, there's a good chance you will leave after 30-45min. Service Canada in Montreal is at Complexe/Place Guy Favreau, downstairs, if i remember right, they are actually pretty fast.

Just by the way, you have, if i remember right, up to 12months to land with your PR! Double check at CIC ! Meaning, it isn't a necessity to land straight away! Technically, you could wait until "next year" to land. I don't know your plans, but, if you land already, but you go back to your country, you'll lose already a 1 year stay in Canada, which counts towards your Citizenship! Do the math. Just by the way.

greetings..

Live long and prosper.

 

[pedi123]

Thank you so much. I'm now more relieved and relaxed And thanks for the contact, I'll try to be as fast as I can during those two days

And about the landing, actually I'm towards the end of the validity of my visa, i.e., I've done the medical last October, and I've been waiting already for almost a year to use this one-year period! But I still got things to do here, so I'm afraid I'll lose this first year towards citizenship anyway, but no worries

Thanks again for everything!

 

[lepatissier07]

no worries.