Must you land the next time you enter Canada?

[can_usa_97]

We were thinking about taking a trip in November, to visit family - we need my visa yet, but it's likely to come in the next 30 days - I hope! when we intended on going. But, we'd like for my husband to look for work before we move, if possible, and our home to sell.

Can we go back to visit, and not land?
I have both a passport book and a passport card.
Could I just use passport card for land travel to admit into Canada and then the passport book when we land/move at the later date?

Thanks!

 

[USA2BCCANADA]

Yes, I actually called border services just last week with this same question. They told me to just say that I don't wish to land at this time and and declare myself as a visitor.

I'm going up next weekend to find somewhere to live and I'm not ready to make my goods to follow list so I didn't want to officially land and he said that was no problem at all.

 

[AllisonVSC]

Yep, just tell the border guard your intention is to land at a later date.

 

[can_usa_97]

Thank you ladies, I remember one of you had asked the same question previously but I could not remember the outcome and searching for it - I couldn't find it. I got replies about landing experiences and after 5 pages, I was done. Thanks much.

I also couldn't get my head around why they might say no. I mean it seems smart to go ahead and sort things out like a permanent address, before landing for your PR card to be sent to and such. Hubby maybe can setup an account while he's there being a citizen, ect.

 

[Pharoh]

I need some advice in this regard. As I understand it, from the date of getting your visa from Buffalo, you have 30 days to "land"? I was planning on picking up my visa from Buffalo, "landing" (since the border is right there), then re-entering the States, to figure out my move and all that stuff. Is this not very practical?

 

[can_usa_97]

I need some advice in this regard. As I understand it, from the date of getting your visa from Buffalo, you have 30 days to "land"? I was planning on picking up my visa from Buffalo, "landing" (since the border is right there), then re-entering the States, to figure out my move and all that stuff. Is this not very practical?

For - at least fFamilly Class -

You must land in Canada before the expiry date, which appears on your Canada Immigration Visa. Usually, the expiry date is one year from the time medical examinations were completed. As this is not always the case, be sure to verify the expiry date as soon as you receive your Canada Immigration Visa.

In my opinion, it's not practical - simply because I personally am moving a 4+ bedroom home and two vehicles. It just makes me stressed out thinking about that. But, that said, it is doable. You'd need to have everything you were intending on bringing with you on a goods to follow list and be prepared to explain why you are - as well as if you are bringing a car - you won't from reading other posts, be able to drive a car you intend on importing (if you plan to) in Canada again, til you do import it. They may flag your vehicle - I read in another thread.

 

[Pharoh]

For - at least fFamilly Class -

In my opinion, it's not practical - simply because I personally am moving a 4+ bedroom home and two vehicles. It just makes me stressed out thinking about that. But, that said, it is doable. You'd need to have everything you were intending on bringing with you on a goods to follow list and be prepared to explain why you are - as well as if you are bringing a car - you won't from reading other posts, be able to drive a car you intend on importing (if you plan to) in Canada again, til you do import it. They may flag your vehicle - I read in another thread.

Hmmm. I thought it was 30 days for some reason. I'm not sure where I read that. Anyways, if it's a year, I might as well land when I'm actually moving up, that way I have everything with me, an there's no problem importing my vehicle.

 

[can_usa_97]

Hmmm. I thought it was 30 days for some reason. I'm not sure where I read that. Anyways, if it's a year, I might as well land when I'm actually moving up, that way I have everything with me, an there's no problem importing my vehicle.

Yeah, I am waiting till I can move move - in your case, you'll likely have till Feb. 10th, 2011 then.

 

[can_usa_97]

Do you think I should use my passport card then, or my passport book?
We will be driving so I can use just the card, and my kids have just cards. Though they require just their birth certificates regardless. Hubby has a green card. Then I won't have to worry about the visa being affixed at all?
Or am I misrepresenting myself somehow?