Outbound living in Canada. We crossed the boarder

[Eeriest Elk]

I have a six month VISA. Still waiting for my PR. We crossed the boarder into Canada on August 9th.

Using the BC address on the boarder paperwork for the car for proof of residency, we had already secured a place to stay prior, my Canadian born wife was able to get her Social Insurance Number (SIN). This in turn allowed her to get a chequing\saving account with CIBC. By this time we had our long term lease agreement in hand as well. As it turns out I could be on the account as well! Bonus!

Next up was her Drivers license. Her Oregon license means she can just switch out hers with a couple of questions. This was by far the easiest document to secure. The most difficult will be the BC cares card for the provincial health coverage. We applied for and are waiting for proof of citizenship cards for our kids. We filled out the paperwork as much as we could, then we were informed that there is a three month waiting period for coverage. Also, they may not process anything until all the paperwork has arrived. So that means the proof of citizenship and my PR. If the CIC website is correct we will get the proof cards sometime in December and my PR next March! Which means no coverage until June 2014!!!

So we have purchased private insurance to cover us for the time being.

Enrolling my 15 year old into school was next. We had already spoken to his instructor (he is special needs). We had to go to the "Welcoming Centre" and provide them with nearly all our identity documents.

 

[Sweden]

Hey fellow BC resident!

MSP workers are not very aware of all the rules, and you might have to push a little, and ask to speak to a supervisor, BUT - you can, and should, get coverage BEFORE that.

Basically - your waiting period (as a PR applicant) starts from when CIC has received your application - so you can use the sponsor approval letter as a starting date, and you add the end of the remaining month + 2 months.
Here is the link to the article that you will need to quote. basically - once your wife has coverage (2 months + remaining of August, so starting 1st November), you and the kids should have access to it as well. http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/pdf/covering-a-spouse-or-child-who-is-an-applicant-for-permanent-resident-status-in-canada.pdf

so whenever your PR comes through - you should already be covered by MSP.

For the kids proof of citizenship: you can apply for an urgent processing, based on the fact that you need the papers to get healthcare coverage for them. It might not work, but always worth a try, especially because they might argue that you could have applied before etc. But anyway - give it a try! http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/urgent-proof.asp getting healthcare is actually stated as one of the reasons to get an urgent processing, so it might work.

Good luck settling in and welcome to Canada!
Sweden

 

[Eeriest Elk]

Hey Sweden, if your ever in Kelowna, I'd like to buy you a double double!

We applied for Proof of Citizenship in February 2013 (while still living in Oregon). Thanks for the links.

 

[Sweden]

Hope it works! if you're having troubles with MSP, let me know (private message might be easier), but if you ask to talk to a supervisor they are usually aware of the rules.
Good luck!
Sweden