Papers In Hand - What's next?

[cri311]

Hi Everybody,

I recently received my paperwork for permanent residency. I'm due back in Canada in September and have no idea what's in store for me.

I understand I will need to go to a different section in the customs at the airport and hand in the letter the Immigration sent me. But what happens then?

Will I receive my Social Security number right away? How soon will I be able to work?

I would really appreciate if anybody could guide me a bit as I'm pretty confused at this point.

Thanks everyone!

 

[TSauretBaxter]

Hi Everybody,

I recently received my paperwork for permanent residency. I'm due back in Canada in September and have no idea what's in store for me.

I understand I will need to go to a different section in the customs at the airport and hand in the letter the Immigration sent me. But what happens then?

Will I receive my Social Security number right away? How soon will I be able to work?

I would really appreciate if anybody could guide me a bit as I'm pretty confused at this point.

Thanks everyone!

To get your SIN # you need to go to a Service Canada office. They will give you your number the same day. You will receive your card later on in the mail.

I have copied some notes I kept about someone's landing experience that may be helpful:

• When you first arrive at an airport, you are directed to a CBSA Officer who checks your Customs Declaration card (you will be provided with this card on your flight). When they ask "purpose of travel" and you answer that you are arriving to begin PR, they will make markings on your card and direct you into a line where the card is checked again and you are then directed to Immigration (as I recall a huge "I" was marked and circled on my Declaration card).

At Immigration, you are then processed by another CBSA Officer, who will ask you to confirm the details on your COPR, such as name, intended address in Canada, presence of any dependents not listed. You will be asked to sign next to all your answers and sign the bottom of the COPR (both copies). Your visa will be cancelled, and your passport stamped with your arrival date. He/she may also explain your residency obligation (mine did). You will then be directed to the baggage area to claim your bags.

Once you have your bags, you then go to a third CBSA officer, who examines your luggage and your B4 and B4A forms (if you have goods to follow). You will be given a receipt from the Customs Officer, showing the total value in Canadian dollars of your imported items. After that, it's "Welcome to Canada!" and off you go on your way.

 

[Leon]

I'd like to add to that that in order to find a Service Canada office to get your SIN, you can look here: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/cgi-bin/sc-srch.cgi

You will get the number as soon as you apply and then you can start working right away.

You should also look into applying for health care. Depending on the province, you may have to wait for 3 months before you get covered.

 

[lunas]

I just wanted to say Congratulations!

 

[truesmile]

TSB - how about your PR card? I just read on another post that you may not have that for several months. How about in your case? I didn't realize getting that one was separate from "landing".

 

[cri311]

Hi Everybody,

Thanks so much for your replies! At least I have an idea what to expect now! It was pretty scary not knowing anything...

My stuff was already sent to Canada, I kept the papers with me just in case they ask me when I land. All I will have with me is my luggage with clothes and a few presents and speciality foods for my husband, hopefully I don't get in trouble/taxed for that!!

I have no idea about the PR card, if any of you know how that works, I would really appreciated it if you could enlighten me!

Thanks again!

 

[Leon]

They will send you the PR card in the mail around 3 months after you land.

 

[Isometry]

When you land, they will confirm your address in Canada, and then mail the PR card there. As Leon stated, that's currently taking a couple months.

Before you get the PR card, you can use the stapled COPR/visa as proof of permanent residency for most things. You'll be a PR once you've landed, even before the card gets to you, so you can get your SIN, work, etc right away.

 

[cri311]

Thanks so much everybody! Can't wait to get this all done and settled!

 

[achander]

This is my experience:

Landed in the airport, told immigration officer i'm landing as a PR, he will redirect to the immigration section. Here you will go through the formalities i.e verification of documents, he will ask your mailing address etc etc (pretty straight forward). You will not get your SIN# here.

You should then go to CIC and get ur SIN#, they will give u the number on the spot but card will be mailed to you in about 10 days. Also get your health card ASAP and anything else you might need.

Remember, your PR card will be mailed to you to the address you give the Immigration officer. Now getting PR card has a wait of about 45-60 days. If you are not planning to leave the country anytime soon...you should be all set!

Good luck!!

 

[PMM]

Hi

This is my experience:

Landed in the airport, told immigration officer i'm landing as a PR, he will redirect to the immigration section. Here you will go through the formalities i.e verification of documents, he will ask your mailing address etc etc (pretty straight forward). You will not get your SIN# here.

You should then go to CIC and get ur SIN#, they will give u the number on the spot but card will be mailed to you in about 10 days. Also get your health card ASAP and anything else you might need.

Remember, your PR card will be mailed to you to the address you give the Immigration officer. Now getting PR card has a wait of about 45-60 days. If you are not planning to leave the country anytime soon...you should be all set!

Good luck!!

Actually you go to a Service Canada office, not CIC to apply for your SIN

 

[achander]

Damn, I meant to say Service Canada and not CIC...my bad