Possible to move before I receive PR?

[Erica81]

Hi everyone!
I am from Sweden and I made my first application for PR in January 2014. The second application (for Quebec) was received in March 2014, which apparently is the date from where they count the waiting time. So that means that it now has been more than 11 months of waiting. Now I am very anxious to move because I don't have a job here anymore and I have no idea how much longer it will take for me to get the PR.

So my questions are: Is there anyone that has experience with moving before the PR has arrived? Are there any problems that could come with doing that? Would it for example look strange for me to bring all my belongings (four bags, no furniture or anything like that) with me?

Thanks!
/Erica

 

[rhcohen2014]

until you are approved for PR, you can not "move" to canada. you CAN "visit" canada, however, if you intend to bring all of your belongings you are asking for trouble at the border. "visitors" don't travel with all their worldly possessions, and it is a huge red flag at the border. if you come to canada before you are approved for pr and you bring all your possession, more than likely, you will be denied entry into canada.

 

[tink23]

CBSA does not like it if you move before you have PR. You may, however, "visit" until your PR is approved. If it takes longer than the typical 6 months that granted as a visitor, you can renew your visitor status and extend your visit. You must apply to do that about 1 month before your initial status expires. Since you've already been waiting for 11 months, hopefully u won't even have to worry about that.

 

[Erica81]

Thank you for replying!

As I said, I am "only" bringing three bags plus cabin bag. Could that pass for just visiting you think? I figure if a person would visit for let's say three months, you could need that much?

 

[rhcohen2014]

Thank you for replying!

As I said, I am "only" bringing three bags plus cabin bag. Could that pass for just visiting you think? I figure if a person would visit for let's say three months, you could need that much?

possibly. quite honestly, it doesn't matter what we say. your entry is at the discretion of the immigration officer who greets you. if they go through your bags and decide you are bringing in more than what a typical tourist would for the amount of time you are seeking entry for, they could still give you a hard time. the only way to know for sure is to go to the border and see what happens.

 

[birdboy008]

Can you come with 1 bag plus carry on and then have the other 2 shipped over after you are here? That's what I would do.