PR Landing By Road - Questions/Need Help

[Helios24]

Hey Everyone,

I'm looking to complete my landing process via road, I've read a bit on here on the process but have seen conflicting information. So I was hoping the experts on here can shed some light on this, here are some questions I had:

I will be driving from the US via Buffalo in my own car, will it be OK if I were to declare the vehicle as goods to follow on the form but not complete the import/export process right now, since I won't be completely moving as yet ? If there are no problems associated with this, then how long do I have to move the vehicle to Canada before I get charged import duties?

Second and more importantly, for my landing, I only intend to be in Canada for about 2 weeks before I return back to the US(I will be moving permanently within a year), as the sole purpose of my visit would be to complete my landing. I have read that the PR card process won't be initiated/the form won't be given to fill if I state that I'll only be there for a few weeks. I know the card can take 1-3 months to arrive at the provided address, which isn't an issue. I just wanted to know if the Border officers would prevent me from initiating the PR card due to this at all.

Lastly, besides the proof of funds, passport, COPR, what documents/forms would I need to carry with me at the border ?

Would really appreciate any help/suggestions on this.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Helios24]

1) I can't help you with this - maybe check the customs website?

2) You have two options: you can provide a friend's or relative's address and have it sent there. Alternatively, you can tell the officer you do not have an address yet. In that case, they will give you an "address to follow" form. You can fill this in when you do have a permanent address in Canada. However, bear in mind that if this happens more than 180 days after your initial landing, you will need to apply for a PR card and pay a fee.

3) That about covers it.

Thanks for your response Dan, the address isn't an issue as I have family in Canada which is where I'll have the PR card sent to. I was just wondering if the Officer at the border can deny me the PR card form if I only intend to be there for 2 weeks. Again this is what I've read on here, and I've read posts stating otherwise as well, so I'm not sure what to go by.

Apart from that, hoping someone can answer question #1 then if possible.

 

[sammy1976]

Hey Everyone,

I'm looking to complete my landing process via road, I've read a bit on here on the process but have seen conflicting information. So I was hoping the experts on here can shed some light on this, here are some questions I had:

I will be driving from the US via Buffalo in my own car, will it be OK if I were to declare the vehicle as goods to follow on the form but not complete the import/export process right now, since I won't be completely moving as yet ? If there are no problems associated with this, then how long do I have to move the vehicle to Canada before I get charged import duties?

Second and more importantly, for my landing, I only intend to be in Canada for about 2 weeks before I return back to the US(I will be moving permanently within a year), as the sole purpose of my visit would be to complete my landing. I have read that the PR card process won't be initiated/the form won't be given to fill if I state that I'll only be there for a few weeks. I know the card can take 1-3 months to arrive at the provided address, which isn't an issue. I just wanted to know if the Border officers would prevent me from initiating the PR card due to this at all.

Lastly, besides the proof of funds, passport, COPR, what documents/forms would I need to carry with me at the border ?

Would really appreciate any help/suggestions on this.

Thanks in advance!

1. During entering Canada you must fill form and state all stuff you r bringing from other country declare all goods and estimated arrival date so you will needn't to pay custom otherwise u have to pay custom you can provide estimated date within one year of entering first time.

2. Come inside Canada apply sin, health card, pr card on Canada address and tell you friend or relative to post it to you via FedEx or some good company for safety purpose and it is legal to post it.

3. You need 4 recent photo 50mmX70mm name and date of studio must be printed behind they don't take these pics but you need those to apply pr card and other stuff.

Have good luck for you pr and welcome to Canada

 

[Tubsmagee]

I will be driving from the US via Buffalo in my own car, will it be OK if I were to declare the vehicle as goods to follow on the form but not complete the import/export process right now, since I won't be completely moving as yet ? If there are no problems associated with this, then how long do I have to move the vehicle to Canada before I get charged import duties?

I didn't have my paperwork completeld correctly for export/import of car, and they wouldn't let me drive it across. I had to store it on the US side for about three months before he paperwork was completed (which is normally very simple). At that time I was told there was no way to cross over with the vehicle when landing without importing, and warned that if I were to try to bring it over prior to importing that there would be significant issues. It's been 10 years so maybe things have changed and there is a way to do it, but I doubt it. Rent a car if possible, since that wouldn't be an issue.

 

[Helios24]

I didn't have my paperwork completeld correctly for export/import of car, and they wouldn't let me drive it across. I had to store it on the US side for about three months before he paperwork was completed (which is normally very simple). At that time I was told there was no way to cross over with the vehicle when landing without importing, and warned that if I were to try to bring it over prior to importing that there would be significant issues. It's been 10 years so maybe things have changed and there is a way to do it, but I doubt it. Rent a car if possible, since that wouldn't be an issue.

Appreciate the insight on this Tubsmagee, would it still be an issue if I don't declare this on the form and not have it as part of my move, as I currently own the car and am just using it as a means for transportation for my trip. Or will this still be an issue ?

As to Sammy1976's point, my understanding of this is if I were to declare this on the form, I have a year to complete import/export formalities or am I mistaken.

Is there a customer service number/email I can contact to get official word on this by any chance ?

 

[Helios24]

Once you become a PR, you are free to do what you please. This includes leaving Canada (even one hour after your initial landing). It is none of the officer's business what you do after you land (as long as it's legal, of course).

However, when it comes to the address for sending the PR card, if the officer is not convinced that you will live at the address you provide, he can refuse to accept the address and ask you to provide one at a later stage. If you can convince the officer that you will live at the address (even if only temporarily), there will be no issues.

Having said that, I don't recommend you lie to an officer. That's why I would do the following:

- When asked, provide the address of your friends / relatives.
- When the officer asks who lives there, say you will be staying with them temporarily (but don't say for how long) - make sure this is true, of course (even if only for the initial duration of a couple of weeks).
- Only if the officer presses you for how long you will stay there, you tell him that you will only be there for a couple of weeks. The officer may or may not accept this.

In any case, worst case outcome is that you will have to apply for your PR card when you finally move to Canada. Not the end of the world.

Thanks Dan, it's my sibling's address so that's not a lie and moreover I can carry their ID copies to prove relationship if need be. If asked I intended on telling the officer that I wanted to stay to get all my formalities settled first such as set up a Canadian bank account etc. and then make the trip back to get all my stuff to officially move. This may or may not be sufficient as you stated.

In case it isn't, if I were to leave, can I only enter back via Road then ? Since I won't have the PR card as the officer wasn't convinced ? Or how does it work.

 

[Tubsmagee]

Appreciate the insight on this Tubsmagee, would it still be an issue if I don't declare this on the form and not have it as part of my move, as I currently own the car and am just using it as a means for transportation for my trip. Or will this still be an issue ?

As to Sammy1976's point, my understanding of this is if I were to declare this on the form, I have a year to complete import/export formalities or am I mistaken.

Is there a customer service number/email I can contact to get official word on this by any chance ?

My understanding, which may be faulty by time, is that if you didn't declare it at landing, you wouldn't be able to import in same way, which would lead to other expenses.

 

[yodheydhara]

Guys, any idea on where I can find information for what needs to be done for car import export? I have already completed the landing and am back in the US. Now when I move to Canada for good, I plan to go by road. Hence, I am looking for what all needs to be done in order to export the car from US and import it into Canada.

Appreciate your help with information!

 

[swan0206]

Once you become a PR, you are free to do what you please. This includes leaving Canada (even one hour after your initial landing). It is none of the officer's business what you do after you land (as long as it's legal, of course).

However, when it comes to the address for sending the PR card, if the officer is not convinced that you will live at the address you provide, he can refuse to accept the address and ask you to provide one at a later stage. If you can convince the officer that you will live at the address (even if only temporarily), there will be no issues.

Having said that, I don't recommend you lie to an officer. That's why I would do the following:

- When asked, provide the address of your friends / relatives.
- When the officer asks who lives there, say you will be staying with them temporarily (but don't say for how long) - make sure this is true, of course (even if only for the initial duration of a couple of weeks).
- Only if the officer presses you for how long you will stay there, you tell him that you will only be there for a couple of weeks. The officer may or may not accept this.

In any case, worst case outcome is that you will have to apply for your PR card when you finally move to Canada. Not the end of the world.

Hi Dan,

Need your inputs on the below. We have a plan to travel to Montreal(Quebec via road) when i had my Visiting Visa. However, i got my COPR in meanwhile and now, i have to land in Montreal if i do not have to cancel our Trip.
However, my COPR has city of destination as Toronto, Ontario.

I have read in various forums saying that except Quebec we can land in any other province( Does this rule holds good even if we are landing via road). I stay in New jersey planning to drive and land in Montreal. Would that be fine or is it safe to land in Ontario only( i mean other than Quebec).

Please let us know your advice.

Thanks in advance