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Questions about finally moving to Canada

gauravbajaj25

Member
Jul 9, 2018
12
0
I completed my soft landing in July 2016 and my PR card is valid until Aug 2021. We're planning to finally move to Canada by June 2019 and spend at the least the next 2 years so we can renew our PR after meeting the residency requirements. Questions:
1. While crossing over to Vancouver, we were flagged by CBP and asked why we haven't moved to Canada yet. We told them that we plan to move in June/July after the school year ends in US. The officer said that he has put a note on our file indicating that we haven't immigrated to Canada yet. Does this cause any problem if we move in June/June this year? We're planning to meet the residency requirements and apply for extension in 2021?
2. When we move in June/July - do we need to notify CBP of our final move? In other words, for anything that we ship from the US - who do we notify?
3. Over the next couple of months, I will be going back and forth between US and Canada and staying with a friend while I'm in Canada. Can I apply for BC health card now and provide my friends address (my temporary address) in the application?
 

APPNOV2014NY

VIP Member
Nov 21, 2014
3,005
1,099
1. No as long as you meet residency obligation
2. No, unless you are exporting car. If you are exporting car then you will need to visit US customs.
 

gauravbajaj25

Member
Jul 9, 2018
12
0
1. No as long as you meet residency obligation
2. No, unless you are exporting car. If you are exporting car then you will need to visit US customs.
Thanks for your reply. I'm not sure about importing the car yet. What about furniture etc.? Planning to drive a U-Haul across the border.
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
55,632
13,535
Expiry date on your PR card is not what counts for RO it is your landing date. You must be in Canada for 730 days between July 2016 to July 2021. Not sure how much time you have already spent in Canada but your timeline doesn't leave much room for travel whether it be for family reasons or business. Given that you have already been flagged you should make sure you are always in compliance.
 

gauravbajaj25

Member
Jul 9, 2018
12
0
Expiry date on your PR card is not what counts for RO it is your landing date. You must be in Canada for 730 days between July 2016 to July 2021. Not sure how much time you have already spent in Canada but your timeline doesn't leave much room for travel whether it be for family reasons or business. Given that you have already been flagged you should make sure you are always in compliance.
Thanks. I have spent about a month and a half in Canada already and with the move in June, I will get a total buffer of about 3 months for travel outside Canada. If I move my stuff in a U-Haul across the border crossing, will I need to go into secondary and declare the items?
 

lampbreaker

Champion Member
Apr 7, 2015
1,734
378
CBP is a US agency, so their flagging may not matter. But US and Canada do share information, so we don't know. However, as others have said, you have to meet the residency obligation in order to keep your PR.
 

Svanbavel1

Full Member
May 12, 2018
31
6
Halifax, Nova Scotia
I completed my soft landing in July 2016 and my PR card is valid until Aug 2021. We're planning to finally move to Canada by June 2019 and spend at the least the next 2 years so we can renew our PR after meeting the residency requirements. Questions:
1. While crossing over to Vancouver, we were flagged by CBP and asked why we haven't moved to Canada yet. We told them that we plan to move in June/July after the school year ends in US. The officer said that he has put a note on our file indicating that we haven't immigrated to Canada yet. Does this cause any problem if we move in June/June this year? We're planning to meet the residency requirements and apply for extension in 2021?
2. When we move in June/July - do we need to notify CBP of our final move? In other words, for anything that we ship from the US - who do we notify?
3. Over the next couple of months, I will be going back and forth between US and Canada and staying with a friend while I'm in Canada. Can I apply for BC health card now and provide my friends address (my temporary address) in the application?

When you did your original soft landing in 2016, did you provide a "goods to follow" list?? If not, it is possible to be taxed on an goods you bring into Canada upon moving. If you get your health card you can provide any address you want to use and they will ask if you are living in Canada now. I just don't know if there are rules against having health care in both the US and Canada at the same time. Just remember, you will then have to file 2 tax returns moving forward once you claim you live in Canada. :) Oh the joys of being a US citizen lol
 

APPNOV2014NY

VIP Member
Nov 21, 2014
3,005
1,099
When you did your original soft landing in 2016, did you provide a "goods to follow" list?? If not, it is possible to be taxed on an goods you bring into Canada upon moving. If you get your health card you can provide any address you want to use and they will ask if you are living in Canada now. I just don't know if there are rules against having health care in both the US and Canada at the same time. Just remember, you will then have to file 2 tax returns moving forward once you claim you live in Canada. :) Oh the joys of being a US citizen lol
I ( and many others) intentionally didn't submit goods to follow at the time of soft landing, got it stamped in later visit and moved goods duty free. One can get custom documents any time from soft landing to permanent move.
 

haideriqbal

Star Member
Mar 26, 2017
84
49
I ( and many others) intentionally didn't submit goods to follow at the time of soft landing, got it stamped in later visit and moved goods duty free. One can get custom documents any time from soft landing to permanent move.
What if I got the list stamped in the soft landing but want to bring in more stuff when moving permanently?