Spouse as visitor, ok to buy car open bank account?

[wyho007]

My spouse has only the BG check left. We plan to move back to Canada early next year. If COPR is not received by then, my spouse will enter as a visitor and flagpole later.

As a visitor, does it violate the "visiting" intent for her to:

1. buy a car and auto insurance? and
2. open a Canadian bank account and transfer her savings into that account?

 

[deep purple]

Tourists are not allowed to open bank accounts, buy properties or cars in Canada.

 

[scylla]

Tourists are not allowed to open bank accounts, buy properties or cars in Canada.

Tourists can certainly open bank accounts. Many of us here have done so successfully.

 

[scylla]

And they can certainly buy property...

 

[danawhitaker]

My spouse has only the BG check left. We plan to move back to Canada early next year. If COPR is not received by then, my spouse will enter as a visitor and flagpole later.

As a visitor, does it violate the "visiting" intent for her to:

1. buy a car and auto insurance? and
2. open a Canadian bank account and transfer her savings into that account?

From what other people say, it's possible to open a bank account. Just make sure you find the right bank. When I was in Canada for my wedding, we received a couple checks as gifts that were addressed to both my spouse and I, and BMO both refused to let my husband deposit them in his account and also refused to let us set up a joint account to deposit them into. We ended up having to contact the people who had sent them and ask them if they could send new checks written out just to him, which was awkward and annoying.

 

[profiler]

From what other people say, it's possible to open a bank account. Just make sure you find the right bank. When I was in Canada for my wedding, we received a couple checks as gifts that were addressed to both my spouse and I, and BMO both refused to let my husband deposit them in his account and also refused to let us set up a joint account to deposit them into. We ended up having to contact the people who had sent them and ask them if they could send new checks written out just to him, which was awkward and annoying.

BMO issued my wife (she's Russian, so expect more complication here) a chequing account in under 20 minutes; even without an initial deposit and no fees for a year. You need to have a temporary SIN though.

Visitors can buy, rent, etc. The bigger trouble may be getting auto insurance ...

 

[mcharade]

TD allowed me to open a bank account with two pieces of government ID. (I used my passport and American driver's license.) I didn't have any problems.

 

[scylla]

TD allowed me to open a bank account with two pieces of government ID. (I used my passport and American driver's license.) I didn't have any problems.

My husband did the same.

 

[browning911]

RBC allowed us to set up a joint chequing and savings account with no issues. Two pieces of photo identification were required.

 

[Ch1982]

I'm here as a visitor , have opened a joint bank account with my wife (canadian), bought a car registered it and insured it in my name. No problems.

 

[wyho007]

I'm here as a visitor , have opened a joint bank account with my wife (canadian), bought a car registered it and insured it in my name. No problems.

Which province are you in? Assuming you use an International Driver's License to buy a car and car insurance, do you have to pay much more in insurance and other fees?

Thanks!

 

[Bcboundboy]

Tourists are not allowed to open bank accounts, buy properties or cars in Canada.

No problem buying cars or getting insurance, or buying property. Visitors don't have SINs, which may make opening a bank account more complicated, as they really want one, even though they don't have the right to demand one. (not to take away from, obviously *can* be done. Basically, visitors are allowed to do all the things you claimed they're not).

 

[Bcboundboy]

Which province are you in? Assuming you use an International Driver's License to buy a car and car insurance, do you have to pay much more in insurance and other fees?

Thanks!

I bought a car on my UK licence in BC. No difference in fees.

 

[mad_hatter]

No problem buying cars or getting insurance, or buying property. Visitors don't have SINs, which may make opening a bank account more complicated, as they really want one, even though they don't have the right to demand one. (not to take away from, obviously *can* be done. Basically, visitors are allowed to do all the things you claimed they're not).

Nowadays, opening a bank account is a complicated affair. The bank will want the potential client to provide proof of address, can be in Canada or overseas, without it the bank will refuse. Also without SIN and Canada address, the bank will apply a 25% withholding tax on any earned interest. If the client is an American or US green card holder, there are additional requirements.

 

[wyho007]

Nowadays, opening a bank account is a complicated affair. The bank will want the potential client to provide proof of address, can be in Canada or overseas, without it the bank will refuse. Also without SIN and Canada address, the bank will apply a 25% withholding tax on any earned interest. If the client is an American or US green card holder, there are additional requirements.

Proof of address, what can a newly immigrant staying temporarily at Airbnb or relative's use as proof? Let alone a visitor.