Frequently Asked Questions

Landing in Canada

CHANGE OF INFORMATION:  If any of the information you provided on your application form has changed (i.e. marital status, family composition, funds available, medical problems), it is imperative that you contact the Consulate office for advice before proceeding to Canada as your admissibility may be affected.

 If you are expecting a child and are able to land in Canada before the child is born, you should do so. Failure to land before additional dependents are born will result in the need for a new application and new fees for all family members.

 PROOF OF SUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR SETTLEMENT:  Upon your arrival at a Canadian Port of Entry you may be asked to provide proof that you hold sufficient funds for settlement in Canada. Failure to provide this information could affect your admissibility to Canada and otherwise delay or prevent your landing.

 ORDER OF LANDING FOR FAMILIES/DELAYED ARRIVAL:  There are two options for family landing.

It is important to remember that the principal applicant must be always the first landed.

Option A: The entire family lands together at the port of entry.

Option B: The principal applicant lands first alone. The dependents  follow the principal applicant at a later date provided their visas remain valid.

If your dependants’ visas expire before they follow you to Canada, you will have to contact the Canada immigration concerning immigration sponsorship procedures.

 EMPLOYMENT IN CANADA:  On your arrival in Canada, the immigration officer will provide you and any dependents who will be entering the work force with an application for a Social Insurance Number. All immigrants who will be working require a permanent Social Insurance Number.

 MEDICAL INSURANCE: You should apply for government sponsored health insurance as soon as arrive in Canada. Plans vary from province to province. Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Health in the province of destination. If you plan to settle in Ontario, contact the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health Insurance Plan, MacDonald Cartier Bldg., 49 Place D'Armes, PO Box 48, Kingston, Ontario K7L 5J3.

 RETURNING RESIDENTS: A permanent resident who is absent from Canada for more than 183 days in any 12 month period could lose his/her status in Canada unless he/she has applied for and obtained a Returning Resident Permit. An application for a permit should be made before the 183 days have elapsed at a Canadian Embassy or Consulate abroad or at an Immigration Centre before departure from Canada. A fee will be charged for processing such an application. Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing the application.

 CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP : A permanent resident is normally eligible to apply for Canadian Citizenship when he/she has three years of residence in Canada. Persons who resided in Canada temporary as students or workers immediately prior to their landing may not have to wait the full three years. Interested persons should contact the citizenship office in their area for complete details.

CUSTOMS:  Customs information can be obtained by calling the Automated Customs Information Service at 1 (613) 993-0534. You can also access the publication "Settling in Canada' on the Internet at

www.ccra-adrc.Sc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4l5leq/README.html

Find the nearest Customs Border Services Office at:

www.ecra-adrc.ge.ca/contact/rco-e.html

 

What happens when I arrive in Canada?

When you arrive, you must present your immigrant visa to a customs/immigration officer. The officer will check your visa and travel document and ask you questions similar to those on the immigration application form to verify that you are of good character and in good health. The officer may also request proof that you have sufficient funds to settle in Canada. Then, the officer will authorize your admission to Canada as a permanent resident. If you arrive as an entrepreneur immigrant, terms and conditions will be imposed. This means that you will have two years to meet the business requirements and that you must report your progress.

 

What documents should I take when I land in Canada?
Applicants should take a valid passport, landing documents. Proof of settlements funds may also be requested. Applicants are advised to take copies of any available statutory documents as birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc., and few copies of a list stating inventory they wish to take to Canada in the future and when landing.

 

Can I leave Canada after landing there?

After the landing you can leave Canada the same day in case you need to.

After having landed, you must maintain your Canadian PR status. There is a 183-days rule. You shall not leave Canada for more than 183 days during one year.

If you need to complete your education or contract, you may apply to waive the requirement of this half a year stay in Canada. You may become a Canadian citizen after you stay in Canada for three years.

 

When can I apply for a Canadian citizenship?
You may apply for the Canadian citizenship after 3 years of physical residence in Canada. Time spent outside of Canada beyond what may be expected for vacations, etc. may not be added.

 

Are settlement services offered after my landing in Canada?

It is your responsibility to find a job when you arrive. You should have enough money to support yourself and your dependants until you get a job. Various kinds of settlement services are offered to immigrants by private organization or Canadian Employment Centers.

Permanent residents have right to live, study and work indefinitely in Canada, and are entitled to all social benefits accorded to Canadian citizens.  After three years of continuous residency in Canada one can apply for Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport.

 

Where can I find information about settlement services in Canada?

You can learn about Canada’s settlement services from Canada Immigration Centres, Human Resources Development Centres and private organizations.

 

What documents should I take when I land in Canada?
Applicants should take a valid passport and landing documents. Proof of settlements funds may also be requested.  Also take statutory documents as:

• Birth Certificate.
• Marriage Certificate.
• Driver's License.
• International Drivers License
• few copies of a list stating inventory you wish to take to Canada in the future, list of "Goods to Follow" and when landing in Canada. Include Model Numbers and Serial Numbers of products if they have such numbers.

  

After landing you should apply for a Social Insurance Number

The Immigration Officer will give you a SIN application form.

You should have a mailing address and not a P.O. Box so the Human Resources will mail your SIN card.

You are required to have the SIN and also it is needed in order to use the social benefit as medical services in Canada.

 

Your Rights and Obligations as a Permanent Resident of Canada

You and your dependents have the right to live, study and work in Canada for as long as you remain

permanent residents, and are entitled to most social benefits accorded to Canadian citizens. When you have

met citizenship requirements, you may apply for Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport.

There are a few limitations on permanent residents:

• You cannot vote in certain elections.

• You may be ineligible for certain jobs requiring high-level security clearances.

• As a permanent resident, you also have the same legal obligations as Canadians, such as paying

taxes and respecting other laws.

• If you or your dependents commit serious crimes, you or your dependents risk being deported

from Canada.

You remain a permanent resident until you become a Canadian citizen or abandon Canada as your place of residence. You may be considered to have abandoned Canada if you have frequent and/or lengthy absences from the country. If you travel to Canada to present your immigrant visas to obtain permanent residence and then return to live in your home country indefinitely, you will lose your permanent resident status.