snowbabe24

Hi, my husband and I are finally arriving in Calgary to activate our PR Visa on the 4th April - Woohoo!! However can anyone tell us whether we can arrive with hard cash or a bankers draft as our proof of settlement funds? It appears the bank account we opened many moons ago now doesn't accept electronic transfers!!! Thanks guys

iaink

Either is fine, but I suspect a bank draft will take an unholy amount of time before a canadian bank will let you draw funds on it, so will add to your frustrations.

I suspect what has happened is you canadian account has lain dormant for a while and the bank has just closed it, they are stupid that way here. Perhaps you can contact the branch manager and explain, get it reopened and be able to transfer money after all.

snowbabe24

Thanks for that, have tried to contact TD but not the greatest in Customer Service - probably look at bringing cash to avoid any problems - may be the best scenario going by the rate of exchange right now!! Thanks again, will prob have many more questions in the next few weeks

snowbabe24

Hi again

Just wondering if someone can confirm that hard cash can mean Sterling as oppose to Canadian dollars? As we're all aware the exchange rate is shocking and we're literally landing on the 4th April to activate our visa then returning to UK for work reasons so can our settlement funds be in Sterling?? Plan to go back out in August to start the new life so we're thinking maybe the extra few months might help our chances of a better exchange rate, cheers

iaink

If you dont intend to actually do anything with the money I would be tempted to bring some nominal amount of cash for the period you intend to spend in Canada, and proof of the remainder in a UK account waiting to be wire transferred once you have (re)opened a canadian account.


TBH most of the time they are not interested in proof anyway from what Ive read here, I wouldnt want to be travelling with 20k cash just on the off chance.

Plenty of people dont have a canadian account until they get here, so you wont be the first person to demonstrate landing funds in a foreign account waiting to be transfered to a (yet to be established) canadian account, and you are not the first person to land and then leave again to tie up some loose ends either.

snowbabe24

You're a star, thanks a million. We're just doing the panic thing right now!! As they say "ma heids mince jis noo" - Scottish!! We're trawling through the endless list of personal and household items we plan to bring - I'm hopefully assuming they don't want a note of every single knife, fork and pair of shoes were bringing but still trying to be as detailed and thorough as we can without the list being 20+pages long!!!

christmasoompa

Check the Wiki, there's info in there about the Goods To Follow list. You don't have to list every item individually, just by box i.e. 'a box of books' rather than listing each individual title.

Good luck.

snowbabe24

That's fab thanks for the advice, already had a look and the fog is clearing!! Boy were we making it hard for ourselves!!!

Siouxie

Or you could open an HSBC Passport Bank Account which is especially for new residents - either when they arrive or before:

http://www.hsbc.ca/1/2/en/personal/i...nline-ibc-form

Not yet in Canada and looking to open a HSBC Bank Canada account?
Complete the following application to apply for a Canadian bank account with HSBC Bank Canada before you arrive in Canada. This online application should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Upon clicking “Submit Application” as the final step of this online application form, HSBC Bank Canada will create and retain an electronic copy of the information you have entered and may use this information to contact you regarding your application. Note that we cannot proceed to open your Canadian Bank account until we receive a complete (in accordance to the steps below) and signed paper copy of this application form that you must download as the final step.

Steps to apply for a Canadian Bank Account before you arrive in Canada

Fill out online application - Click Start Application and Complete Steps 1 to 4 of the online application form.
Download and print - Once complete, download and print your International Banking Document.
Complete checklist – This download will also contain a checklist detailing documents required to confirm your identity and address as required by law to open your Canadian bank account. Make sure you have completed and included all documents required on the Checklist.
HSBC witness of signature
Visit a HSBC Group office
Attend an HSBC Group Office (some local country restrictions apply) where a HSBC employee must witness all of your signatures on the application and take true copies of all identification required as outlined in the checklist.

Mail signed application
HSBC Bank Canada - International Banking Center
300 – 3555 Gilmore Way
Burnaby, British Columbia
Canada V5G 4S1

In the event that you are not able to visit an HSBC Group Office, you may mail your signed application and copies of your valid identification to us directly at the address above.

Next steps:
Account opening:
Once HSBC Bank Canada receives the completed & signed documents, we will open the account(s) in Canada and advise you of the details.
The account will be blocked until you can be identified in person with an HSBC Group Employee. You can make a one time deposit of up to CAD$ 250,000.00 to your new account. Please note that it is required by Canadian law that you declare the source of funds of your deposit.

Bankcards and cheques:
Your bankcards and/or cheques will be issued and available at your selected Branch within 30 calendar days of confirmation of your HSBC Bank Canada account opening.

What You Need to Know Before You Apply:
To complete your application you will need to have the following information on hand:

Primary Identification: Passport
Secondary Identification (any one):
Any major Credit Card (MasterCard®) Driver’s License Landed Immigrant papers Citizenship Card Annual Income Employment information Average banking account information (monthly balance, number of transactions, etc)

For applicants who do NOT have an existing HSBC account in their home country, HSBC Bank Canada will require a bank statement with 3 months of banking transactions from your current bank in your home country. If you are a U.S. person, you are required to complete the IRS W-9 Form(s)Apart from the documents listed, under certain circumstances, we may require additional information before we may open your account. We will notify you if this applies to your application.

Benefits:

What you get

Performance Chequing Unlimited Account2 (no monthly administration fee for one year)

Unlimited monthly transactions
An HSBC debit card for all your shopping needs
Access to HSBC Bank Canada and THE EXCHANGE®1 network ATMs 24-hour access to your account with Personal Internet Banking which allows you to do your daily banking with a simple click of the mouse, anytime, anywhere With our 24-hour Telephone Banking you can simply pick up any phone to enjoy a complete range of direct banking services – it’s fast and convenient International Telegraphic Transfer3

The ability to safely and securely send money overseas, especially to family and friends back home, is something we understand is important to you. With this in mind, we have discounted our international Telegraphic wire transfer cable fee by 25% on in-branch Telegraphic wire transfers for the first year. Safety Deposit Box4

To keep your special documents and valuables safe, we’re offering you free rental on a size A safety deposit box for the first year.

johnh009

Here is a site that may help:

http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_d...faq_id=4000258

snowbabe24

Thankyou so much to all of you for your advice - I've only been actively using the site this past week or so and I can't believe how amazingly helpful everyone is. It's so hard to look for information when you haven't a scooby what you're really looking for!!!

mandymoochops

ooo it's a very very bad idea to happen upon a site as addictive as BE right at the point when you have the most to do lol.