Landing advice/help
 

Hi guys,

We'e just received the passport request letter for our PR card (woohoo!), however we're wondering if we could delay moving to Canada for a while as we're not ready at all.

Ideally we'd like to 'land' early next year as part of a fact finding trip (as we still aren't 100% sure where we'd like to live), but I know we won't have enough money for the proof of funds (we've just had our first child, so now need 3 family members worth) - is it possible to not show anything on the basis, your not staying permanently yet?

We're also in a position where we want to find jobs in Canada, whilst still based in the UK as we both have decent jobs over here and don't want to give them up too easily..

Ideally we'd like to move out in 2-3 years time, once the exchange rate/economy hopefully has improved a little. before moving if that's possible. :confused:

Sorry for the lengthy note, any advice, opinions, experiences anyone has would be really useful.

Thanks,
Paul

Re: Landing advice/help
 

You will need to land within 12 months of your medicals. We had to rush to meet March deadline earlier this year.

As far as I know (and we had to) you need to show proof of funds at that time.

Re: Landing advice/help
 

Have you added junior to your application?

No, you must be able to show proof of funds when you land. You may, or may not, be asked for it. Sods law dictates that you will be asked if you don't have it.

Good luck with that.

It is possible but if you really want to move to Canada then you have to find your landing funds within the duration of your visa.

Re: Landing advice/help
 

good luck with your plans

as others have pointed out, you need to show proof of funds at landing time, and you need to land within the validity of your visa, usually 12 months after medicals.

In my humble opinion, the landing funds CIC requires are nowhere near sufficient for landing with a family and no jobs

Re: Landing advice/help
 

I believe once you have landed, you have to be in the country 2 out of 5 years? You could go for a whle to check out houses etc and then leave again.

Correct me if I'm wrong on this, but once you have landed and are considered a PR, you can come and go as you please as long as you have been there for at least 2 years when your 5 year anniversary of landing arrives.

Re: Landing advice/help
 

Thanks for all your replies. I double checked with the High Commission in London and they say the same really.

Essentially we can land in Canada 1 year from medicals, which can be a holiday and then we have to live for at least two years in 5 years to maintain the PR status.

Unfortunately we do have demonstrate proof of the funds, but a loan may be in order to get us over the finish line as it were. As we don't plan on staying immediately, I'm hoping a temporary loan may be enough.

Ideally we'd like to come over for 6 months or so in a couple of years time and see if we can find employment etc - so hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Re: Landing advice/help
 

Hi
I 'landed' at YYZ in December. I was only in Canada for two weeks before returning home. The landing process was painless. Had proof of funds but was only asked how much I was thinking of taken over when I finally move. Make sure your goods to follow list is super comprehensive though. I flew home via the states and I got a harder time from their immigration. Make sure you have somewhere in Canada to send your PR cards too though as these are issued not long after you land.

All the best

Re: Landing advice/help
 

Good luck with your move, but just be aware that speculating on what the exchange rate will be in the future is risky business.

It is possible that it could be even worse than it is now.

Also be aware that if you wait the full 3 years before moving over permanently, you will not be able to leave Canada at all during the following 2 years.

Re: Landing advice/help
 

Hi Paul,

Congrats on making it this far - very exciting times are ahead!

We just got back yesterday after our 'landing' and I can't believe how well it all went. It has definitely whet for appetites for more...

In terms of proof of funds all I had with me was a mortgage statement and house evaluation. I didn't realise before it was too late that this was not enough so you can imagine how nervous we were on arrival! Thankfully somebody was looking out for us as the IM officer only asked us for a figure and no proof - PHEW! In the days leading up to the flight, I had read many a post on here warning against doing what I did. I would say to you that the know-it-alls were probably right, it was not worth the panic I was feeling leading up to landing! I would get the loan!!

Good luck and enjoy your recce when you get there!

Jennie ;)

Re: Landing advice/help
 

We landed for 2 weeks end of march and did not have to show proof of funds. We also contacted the border agency about our goods to follow list. We are moving to San Francisco for a few years first, so will not be settling yet. All their paperwork relates to when you settle (i.e. create permanent ties in Canada), which is really helpful as we'll be collecting a fair few electrical items when we get to the US. I think someone realised that landing and settling is quite different and it's hard to declare you possessions without a crystal ball.

We hope it's going to be easier to get a job in Vancouver after a few years working in Silicon Valley.

Re: Landing advice/help
 

Hi, we landed in May this year, treated it as a 2 week holiday. We were not asked to show our funds at all. The main problem is finding someone to take in your PR card when it arrives. They will not send it to UK, we have some friends whose address we used. Also we registered to get our SIN number in Vancouver, this was quite easy & only took 2 weeks to receive it, so now we can work. The only thing we didn't do was see customs with our goods to follow- immigration said we couldn't do this until we were going to stay long term- still not sure if that was right.
we will not be going over permanently until early next year. Hope it all goes ok for you

Re: Landing advice/help
 

Poppit who posts here was asked:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...3&postcount=24

However rare it might be, it does happen. Best be prepared for it.

Re: Landing advice/help
 

Hi
I thought that the proof of funds has to be "available" cash and not borrowed so if you show a bank statement that has a lump sum payment of say £3,000 they may query where it has come from. Now if the money was a moving "Gift" from a family member then that's ok, they don't need to know that you are borrowing it and then giving said family member the money back!
Someone may be able to confirm this but that's the impression i have been given.
HTH
Linz

Re: Landing advice/help
 

I got asked for proof of funds in Toronto, but that was only because he said do you have oer $10,000 on me, and I said no, it's all in an account in BC...he was a git to be honest...made us feel as welcome as a cockroach at a vicar's tea party.