katenoza

Hi,

We have just gone / going through what you will be going through in the past few weeks.

We arrive in Toronto on the 19th March 2012. We opened an account with Scotia Bank, they have "new commers" package where they waive the monthly fee for a year and gave us debit cards immediatly as well as 10 Cheques.

Like other post you will need your Passport, Work Permit and maybe you letter of employment from your company.

First thing i woudl do woudl be to get your SIN No, as this helps with ID.

We have just put the first/last months deposit on an apartment. The cheques thing i havent got round to figuring out. I think it depends on the landlord to be honest with you. But a word of warning, you may get charged for requesting a cheque book.

The first / last months rent may also need to be a bankers draft / certified cheque aswell (again depending on your landlord).

We found transfering money very easy as we have a barclays account and can transfer money internationally using online banking.

hope this helps.

nerdherd

I had a spookily similar experience with Nawest. Went in to close my account, signed papers, all good. Got a threatening letter a few months later, telling me that I was overdrawn and owed them quite a lot of money in various charges. Except I wasn't moving countries just yet, so could go back to the bank myself to close the account. Again. Not impressed.

Must say though, from what I have been reading on this forum, I am not hugely looking forward to the Canadian way of banking, in particular the monthly charges. But hey ho

BristolUK

So go the free route with PC. Plenty do.

Sarah Davie

Hi all

When transferring your money overseas, a currency specialist could potentially help you.

Some currency specialists have links with banks which will not only help you save money on your transfers they can help you open bank accounts before you go.

Feel free to private message me if you would like to discuss further.

Sarah

YYZlover

I wouldn't sign a lease during the reccie. What if you don't get your TWP when you land end of may?

cheesycheese

You're right to be cautious.

However I'm transferring within the business I work for and due to my job/ experience/position, the business's immigration lawyer has said that that won't be an issue.

YYZlover

Even if I do get a study visa from CIC it won't have any effect until I have activated it at the border and even then it could still be rejected. There is no such thing as a sure thing. You could set yourself up for a 1 year payment of a property which you may not ever move in to.

Anyway - as for bank accounts, I've been told I need a SIN card or a Canadian drivers license + my passport to open accounts. Preferably two friends referencing who are current customers at the bank. CIBC claims I can open an account on line. One CIBC branch said it would be no issues if I had one or two references. Another branch plain refused me. RBC I had direct contact with a guy there and he said no, not possible until I had an active TWP or PR. (the person was recommended on here).

I'm contemplating trying the CIBC online system It may or may not work.

Former Lancastrian

Unless you are found inadmissible under sections 34 to 42 of the Immigration & Refugee Protection Act and you qualify as an Intra Company Transferee then you should be ok.
CBSA/CIC has the final say who gets in not Immigration Lawyers.

cheesycheese

Thanks for pointing out the obvious.

Former Lancastrian

Believe me in my job Ive seen work permits refused in situations such as yours when arriving at the Ports of Entry. Until you get that stamp in your passport dont take anything for granted

R I C H

Talk to another bank. My MIL has no residency status here, merely visits for occasional holidays, she opened an account with RBC without a SIN/driving licence or TWP/PR, as did I when I first moved here on holiday.

YYZlover

Well, I emailed with a guy at RBC who's title is:
Senior Account Manager
Non-Resident Accounts ~ Immigration

He said no can do.

Sarah Davie

I have a good relationship with RBC and their international account managers across Canada.

Contact me if you would like more information and I can help provide an introduction.

Sarah

MarylandNed

A friend of mine opened a bank account with TD Canada Trust in person just last summer. She lives in the US, is a US citizen, was simply a visitor to Canada and so does not have a SIN. She used her US driver's license and her US passport as ID.