dtjmiddleton

I land in BC on 29th August and have a few days free to set up banks / phone / BC Health application / drivers licence etc before I start work.

My main concern at the moment however is not having a permanent address. I'm renting for the first month however I can't give this address out as it's only short term. How did others get around this?

I don't want to delay in applying for all these different things, but at the same time I'm struggling to see how to fill out forms etc. I can use my work address however as it's not residential, I'm not 100% that people would accept it, certainly CBSA and ICBC.

Please settle my nerves!

Shirtback

What's wrong with using your temp address then changing it once you're settled?

beckiwoo

Driving license takes around 2 weeks. you can ask to pick it up from ICBC office - that is what I did.

With a bank account you will get your bank account when you open the account and they should set you up with online banking. you can then change your address yourself.

I don't know if you can set up your MSP application straight away although you have to wait 3 months you need to be working full time first (at least that is what I thought)

Engineer_abroad

I used my work address until we were settled. Otherwise just use your temp address and then change it.

dtjmiddleton

Thanks guys. The DL I'm not overly worried about as I have a couple of months to sort that out.

With MSP, you're right I have 2 full months and a few days before I'm eligible but the lead time is usually quite long (seems a recurring issue in Canada!) so they advise to send off asap. I'm going straight into full time work so that shouldn't be an issue.

The PR card is my big concern at the moment. I'll most likely give my temp address and then update them when I know more. Alternatively I can give them a PO box.

Engineer_abroad

PR cards are taking a v long time to arrive at the moment so I wouldn't worry about having to update. but again use your work address.

If you are working full time and your company has extended health care benefits you may find that that health care provider may send you the forms and register you with MSP. This is what happened with me and Manulife.

scrubbedexpat091

PO Box or work address.

Changing mailing address mid process on things like MSP can be a pain and Canada Post charges a small fortune for mail forwarding and many govt mail items cannot be forwarded so that can he useless

Snowy560

Don't give a PO box address for your PR cards. I can't post the link about this but provide a proper mailing address. CIC are supposed to be more lenient with accepting temporary addresses for initial cards as they recognize new immigrants aren't immediately settled. What they are concerned about, however, is immigrants then having PR cards mailed onwards outside of Canada.

I'll post the link later but on my phone right now.

scrubbedexpat091

How does CIC handle those who live in a town with no street mail where everyone has a PO Box?

Snowy560

I recall it's OK if the PO box is linked to a mailing address. I think.

beckiwoo

The processing time is around 37 days right now so not too bad. I called cic this morning and my card is in production right now. I landed 13 July and people who landed the 1st week of July have received their cards this week in the mail

Snowy560

"PR cards will only be mailed to post office (PO) boxes if the PO box is your residential mailing address. "

Applying for a Permanent Resident Card (PR card) - Initial application, replacement, renewal or to change sex designation (IMM 5445)

Juggernaut1064

Thats good i need to renew mine it ran out ooh two years ago lol Should get off my ass and renew it.

Snowy560

It'll be longer for the renewal. Last time I looked renewals were taking 98 days 😱

beckiwoo

yeah sorryI should have said that. The OP is just formally landing at as a PR so its the first card.