blahblahla

Hi All,

I recently secured PR status for Quebec. I am married to a Canadian citizen and applied under the spousal category. My partner has a flat in Montreal where we will be living for the forseeable.

However, now that I've secured PR status, I feel like I'm at a bit of a loss! I want to book my flight to Canada, but I have no idea what actually happens when I arrive in the country for the first time.

- Do I need to land in Montreal/Quebec? For various reasons it's much easier for me to fly directly to Toronto, be picked up by my partner, and to drive straight home to Montreal to quarantine. But do I have to go through the landing/immigration process in the province I intend to live in?
- Do I need to inform the authorities I'm planning to arrive?
- What do I need to do before I fly - any further forms to fill in? Interview?
- What happens when I arrive in Canada for the first time and pass through customs?
- Do I need my permenant residency card or just my acceptance letter? I don't have my card yet and expect there to be delays receiving in due to Covid...
- I've seen people mentioning an app you have to use - where are people getting this info from?
- Anything additional I need to know about because of Covid?

Many thanks!

Hurlabrick

It is all very well described in the wiki section here, have a read:

https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Landing_as_PR-Canada

Hurlabrick

Yes. You MUST self-isolate for 14 days. CBSA will expect you to have a detailed plan on how and where you will self-isolate, how you will get there etc.

For that reason, not a good idea to travel to Toronto and drive to Montreal. The journey would take at least 6 hours, so where would you stop for a toilet break? CBSA would NOT be happy with you using a public toilet or stopping and going into a public place en-route to Montreal. Much better idea IMHO to fly direct to Montreal - plenty of direct flights and a lot less hassle for you.

blahblahla

Thank you, that's so useful!

I definitely have no intentions of breaking quarantine - do I need to provide this plan in a set format or can I type something up/provide it verbally?

I assume it is ok for me to isolate with my partner (works at home, and we have friends who can drop off supplies)?

Hurlabrick

No set format. AIUI you can provide your plan verbally, but they may ask to see proof (i.e. hotel reservation confirmation if staying in a hotel, how you intend to get in touch with your partner who is picking you up etc.).

Yes, you can isolate with your partner, as long as they are under age 65 and there are no people over age 65 in the house / apartment etc.

CBSA stuff on this here:

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services...s-eng.html#er2

Hurlabrick

PS - they will ask for your partners full name, full postal address you will quarantine and a contact phone number. They can and do contact you once or more during the quarantine period by phone or visit unannounced to check you are quarantining.

Siouxie

This should help
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-heal...ion-sheet.html
Info and link to the app > https://www.canada.ca/en/public-heal...ml#a_arriveCAN
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration....html#approved

blahblahla

Thanks everyone