And another thing.....

[Stu]

Discovered today that living in Canada as a work permit holder bars you from having a mobile phone; they are for Citizens and Permanent Residents only.

[PMM]

Hi

Discovered today that living in Canada as a work permit holder bars you from having a mobile phone; they are for Citizens and Permanent Residents only.

BS, buy pay as you go.

PMM

[sn_tx]

Stu, Where did you get that information? I never heard anything like that before?

[tired_of_waiting]

Don't mean to argue with you Stu but........

That's just not true...!!!!!

I am not a PR or a citizen and I have a monthly deal with Rogers.  All they need is an address to bill and a credit card (doesn't even have to be a Canadian credit card, I got it with my UK Barclay Card).  I have had my mobile phone here since October 2005.

I didn't try every service provider, I just went to Rogers.  It took me less than 10 minutes to get set up.  It might be different for other networks but Rogers was easy.

[gentlespirit512]

I was told by Fido (don't know how much of Canada they cover) that they required a SIN number for a contract. I don't know whether they would have an issue with a temporary number starting with 9. I have a prepaid phone with them.

Don't mean to argue with you Stu but........

That's just not true...!!!!!

I am not a PR or a citizen and I have a monthly deal with Rogers.  All they need is an address to bill and a credit card (doesn't even have to be a Canadian credit card, I got it with my UK Barclay Card).  I have had my mobile phone here since October 2005.

I didn't try every service provider, I just went to Rogers.  It took me less than 10 minutes to get set up.  It might be different for other networks but Rogers was easy.

[Stu]

Sorry to be late with this - further issues.
Walmart refused me a phone as did another fellow who runs the local Circuit City and who I know as I buy computer parts from him on a regular basis. Both times I was told that I could not operate a mobile phone as I was not a PR or Citizen.

[tired_of_waiting]

When I bought my phone, I was never even asked if I was a PR or a citizen.  I even pay my monthly bill with my UK credit card.  The operation of a mobile phone doesn't depend on your immigration status.  What province are you in?

[Stu]

Nova Scotia. I'll try other outlets and let you know how I get on.

[tired_of_waiting]

I am in Nova Scotia too, Halifax to be exact.

Try Rogers on Spring Garden Road in downtown Halifax.  I went in there, told them I was from the UK and only had a UK credit card.  The guy was fine without.  I was in and out in less than 10 minutes with my shiny new phone and monthly contract.

[Stu]

Thanks for that tired_of_waiting, got fixed up with Aliant who told me that info from Walmart etc. was "rubbish".
Again, thanks for your interest,
Good luck