Permanent Resident card question

[qwerbilzak]

We just got our passport requests, and they also asked for two more photos.   (that I think are for the PR cards?)

Does this mean they'll send the PR card back with the passports?

Or is getting a PR card a different procedure that takes place after you get your passports back and land.

Sorry, I know this is probably a stupid and easy question, but I can't seem to track down an answer to it.

Thanks in advance.

[qwerbilzak]

At the CIC website, it says, "If you are applying to immigrate to Canada, you do not need to apply for a card using the process on this page. Your Permanent Resident Card will be issued to you as part of the immigration process."

But it doesn't say if you need an address in Canada (which would obviously be impossible before one is a resident).  So does this mean they mail it internationally as part of the immigration package?

Thanks for any help.

[qwerbilzak]

Your passport will be returned with your visa in it, your PR card will be sent to the Canada address that you supply when you land, my fiancé is waiting for his to arrive at the moment.

Thanks very much for the feedback.  

I guess what I don't understand is (again, sorry if this is a stupid question) how can anyone have a Canada address already if they're landing in Canada for the first time (that is, if they don't have relatives, or some other fortunate situation)?  

Does this mean you have to somehow enter on a travel visa before you land, set up an address, then come back again later and "land" and provide that address?

I have no address in Canada, and won't have one until at least a couple weeks after we land (if we're lucky!).  We'll be trying to find an apartment and so forth.  Wouldn't a lot of people be in this situation too?  (those without prior contacts in Canada who could forward mail, etc)

[Canooknic]

Oh, ok. We were lucky because we have stayed with my sister so used her address.  I have read about people renting post boxes, but I'm not sure that immigration will allow a PO Box address. Where are you planning to stay when you arrive?

[Canooknic]

Hi, just found a similar thread going on that mint help you.......

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/rent-a-postal-box-t69061.0.html

[qwerbilzak]

Hi, just found a similar thread going on that mint help you.......

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/rent-a-postal-box-t69061.0.html

Thanks!  That thread looks very useful.  +1 for you. 

One other question - If I have the card sent to a mailbox like that while I'm outside the country, can I get back in the country without the PR card?   According to the CIC site, "This wallet-sized plastic card is required for all permanent residents of Canada seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or bus).".

Does this mean I won't be able to get back into the country since my card will be stuck in some mailbox somewhere inside Canada?

[Canooknic]

Is there anyone in Canada that you know that would let you use their address? or someone that can collect the card when it arrives and forward it to you?

[qwerbilzak]

Is there anyone in Canada that you know that would let you use their address? or someone that can collect the card when it arrives and forward it to you?

Unfortunately, we don't know anyone in Canada yet. 

[Honolulu]

UPS is the best bet.
They'll give you a street address.
I got one made using email contact for forwarding my mail from the US etc.
However, I did not use it eventually for my CIC contact details and my PR card was mailed to a friend's address where I moved to upon landing.

Where are you checking in on landing? A hotel presumably. How long are you staying there? If its about 5-7 weeks why not use that address? [I know safehomestay will collect and forward PR cards to their guests even after they leave]

[qwerbilzak]

UPS is the best bet.
They'll give you a street address.
I got one made using email contact for forwarding my mail from the US etc.
However, I did not use it eventually for my CIC contact details and my PR card was mailed to a friend's address where I moved to upon landing.

Where are you checking in on landing? A hotel presumably. How long are you staying there? If its about 5-7 weeks why not use that address? [I know safehomestay will collect and forward PR cards to their guests even after they leave]

Thanks, Honolulu.  I chatted with a guy at a UPS store in Toronto and he completely understood the whole thing and said they offer the services needed. 

As for our landing, we're not sure yet.  The whole immigration process went so much faster than we expected based on the CIC numbers that we were kind of caught unprepared.  So we're really not (even close to) ready to move there upon landing.  The plan now is to land, return stateside for a year or two to get everything together (got houses, business to sell, etc), and then head back up for real.