Picking up a PR card in Canada

[qwerbilzak]

I'm a US citizen.  Right now I can go to Canada on my passport without visa.

After I land, I planned to have my PR card sent to a PO Box, then return to Canada to retrieve it at a later date.

Once my passport is stamped with the PR Visa, will I be able to enter Canada just as easily as I can now?  Or will they see the visa, and then ask for my PR card (or landing papers) and would there be any extra difficulty getting in?

Thanks for any insight you may have!

[toby]

I'm a US citizen.  Right now I can go to Canada on my passport without visa.

After I land, I planned to have my PR card sent to a PO Box, then return to Canada to retrieve it at a later date.

I have read elsewhere that the PR card must be mailed to a real address, that a PO Box won't do.

Once my passport is stamped with the PR Visa, will I be able to enter Canada just as easily as I can now?  Or will they see the visa, and then ask for my PR card (or landing papers) and would there be any extra difficulty getting in?

Don't know. Sorry.

Thanks for any insight you may have!

[qwerbilzak]

Thanks, Toby!

But how in the world can you have an address in Canada before you're a resident!!??  (unless you have family or something there)

This seems ridiculous?

[toby]

Thanks, Toby!

But how in the world can you have an address in Canada before you're a resident!!??  (unless you have family or something there)

This seems ridiculous?

It does seem silly.  I guess CIC is geared up for couples where one is a Canadian and already in Canada.  I have a brother in Canada who was able to arrange a lease for me. I frankly don't know what to do in your case. 

If I were completely stuck, I'd phone CIC in Mississauga and ask for advice.

The number is 16139444000  (use SKYPE).  I forget what the office hours are; sorry.

[steaky]

Thanks, Toby!

But how in the world can you have an address in Canada before you're a resident!!??  (unless you have family or something there)

This seems ridiculous?

It's not impossible to have an address in Canada before you're resident.  It is possible to buy or rent an apartment in Canada while you are in your country.  For instance, check www.rentbc.com to see if a landlord is willing to lease to you before you arrive.

Otherwise, you can  inform CIC your mailing address after your landing.

[toby]

It's not impossible to have an address in Canada before you're resident.  It is possible to buy or rent an apartment in Canada while you are in your country.  For instance, check www.rentbc.com to see if a landlord is willing to lease to you before you arrive.

True, but renting sight unseen can lead to real disappointment, and paying a landlord in advance, without personal contact can lead to scams.

Why CIC would force PRs to run these risks is beyond me. It is surely no problem for Canada to allow a PR to use a PO box to receive his PR card, thus allowing the PR to take a few weeks to find good accommodation once in Canada.

[Leon]

I have heard one person say that a P.O. Box was in their case accepted.  It is also possible to go to UPS or similar service and get an address from them including forwarding of your mail to your real address in the US.  You would set this up after you enter Canada so at the time you land, you would just say that you do not have an address yet and you will give them one later.  If they absolutely demand an address from you (one person said that happened to them), you can give the address of your hotel for a start but make sure to update your address with CIC as soon as you have a better one.  In case you are completely unable to give an address, nothing bad will happen.  You can enter Canada with your passport and landing papers and at the time you are ready to stay in Canada, update immigration with your Canadian address and get your PR card.  However, if you wait to the point that it is already 6 months since you landed, you must fill out an application form and pay $50 to get one.

[qwerbilzak]

It's not impossible to have an address in Canada before you're resident.  It is possible to buy or rent an apartment in Canada while you are in your country.  For instance, check www.rentbc.com to see if a landlord is willing to lease to you before you arrive.

Otherwise, you can  inform CIC your mailing address after your landing.

Oh, I completely agree, it's no impossible.  It just seems like a strange way for CIC to do business.  I mean, I'm from the US, I could possibly swing something, in theory, since I can get in without a passport, presuming I had the time and the money.

What about the person from the Philippines or someplace?  I wonder how they get a Canadian address when presumably some of them have never even seen Canadian soil?

[qwerbilzak]

It does seem silly.  I guess CIC is geared up for couples where one is a Canadian and already in Canada.  I have a brother in Canada who was able to arrange a lease for me. I frankly don't know what to do in your case. 

If I were completely stuck, I'd phone CIC in Mississauga and ask for advice.

The number is 16139444000  (use SKYPE).  I forget what the office hours are; sorry.

Toby, thanks so much for this number.  So helpful.  +1 for you.  'ppreciated!

[qwerbilzak]

I have heard one person say that a P.O. Box was in their case accepted.  It is also possible to go to UPS or similar service and get an address from them including forwarding of your mail to your real address in the US.  You would set this up after you enter Canada so at the time you land, you would just say that you do not have an address yet and you will give them one later.  If they absolutely demand an address from you (one person said that happened to them), you can give the address of your hotel for a start but make sure to update your address with CIC as soon as you have a better one.  In case you are completely unable to give an address, nothing bad will happen.  You can enter Canada with your passport and landing papers and at the time you are ready to stay in Canada, update immigration with your Canadian address and get your PR card.  However, if you wait to the point that it is already 6 months since you landed, you must fill out an application form and pay $50 to get one.

Awesome info, Leon.  Thanks!

[toby]

Toby, thanks so much for this number.  So helpful.  +1 for you.  'ppreciated!

You're welcome.  We all help each other here.

Thanks for the vote.

Cheers, and good luck.