Urgent - One Way Journey to Alberta - Need Info

[nick_s]

Guys,
We have received our immigrant visa stamp and ready to go to Alberta (we are AB PNP). Our US visa will be expired by the time we land in Canada, therefore, this will be a one way journey to Canada with no point of return to the US. That said, I want to gather some info to make sure

1. Even though we'll be receiving our SIN card through regular mail in several weeks (or months?), but, we'll get our SIN# right away when we are applying at the SIN office. Which mean, even though we don't have the physical SIN card, we can, however, use the SIN# in order to rent apt, open utilities account (cell phone, gas, electricity, etc).

2. We'll get our PR card through regular mail (or pick it up at the office for some people) within several weeks (or months?) and therefore, we can only start working when we received the card.

Much appreciated for any info.

[sarayu]

Guys,
We have received our immigrant visa stamp and ready to go to Alberta (we are AB PNP). Our US visa will be expired by the time we land in Canada, therefore, this will be a one way journey to Canada with no point of return to the US. That said, I want to gather some info to make sure

1. Even though we'll be receiving our SIN card through regular mail in several weeks (or months?), but, we'll get our SIN# right away when we are applying at the SIN office. Which mean, even though we don't have the physical SIN card, we can, however, use the SIN# in order to rent apt, open utilities account (cell phone, gas, electricity, etc).

2. We'll get our PR card through regular mail (or pick it up at the office for some people) within several weeks (or months?) and therefore, we can only start working when we received the card.

Much appreciated for any info.

Hi nick_s,

First of all congratulations on getting your PR visa. You have mentioned that your US visa will get expired by the time you land in Canada. I don't know whether you are aware of AVR rule or not. AVR is called Automatic Visa Revalidation rule. With this rule one can re-enter into the US having expired visa with the below mentioned constarints.
1. You have to have new H1B extension approval notice.
2. You should come back to US within 30 days
3. You should not apply for US visa while you are in Canada
4. If I am correct it valids just for Canada and Mexico.

I may have missed some more information here. Please google for more info regarding this. And see below link where you can see one of our seniors's experience with this rule.

Coming to SIN cards and all, I am sorry I have very limited knowledge on that area. Hope some one will help you out here.

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t15729.0.html;msg382334#msg382334

Thanks,
Sarayu.

[nick_s]

Thx for responding sarayu, unfortunately, AVR won't be applicable on my case so it'd be definitely a one way journey for me.

[nick_s]

Guys,
Anything I should know so our one way journey is a successful journey? Just afraid something that we're not aware of which prevent us to successfully pass the immigration, living in Calgary (we are going to Calgary), etc. Many thanks in advance!

[JCS]

You don't need your SIN number for anything but your employment. When they'll give you that number they will even tell you that. Landlords and banks like to ask for the SIN number but it is none of their business. If you don't want to give it to them than don't and they can't do anything about it. Give the SIN to as few people as possible or you might become a victim of fraud.

What I needed was proof of income (job offer letter) and money for the deposit. When I went to Vancouver with a different visa my coworker helped me find an appartment in her building so when I got there I had one three days after arival. Same for when I moved to Regina, I settled everything from where I was for when I moved and did everything through phone and email. For utilities all you pretty much need is your new address.
for cell you may have to leave a deposit (in my case it was a hundred bucks). I also had to leave a deposit to get a credit card at my bank (was invested in GIC).
I am not sure about the PR card and if you need it to start work. As far as I know the SIN number is all you need to start working so if you get that right away you're good to go. I think that's the point of getting the PR card, besides being able to legally stay in canada forever. Otherwise you would have to apply for a work visa, which is not the case.

[JENNYSEC]

Guys,
We have received our immigrant visa stamp and ready to go to Alberta (we are AB PNP). Our US visa will be expired by the time we land in Canada, therefore, this will be a one way journey to Canada with no point of return to the US. That said, I want to gather some info to make sure

1. Even though we'll be receiving our SIN card through regular mail in several weeks (or months?), but, we'll get our SIN# right away when we are applying at the SIN office. Which mean, even though we don't have the physical SIN card, we can, however, use the SIN# in order to rent apt, open utilities account (cell phone, gas, electricity, etc).

2. We'll get our PR card through regular mail (or pick it up at the office for some people) within several weeks (or months?) and therefore, we can only start working when we received the card.

Much appreciated for any info.

Answer for Q 1. You will get a printed copy of your SIN# right away. When you go to apply SIN#. That is good for job or open bank account.
                         SIN# is not required for cell phone or other purpose. You need Canadian credit history. Unfortunately we don't have as we are new immigrant. So you have to buy prepaid cell. You need to put some deposit for rent APT. or credit card. Some bank approved credit card if you have any job offer letter or your employer direct deposit in your account it depends.

Ans 2 PR card is required if you want to leave Canada and come back before you became Canadian citizen and get Canadian passports or might be in some court matter (not sure).For identity proof driving license is enough. When you go to apply SIN# the officer informed you should keep PR card and SIN card in lock or safe place and no need to carry with you