Choosing an arrival date

[Helina93]

Hi

So I'm trying to figure out the ideal date for me to get to Canada, in order for things to go smoothly at the poe with the vo. Even though it's a holiday my program start date is January 1st on my acceptance letter. Which obviously means I need to get there before then, but I'm just trying to get a rough idea on the latest date I can get there that won't interfere with the VO thinking I'm not a bonafide student. Also I'm not able to find a post about it being okay landing in a different city initially just to see some family. I'm just confused because I have a tight 2 weeks left.

Thanks

 

[scylla]

You can arrive any time now.

Yes - you can arrive in a different city. I would make sure you have proof of an onward journey (e.g. flight) to the city of your studies.

 

[thestunner316]

You can arrive any time now.

Yes - you can arrive in a different city. I would make sure you have proof of an onward journey (e.g. flight) to the city of your studies.

to add on, i would strongly recommend you select date which has the cheapest flights... coz holiday season tickets can range from expensive to "Are you kidding me"

good luck

 

[Helina93]

You can arrive any time now.

Yes - you can arrive in a different city. I would make sure you have proof of an onward journey (e.g. flight) to the city of your studies.

Yes I know I can arrive from now on.. just wanted to know the latest date. That would help a lot thanks

 

[Helina93]

to add on, i would strongly recommend you select date which has the cheapest flights... coz holiday season tickets can range from expensive to "Are you kidding me"

good luck

Haha thanks

 

[XpressEnterprise]

Most institutions recommend that you arrive a week or two before your classes start. Some are even closed on winter holidays, so you would be getting limited assistance from main office. You need to give yourself enough time to arrange your housing, get familiar with campus and city, go for shopping and keeping your finances in order.

I don't think anyone would be able to tell the 'latest' you can arrive to keep yourself under the 'bonafide student' category. Just make sure you arrive before your course is due.

 

[Helina93]

Most institutions recommend that you arrive a week or two before your classes start. Some are even closed on winter holidays, so you would be getting limited assistance from main office. You need to give yourself enough time to arrange your housing, get familiar with campus and city, go for shopping and keeping your finances in order.

I don't think anyone would be able to tell the 'latest' you can arrive to keep yourself under the 'bonafide student' category. Just make sure you arrive before your course is due.

Thanks!!

You can arrive any time now.

Yes - you can arrive in a different city. I would make sure you have proof of an onward journey (e.g. flight) to the city of your studies.

Quick question since I'm pretty sure you have a general idea of this, as I wasn't able to find an answer on older posts.
At the port of entry when I am asked to show proof of funds is it a must to show funds that have already been transferred to Canada or funds that I'm carrying with me. Or is it okay to show my sponsor's bank account as I did initially when applying for my visa? Which btw is an account in my homeland.

 

[XpressEnterprise]

Thanks!!



Quick question since I'm pretty sure you have a general idea of this, as I wasn't able to find an answer on older posts.
At the port of entry when I am asked to show proof of funds is it a must to show funds that have already been transferred to Canada or funds that I'm carrying with me. Or is it okay to show my sponsor's bank account as I did initially when applying for my visa? Which btw is an account in my homeland.

They generally don't bother new students a lot at POE. If you have been approved TRV with POE Letter, you don't need to show funds at POE. My son went to Canada on a student visa and they only checked his passport along with visa and POE letter, they later issued a study permit. However, you may carry proof of funds in the form of bank statements, demand draft, cash, etc. just in case. If you have submitted a bank statement as supporting documents for your visa application as mentioned, just bring an updated/latest statement along with Letter of Acceptance from your school, letters issued by VO

In regards to your question about funds, it is Canada's customs regulations that if you are carrying any currency as cash which is equal to CA$10,000 or more, you must declare it in a declaration card (you'll get declaration card inside plane, before landing). You don't need to declare funds which are already transferred into Canada.

If I were you, I would contact a Canadian bank directly, open my account while I am in Ethiopia, transfer funds from Ethiopian bank to a Canadian bank (you are allowed to do one deposit) and show that bank statement as proof of funds. Many Canadian banks facilitate in opening a bank account before your arrival into Canada. You can try RBC, TD Canada, Scotiabank (2), BMO, CIBC, etc.

 

[Helina93]

They generally don't bother new students a lot at POE. If you have been approved TRV with POE Letter, you don't need to show funds at POE. My son went to Canada on a student visa and they only checked his passport along with visa and POE letter, they later issued a study permit. However, you may carry proof of funds in the form of bank statements, demand draft, cash, etc. just in case. If you have submitted a bank statement as supporting documents for your visa application as mentioned, just bring an updated/latest statement along with Letter of Acceptance from your school, letters issued by VO

In regards to your question about funds, it is Canada's customs regulations that if you are carrying any currency as cash which is equal to CA$10,000 or more, you must declare it in a declaration card (you'll get declaration card inside plane, before landing). You don't need to declare funds which are already transferred into Canada.

If I were you, I would contact a Canadian bank directly, open my account while I am in Ethiopia, transfer funds from Ethiopian bank to a Canadian bank (you are allowed to do one deposit) and show that bank statement as proof of funds. Many Canadian banks facilitate in opening a bank account before your arrival into Canada. You can try RBC, TD Canada, Scotiabank (2), BMO, CIBC, etc.

Thank you so much for your brief reply.
I think I'll just have to take an updated bank statement of the one i had applied with earlier and carry cash, as I cannot transfer dollars into an account in Canada as that is illegal in Ethiopia. It would've been the easiest and fastest option.