how to land while continuing to live in the US

[rrrraven]

Hi.
I've lived in BC for 2 years and applied for PR; however a month after I got the immigrant visa I had to go to the States and now I work here.
My immigrant visa is expiring relatively soon so I am going to go to Canada on Saturday via YVR and land; I have Canadian friends who live in Vancouver who can get my card if I'd actually be given a card, given that I'm not staying in Canada (I will work in the USA for at least 2 more years).

Question: how do you land in such case? I read some forums, and some claims that people landed without staying and got the PR card mailed to friends (by just giving the officers minimum information that they ask for and not saying anything extra?). However, the card application has residential address in Canada field; moreover from the fact that you are not bringing any goods your situation would be clearly obvious. I am not intending to lie in any form; what would be the correct way to behave to maximize chances that they'd give you the card?

If they don't; do normal residency requirements apply to such situatuion? E.g. if I move to Vancouver in 2 years, I would still be PR and be able to request the card that would be on hold, is that correct?

 

[max_lee]

Hi.
I've lived in BC for 2 years and applied for PR; however a month after I got the immigrant visa I had to go to the States and now I work here.
My immigrant visa is expiring relatively soon so I am going to go to Canada on Saturday via YVR and land; I have Canadian friends who live in Vancouver who can get my card if I'd actually be given a card, given that I'm not staying in Canada (I will work in the USA for at least 2 more years).

Question: how do you land in such case? I read some forums, and some claims that people landed without staying and got the PR card mailed to friends (by just giving the officers minimum information that they ask for and not saying anything extra?). However, the card application has residential address in Canada field; moreover from the fact that you are not bringing any goods your situation would be clearly obvious. I am not intending to lie in any form; what would be the correct way to behave to maximize chances that they'd give you the card?

If they don't; do normal residency requirements apply to such situatuion? E.g. if I move to Vancouver in 2 years, I would still be PR and be able to request the card that would be on hold, is that correct?

The best response you can give is that you are here to complete your landing and will be at your friends address for 2-3 months and search for a job, then move for good later. By doing so you are not suppressing any facts, this is the way it is. If you mention you are going back anytime less that 2 months then CBSA will not complete your PR Card process, they will give you a form which you need to fill and fax it to their office from within canada, so if you want to go with this option then you can inform them that you will return after completing your landing and will apply as and when you move into Canada for good. As far as I am aware these are the 2 options you are left with.

When you go for your landing you need not fill in any form seperately for your PR Card the IO at CBSA will process the PR card using your COPR papers and you can mention your friends Address for the card to be mailed to.

You can request for a PR Card anytime after landing but before 730 days from the expiry of your resident status, butting cutting so close with the date is not advisable, also there is a fee you need to pay if requesting a PR Card after 180 days of completing your landing, before the 180 day limit it is free.

Max

 

[links18]

There is nothing wrong, illegal or suspicious about landing to establish your PR status and then returning to whence you came. The requirement to maintain PR status is to be present in Canada 2 out of every 5 years.

 

[stlguy]

There is nothing wrong, illegal or suspicious about landing to establish your PR status and then returning to whence you came. The requirement to maintain PR status is to be present in Canada 2 out of every 5 years.

In this scenario when we land with an intent of returning to US, we normally will not be carrying all the funds that we mentioned in the application form. Will it be ok if we show our bank statement and 401k statement and things like that, rather than carrying the funds in travellers cheques, drafts etc.

Do they ask us to show the proof of funds at the port of entry in these formats, or will they accept draft when we tell them we will be moving in later.

 

[links18]

In this scenario when we land with an intent of returning to US, we normally will not be carrying all the funds that we mentioned in the application form. Will it be ok if we show our bank statement and 401k statement and things like that, rather than carrying the funds in travellers cheques, drafts etc.

Do they ask us to show the proof of funds at the port of entry in these formats, or will they accept draft when we tell them we will be moving in later.

You must have liquid, unencumbered funds to cover your party at the time of landing. An ATM receipt from a U.S. bank account is usually accepted by CBSA. 401K may not be considered liquid enough, but I am not sure.

 

[BZ Mom]

You must have liquid, unencumbered funds to cover your party at the time of landing. An ATM receipt from a U.S. bank account is usually accepted by CBSA. 401K may not be considered liquid enough, but I am not sure.

Will an online banking statement (e.g., Bank of America) be accepted?

 

[links18]

Will an online banking statement (e.g., Bank of America) be accepted?

Can't guarantee it, but that seems about as good as an ATM receipt to me. You could always call the port you plan to land at and ask them what they will accept.

 

[max_lee]

Can't guarantee it, but that seems about as good as an ATM receipt to me. You could always call the port you plan to land at and ask them what they will accept.

Guaranteed 100%, if you land from the US a bank statement from US Bank will be accepted. I did that and had no problems whatsoever.

Max

 

[BZ Mom]

Guaranteed 100%, if you land from the US a bank statement from US Bank will be accepted. I did that and had no problems whatsoever.

Max

I've been paperless for about 2 years now, so I don't receive the paper statements from my bank. I just want to make sure that they will accept the statements that I will print from my online banking.

Thanks a lot Max_Lee! You've always been a big help.