Landing in Canada without Sponsor?

[browntrout]

Hi, got a PR application in progress estimated to be done in about 1-2 months. Here in my question, me and my wife/sponsor is currently working in Hong Kong. Once I get my PR status, can I alone enter Canada? We are planning to move there mid-2014, but I wanted to go for a week as soon as the PR is done to exchange my USA licence for a BC licence, setup bank account, phone etc.

1. Can I do that myself? Or does the sponsor need to be with me on the first landing? I assume no, but couldn’t find any info.

2. Also, another question, once I get my PR done, is it a card that I receive? Is it the maple card? Or…. Is it just some PR paperwork you get first, and THEN on your first landing do you get a maple card?

3. On the first landing, is it ok to just stay 1-2 weeks then fly back here (awaiting our definitive move mid-2014

 

[taffy7]

Hi, got a PR application in progress estimated to be done in about 1-2 months. Here in my question, me and my wife/sponsor is currently working in Hong Kong. Once I get my PR status, can I alone enter Canada? We are planning to move there mid-2014, but I wanted to go for a week as soon as the PR is done to exchange my USA licence for a BC licence, setup bank account, phone etc.

1. Can I do that myself? Or does the sponsor need to be with me on the first landing? I assume no, but couldn't find any info.

2. Also, another question, once I get my PR done, is it a card that I receive? Is it the maple card? Or.... Is it just some PR paperwork you get first, and THEN on your first landing do you get a maple card?

3. On the first landing, is it ok to just stay 1-2 weeks then fly back here (awaiting our definitive move mid-2014

1) No your sponsor does not have to be with you when you arrive.
3) you can leave in 2 weeks , you just need to land and go to immigration at the airport .
2) not to sure .I don't think you receive your cards until a few months later . You will have your passport stamped . When you come back make sure you have all your paperwork with you . If someone could forward your prc that would be handy to have .

 

[jomz]

Hi, got a PR application in progress estimated to be done in about 1-2 months.

If your timeline is correct (applied in 09/2013) I don't think any VO processes files in 1-2 months. For Hong Kong it takes on average 9 months (as per the CIC website), you may want to review your timeline again before you make your final plans.

As for your question yes, you can land by yourself and your sponsor does not have to be present.

 

[Rob_TO]

2. Also, another question, once I get my PR done, is it a card that I receive? Is it the maple card? Or.... Is it just some PR paperwork you get first, and THEN on your first landing do you get a maple card?

When you're approved for PR, CIC will mail you 2 copies of your COPR, and if you require a visa to enter Canada you'll get your passport back with visa in it.
When you "land" in Canada, they take 1 copy of your COPR and you keep the 2nd copy for yourself after the officer fills it out. You don't get anything else, and the officer will apply for your PR card which will be mailed to your address in Canada.
About 2 months later, you get the PR card in the mail.

3. On the first landing, is it ok to just stay 1-2 weeks then fly back here (awaiting our definitive move mid-2014

You can leave right away if you want to, leaving is not the issue.

If you leave within 2 weeks, you won't have your PR card yet. If you are NOT visa-exempt to Canada, then you will need to get a special travel document from your home country... OR you'll need to wait until your PR card is mailed in Canada, and have someone fed-ex it to you in China.

 

[browntrout]

When you're approved for PR, CIC will mail you 2 copies of your COPR, and if you require a visa to enter Canada you'll get your passport back with visa in it.
When you "land" in Canada, they take 1 copy of your COPR and you keep the 2nd copy for yourself after the officer fills it out. You don't get anything else, and the officer will apply for your PR card which will be mailed to your address in Canada.
About 2 months later, you get the PR card in the mail.

You can leave right away if you want to, leaving is not the issue.

If you leave within 2 weeks, you won't have your PR card yet. If you are NOT visa-exempt to Canada, then you will need to get a special travel document from your home country... OR you'll need to wait until your PR card is mailed in Canada, and have someone fed-ex it to you in China.

thank you, very helpful information. Assuming this temporary COPR gives me the same right as the official card later on? meaning i can work, apply to a Canadian driver licence etc right?

 

[Rob_TO]

thank you, very helpful information. Assuming this temporary COPR gives me the same right as the official card later on? meaning i can work, apply to a Canadian driver licence etc right?

Within Canada you can use the COPR as proof of being a PR, so yes you can use it to apply for SIN, health card, etc.

However outside Canada it is useless. So you would need your actual PR card, or a travel document, if you need to fly back to Canada and are not visa-exempt.