Spousal PR. Bank now wanting resident form filld out, but no PR yet.

[US2CanApp]

Wife from United States and is here. We are applying for spousal Permanent Residency application. She was able to open a bank account no problem with her United States id. She got a letter and forms in the mail from the bank that they require her social insurance number or her CRA tax payer identification number. We told bank she is a visitor, doesn't have PR approved yet so no work permit or SIN card and not a residence yet. The CRA forms the bank wants filled out doesn't seam to have an option for no-residents.

 

[DimT44]

Wife from United States and is here. We are applying for spousal Permanent Residency application. She was able to open a bank account no problem with her United States id. She got a letter and forms in the mail from the bank that they require her social insurance number or her CRA tax payer identification number. We told bank she is a visitor, doesn't have PR approved yet so no work permit or SIN card and not a residence yet. The CRA forms the bank wants filled out doesn't seam to have an option for no-residents.

My understanding is that visitors cannot open bank accounts and it seems like what happened in your situation might have been an error from the bank’s side.

 

[MJSPARV]

What bank? When I was here as a visitor with my PR app in progress they had no issues at TD with me opening a joint bank account with my (citizen) husband and they just asked that once I got my PR/SIN to update them. Once I had those I updated as requested and had no problems

 

[Br33zer]

My understanding is that visitors cannot open bank accounts and it seems like what happened in your situation might have been an error from the bank’s side.

My bother on TRV was able to open a savings account with BNS.

 

[fashiontart]

My husband opened a Scotiabank account the day before our wedding. He's not a resident here yet, and we weren't even married yet. He's American, as well. They just asked for all of his identification, etc.

 

[DimT44]

My understanding is that visitors cannot open bank accounts and it seems like what happened in your situation might have been an error from the bank’s side.

Ok it seems like many people have been able to open an account successfully as visitors. Either my information is outdated or that this is limited to people from certain countries.

 

[MJSPARV]

Ok it seems like many people have been able to open an account successfully as visitors. Either my information is outdated or that this is limited to people from certain countries.

There are some kinds of accounts that I'm pretty sure you can't open as a visitor (RRSP, TFSA etc) but a generic savings/checking account should be fine

 

[armoured]

There are some kinds of accounts that I'm pretty sure you can't open as a visitor (RRSP, TFSA etc) but a generic savings/checking account should be fine

Frankly this will be a bit hit or miss, depending on bank and the KYC / know your client rules at any given time, as well as whether they've any periodic compliance issues/rule changes. Banks mostly don't like having a lot of accounts for non-residents, or at least opening them.

And yes, it could depend on country (somewhat), and yes, it may also just be a crapshoot - particularly of how much effort and experience a given account/branch staffer has and is willing to invest. (It's not by itself a very profitable set of products.)

My suggestions are simple: come with a Canadian with an account already esp if eg spouse or relative; explain the relationship; explain and have some good reasons for needing an account (legitimate use is a pretty big thing for banks concerned about money laundering); same reason, where is the money from (source of funds); if possible to let them know 'just the start' eg more banking in future and if plans to move to Canada, etc; if they start to lean to saying no or that it doesn't seem possible etc ... be ready to walk across the street and even better let them know you have an appointment at OtherCdnBank and that at that OtherBank 'they seem to think there's no problem.'