US outland applicants' thread :)

[MisterDBarton]

Incidentally, my wife and I received the same request for confirmation that I (the Canadian sponsor) would be moving to Canada, and we sent similar documentation (job searches, correspondence with potential buyers for our house in the US, and bank statements showing transfers to my account in Canada). We haven't really searched for apartments yet because it's not clear when our application will be approved, and we don't want to move until my wife is approved because we want both of us to be able to work, and we want it to be easy to register the kids for school. The idea that we should provide more concrete proof of intent to move when we're waiting for CIC to approve us before we move is sort of unfair, especially when their own website provides a timeline closer to a year.

Agreed. I mean, we're looking for an apartment (no intentions/capability to buy a house yet). My wife has been applying for jobs for the past 6 months, but without a Canadian address/phone, we feel she's missing out because of the distance. It just seems odd that they would want her to move first or something since, you know...we're married and all.

Regardless, we're trying to stay optimistic and hopefully get some good news soon. I didn't send my passport (never requested), HOWEVER, they did ask for a COPY of my passport which I e-mailed along with the other described files in my previous post back on April 10th. So here's hoping that was enoguh.

 

[amikety]

Agreed. I mean, we're looking for an apartment (no intentions/capability to buy a house yet). My wife has been applying for jobs for the past 6 months, but without a Canadian address/phone, we feel she's missing out because of the distance. It just seems odd that they would want her to move first or something since, you know...we're married and all.

Regardless, we're trying to stay optimistic and hopefully get some good news soon. I didn't send my passport (never requested), HOWEVER, they did ask for a COPY of my passport which I e-mailed along with the other described files in my previous post back on April 10th. So here's hoping that was enoguh.

Does she have a friend or family's address she can use? Also, check into free calling/texting apps for a smart phone. She could get a local number so the Hiring Manager won't know until s/he calls.

 

[joeinkocha]

Hi all! Can anyone shed some light on opening up a joint bank account in Canada? Once we're married this May, my wife and I would like to open a joint account in Toronto. Any tips with this? And is there a way we can have both Canadian and American funds in it? Thanks!

 

[honjooshi]

Hi all! Can anyone shed some light on opening up a joint bank account in Canada? Once we're married this May, my wife and I would like to open a joint account in Toronto. Any tips with this? And is there a way we can have both Canadian and American funds in it? Thanks!

My wife and I opened a joint bank account before we were even married at TD, and it was pretty easy. They also have options for banking through the U.S., though they're a little more complicated. I'm not sure you can have funds from both in the same account, nor that that would make much sense. If you'll be in Canada, you could always add her to your account in the States if she'll need $US.

 

[joeinkocha]

My wife and I opened a joint bank account before we were even married at TD, and it was pretty easy. They also have options for banking through the U.S., though they're a little more complicated. I'm not sure you can have funds from both in the same account, nor that that would make much sense. If you'll be in Canada, you could always add her to your account in the States if she'll need $US.

Can I open an account in the States without living there? How do I go about doing that?

 

[MisterDBarton]

Does she have a friend or family's address she can use? Also, check into free calling/texting apps for a smart phone. She could get a local number so the Hiring Manager won't know until s/he calls.

Right now we're waiting for my approval to [hopefully] go through. Our current plan is to save enough money for security + 1 month rent + 1 month utilities and then have her move to Toronto at the beginning of August. I'll remain in Buffalo for roughly 1-2 months (max) earning income while she looks for a job. The idea is instead of saving $5,000-6,000 and then both of us moving without a job, we'd rather save about $3000 and get her to Toronto, looking for a job.

Hopefully within the 1-2 months she's there while I'm working in Buffalo can result in her finding a job. Then when I quit and move to Toronto with her, the transition won't be as drastic. We just want to make sure we don't burden ourselves financially. Thankfully my current income would be enough to pay our current rent + bills AND still be able to save roughly $500-1000/month while she is searching for employment.

Didn't mean to get off on a tangent, but we were considering Virgin Mobile but we also plan on both getting phones + contracts with Rogers once we fully move, so we're not sure.

 

[cempjwi]

Can I open an account in the States without living there? How do I go about doing that?

Some US banks will allow you to open an account online; however, some will require you to come in to a branch to finalize the opening of the account. Federal regulations require banks to "know" their clients by requiring them to show two forms of ID. Also, it is likely that you will need an address in the US (some banks, such as TD bank, will require a verifiable address by showing an utility bill if you do not have a US driver's license or ID showing the address you wish the statements to go to - even if you later want to have then sent electronically).

 

[IvanP]

Some US banks will allow you to open an account online; however, some will require you to come in to a branch to finalize the opening of the account. Federal regulations require banks to "know" their clients by requiring them to show two forms of ID. Also, it is likely that you will need an address in the US (some banks, such as TD bank, will require a verifiable address by showing an utility bill if you do not have a US driver's license or ID showing the address you wish the statements to go to - even if you later want to have then sent electronically).

This is exactly right, and you need to contact each individual bank to find out what they will require. My guess is most US banks will open an account for you online if you have a US address, but if you only have a Canadian address, you'll need to show up in person. And, in my experience, Canadian banks take a similar approach (you'll need a local Canadian address to open an account online, otherwise you need to show up in person with documentation of some sort of status in Canada - citizen/PR/student etc.). Canadian banks don't require you to have a SIN to open an account, but US banks are going to require an SS# or TIN.

Individual experiences, of course, will likely vary.

 

[amikety]

This is exactly right, and you need to contact each individual bank to find out what they will require. My guess is most US banks will open an account for you online if you have a US address, but if you only have a Canadian address, you'll need to show up in person. And, in my experience, Canadian banks take a similar approach (you'll need a local Canadian address to open an account online, otherwise you need to show up in person with documentation of some sort of status in Canada - citizen/PR/student etc.). Canadian banks don't require you to have a SIN to open an account, but US banks are going to require an SS# or TIN.

Individual experiences, of course, will likely vary.

I was required to show up in person to open my Canadian account. They didn't require a SIN, but I had to provide my Visitor's Record and they used the temporary identification number as my SIN.

 

[joeinkocha]

Thank you all!

 

[cempjwi]

This is exactly right, and you need to contact each individual bank to find out what they will require. My guess is most US banks will open an account for you online if you have a US address, but if you only have a Canadian address, you'll need to show up in person. And, in my experience, Canadian banks take a similar approach (you'll need a local Canadian address to open an account online, otherwise you need to show up in person with documentation of some sort of status in Canada - citizen/PR/student etc.). Canadian banks don't require you to have a SIN to open an account, but US banks are going to require an SS# or TIN.

Individual experiences, of course, will likely vary.

You can open an account in the US without a SSN if you can prove you are just a visitor.

 

[blueangel371115]

Hi all! Can anyone shed some light on opening up a joint bank account in Canada? Once we're married this May, my wife and I would like to open a joint account in Toronto. Any tips with this? And is there a way we can have both Canadian and American funds in it? Thanks!

CIBC has an account that processes us funds. I opened one without thout a pr yet. All I needed was 2 pieces of ID.

 

[amikety]

CIBC has an account that processes us funds. I opened one without thout a pr yet. All I needed was 2 pieces of ID.

Can you use it to buy things or pay bills in the USA? I had one with BMO and I couldn't use it outside Canada. It was extremely useless.

 

[blueangel371115]

Can you use it to buy things or pay bills in the USA? I had one with BMO and I couldn't use it outside Canada. It was extremely useless.

Not sure exactly ( haven't tried it yet). I use it in canada rather than keep switching funds over. The fees are less.

 

[crna80]

Hi all! Can anyone shed some light on opening up a joint bank account in Canada? Once we're married this May, my wife and I would like to open a joint account in Toronto. Any tips with this? And is there a way we can have both Canadian and American funds in it? Thanks!

There was quite a thorough bank conversation a few pages back. My husband Canadian and I am a PR, 2 weeks yea! . however we have had bank accounts in both countries, trying for years to find a way to transfer money between countries. We had a Royal bank acct in the US that has now been bought out by PNC. Royal bank allows you to hold funds in US and Canadian dollars. These accts are savings accts so not really good for paying bills. I have learned through our earlier discussion that TD does also have a cross border account which allows you to move funds and hold them in US and CN dollars. As far as paying bills? I am keeping my US acct so far for that, until I check out the TD acct. If there isn't a branch near you in the US this amy be difficult. although the bank I use allows me to make deposits online, so I'm sure its only a matter of time until you don't need a local branch. Paypal is another way to move funds. Go back a few pages and check out all the info there, around the 120's.