It is vital to make an informed arrival as a newcomer in Canada for a convenient journey. This applies to you even if you are a study permit, work permit holder, or Permanent Resident in Canada. People coming to Canada must also meet several obligations and demonstrate certain documents to execute their stay in the country. This implies that they must show their travel documents like a passport, visa, or Electronic Travel Authorization to evaluate an individual’s status in Canada. They will need to show all these documents at the port of entry.
Make an informed arrival as a newcomer in Canada – Things you will need before traveling to Canada as a new PR
If you are approved for Canadian Permanent Residence, you will acquire a COPR. This is the Confirmation of Permanent Residence, and this document authorizes you to stay in the country as a new Permanent Resident.
Once you receive the COPR, you must visit Canada to execute the PR process legally before the expiry of the COPR.
If you already exist in Canada, you will be able to acquire an electronic version of COPR using a digital portal. Later, you might get a print-out and use it to show it as a COPR approval for Permanent Residence in Canada. This document has a validity of one year and must be tied to your medical test, passport, and visa sticker. In specific circumstances, IRCC doesn’t have the chance to extend the COPR. Furthermore, this means that those individuals who haven’t traveled to Canada during the validity period will have to re-apply for permanent residence. In other words, this applies to those people who surpass the expiry date of COPR before traveling to Canada.
If you belong to a country requiring a visa for your Canadian journey, you will get a PR visa along with your COPR. However, if your native country demands an eTA, you must acquire it before traveling to Canada.
Things one must possess before traveling to Canada as a work permit holder
Holding a work permit means you must have the following documents when you travel to Canada:
- A passport;
- Any relevant travel documents;
- Proof showcasing that you’re able to fulfill all your job requirements. These could include proof related to your education and work experience;
- A visitor visa or an eTA;
- LMIA copy of your employer’s (positive or neutral). Also, if you work in Quebec and seek an LMIA, then you must show a CAQ.
Further, if your Canadian employment lacks LMIA requirements yet arrives here to work under a specific employer, you must show an employment number. The employer must have received this number when submitting vital information in the employer portal.
Additionally, work permit holders must also demonstrate their work permit approval. They can show that their work permit was approved through a letter of introduction or port of entry letter to the border officials.
What is LOI?
An LOI is for applicants who acquire a work permit. While this letter is not a work permit, it is instead an approval letter proving the authenticity of the work permit.
New immigrants shall be able to convince the border services officer about the following things:
- Fulfilling Canada’s entry requirements;
- Their intention to leave Canada once their approved stay is over;
- Possessing the results of their immigration medical tests. However, they must remember that their medical exam results must not expire before arriving in Canada. If this is the case, then they must get new tests done before traveling to Canada.
Notably, the border services officer will determine whether the applicants will get a work permit and permit individuals to stay in Canada.
Documents necessary for study permit holders before traveling to Canada
If you are arriving in Canada as a study permit holder, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- Demonstrate a valid travel document, such as a passport;
- Show an LOI from a visa office. The letter will comprise a permit reference number used by the government to send the corresponding permit;
- Acquire a valid copy of a Letter of Acceptance from your educational institution or school;
- Present any required letters of reference and other vital documents to the visa office, per their requirement;
- Possess an eTA, visitor visa, green card (an equivalent document from the U.S.), or a valid travel document to enable entry to Canada;
- Showing sufficient finances to support their stay in Canada. However, the money will vary in terms of the nature of travel and accommodation.
As a potential student applicant, your health must be excellent, and you must not possess any criminal background or convictions related to immigration. You must also offer an immigration medical test outcome, if necessary.
Lastly, you must justify before the immigration officer that you have significant connections in your home country. This must be your reason to travel back to your home country. You must be able to prove that you will leave Canada once you complete your studies.
Essential things to bring along during arrival as a newcomer in Canada
Newcomers in Canada must not forget to complete a Canada Border Services Agency declaration before bringing their belongings to Canada. This will be their legal declaration of bringing assets to the country. In addition, they must also be aware of border regulations concerning food items and edible goods.
The CBSA involves activities concerning monitoring and protecting Canadian borders. It also ensures that goods and people travel legitimately. CBSA declarations imply that people arriving in Canada can legally bring specific assets to Canada. These are especially beneficial for newcomers because they permit them to get vast assets to the country without paying taxes for the goods.
However, newcomers in Canada must remember that they still won’t be able to get all their essential belongings initially. In such circumstances, newcomers must often submit a list of “Goods to Follow.” This implies that all the goods they get after their arrival are declared and legal. They must submit this list to CBSA at the airport and receive a receipt. Further, they must re-submit this at the port of entry when they finally bring their assets to Canada.
Notably, there is no limitation on the amount of cash they bring when they first arrive in Canada. However, if this cash exceeds $10,000 CAD, it will be submitted to CBSA.
Do you have any general queries or concerns regarding Canadian immigration? Let our expert guides at Make Home Canada help you get all the answers. We are just a call away; stay connected at 1-800-979-0509 or simply email your concerns to [email protected].
