Landing in Canada as a Permanent Resident FAQ
1. Do I become a Permanent Resident of Canada as soon as my
Canada Immigration Visa is issued?
No. You will only become a Permanent Resident of Canada when
you cross a Canadian port of entry with your valid passport and
your valid Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa. This
is referred to as 'landing in Canada'.
2. How long can I wait to land in Canada after my Canada
Immigration Visa is issued?
You must land in Canada before the expiry date, which appears
on your Canada Immigration Visa. Usually, the expiry date is one
year from the time medical examinations were completed. As this
is not always the case, be sure to verify the expiry date as soon
as you receive your Canada Immigration Visa.
3. Can the expiry date on my Canada Immigration Visa be
extended?
As a general rule, the expiry date on your Canada Immigration
Visa will not be extended. Failure to land in Canada before the
expiry date may result in the necessity of re-application.
4. Must I first enter Canada at the destination I indicated on my
application form?
Generally, the holder of a Canada Immigration Visa may enter
Canada at any port of entry without difficulty.
However, if you first enter Canada at a port of entry in the
Province of Quebec, you must have been accepted by Quebec
and have a valid Quebec Certificate of Selection or be prepared to
document your clear intention to reside in a province other than
Quebec.
5. What documents do I need with me when I first land in
Canada?
When you first land in Canada, you will need your valid passport
containing your unexpired Canada Immigration Visa and a
document entitled Confirmation of Permanent Residence. Your
accompanying dependents, if applicable, will need the same.
It is a good idea to also have evidence of your settlement funds
and an inventory of all personal belongings in your possession
and other items that you now own but intend to bring to Canada
at a later date.
6. When must my accompanying dependents land Canada?
Accompanying dependents cannot land in Canada before the
Principal Applicant has done so. The accompanying dependents
may first land in Canada with the Principal Applicant or after the
Principal Applicant, but in either case prior to the expiry date
indicated on their Canada Immigration Visas.
After Landing in Canada as a Permanent Resident FAQ
1. Must I stay in Canada after landing in Canada as a Permanent
Resident?
Permanent Residents are not obliged to remain in Canada, and
are in no way restricted from departure at any time. However, as
a Canadian Permanent Resident, you must accumulate two years
of "residency days" in each five-year period in order to meet your
Canadian residency obligations.
2. What is the Canadian Permanent Resident Card?
The Canadian Permanent Resident Card is a small, secure plastic
card containing personal information on the cardholder and that
confirms the cardholder's status as a Permanent Resident of
Canada.
3. When can Canadian Citizenship be obtained?
Canadian Citizenship can generally be obtained after three years
of Permanent Residence in Canada.
4. Does Permanent Resident status in Canada permit me to
enter/work in the US?
Permanent Resident status in Canada does not affect US
immigration requirements for eligibility to legal employment. The
North American Free Trade Agreement, which applies to citizens
of Canada, does facilitate US employment in certain cases.
Settlement in Canada FAQ
1. When I arrive in Canada, are there any services to help me?
Every province and city is equipped with multiple services and
organizations meant to help newcomers to Canada. Refer to the
landing guide for the province where you plan to arrive in Canada
for complete listings.
2. How do I obtain Health Care?
All provinces and territories in Canada have a public health
insurance plan to cover basic medical needs. However, you may
have to wait up to three months after you arrive before the
health insurance begins in some provinces. Make it a priority to
apply for health care for yourself and your family as soon as you
arrive. In addition, purchase some form of private health
insurance from an insurance company for security in case of
emergencies until your provincial health care plan begins. Refer
to the Health section of the provincial landing guide where you
will be living in Canada for province-specific instructions on how
to obtain your health insurance.
3. What do I need to do to start working in Canada?
In order to work anywhere in Canada, you will require a Social
Insurance Number (SIN). Apply for your SIN card immediately
after you arrive in Canada. For instructions, visit the Service
Canada website:
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sin/apply/how.shtml
Ensure that your CV or resume is written in English or French. It
may also be necessary to have your credentials confirmed. There
are many agencies throughout Canada that provide the service of
accreditation equivalency. Refer to the landing guide for the
province where you will be living for more information.
4. How do I become a Canadian Citizen?
Before applying to become a Canadian citizen, you must have
resided in Canada for 1,095 days, or three years. Please refer to
the Canadian Citizenship page for complete details on
requirements, your eligibility and the application procedure.
5. I do not know where to live in Canada. Where do I start?
Canada is a huge country, with diverse cultures, communities,
climates and employment opportunities. Begin researching these
details by reading the About Canada pages. It is important that
you move to an area where you can obtain employment. You
should also do some research on the internet the average cost of
living in different regions of Canada. Ensure that you move to a
region that is affordable, close to places of employment and
schools.
6. What do I need to have prepared when I arrive in Canada?
When you arrive in Canada make sure that you have all
necessary immigration and identity documents on your person
and not in your checked luggage, so that you may present all
documents to the Customs and Immigration officer at the airport
or border without complication. It is also important to have
arranged in advance for a place for you and your family to stay
during your first days in Canada as you will be tired from the long
trip. Homes of friends and family are ideal, as are short term
apartments or hotels.
7. Can I bring my family pet with me to Canada?
There are strict rules about bringing animals, food, and plants
into Canada. Before you arrive, contact:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency,
Animal Health
Agriculture Canada
59 Camelot Drive
Nepean, Ontario
K1A 0Y9
8. Can I bring my car into Canada?
Transport Canada has pollution and safety control standards
which does not allow some cars into Canada. It is also necessary
to have a valid driver’s license, car registration and accident
record from your insurance company. Contact Transport Canada
for complete instructions:
Transport Canada
Place de Ville, Tower C
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
(613) 990-2309
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/safevehicles/importation/index.ht
m were unable to find Canadian citizens or Canadian Permanent
9. I have school aged children, how do I send them to school?
All children between the ages of 4 and 16 to 18 years, depending
on province, are required by law to attend school. The school
year runs from September through June. Registration can be held
as early as February previous to the September academic year.
Every region of Canada has its own school boards. You will have
to contact the local school board where you intend to live for
complete details.
Temporary Resident and Visitor Visas for Canada
Except for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents, all others
require permission to enter Canada as a visitor, with or without a
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
Canada welcomes more than 35 million temporary residents
(non-immigrants) each year.
Unless they are citizens of a visa-exempt country, individuals
who wish to enter Canada for a temporary purpose, such as
tourists, temporary foreign workers (work permits) and
international students (study permits) must apply for and be
granted a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
The TRV is a document issued by a Canadian Immigration Visa
Office outside Canada, showing that the holder has satisfied the
requirements for admission to Canada as a visitor. Temporary
Resident Visas may be for single entry or multiple entry.
As a general rule, tourists are admitted for a period of six
months. Temporary foreign workers and international students
are admitted for varying periods of time, as determined on a
case-by-case basis. Extensions may be applied for within Canada.
It is important to note that possession of a valid Temporary
Resident Visa does not necessarily mean that the Citizenship and
Immigration Canada Officer at the Canadian Port of Entry will
admit the visitor into Canada. At the Port of Entry, all visitors
must demonstrate that the purpose of their visit to Canada is of a
temporary nature. Citizenship and Immigration Canada Officers
at the Port of Entry will deny admission to all persons who, in
their opinion, do not intend to leave Canada at the expiry of their
visitor status.
If your studies will last less than six months in Canada, then no
Study Permit is required. Any studies beyond six months require
a Study Permit, in addition to a Temporary Resident Visa, if you
are not from a visa-exempt country.
4. How do I qualify for a Work Permit to work in Canada?
There are many ways to qualify for a Work Permit. In some
situations, the Canadian employer must demonstrate that they
Residents to fill the position.
Temporary Resident and Visitor Visas for Canada
Except for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents, all others
require permission to enter Canada as a visitor, with or without a
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
Canada welcomes more than 35 million temporary residents
(non-immigrants) each year.
Unless they are citizens of a visa-exempt country, individuals
who wish to enter Canada for a temporary purpose, such as
tourists, temporary foreign workers (work permits) and
international students (study permits) must apply for and be
granted a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
The TRV is a document issued by a Canadian Immigration Visa
Office outside Canada, showing that the holder has satisfied the
requirements for admission to Canada as a visitor. Temporary
Resident Visas may be for single entry or multiple entry.
As a general rule, tourists are admitted for a period of six
months. Temporary foreign workers and international students
are admitted for varying periods of time, as determined on a
case-by-case basis. Extensions may be applied for within Canada.
It is important to note that possession of a valid Temporary
Resident Visa does not necessarily mean that the Citizenship and
Immigration Canada Officer at the Canadian Port of Entry will
admit the visitor into Canada. At the Port of Entry, all visitors
must demonstrate that the purpose of their visit to Canada is of a
temporary nature. Citizenship and Immigration Canada Officers
at the Port of Entry will deny admission to all persons who, in
their opinion, do not intend to leave Canada at the expiry of their
visitor status.
In addition, criminality and medical issues may prevent a visitor
from entering Canada. Visitors to Canada must also be able to
prove their ability to support themselves during their intended
temporary stay in Canada.
For more information about Canadian Temporary Resident Visas,
see our Temporary Resident Visas FAQ.

In addition, criminality and medical issues may prevent a visitor

from entering Canada. Visitors to Canada must also be able to
prove their ability to support themselves during their intended
temporary stay in Canada.

For more information about Canadian Temporary Resident Visas,

see our Temporary Resident Visas FAQ.

Temporary Resident Visas FAQ

1. What is a Temporary Resident Visa?
Canadian citizens and Canadian Permanent Residents have the
right to enter Canada freely. Other visitors to Canada, including
tourists, students, and workers, may need a Temporary Resident
Visa (TRV) from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to
enter Canada.

2.Does everyone planning to visit Canada require a Temporary

Resident Visa?
No. You do not need a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada if
you are from a visa-exempt country. Citizens from all other
countries must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa before
entering Canada .

3. Do I need a Study Permit if I plan to study in Canada?