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Questions about how to prepare for your first arrival in Canada - customs, proof of funds, initial settlement help, etc... Tell us what happened when you first landed in Canada.

Various Q's Re: Short Landing 

kpanchal
kpanchal
Posts: 3


Posted On: 5/14/2016
kpanchal
kpanchal
Posts: 3
Hi there, I have a number of questions related to short landing.

I have COPR and I'm in the UK. I am coming to Canada (Toronto) on June 4th to complete a short landing. I will be there for 2 weeks and staying with family.

Proof of Funds: As I am staying for only 2 weeks I plan only to bring say $1000 in spending money. However, do I need to bring the minimum required amount for a single person ($12,164) for proof of funds? If so can this be a bankers draft or will a bank statement suffice?

PR Card: I plan to provide my families address in Toronto for CBSA/CIC to send the PR Card to. My family will then bring the card to me later in the year when they visit the UK. I know there is a risk to this but I think it should be ok. My question is, because I am only there for 2 weeks will immigration send the PR card or will I have to request this another time?

Proof of goods form: I've been told about the B4/BSF186A form - As I'm doing a short landing and not moving items, do I need to complete this form?

Paying taxes: I am only coming for a short stay and then I return to the UK and will be working. Will I have to pay taxes in both UK & Canada? This link (Determining your residency status), says that I only pay taxes if have significant residential ties which I will not. However, I do plan to open a bank account during my short landing and maybe get my driving licence - both of these count as secondary residential ties. So does this mean I would have to pay tax? The link for non-resident of Canada says: if I don't have significant ties and have been in Canada for less than 183 days then I should will be exempt from paying tax. Please advise.

Thank you
Ketan
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Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4075


Posted On: 5/21/2016
Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4075
Hello Ketan,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

It is great that you are looking into this type of information ahead of time.

Regarding your first question,

Proof of Funds: As I am staying for only 2 weeks I plan only to bring say $1000 in spending money. However, do I need to bring the minimum required amount for a single person ($12,164) for proof of funds? If so can this be a bankers draft or will a bank statement suffice?


You can find some information in our What documents should I bring with me when landing in Canada as a new immigrant? article.

It states,

You may be asked to show proof of funds. If you are carrying more than C$10,000, you must tell a border official.


You can also find some additional information on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website. Here is an excerpt,

You do not have to show that you have these funds if:

  • you have a valid offer of arranged employment in Canada AND
  • you are currently working or authorized to work in Canada.

How much money should you bring?

It is a good idea to research how much it costs to live in the place where you plan to settle in Canada.Bring as much money as you can to make moving and finding a home in Canada easier.

Note, however, that Canadian customs regulations require you to declare if you are bringing more than CAN$10,000 into Canada. If you do not tell them, you may be fined, and your funds could be seized. These funds could be in the form of:

  • cash,
  • documents that show property or capital payable to you (such as stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills, etc.), or
  • documents that guarantee payment of a set amount of money, which are payable to you (such as bankers’ drafts, cheques, travellers’ cheques or money orders).

Regarding your question,

PR Card: I plan to provide my families address in Toronto for CBSA/CIC to send the PR Card to. My family will then bring the card to me later in the year when they visit the UK. I know there is a risk to this but I think it should be ok. My question is, because I am only there for 2 weeks will immigration send the PR card or will I have to request this another time?


You can find some information on this process in our Do I need to apply for my Permanent Resident Card? article.

It states,

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will mail your PR Card to you, after the information and photograph on your Confirmation of Permanent Residence document is confirmed by a CIC official when you arrive in Canada.If you did not provide your mailing address to CIC at the point of entry, do so as soon as possible.


Therefore, they will mail it to the address that you provide them at that time.

Regarding your additional question,

Proof of goods form: I've been told about the B4/BSF186A form - As I'm doing a short landing and not moving items, do I need to complete this form?


You can find some information on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

Here is an excerpt,

Before you arrive, you should prepare two copies of a list (preferably typed) of all the goods you intend to bring into Canada as settler’s effects, showing the value, make, model and serial number, if the item has one. Divide the list into two sections: the goods you are bringing with you and the goods to follow.

Present this list to the border services officer on your first point of arrival in Canada, even if you are not bringing in any goods at that time.


Regarding your last question,

Paying taxes: I am only coming for a short stay and then I return to the UK and will be working. Will I have to pay taxes in both UK & Canada? This link (Determining your residency status), says that I only pay taxes if have significant residential ties which I will not. However, I do plan to open a bank account during my short landing and maybe get my driving licence - both of these count as secondary residential ties. So does this mean I would have to pay tax? The link for non-resident of Canada says: if I don't have significant ties and have been in Canada for less than 183 days then I should will be exempt from paying tax. Please advise.


According to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the most important factor in determining your residency in Canada for tax purposes is whether or not you maintain residential ties with Canada while you are abroad.

You can find additional information and clarification on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.
=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
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kpanchal
kpanchal
Posts: 3


Posted On: 5/28/2016
kpanchal
kpanchal
Posts: 3
Hi there - I still have questions regarding the BSF186 Form...

I'm doing a short landing next week to Toronto Pearson (eeeek) and I've been told even if I am doing a short landing I need to complete the BSF186 Personal Effects form.

As it is a short landing I am not actually moving any goods over, so I was going to list items that I will have with me oh this short trip (e.g. Clothes, Laptop etc) & list items to follow (when I do actually move).

Looking at the form it's asking for details such as Importer's name, Cargo control number etc.

However, I am not shipping any goods over (at this stage) so how do I complete this form?

Can someone please provide some info into how I should best approach this form given my circumstances?

Thank you
Ketan
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