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| Subject: Please advise |
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Hi All,
I have not been on this forum for a long time now, but I guess my
destiny brought be back here.
My Background:
I became PR in Jan 07.
Lived in Canada for a 1 week, then moved back to US
Started looking for jobs in Canada, did not find a suitable one.
Continued working in US and applied for the final stage of my
US green card.
Based on the priority dates, my US GC is atleast a year away, plus
I lost my job in the US.
Now I am planning to move to canada to save my PR because I will lose it in Jan 2010, and of course will have to forfeit my US GC application after spending so much time and effort. I am planning to sell my condo and car in the US.I will rent a car (one way) to drive to either Toronto or Montreal
My questions for all are (please reply)
1) Can I drive directly to Montreal, apply for SIN there and
start working (I did not apply under quebec system)
2) I got married in 2008, did not inform the Canadian immigration
about it since, I got marred after I became PR. Is there
anything to be concerned about this. We are now planning to file
for divorce.
3)Can I take some household items with me like cooking stuff, books,
paintings that I did not declare in Goods to follow list ?
4) Because I have been out of Canada for more than two years, will
I be grilled at the border ?
Please let me know.
-Thanks,
Brian
[14-03-2009,16:59]
[**.232.10.115]
Brian |
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(in reply to: Please advise)
Brian,
I believe the following to your questions is accurate.
1) Yes. Since you already landed previously, you can go directly to Montreal and apply for an SIN card, and live there if you choose. They will issue you a temporary SIN card with which you can start working immediately. Your permanent SIN card will arrive at your Canadian home address in about 30 days.
2) Nothing to be concerned about getting married and not informing Immigration. If she´s Canadian, nothing more to be said. If not, she doesn´t have PR rights based on your PR status since you didn´t include her.
3) Yes, you can take as much household goods as you want that you didn´t declare in your Goods To Follow list. BUT, you´ll be taxed on the value of those goods, and perhaps asked your intentions with goods that look recently purchased.
4) No, you´ll not be grilled at the border just because you´ve been outside of Canada for 2 years. You have every right to return as a PR. They will ask you how long you´ve been outside of Canada, and simply provide this information. It won´t affect your PR status since you´re within the 3 year limit of staying outside.
Relax, they´re not so intense as you think. Your move back should go just fine. I applaud you for giving up your Green Card in favor of Canadian PR status. It´s probably a good practical move anyway, since with U.S. job loss comes loss of health coverage. You can pick that up in Canada as a benefit of Canadian PR status.
[14-03-2009,23:20]
[**.53.226.146]
Richard |
(in reply to: Please advise)
Hi Richard,
Thanks for the detailed information, appreciate it.
I think we talked before in 2007. If I am not wrong you
are the same Richard who moved from the US to Canada, and
was having a hard time selling his home in the US.
If so, how has been the Canadian experience so far ?
-Thanks,
-Brian
[15-03-2009,14:42]
[**.232.10.115]
Brian |
(in reply to: Please advise)
Hi Brian,
Yep, same Richard. I remember we talked back then.
I never sold the U.S. place, but moved to Canada for about a year anyway. We loved living in Canada. People very friendly and we felt part of the community.
Unfortunately, we chose an out-of-the way small town in a remote part of northern Ontario. We liked the beautiful scenery and outdoor activities during the warm weather, but in the winter felt very isolated. The job situation was also limited as the town was in a downward trend economically.
So we moved back, and decided on a larger metropolitan area in either southeastern Ontario or Vancouver/BC area, which we plan to do in the spring. If Ontario, probably London, Guelph, or Toronto (GTA as they call it). More jobs, activities, better medical services, and overall more choices is the factor.
You´ll have to tell us more about your upcoming plans, and what you´ve been up to. Why the time spent in the U.S. since landing? I´m guessing you had a good job offer down here.
[15-03-2009,20:41]
[**.53.226.146]
Richard |
(in reply to: Please advise)
Hey Richard,
Good to hear from you.I can imagine that winter in Canada can be hard on you especially when you are living in a remote place. I am sure in and around Toronto would be a good choice.
Hmmm, so you are back in the states for the time being.
I have applied for Canada as a back up,because I am young and there are many more opportunities here in the US than in Canada.
The reason I did not move to Canada was that I had a good job in the US, and it made more sense to wait for the US green card. But now that I don´t have that job and the GC seems like at least a year away, I have decided to move to Canada. I do have a tentative job offer in Montreal.
-Brian
[16-03-2009,01:53]
[**.232.10.115]
Brian |
(in reply to: Please advise)
I should say your choice to sell car maybe bad! In Canada, vehicles are more expensive. But Toyota may help out with financing ( the US vehicles rightfully belong in junkyard) so you maybe ok. The wife thing can be written off without further reference. Don´t expect any nice jobs here... IMF and other agencies lashed out at the rosy description of Canadian recession and downgraded Canadian economy; the result: expect recession to last for sometime AFTER the US shows signs life returning life. Quebec and Ontario are hit worst so you are going to a downtrodden province. But I suggest you grab all the greenbacks you can (rob a bank if you must) on your way to here... Now the exchange rate is in favor of greenbacks and as Canada digs deeper into recession (enormous corruption across the board resulting vastly inferior performance compared to the US Govt), this exchange rate will get even better for the US$. You can have more easy relationships in Montreal but I doubt that you will find jobs. Anyways, good luck... For god´s sakes, don´t bring pots and pans (it is disgusting to see the new immigrants bringing cookware).
[16-03-2009,13:54]
[***.202.152.48]
SureShot |
(in reply to: Please advise)
Hey SureShot,
Thanks for the reply, I really like your honest comments. I agree with you that the Canadian economy is not doing very well.No, the utensils are the marriage gifts so they are all new :) did not want to throw them away.
The exchange rate is the only good thing..I have about 20K in cash, that will keep me afloat for about a year atleast.
My Car is a 99 corolla, I thought about bringing it into canada, but was not sure if it will pass the canadian inspection standards..
[16-03-2009,15:09]
[**.232.10.115]
Brian |
Please advise (in reply to: Please advise)
Hi Bryan,
Nice to hear you are going back to Canada. I can´t even go back there as my H1B extension is in process and I still have a job here while I am not sure if I will get one in Canada .
But my PR expires in May and I am not sure if I can revive it later.
Any idea ?
And good luck to you with your move to Canada.
Nanku
[16-04-2009,00:46]
[**.172.120.171]
Nanku |
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