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Moving to Canada?  What newcomers should know…

With the exception of the first settlers, most Canadians were immigrants at one time.  Every year, people from different parts of the world are moving to Canada to establish themselves permanently and make it their new home.  Canada is a multicultural country, a “mosaic” whose pieces are a mixture of nationalities and ethnic groups.

Living in Canada?  Before you leave your country…

Canada’s official languages are English and French.  If you are moving to Canada from a country where English or French are not the official languages, it is advisable to have your personal documents, and those of your accompanying family members, translated into one of these languages by a certified translator.  If you will settle in Quebec, you may wish to translate your documents into French.

Important documents include birth, marriage, baptismal, divorce, separation, death, adoption certificates, proof of custody of minor children, educational degrees, academic transcripts, professional or trade licences and accreditatons, resumés, letters of references from employers, school, vaccination, and health records.   Make a copy of your documents in case the originals are misplaced or get lost.  

Before you are moving to Canada, you must prepare a detailed inventory of household and personal effects that are accompanying you and of those that will follow.  One copy is for your personal use and the other for the Canada Customs officer.  These lists should include the description of each item and its individual value.  It is advisable to make a copy of these inventories.

It is also advisable to obtain an international driver’s licence.
Motor vehicles must comply with Canadian safety and pollution control standards.  Before you ship your car, please contact Transport Canada at:  www.tc.gc.ca. If you decide to ship your car after you are moving to Canada, make sure you submit proof of ownership and registration documents at the port of entry in Canada.
If you are moving to Canada as a skilled worker or as a business immigrant (investor, entrepreneur, or self-employed), make sure you can submit evidence of having sufficient funds to settle in Canada according to the size of your family unit. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/op06e.pdf (at page 13). The funds should be sufficient to cover living expenses for a six-month period. 

Residing in Canada?  Upon arrival at the port of entry…

Upon arrival at the land or air port of entry, you will be required to submit the following documents.  Please have them at hand for inspection by the customs officer who will then refer you to an immigration officer:

• Inventory of personal and household effects, and motor vehicle ownership and registration documents (if applicable).
• Valid passport for each member of the family who is moving to Canada, issued by the country from which you are a citizen.
• Immigrant visa issued by the Canadian office that processed the application for permanent residence.  This visa is affixed in the passport of each member of the family who is immigrating to Canada.
• Confirmation of permanent residence issued by the Canadian office that processed your application, for each member of the family who will be residing in Canada.
• Evidence of settlement funds.

Moving to Canada?  What you cannot bring…

There are strict guidelines as to what items are prohibited to enter Canada.  Please consult the following website to learn about some of these items:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/guide/section-02.asp#4

You may also contact the Canadian Border Services Agency at:

www.cbsa.gc.ca