So You Want to Move to Canada

[Every now and then I get an email asking for help, advice, my experience, etc. on my Immigration to Canada.  The following is my story.]

The best way to move to Canada is by getting married or by working in a skilled trade or by being related to a Canadian.  Me, I’m not so skilled nor was I related to a Canadian (yet), so I got married.  Silliness aside, I most likely wouldn't be in Canada if I hadn't had a Canadian boyfriend.  Getting married was the only option open to us if we wanted to live together.

My boyfriend and I got married in Surrey, BC, Canada.  I went through the border like I usually did on a Friday evening after work.  I told the border guard I was just visiting my boyfriend for the weekend.  A wedding commissioner married us on Saturday and I went home (to Seattle) Sunday afternoon.  The following Saturday I showed up with my moving van and, after going inside and having to fill out a few forms, I was allowed through because I was married to a Canadian. 

You will need proof that you were married, so make sure you bring your original wedding certificate with you.  You will need proof that you were born, so bring your birth certificate (certified copy is fine) with you.  If you have a passport, bring that as well. 

You will have to start your paperwork on becoming a Landed Immigrant (similar to having a Green Card) when you cross the border.  You will be issued a Visitor’s Record that will have to be renewed every now and then.  It cost money for each renewal.  If you get a job, you will have to get a Worker’s Permit, this also costs money and has to be renewed every so often, but it replaces your Visitor’s Record.  The whole "Landing" process can take anywhere from about 18 months to three years.  It takes money, so I hope you have a few (2-3 if I remember correctly) thousand to spend on it.  You will also have to pay for a doctor's exam out of your pocket (insurance doesn't cover it).  So it's not thousands of dollars all at once, but they do seem to nickel and dime you quite a bit.

When you bring your stuff through, make sure you have a detailed list of what is in the truck.  You don't have to list every glass and fork, but write down "dishes" "silverware" "books" "three bookcases" "one couch" "four dining chairs" "one dining table" "clothing" "pots and pans" "bedding" "two easy chairs" "misc. craft supplies", that sort of stuff.  You shouldn't bring stuff like plants.  I did, however, bring my cat after making sure he was up to date on his shots and I had the vet's paperwork with me.  I lucked out in that they didn’t bother to check my list against what was in the truck.  However, do not lie or omit anything.  One thing I cannot stress enough is – Do Not Lie To Canadian Officials.

If you own a vehicle you will have to register it when you cross the border.  You will also have to have it inspected within sixty (60) days.  This will cost approximately $ 130 to $150 of which $70 +/- is for the government.  If there are certain types of defects with your car, they will have to be fixed by you or a mechanic and, possibly, reinspected.

You will also have to surrender your driver's licence and get a BC licence within 60 days.  As long as you have proof that you have been driving for seven years, you will not have to take another driver's test.  They will test your vision.  I had a Texas driver's licence but it was only six years old.  I had to get confirmation from California (I never got a Washington state licence - shhhhh!) to show that I had been driving longer.

When you have no money and no job of your own, the Canadian you’re marrying will have to agree to (and sign paperwork) to sponsor and support you for ten (10) years.  They will have to have a certain amount of money in his/her bank accounts (I don’t recall the amount).  My husband had to fudge a bit and include the money he had in his retirement accounts.  He didn’t lie about how much money he had; he just failed to mention that it wasn’t liquid funds.  I don’t recall that they asked for bank information such as where he banked and account numbers.  My memory may be faulty.

Prior to working and getting health insurance you will have to get your Social Insurance Number (SIN), it's the Canadian equivalent of a Social Security Number (SSN).  Your initial card will have a temporary number, your permanent number/card will come later.

When the paperwork is all processed and done, you will be called for an interview.  This isn't anything to be stressed about.  There will be a little bit of ceremony and you'll be handed your Maple Leaf card.  Welcome to Canada, you're a Landed Immigrant!  You are not a citizen.  It takes about three years to become eligible to be a citizen.  I have yet to do so, so I cannot help you with that.

This is all I can remember at the moment.  I will add to this if or when I recall new information.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to drop me an email.

Good luck!

Please Note:  I am a U.S. citizen.  This is how it worked for me from December 1999 through July 2004 in the Province of British Columbia.  Your experience may vary; the rules may have changed.  I am neither responsible nor accountable for how your experience differs from mine.