Prepare to arrive

Be prepared and know what to expect when your application for permanent residence is approved.

If you’re already in Canada

We’ll contact you to tell you what to do next.

You’ll need to have a short interview with an officer. You have 2 options for your interview:

• make an appointment at an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada office in Canada (best option)
• go to a Canadian port of entry (border crossing) and present:
  • proof that you have the funds to support yourself and your family
  • your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and your permanent resident visa (if we gave you a visa)

During the interview, the officer will

• make sure all your documents are valid
• ask you a few questions to make sure you still meet the terms to immigrate to Canada
• confirm your Canadian mailing address, so we can mail your permanent resident card (PR card) to you

If you’re outside Canada

Before you arrive in Canada

You can also prepare for life in Canada by

• using our free pre-arrival services, which help you
  • find out more about living and working in Canada
  • take steps to get recognition in Canada for your
    • education
    • professional licences and certificates
• reading about living and finding work in Canada

When you arrive in Canada

You must have

• your valid passport, travel documents or both
  • your passport must be a regular, private citizen passport
  • you can’t immigrate to Canada with a diplomatic, government service or public affairs passport
• your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and your permanent resident visa (if we gave you a visa)
• proof that you have the funds to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada

When you arrive in Canada, you’ll meet a border officer, who will:

• make sure you’re entering Canada before or on the expiry date shown on your COPR
• make sure that you are the same person who was approved to travel to Canada (we may use your biometrics to do this)
• ask to see your passport and other travel documents
• ask you a few questions to make sure you still meet the terms to immigrate to Canada
  • the questions will be similar to the ones you answered when you applied

To help speed up your entry to Canada, keep your passport and other documents with you at all times. Do not pack them in your luggage.

We will not allow you into Canada if you

• give false or incomplete information
• don’t convince the officer that you meet the conditions to enter Canada

If you’re admissible, and there are no problems when you arrive, the officer will

• allow you to enter Canada as a permanent resident
• confirm your Canadian mailing address, where we’ll mail your permanent resident (PR) card

Disclosure of funds

If you arrive in Canada with more than CAN$10,000, you must tell this to the border officer. If you do not tell them, you could be fined, and your funds could be seized.

What you can bring into Canada

Before you travel to Canada, find out what you can and cannot bring into the country.

After you arrive in Canada

• find immigrant services in Canada that will help you
  • settle
  • adapt to life
• read the Welcome to Canada guide to help you adjust

Changing your address

If you change your address within 180 days of arriving in Canada, you must tell us by using the web form.