Our native country is where we mostly have our life together, be it personal or professional. Therefore, shifting and relocating outside our native country can be quite a tedious job. When you decide to settle abroad, you will undergo a confused state of mind.
Moving to Canada and leaving your home country after Permanent residence approval might be a tough decision for you. If you have second thoughts about settling in Canada when you receive COPR, you might access a new method.
You could simply choose the Soft-Landing process in Canada after acquiring the Confirmation of Permanent Residence. Therefore, you must be present in Canada before the expiry of the visa while the soft-landing process planning continues.
Soft Landing Process in Canada
A Soft-Landing process in Canada permits newcomers and immigrants to complete their formalities in Canada before they entirely and permanently move to Canada.
Once you receive approval from Canadian PR, you must also plan a visit to the country before the expiry of the documents for the same. In a situation where you have COPR but don’t yet wish to relocate during that point in time, you can always choose the process of Soft Landing. Choose to finish all the landing procedures and also begin your paperwork. After this step, you could simply return to your home country and plan your real immigration strategy for a later time.
New permanent residents choosing soft landing in Canada
New permanent residents who have received COPR, approved medical exam results, and visas have the opportunity to do a soft landing before they decide to settle in Canada permanently.
Circumstances when soft landing in Canada becomes possible
You will first require a valid COPR, medical exam results, and a visa to be eligible for a soft landing in Canada. Once you receive your visa stamp; you will have a few months to proceed with the soft landing in Canada. The validity of your COPR won’t exceed 1 year. In most cases, its validity will be less than a year.
Your Visa stamp’s expiry date and medical exam result’s expiry date will be the same. Therefore, you must be present in Canada before the expiry of the visa, while the soft-landing process planning continues.
Soft-landing process in Canada- its benefits
There are several benefits of the process of a soft landing in Canada; they’re as follows:
Sufficient time to plan before settling in Canada
Soft landing in Canada provides more time for individuals to finish up all their pending work in their native country. It gives them adequate time to properly plan their relocation in Canada, while not choosing a soft landing might only leave them with a few months’ timeframes to relocate after receiving COPR and visa.
Obtain your PR card before settling permanently in Canada
Newcomers usually tend to plan their soft landing in Canada in a way that they also receive their PR card much before they leave the country. The PR card processing begins only after the landing interview is over and the immigration takes place at the airport. However, it is only between four to twelve weeks that one receives the PR card via mail.
Searching for a Canadian job from abroad
Canadian immigration’s toughest part appears to be searching for a Canadian job from abroad. The majority of Canadian employers wish to hire Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Therefore, possessing your Social Insurance Number and PR card will prove beneficial. Hence, you must opt for a soft landing as it will provide you with more time to obtain your SIN.
Being a PR card holder will lead to more chances of having a Canadian job. Having a job offer before settling in the country will also give you more time to schedule your landing date. You might even be fortunate enough to start with remote work until you permanently settle in Canada.
Keep gaining work experience in your home country
Another fair advantage of a soft landing in Canada is that you can continue with your work in your home country before you actually move permanently to Canada. Additionally, you will have no time to waste while you search out all possible job options in Canada. Your time and energy will be utilized for the better. You’ll get the motivation to work harder to acquire a better financial status and even have more savings for your future in Canada.
Keep more savings for Canada’s cost of living
The cost of living in Canada can cause you all the savings you have earned in your home country. Therefore, a soft landing can save you from all this. In a situation when a home country’s cost of living is lesser than Canada’s, a soft landing can come to your rescue by saving an ample amount of money. It will also provide you with a flexible timeline to search for Canadian jobs.
Get acquainted with your new Canadian city before moving there
When you decide to move to a new city in Canada, it is extremely important to acquaint yourself with the new city so that you don’t undergo a cultural shock. You will become aware of the city’s traditions, culture, and people. Knowing about other neighboring cities might even give you a fair idea of moving to the perfect place of your choice.
Soft landing in Canada- its drawbacks
There are a few drawbacks of a soft landing in the country; they’re as follows:
Soft landing’s initial expenditure is high
Most often, the newcomers tend to argue about the initial expenditure involved in a soft landing. In case of a soft landing, immigrants will have to pay an additional amount for the return flight tickets, while they could avoid this expenditure if they move permanently to the country. The extra visit will also cost you accommodation, food, and other essential expenses.
Insufficient time for physical residency, PR renewal, and Canadian citizenship
As far as your permanent move to Canada is concerned, delaying it further might not be a great idea. Even though your PR card has a validity of five years, you will need to demonstrate your physical presence in the country for two out of the five years, that is, 730 days. This validity will let you proceed with the PR renewal. In order to apply for Canadian citizenship, you must demonstrate your physical stay in the country as a PR for three years or 1095 days in the previous five years of your application.
Requirements for a soft landing in Canada
Soft landing in Canada will require you to provide the following essential documents to permanently move to Canada:
- Passport and 1M-1 Visa (if required)- It isn’t possible to travel to Canada without an authentic passport and visa. Those who recently acquired COPR will also need a visa. They might need a 1M-1 Visa, and its expiry date will correspond to the expiry of the medical exam result.
- COPR’s validity– The immigration officer will verify your COPR’s authenticity along with other essential documents, including your passport, at the port of landing. They will verify your documents before proceeding with your application.
- Funding Proof– Once you qualify for Express Entry’s PR through FSWP, FSTP, or Provincial Nominee Program streams that will not require an employment offer, you will also have to provide settlement proof when you visit Canada for the first time. Fund proof will include the bank’s official letter and drafts, cash, and traveler cheques.
- Submit B4 and B4A forms– Once you arrive in Canada for the first time, make sure you visit the customs office to submit the B4 and B4A forms. To bring your belonging to Canada, you must enlist all your belongings in the B4A form for your soft-landing process in Canada.
- Canadian Currency– Do ensure that you carry money in Canadian dollars to meet your daily expenses smoothly. Begin the process of soft landing by opening a Canadian bank account so that you can conveniently use your funds, whenever required.
- Travel Insurance– If you don’t have provincial health insurance coverage, you will find Canada’s healthcare costs to be extremely high in Canada. Purchasing travel and health insurance in Canada will be appropriate for the specific duration of your stay in the country.
- Acknowledgment from ArriveCan– All Canadian travelers, irrespective of their vaccination status, will have to fill ArriveCan’s form. The receipt will be seen by the airline staff.
Time duration of your Canadian stay while soft landing
The time duration concerning your stay during your soft landing in Canada doesn’t have any restrictions. However, you must at least stay in Canada until you receive your PR card by mail. You might not have to wait for the PR card if you have friends or relatives staying in the country who can receive it on your behalf and even send it to you.
The PR card might take a minimum of 12 weeks delivery of the PR card. The soft-landing process in Canada might even prevent you from staying too long in Canada. In case you’re sure regarding the safety of your PR card, consider at least four to six weeks for your Canadian journey. These many days will certainly help you complete all essential tasks and even let you enjoy new destinations in the country.
Temporary lodging during soft landing
Your soft-landing process in Canada will require you to book temporary lodging during your stay. The following are the lodging alternatives that you will have to explore, while your stay in the country:
- Living with acquaintances in the country– Living with acquaintances in Canada will help you save a lot of money and you will have people to fall back on. You will be able to get help from them with all tasks concerning after you arrive in the country.
- Hotel booking, the hostel, B&B, or temporary rental– For temporary rental purposes, you could contact significant platforms, including Airbnb, Expedia, VRBO, HiHostels, Booking, and Hotels.com.
- Searching for Homestay– Several Canadian families act as hosts for guests for a short duration. These arrangements at home also include more than one meal per day. Visit the website Homestay.com and check the accommodation listings in Toronto and Vancouver.
Substantial tasks to complete during your soft landing in Canada
Make a checklist of the following top-ten substantial tasks you will need to complete once you land in Canada:
Acquire your PR card
The process of PR application will begin at the landing port. You would look forward to staying in the country until you receive your PR card. In case you decide to part ways with the country earlier, you will have to ask your relatives or friends to receive it on your behalf. Even though you’ll be away from Canada, you will have the chance to track and trace the PR card via the official website of IRCC.
You will also need to file a Solemn Declaration in case you don’t receive your PR card within six weeks of receiving the mail.
Obtain your Social Insurance Number
Obtaining a SIN is essential for working in Canada and for governmental advantages. You could apply for a SIN via mail or physically visit the Service Canada Centre. Toronto Pearson Airport, an international airport, comprises the Service Canada Centers. Physically visiting the center is better as you will receive the number the same day. On the other hand, submitting the application via mail might make you wait for at least 20 days for SIN’s arrival.
Opening bank accounts in Canada
Opening a Canadian bank account will provide you the chance for easy access to your funds, and also money transfers when you decide to permanently move to Canada. Building your credit history by applying through Canadian credit cards will also help you a great deal before settling in the country.
Attaining a driver’s license
Approved documents for proving your identity include a provincial photo ID or a driver’s license. Moreover, try to first get a driver’s license because acquiring both the license and photograph ID won’t be possible. Canadian provinces generally consist of a graduated driving license system. The foremost step is the knowledge test. It is advisable to clear the driving license examination as the first step. This way, you can acquire your license during a soft landing. You will have a significant chance of receiving your complete license at the earliest.
Receiving Canada’s SIM card
Getting a prepaid Canadian SIM will help you because having an existing and reliable phone service and data will be helpful to you. Employers will get a chance to connect with you at the time of your job search.
Provincial Health Card
Suppose there is no waiting period available in your province, you must apply for a Provincial Health Card during your soft landing in Canada. Apply for it only if you’re sure about the Canadian area you will likely settle shortly.
Provincial Health Card will also require you to meet specific residency criteria to retain its validity. Ontario Health Insurance Program demands the newcomer remain in Ontario because if they’re outside the province for 212 days in a 12-month duration, then the card will become invalid.
Make a list of neighborhoods
When you’re open to searching for the best alternatives for the neighborhoods in Canada, you will have more options to choose from when you think of settling in a specific city. Therefore, you can subtly use the soft-landing process to gain more knowledge about the housing types and their rental expenses. The more options you have, the more budget-friendly choice you will make. You could consider the essential factors such as transit and walk scores, distance from downtown, availability of institutions, and different services in the region.
Explore surrounding areas in Canada
Make the perfect use of soft landing in Canada by traveling in Canada and exploring various other surrounding areas as your options if you are still unsure of settling in the country. Look at things such as the job market and cost of living, and analyze its accessibility. As a result, you will save sufficient time for relocating purposes once you permanently migrate to Canada.
Stay connected with your Canadian friends and family
Several newcomers make use of their existing connections in Canada such as old school friends, family members, and other Canadian acquaintances. Re-establishing your connections with them helps you build your social and professional network.
Developing your professional network
You could meet people based on your profession or industry and strengthen your professional network. Meeting these people will help you understand the Canadian job market, recruitment practices, and the specific skills employers seek in their employees in your industry. These connections will help in searching for jobs, requiring a job or referral, and the requirement of a mentor.
FAQ’s
Is it possible to re-enter Canada without a PR Card?
In case you don’t receive your PR card and ask your acquaintances to receive it on your behalf, they will need to ship it to your home address via a reliable courier service. And in a situation where you can’t wait more and need to leave the country without the PR card, you will have to present a PRTD or Permanent Resident Travel Document to re-enter Canada. PRTD refers to a single entry-level document permitting permanent residents to admit to Canada without a PR card.
After the soft landing, what should be the return time to come to Canada?
After a soft landing, move permanently to Canada within three years of renewing your Canadian PR. In case you look forward to Canadian citizenship, you must permanently return to Canada within two years of soft landing to meet the requirement of being physically present in the country.
Soft landing is an excellent method of utilizing the time for moving to Canada permanently. In case you’re not ready for immigration before the expiry of COPR or visa, you will be able to visit the country and begin your PR process. With the availability of a PR card, you’ll have the chance to continue your job search from abroad. You will also be able to relocate to Canada with more preparation.
