If you are preparing to start a fresh life in Canada as a Permanent Resident, it is advisable that you get professional assistance from Best Canada Immigration Consultants. If you are not fully ready for immigration and your PR Visa is approved, you need not get anxious.
You have the option of making a soft landing in Canada to buy extra time prior to permanently moving to Canada. After arrival in Canada, you can start the process for your PR Card even if you are not fully ready for the permanent relocation before the COPR and Visa expire.
You can proceed with the job search in Canada even from abroad after receiving the PR Card and immigrating to Canada after being better prepared.
What is meant by Soft Landing?
The process of arriving for a brief period by immigrants for completion of their immigration procedures and commencing the process for a PR Card prior to permanent relocation to Canada is known as Soft Landing.
Once your PR Visa is approved, you have to land in Canada before the Visa, COPR and other documents expire. You can opt for a soft landing if you are not completely prepared for permanent relocation to Canada during this period. It is a nice choice for finishing your landing procedure and starting the paperwork for PR Card. Later you can return to your native nation and prepare for actually moving on a later date.
You require approved PR, Canada Visa, valid COPR, and medical test reports for completing the soft landing in Canada.
When to do a soft landing?
Usually, you will have a few months for soft landing once receive your Visa stamp. Further, you can do it only if you possess a Visa, COPR, and the results of medical tests.
The maximum validity of a COPR is 12 months but in most cases, it is much less. The validity of COPR is linked with the results of medical tests which have a validity of 1 year after the appearance for the test. The expiry date of your Immigrant Visa or IM-1 Stamp corresponds with the expiry date of the medical test results. So you must make sure to arrive in Canada prior to your Visa expiry when planning for a soft landing.
Requirements for a Soft Landing in Canada
The documents that are essential for completing a soft landing are usually similar to those required for permanently moving to Canada. The major requirements for a soft landing in Canada are:
IM-1 Visa and Valid Passport
You will not be able to arrive in Canada if you do not have a valid Passport and if needed Visa. New COPR holders who need a Visa to arrive in Canada can obtain Single Entry IM-Visa. The validity of the Visa is 12 months from the date of obtaining results for medical tests.
Legal COPR
The Immigration Authorities at the entry port will confirm your original COPR inclusive of your Passport as well as major documents prior to processing your application for PR.
Confirmation of Funds
You have to have proof of funds for settlement when you arrive in Canada first time. This is if you are qualified for PR under Express Entry under Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or a PNP – Provincial Nominee Program category that does not need a job offer.
Forms B4A and B4
In order to take goods to Canada with no payment of duties, you have to submit forms B4A and B4. These are also known as BSF186 and BSF186A. The forms have to be submitted once you arrive in Canada for the first time. The form B4A or goods-to-be-followed is crucial for doing a soft landing in Canada. It must include all the items that you intend to bring to Canada afterward.
Cash
You have to carry sufficient money in Canadian currency for taking care of your expenses while you remain in Canada. The process of opening a Canadian bank account can be initiated even before you arrive in Canada for easing access to funds while doing a soft landing.
Medicine and Prescriptions
Have sufficient medicines as well as prescriptions for your journey if you are on any medications.
Insurance for Travel
If you do not have provincial insurance coverage for healthcare the expenses for health emergencies can be very high. It is advisable that you purchase insurance having adequate coverage while you stay in Canada.
You are required to immigrate permanently to Canada within 36 months of completing soft landing for becoming qualified for renewal of your PR Visa. For Citizenship, it is 24 months for catering to physical presence criteria.
New Land Visas are among the Top 10 Immigration Consultants in India for Canada and we can help you successfully immigrate to Canada on PR Visa.