Chapter 24          

What to do when my application is approved! 

Congratulations!

The most important news you have been waiting for has now finally arrived in your mailbox. Your application for permanent residence in Canada has been approved. Your long wait is over! Your Canadian Permanent Resident Visa is now in your hands.  

What is a Permanent Resident Visa?  

A Permanent Resident Visa is a document which allows a person to lawfully reside and work in any province across Canada. Permanent Resident visa gives a holder most rights, privileges and social benefits accorded to Canadian citizens. A person who is a Canadian Permanent Resident may apply for Canadian Citizenship after 3 years.

What should I do after I receive my visa(s)?  

Your visa has a validity date on it, which is usually one year from the date you or your dependents started the immigration medical exam process. The time given is usually enough (about 8-10 months) for you to settle everything and make the necessary arrangements in your country before landing in Canada. 

You and your dependents must travel to Canada and present your immigration visas at a Canadian port of entry before the expiration date. The Canadian port of entry office is normally located in the airport in Canada where you land.

You must also report any births, deaths, adoptions, marriages, separations, divorces, serious illnesses or criminal proceedings involving immigrating family members that take place after your visas have been issued and before you depart for Canada.

Failure to do so may render your visas invalid. The visa office will instruct you what steps to take in regard to these new developments. When you arrive in Canada, you must present your visa to a customs/immigration officer who will complete landing formalities. You and your dependents who accompanied you to Canada will become landed immigrants and accorded the status of permanent residents of Canada at that time.  

How soon should I land in Canada after receiving the visa?  

You must land in Canada before your permanent resident visa expires, which is normally one year after your medical exam. Otherwise you'll have to apply all over again  

What if my dependents or I are unable to travel to Canada before our visas expire?   

It is permissible that your dependents may choose not to accompany you when you land in Canada but to follow later before their visas expire. Your dependents cannot, however, travel to Canada before you do,  to present their visas.  

Again, remember that the validity of a visa cannot be extended. If your visa expires before you present it at a Canadian port of entry, it is void. If you are still interested in immigrating to Canada, you must return your unused visas to the visa office and make a new application.