Canadian moving back to Canada - questions

[deanodotcom]

This forum is excellent - I have already learned a lot - I have not seen this post anywhere - I want to confirm a few things before moving back to Canada.

I was born in TO (sorry about that) and have been in FL for 15 years. Have US citizenship. Moving to Calgary for a new job.

1) What documentation do I need to move to Calgary?
I have US passport (Cndn PP expired about 8 years ago); original plastic laminated birth certificate my parents gave me; copy of "long version of birth certificate"; I also have the offer letter from my new employer stating the job is located in Calgary.

2) What is the best way to xfer money to my US bank account? - its with those idiots at BofA. My wife will be staying in FL for a while - could be a LOOONG while with FL real estate, but that is a whole 'nother issue. I need to get my Cndn $ to her somehow.

3) Anything I am missing? from what I can glean from the Cndn immigration website, I need to prove I am a Canadian citizen, I need to prove I can legally live in Alberta, and I need to prove I can legally work in Alberta. My initial order of business in Calgary will be:

a) Get an Alberta Drivers Licence
b) Get a Cndn bank account for payroll to send my paychecks
c) Apply for Alberta Healthcare
d) Get car insurance.
e) anything I'm missing?

Thanks for any help/advice.

deano

[agnelson]

1) You don't need any other Cdn documentation other than your birth cert. The one you have is fine. You don't need 'permission' to go back to canada for whatever reason.

2) I've found setting up an account at customhouse.com the simplest and most efficient way. Above all do NOT sent a Cdn cheque to your US bank. THey will either freeze it, service charge it, or cheat you on the exchange much more than if you send them a US draft. FL banks may be a bit more savvy on Cdn issues,but use an electronic exchange like cutomhouse or xe.com in any event.

3). Huh? You are not 'immigrating' to canada. You are simply moving back. You have every legal right to live there -- by virtue of your birth in Canada. Period. You didn't lose your citizenship. No job required. No nothing. Even Torontonians with no job can live anywhere in Alberta.

First thing you'll do is get a place to live. You can't get a DL without that first, then you submit your healthcare paperwork [they may tell you it is only effective in 3 months -- not true -- but no point arguing -- if you need healthcare you will get it free without waiting period]. To open a bank account you'll need to know your social insurance number, which you should be giving to your employer as well.

[deanodotcom]

thank you - re: SIN - can I use the SIN I had originally? I still have my SIN card.

Thanks

[agnelson]

Your SIN is yours for life, regardless of whether you still have the card.

[deanodotcom]

OK - Thank you for your help.

[Reba]

You may need to update your expired Canadian passport. http://www.ppt.gc.ca/cdn/form.aspx?lang=eng&region=USA

In the US, you can get Canadian size passport photos done at Sears Portrait Studios.

Is your wife Canadian, or American? If she's eventually moving up there with you, you will need to sponsor her if she's American. You can find information about that at http://roadtocanada.com and the forms at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/informatio ... #immigrate

[agnelson]

The passport is not a requirement for now -- he can travel on US one.

Simpler to wait until in Canada to renew PP -- later.

-- Sat Oct 24, 2009 8:37 am --

... and on the subject of what needs to be done immediately, there are certain financial decisions that must be made before establishing Cdn tax residency that can save you $1000's of dollars later on.

Ask me at forums.serbinski.com and I'll give you the 3 or 4 basic things to consider before moving back.

[deanodotcom]

Thanks, agnelson, I'll do that.

Re: Cndn Passport - yeah, that is not a biggie for now - from what I have been reading, as long as I have a valid US passport, which I do, then I am OK - I -WILL- be getting an updated Cndn Passport and also a Nexus card, as I'll be travelling to the US about 5,6 times a year - if Nexus can save me standing in line for an hour like at Pearson and Calgary, then it's well worth the $50