What documents do I need when landing in Canada as a PR?

Your valid passport, your COPR, your permanent resident visa if IRCC issued one, and proof of funds unless you are exempt. Keep them in your hand luggage, together with a list of the goods you bring and the goods to follow.

Do I need to show proof of funds at landing?

Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades immigrants must have the funds when they apply and when the visa is issued, and IRCC asks for proof at arrival unless you are exempt. Canadian Experience Class immigrants, and people authorized to work in Canada with a valid job offer, are exempt.

How much money can I bring to Canada?

There is no limit, but you must declare cash and monetary instruments worth CAN$10,000 or more to the border officer. That includes bank drafts, cheques, money orders, travellers' cheques, stocks and bonds.

What are goods to follow?

Personal goods you own and use abroad that arrive after you, for example by ship. List them for CBSA at your first entry (forms BSF186 and BSF186A), even if you bring nothing that day. CBSA sets no time limit for listed goods to follow, but alcohol and tobacco cannot be included.

When will I get my PR card?

IRCC mails it to the Canadian address you confirm at the border. If you move within 180 days of arriving, tell IRCC with its web form so the card is not lost. Until it arrives, keep your signed COPR safe: it proves you were approved for permanent residence.

Is there a waiting period for health insurance?

In some provinces, yes: IRCC says coverage can take up to 3 months to start. Apply for your health card as soon as you arrive and buy private insurance for the gap. Rules vary by province, so check your provincial health ministry.

How long can I stay outside Canada as a PR?

You must be in Canada at least 730 days in every five-year period. The days do not have to be continuous, and some time abroad can count. For citizenship you need 1,095 days in five years.

Landing checklist

PR landing checklist: before you fly, at the border and your first months

Everything a new permanent resident needs to land in Canada and settle in: the documents to keep in your hand luggage, what the border officer checks, and the first things to do in your first week and first months.

Documents to carry when landing in Canada
Goods to follow list and the $10,000 rule
SIN, bank, health card and phone in week one
How to keep PR status and reach citizenship

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PDF · free · no sign-upChecked October 6, 2026

Quick answer

To land in Canada as a permanent resident, carry your valid passport, your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and PR visa if you got one, and proof of funds unless you are exempt. Travel before your COPR expires. At the border, declare CAN$10,000 or more and give a list of goods to follow. In your first week, apply for your SIN, open a bank account and apply for provincial health insurance.

First things to do in Canada as a new immigrant

The real order, from COPR to settling in. Each stage has a checklist further down.

Before you fly
Check your COPR and plan the date
Compare your COPR with your passport: names, date of birth, passport number. You must enter Canada on or before the date on your COPR, and IRCC cannot extend it.
Before you fly
Prepare documents, money and your goods list
Put your passport, COPR, PR visa and proof of funds in your hand luggage. Write a list of the goods coming with you and the goods that will follow later.
Landing day
Meet the border officer
The CBSA officer checks your documents and identity, asks questions to confirm you are still eligible, and signs your COPR with your entry date. Declare money of CAN$10,000 or more and hand over your goods list.
Landing day
Give a mailing address for your PR card
The officer confirms the Canadian address where IRCC mails your PR card. If you change address within 180 days of arriving, tell IRCC with its web form.
Week 1
SIN, bank, phone and health insurance
Apply for your Social Insurance Number, open a bank account, get a Canadian phone number and apply for your province's health insurance.
First months
Settle in and build your record
Use free newcomer services, exchange or get a driver's licence, build credit history, sign up for language classes if you want them, and file your first tax return.
Every year
Keep your status and count your days
Stay at least 730 days in Canada in every five-year period to keep PR status, and track your days towards citizenship with the citizenship calculator.

Declare your goods to follow on your first entry

CBSA asks new settlers to present a list of all personal goods at their first arrival, even if nothing is coming with them that day, split into goods with you and goods to follow. Goods to follow that are not on that list at your first entry may not get the settlers' exemption later. Alcohol and tobacco cannot be goods to follow.

What happens at the port of entry

A Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer checks that you are entering on or before the date on your COPR, confirms your identity (sometimes with your biometrics), reviews your passport and documents, and asks questions to make sure you are still eligible to immigrate.

If you carry CAN$10,000 or more, you must declare it. There is no limit on how much you can bring, and it is not illegal to bring more, but it must be declared. This includes cash, bank drafts, cheques, money orders, travellers' cheques, stocks and bonds.

The officer then confirms your Canadian mailing address for the PR card. If your address changes within 180 days of arriving, tell IRCC with its web form.

First week in Canada as a PR

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Week 1

Social Insurance Number (SIN)Free. Apply online, by mail or in person at Service Canada with your COPR or PR card plus a second ID such as your passport. You need it to work and for benefits.
Bank accountBanks have newcomer packages. Bring your passport and COPR.
Canadian phone numberEmployers, banks and government services will need it.
Provincial or territorial health insuranceEach personApply as soon as you arrive. In some provinces coverage starts only after up to 3 months: buy private insurance for the gap.
Private health insurance for the waiting periodIf applicableCheck your province's rules first: waiting periods vary.

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Things to do after landing in Canada: first months

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First 3 months

Free newcomer settlement servicesFunded by IRCC for permanent residents: job search help, licences for regulated jobs, housing and language. In Quebec, services are run by the province.
Driver's licenceIf you driveRules to exchange a foreign licence differ by province and by country of issue. Check your province's licensing office early.
Family doctorRegister on your province's waiting list as soon as you have a health card.
School enrolment for childrenEach childContact your local school board with proof of address and status.
Credit historyCanadian credit starts at zero. A secured or newcomer credit card paid in full each month builds it.

First year

Free French or English classes (LINC / CLIC)If you wantFree for permanent residents after a language assessment. Reaching CLB 4 in listening and speaking also meets the citizenship language rule.
First Canadian tax returnUsually due by April 30 of the next year. Filing keeps benefits paid and counts towards the tax rule for citizenship.
Travel journalNote every trip outside Canada with dates. You will need them for PR card renewal and citizenship.

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Keeping PR status: the 730-day rule

To keep permanent resident status you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years. The days do not need to be continuous, and some time outside Canada can count (IRCC lists the cases). You stay a PR until an official decision is made, even if you fall short.

Citizenship asks for more: 1,095 days of physical presence in the five years before you apply, tax filing for at least 3 of those years, and, if you are 18 to 54, proof of French or English at CLB/NCLC 4 in listening and speaking. Count your days with the citizenship calculator and prepare with the citizenship document checklist.

Not sure your French is at NCLC 4? Take the free French level check and see the French test for citizenship guide.
Still before your ITA? Start with the Express Entry ITA checklist.

Landing mistakes to avoid

Book your flight to arrive well before the COPR date, with a buffer for delays.
Keep documents and your goods list in your hand luggage.
Declare CAN$10,000 or more, including bank drafts and cheques.
Give an address where you can really receive mail for the PR card.
Keep a record of every trip abroad from day one.

Don't forget goods to follow on your first entry list.
Don't land without health coverage for the waiting period.
Don't let your COPR expire: IRCC cannot extend it.
Don't pay for settlement help that IRCC already funds for free.
Don't stay outside Canada so long that you risk the 730-day rule.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Last checked against official sources on Oct 6, 2026. Rules change: always confirm on canada.ca before you submit anything.

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Quick answer

First things to do in Canada as a new immigrant

Check your COPR and plan the date

Prepare documents, money and your goods list

Meet the border officer

Give a mailing address for your PR card

SIN, bank, phone and health insurance

Settle in and build your record

Keep your status and count your days

Documents to carry when landing in Canada