When you arrive in Canada, you’ll have to go through two screening interviews. If all your documents are available and in order, they should be over quickly.
First interview: official documents
For your first interview, an officer from the CBSA will:
- greet you
- ask to see your visa and travel documents
- check to make sure that you and any family members travelling with you have the proper travel documents
- ask about your health
- ask you questions similar to those on the immigrant application form, including:
- Are you traveling with your family?
- Have you been convicted of a serious crime in your home country?
- How long do you plan to stay in Canada?
- How much money do you have with you?
- Are you healthy?
- Have you been to Canada before? Were you required to leave?
After your first interview, you’ll meet with another CBSA officer. This officer will check the items you’re bringing with you. At some ports of entry, you’ll work with the same officer twice.
Second interview: personal goods
The second interview is for you to declare what you’re bringing with you into Canada.
The officer will ask to see your declaration card. You must tell the officer you’ve arrived in Canada to immigrate. At this point, the officer may direct you to another area for the customs procedure.
You must give the officer the list of goods you’re bringing with you and the list of goods that will be arriving later. The officer will go through both lists with you and may ask questions about some of the goods. The officer may also inspect your luggage.
Be prepared to answer these questions:
- What are you bringing with you to Canada?
- Do you have any live animals or plants with you?
- Do you have any firearms, ammunition or fireworks with you?
- Do you have any meat or dairy products with you?
- Do you have any fresh fruits or vegetables with you?
- Do you have any items from endangered species?
Your answers to the questions must be true. It’s a serious crime to make a false statement. If you make a false statement you may not be allowed to stay in Canada.
If you’re well prepared and you have no items that are not allowed in Canada, the process will go quickly.
If there are no issues, the officer will sign your Confirmation of Permanent Residence and authorize your entry into Canada as a permanent resident.
