New PR? Your soft landing decision affects everything that comes next
On This Page You Will Find:
- Exactly who qualifies for a soft landing and required documents
- Step-by-step breakdown of what you can accomplish during your visit
- Real costs vs. benefits analysis (including hidden expenses)
- How to get your PR card without waiting months after moving
- Banking and SIN setup strategies that save time later
- Common mistakes that can jeopardize your permanent return
Summary:
A soft landing lets new Canadian permanent residents visit Canada briefly before their permanent move to complete immigration processing and prepare for their new life. While this strategy offers significant advantages like obtaining your PR card early, opening bank accounts, and exploring your future community, it also comes with substantial upfront costs and potential residence requirement complications. This comprehensive guide reveals everything you need to know to make an informed decision about whether a soft landing aligns with your immigration timeline and budget.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Any foreign national with a valid CoPR can perform a soft landing - it's your legal right
- You can obtain your PR card, SIN, bank account, and driver's license during your visit
- Soft landings require extra flight costs but help you appear more attractive to Canadian employers
- You must be physically present in Canada for 730 days within 5 years to maintain PR status
- Having your PR card shipped internationally is risky - stay until you receive it in person
Maria Rodriguez stared at her Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) document, weighing a crucial decision. Her Canadian immigration approval had finally arrived, but her current job contract in Mexico wouldn't end for another eight months. Should she fly to Canada now for a "soft landing" or wait until she's ready to move permanently?
If you're holding a CoPR and facing a similar dilemma, you're not alone. Thousands of new Canadian permanent residents grapple with this timing challenge every year. The good news? You have options that can set you up for success.
What Exactly Is a Soft Landing in Canada?
A soft landing is a brief visit to Canada by new permanent residents before their permanent move. Think of it as a "reconnaissance mission" where you complete your immigration processing, get essential documents, and start building your Canadian life foundation.
Here's what makes soft landings powerful: there's no minimum or maximum stay requirement. You could visit for a week to handle paperwork, or stay for several months to really explore your new country. The choice is entirely yours.
The bottom line: A soft landing gives you control over your immigration timeline while ensuring you don't lose your permanent resident status due to document expiration.
Who Can Perform a Soft Landing?
You qualify for a soft landing if you have:
Essential Requirements:
- Valid Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR)
- Current medical examination results
- Valid passport and IM-1 visa (if from non-visa-exempt country)
Important timing note: Your IM-1 visa expires exactly one year from your medical exam date. Miss this deadline, and you'll need to restart parts of your application process.
Required Documents for Your Soft Landing
Government Documents:
- Valid CoPR (your golden ticket)
- Current passport
- IM-1 visa (if applicable to your country)
Financial Proof: If you immigrated through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Provincial Nominee Program, you'll need proof of settlement funds. Acceptable formats include:
- Bank statements
- Bank drafts
- Traveler's cheques
- Official bank letters
Customs Forms B4 & B4A: These forms are your secret weapon for avoiding duties on belongings. The B4A form is particularly crucial - it must list everything you plan to bring to Canada, both during your soft landing and your permanent move later.
💡 Pro tip: Be thorough with your B4A form. Items not listed can be subject to duties when you move permanently.
The Real Advantages of Soft Landing
Get Your PR Card Early Instead of waiting 6-8 weeks after your permanent move, you can have your PR card in hand before you even start job hunting from abroad. This makes you significantly more attractive to Canadian employers who prefer hiring citizens and permanent residents.
Explore Without Pressure Imagine having months to explore neighborhoods, understand transit systems, and get a feel for Canadian workplace culture - all without the stress of immediately needing employment or housing.
Maintain Your Current Income You can return to your home country job while applying for Canadian positions. This financial stability is invaluable, especially when you're competing for roles that might require multiple interview rounds.
Build Professional Networks Attend industry meetups, connect with professional associations, and start building relationships that could lead to job opportunities when you return permanently.
The Hidden Costs and Disadvantages
Financial Reality Check:
- Round-trip flights (often $800-2,500 depending on origin)
- Accommodation costs (hotels, Airbnb, or short-term rentals)
- Daily expenses for food, transportation, and activities
- Potential lost income from time away from your current job
Residence Requirement Complications: Here's where many newcomers get tripped up: you must be physically present in Canada for 730 days within any five-year period to maintain your PR status. Every day spent in your home country after a soft landing counts against this requirement.
For citizenship applications, you'll need 1,095 days of physical presence within five years before applying. Soft landings can make meeting these requirements more challenging if not planned carefully.
What You Can Accomplish During Your Soft Landing
Essential Tasks (Complete These First):
- PR Card Application - Processing begins immediately after your landing interview
- Social Insurance Number (SIN) - Required for employment and banking
- Bank Account Opening - Use your CoPR as government ID
- Health Card Registration - Coverage varies by province
Secondary Priorities:
- Driver's license (if you plan to drive)
- Canadian phone plan and SIM card
- Professional network building
- Neighborhood exploration and housing research
Timeline Recommendation: Plan for at least 2-3 weeks to complete essential tasks, longer if you want to explore thoroughly.
Getting Your PR Card: Stay vs. Ship Dilemma
Processing times for PR cards vary, but typically take 4-6 weeks. You have two options:
Option 1: Stay Until You Receive It
- Most secure approach
- Eliminates shipping risks
- Allows more time for exploration and networking
Option 2: Have It Shipped
- Requires a trusted Canadian contact
- Risk of postal delays or loss
- You'll need a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) if the card doesn't arrive before your permanent move
⚠️ Warning: International shipping of government documents carries risks. Canadian postal strikes, customs delays, or simple delivery errors could leave you without your PR card when you need to return permanently.
Banking and Financial Setup Strategy
Most major Canadian banks allow newcomers to open accounts using their CoPR as identification. Here's your strategic approach:
Before Your Soft Landing:
- Research bank newcomer programs (many offer fee waivers)
- Gather employment letters and financial statements from your home country
- Understand currency transfer options for when you move permanently
During Your Visit:
- Open both checking and savings accounts
- Set up online banking
- Understand the credit-building process (you'll start with no Canadian credit history)
- Apply for a secured credit card to begin building credit
Will Soft Landing Create Problems Later?
This concern keeps many newcomers awake at night, but the reality is reassuring: performing a soft landing will not create problems for your permanent move, provided you present proper documentation.
At the border during your permanent return:
- Present your PR card
- If questioned, simply explain you performed a soft landing previously
- Have documentation ready showing your intent to settle permanently (job offers, lease agreements, etc.)
Immigration officers understand soft landings are legal and common. They're more concerned with your intent to settle permanently than your previous brief visits.
Common Soft Landing Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Insufficient Planning Don't arrive without researching accommodation, transportation, and priority tasks. Create a detailed itinerary before departure.
Mistake 2: Incomplete B4A Forms Failing to list future belongings can result in unexpected duty payments during your permanent move.
Mistake 3: Not Staying for PR Card While shipping is possible, staying until you receive your PR card eliminates significant risks and complications.
Mistake 4: Ignoring Residence Requirements Calculate how soft landing time affects your ability to meet the 730-day requirement for PR renewal and 1,095-day requirement for citizenship.
Making the Decision: Is Soft Landing Right for You?
Soft Landing Makes Sense If:
- Your CoPR expires soon, but you can't move permanently yet
- You have 6+ months before your planned permanent move
- You can afford the additional travel and accommodation costs
- You want to explore Canada before committing to a specific city
- You're job hunting and want to appear more attractive to employers
Skip Soft Landing If:
- You're ready to move permanently within 2-3 months
- Budget constraints make additional travel costs challenging
- Your current job situation makes extended absence difficult
- You're confident about your settlement city and housing plans
Your Next Steps
If you've decided a soft landing aligns with your situation, start planning immediately:
- Book refundable flights to maintain flexibility
- Research short-term accommodation in your target city
- Create a priority task list focusing on PR card and essential documents
- Calculate residence requirement implications for your long-term plans
- Prepare all required documents well before departure
Remember, a soft landing isn't just about completing paperwork - it's about setting yourself up for success in your new Canadian life. Whether you choose to soft land or wait for your permanent move, the most important thing is making an informed decision that aligns with your personal circumstances and long-term goals.
The opportunity to become a Canadian permanent resident is significant. A soft landing can help you maximize that opportunity, but only if it fits your timeline, budget, and settlement strategy. Take time to weigh all factors, and don't hesitate to consult with immigration professionals if you're uncertain about the best path forward.
FAQ
Q: How long should I stay in Canada during my soft landing to make it worthwhile?
The optimal soft landing duration is 3-6 weeks, though there's no legal minimum or maximum requirement. You'll need at least 2-3 weeks to complete essential tasks like PR card application (4-6 weeks processing), SIN registration, and bank account opening. Staying 4-6 weeks allows you to receive your PR card in person, eliminating shipping risks and the need for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) later. If budget allows, longer stays provide valuable time for neighborhood exploration, networking, and job market research. Consider your current job flexibility, available funds for accommodation, and how the time away affects your 730-day residence requirement for PR renewal. Many successful newcomers find 4-5 weeks strikes the perfect balance between accomplishing goals and managing costs.
Q: What are the actual costs involved in a Canada PR soft landing, and are there hidden expenses I should know about?
Soft landing costs vary significantly by origin country and lifestyle choices. Expect $3,000-8,000 CAD total expenses including: round-trip flights ($800-2,500), accommodation ($80-200/night for hotels, $50-120/night for Airbnb), meals ($40-80/day), local transportation ($100-300/month), and miscellaneous expenses ($500-1,000). Hidden costs include potential lost income from work absence, international phone roaming charges, currency conversion fees, and emergency expenses. Consider accommodation alternatives like extended-stay hotels offering weekly discounts, or connecting with newcomer communities for temporary housing. Budget an extra 20% for unexpected expenses. While substantial, these costs often pay dividends through early PR card receipt, better job prospects, and reduced settlement stress during your permanent move. Calculate whether current salary continuation during absence offsets the investment.
Q: Can I work in Canada during my soft landing, and how does this affect my employment prospects when I return permanently?
Yes, as a permanent resident, you can legally work in Canada during your soft landing without restrictions. However, finding employment for a short-term visit is challenging since most employers seek long-term commitments. Instead, focus on networking activities: attend industry meetups, connect with professional associations, schedule informational interviews, and explore coworking spaces. Having your SIN, Canadian bank account, and PR card makes you significantly more attractive to employers when applying from abroad later. Many hiring managers prefer candidates who already have legal work status and basic Canadian setup completed. Use your soft landing to understand local workplace culture, salary expectations, and industry standards. LinkedIn networking becomes more effective when you can mention recent Canada visits and demonstrate genuine commitment to settling permanently.
Q: What happens if my PR card doesn't arrive before I need to return to my home country?
If your PR card hasn't arrived by your departure date, you have several options but should plan carefully. You can have the card shipped to a trusted Canadian contact (friend, immigration lawyer, or mail forwarding service), though this carries risks of postal delays, strikes, or loss. Alternatively, when ready for permanent return, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) from your home country, which takes 2-8 weeks and costs $50 CAD. The PRTD allows one-time entry to Canada. Many immigration experts recommend staying until you receive your PR card in person, as it eliminates these complications entirely. If you must leave, ensure your Canadian contact can securely forward mail and consider travel insurance for potential PRTD-related delays. Document your soft landing thoroughly to support future PRTD applications.
Q: How does a soft landing affect my residency obligation and path to Canadian citizenship?
Soft landings impact both your PR renewal and citizenship timeline calculations. For PR status maintenance, you must be physically present in Canada for 730 days within any five-year period. Time spent in Canada during soft landing counts toward this requirement, but subsequent time abroad counts against it. For citizenship, you need 1,095 days of physical presence within five years before applying. If you soft land for 30 days then spend 18 months abroad before moving permanently, you'll need to remain in Canada longer before citizenship eligibility. However, soft landings often facilitate faster settlement and employment, potentially offsetting this delay. Track your days meticulously using apps or spreadsheets. The key is balancing early preparation benefits against residence requirement implications. Most newcomers find soft landing advantages outweigh the minor timing adjustments needed for citizenship applications.
Q: What's the most efficient way to open a Canadian bank account during my soft landing without Canadian credit history?
Opening a Canadian bank account during soft landing is straightforward with proper preparation. Research newcomer banking packages before arrival - major banks like RBC, TD, Scotiabank, and CIBC offer fee waivers and special services for new immigrants. Required documents include your CoPR (serves as government ID), passport, and proof of foreign income/employment. Some banks accept international credit history through partnerships with foreign institutions. Consider opening both chequing and savings accounts, and immediately apply for a secured credit card ($500-2,000 deposit) to begin building Canadian credit history. Set up online banking and mobile apps during your visit. Bring bank statements from your home country and employment letters. Schedule appointments in advance, as newcomer specialists have limited availability. This early banking relationship proves invaluable when applying for jobs, apartments, or loans during your permanent settlement.
Q: Should I complete my soft landing if my CoPR is expiring soon but I'm not ready to move permanently?
If your CoPR is approaching expiration (remember, your IM-1 visa expires one year from your medical exam date), a soft landing becomes essential rather than optional. Missing this deadline means restarting portions of your immigration application, including potentially new medical exams, police certificates, and processing fees. Even if you're not ready for permanent settlement, completing your soft landing preserves your permanent resident status and provides flexibility for future planning. You can stay briefly (even one week) to complete basic landing procedures, though longer stays maximize the investment. Consider this scenario: spending $3,000-5,000 on a soft landing versus potentially $15,000+ and 6-12 months reapplying for immigration. The choice becomes clear. Use urgent CoPR expiration as motivation to plan an efficient soft landing focusing on essential tasks only. Your future self will thank you for maintaining this valuable immigration status.
