🇨🇦 Canada | Questions About Canadians Traveling back to Canada for a Few Months

[Explant]

This summer I’m headed back to help with some family things. Probably 3 or so months. I left Canada as an older teen and don’t go back that often. Some things I am a bit rusty on and starting to think about how best to hit the road running.

Looking online I’m having a hard time seeing if the third party Sim card sellers are able to provide good range. I will be in central Vancouver Island, outskirts of a small city. Are there service type maps like we have in taiwan? I’m looking for unlimited internet, don’t need to do regular phone calls or texts.

Another thing im a bit worried about is my paperwork. Last time I went back I found out my international drivers license with my Taiwan license is only valid for 30 days (same as theres is here). Anyone know if BC is like Taiwan and we can just exchange our Taiwan license for a BC one? Or would I need to go through the Learners / Novice program etc? Also curious about the wife, taiwanese citizen. Driving is essential to my stay as I am moving family, repairing house etc, hospitals etc and they don’t drive. They are also old and unable to help ask these questions in person.

I only have a passport, no other canadian ID. I do have a social security number, but the card is long lost many a typhoon ago, along with all other paperwork. To get things like a Sim card etc, do many places in Canada require 2 peices of ID? I will bring my taiwanese ID, curious if people have had any trouble with that and getting started. I’m thinking I should get my birth certificate and a drivers license and be set with those.

Also buying a truck and insuring it, I presume the drivers license is sufficient? I had a license and car when I left many years ago. Having not been in an accident (haha) would I get discounts with ICBC if not a resident during that time

I will also be getting firewood permits, building permits, probably cosigning various things like small loans, banking, power of attorney etc. I am unsure how much weight a passport has in general, or if BC ID, birth certificate etc is more the go to.

I am a citizen with an address and a bank account. Non resident.

Trying to brainstorm a bit whilst I Google. It’s a bit like relocating back except I am coming back to Taiwan once everything is setup.

If anyone has done something similar and cares to share some ideas, appreciated!

[afterspivak]

@ChewDawg may have advice.

When I skimmed over your post, I’d say: make some time to visit a Canada Service center and get your SIN card replaced. It’s unfortunate you lost it; now try to get it back.

Guy

[Explant]

Indeed, service Canada and service bc centers are first stops once landing wondering if there are things I can get done remotely from Taiwan beforehand.

Like birth certificate. I did it many years ago online, which seemed kind of too easy to be honest hehe.

[Marco]

@Explant

Looking online I’m having a hard time seeing if the third party Sim card sellers are able to provide good range.

It depends on what carrier they piggyback off of.

@Explant

I will be in central Vancouver Island, outskirts of a small city. Are there service type maps like we have in taiwan?

Absolutely, all Canadian carriers have coverage maps.

@Explant

I’m looking for unlimited internet, don’t need to do regular phone calls or texts.

Doesn’t exist.

@Explant

Another thing im a bit worried about is my paperwork. Last time I went back I found out my international drivers license with my Taiwan license is only valid for 30 days (same as theres is here). Anyone know if BC is like Taiwan and we can just exchange our Taiwan license for a BC one?

It shouldn’t be an issue. They will take your Taiwanese licence.

@Explant

I only have a passport, no other canadian ID.

You can apply for non-licence ID if you wish, though everyone uses a Driver’s Licence for ID in Canada.

@Explant

I do have a social security number, but the card is long lost many a typhoon ago, along with all other paperwork.

We don’t have social security in Canada. If you mean the Social Insurance Number, then the cards were made obsolete many years ago. They don’t issue new ones and the number is sufficient.

@Explant

To get things like a Sim card etc, do many places in Canada require 2 peices of ID?

No.

@Explant

I’m thinking I should get my birth certificate and a drivers license and be set with those.

No. Nobody carries those. Licence is enough. You can also apply for the non-licence ID card if necessary.

@Explant

Also buying a truck and insuring it, I presume the drivers license is sufficient?

Yes.

@Explant

I am unsure how much weight a passport has in general, or if BC ID, birth certificate etc is more the go to.

You’re thinking too much in Taiwanese terms which puts great weight onto the ID Number.

They don’t do this in Canada. Any ID that can identify you issued by Canadians will suffice.

[Marco]

@afterspivak

When I skimmed over your post, I’d say: make some time to visit a Canada Service center and get your SIN card replaced. It’s unfortunate you lost it; now try to get it back.

You can’t. The cards are obsolete. They don’t issue cards anymore. Number only.

I only have a card because I got one when they did issue them. If I lose it, that’s it. No more cards.

[afterspivak]

Oh.

Guy

[Marco]

Social Insurance Number – Overview - Canada.ca

We are old. I can’t wait for the youngsters to make their way to Taiwan and the banks give them shit because they can’t produce a card because FATCA.

[Explant]

@Marco

@Explant

Looking online I’m having a hard time seeing if the third party Sim card sellers are able to provide good range.

It depends on what carrier they piggyback off of.

@Explant

I will be in central Vancouver Island, outskirts of a small city. Are there service type maps like we have in taiwan?

Absolutely, all Canadian carriers have coverage maps.

@Explant

I’m looking for unlimited internet, don’t need to do regular phone calls or texts.

Doesn’t exist.

@Explant

Another thing im a bit worried about is my paperwork. Last time I went back I found out my international drivers license with my Taiwan license is only valid for 30 days (same as theres is here). Anyone know if BC is like Taiwan and we can just exchange our Taiwan license for a BC one?

It shouldn’t be an issue. They will take your Taiwanese licence.

@Explant

I only have a passport, no other canadian ID.

You can apply for non-licence ID if you wish, though everyone uses a Driver’s Licence for ID in Canada.

@Explant

I do have a social security number, but the card is long lost many a typhoon ago, along with all other paperwork.

We don’t have social security in Canada. If you mean the Social Insurance Number, then the cards were made obsolete many years ago. They don’t issue new ones and the number is sufficient.

@Explant

To get things like a Sim card etc, do many places in Canada require 2 peices of ID?

No.

@Explant

I’m thinking I should get my birth certificate and a drivers license and be set with those.

No. Nobody carries those. Licence is enough. You can also apply for the non-licence ID card if necessary.

@Explant

Also buying a truck and insuring it, I presume the drivers license is sufficient?

Yes.

@Explant

I am unsure how much weight a passport has in general, or if BC ID, birth certificate etc is more the go to.

You’re thinking too much in Taiwanese terms which puts great weight onto the ID Number.

They don’t do this in Canada. Any ID that can identify you issued by Canadians will suffice.

Amazing, thanks for taking the time. Puts my mind at more ease.

Doing birth certificate now, once that is mailed looks like I can get my SIN online too. Ya, social insurance number. Shit, it’s been a while. Cheers

This site mentions the SIN expiry, had no idea. Either way, looks like it all just happens after the birth certificate is done.

Social Insurance Number – Apply, update or obtain a SIN confirmation - Canada.ca

[Explant]

@Marco

We are old. I can’t wait for the youngsters to make their way to Taiwan and the banks give them shit because they can’t produce a card because FATCA.

Fuck

[Marco]

Only foreigners get SIN numbers that expire. SIN numbers for citizens are for life.

[Explant]

Ahh ok, cheers for that. Makes sense, that’s what I remembered when I got my card.

[Marco]

And. SIN numbers for foreigners start with 9. Like our ARC numbers.

As a British Columbian Canadian, yours probably starts with 7.

[Explant]

The plot thickens haha. Does make sense though. Not as day to day like it is here though so I guess it doesn’t matter much to them.

I am fully drilled into the Taiwanese ways of ID numbers. It’s a learning curve going back lol.

[Marco]

Yeah, the problem is that your Taiwanese ARC number works as a general ID number but also as a tax number too.

In Canada, every ID card has a different number attached. And they largely don’t care about it. They just wanna look at it and verify your address and whether or not it’s you.

But you generally don’t give your SIN Number to anyone but a person paying you for labour or financial things.

[eugenequ]

Hey buddy, I’m from Nanaimo. ICBC, which handles driver’s licenses in BC, has a clear rule: if you’re visiting (not a PR or on a student visa, meaning you haven’t officially moved here), you don’t need to convert your driver’s license. You can simply use your international one.

No, you don’t even need an ID to buy a pay-as-you-go plan.

As for ICBC discounts, it can be tricky. You’ll likely need to provide your driving history from Taiwan, along with translations and other paperwork. If you’re only staying for a short time and just need a few months of insurance, it might not be worth the hassle, nor autoplan is going to give you a discount for 3 month coverage… i could be wrong, ask them, when you are here.

Regarding your Social Insurance Number (SIN), you can always visit Service Canada and ask. But unless you plan to file taxes or claim a GST refund, there’s really no need for one—unless you’re planning to work. Are you?

[Explant]

Anyone done the sim thing there?

Vancouver airport has 1 shop, the sim shop. Their site says bell no longer offers, so need to use lucky.

Low-cost Prepaid Cell Phone Plans | Shop | Lucky Mobile

But these look like plans. Does Canada have the same types as here where you just pay $xx dollars for 30 days unlimited internet (and whatever phone stuff is included) and toss the card out after? Or do I actually need to sign up for these proper short term plans?

[Explant]

@eugenequ

Hey buddy, I’m from Nanaimo. ICBC, which handles driver’s licenses in BC, has a clear rule: if you’re visiting (not a PR or on a student visa, meaning you haven’t officially moved here), you don’t need to convert your driver’s license. You can simply use your international one.

No, you don’t even need an ID to buy a pay-as-you-go plan.

As for ICBC discounts, it can be tricky. You’ll likely need to provide your driving history from Taiwan, along with translations and other paperwork. If you’re only staying for a short time and just need a few months of insurance, it might not be worth the hassle, nor autoplan is going to give you a discount for 3 month coverage… i could be wrong, ask them, when you are here.

Regarding your Social Insurance Number (SIN), you can always visit Service Canada and ask. But unless you plan to file taxes or claim a GST refund, there’s really no need for one—unless you’re planning to work. Are you?

Awesome, thanks a lot. Just checked, you’re right. It’s 6 months for driving on a foreign license.

Discount isn’t a big deal, for sure. Only be either 3 or 6 months. I suppose I don’t need to be a resident to buy insurance?

I am going to be rearranging taxes whilst there. I have property and rent out a house. So I’m not starting to work there, but there is income and property taxes. Previously my family manaeged it all, but old age and whatnot I should start doing it myself. I do have a SIN #, but no idea what it is. Family has lost all documents as well, hence why I’m headed back

[eugenequ]

I just realized something—be careful about that ridiculous NDP speculation tax. I’m sure your relative has mentioned it to you. It’s due in 10 days.

99% of B.C. homeowners are required to file it, even if they don’t owe anything. The worst part? You have to wait for your mail to arrive since there’s no online option to retrieve the necessary code and password.

You’ll be dealing with this next year and the year after, depending on your jurisdiction. Half of Vancouver Island falls under this tax, which also means you had to file for previous years as well. It can get complicated.

And yes, you absolutely need a SIN for this. This is exactly why I’m in Nanaimo right now instead of Taiwan—but that’s another story.

[Marco]

@Explant

But these look like plans. Does Canada have the same types as here where you just pay $xx dollars for 30 days unlimited internet (and whatever phone stuff is included) and toss the card out after? Or do I actually need to sign up for these proper short term plans?

It doesn’t exist. Unlimited doesn’t exist. We have the highest rates of telco in the OECD

You have been in Taiwan too long and are spoiled. Now you must suffer in the trenches like the rest of us.

[Explant]

@Marco

@Explant

But these look like plans. Does Canada have the same types as here where you just pay $xx dollars for 30 days unlimited internet (and whatever phone stuff is included) and toss the card out after? Or do I actually need to sign up for these proper short term plans?

It doesn’t exist. Unlimited doesn’t exist. We have the highest rates of telco in the OECD

You have been in Taiwan too long and are spoiled. Now you must suffer in the trenches like the rest of us.

Ok, well that saves time wasted searching for a unicorn then. Cheers.

@eugenequ

I just realized something—be careful about that ridiculous NDP speculation tax. I’m sure your relative has mentioned it to you. It’s due in 10 days.

99% of B.C. homeowners are required to file it, even if they don’t owe anything. The worst part? You have to wait for your mail to arrive since there’s no online option to retrieve the necessary code and password.

You’ll be dealing with this next year and the year after, depending on your jurisdiction. Half of Vancouver Island falls under this tax, which also means you had to file for previous years as well. It can get complicated.

And yes, you absolutely need a SIN for this. This is exactly why I’m in Nanaimo right now instead of Taiwan—but that’s another story.

Ya, this is indeed a pain. Luckily in not in any of those areas, yet. And I rent it the house. I haven’t looked into it, but am now. If the house is rented, I assume I wouldn’t need to pay the tax even if I was in that area? The house is in a more rural area not far from you, a regional district.

When you say 99% of homeowners…I thought only the knes in those districts who had residential homes would “get the letter” and need to pay. Are you saying 99% of all residential housing province wide needs to declare? We didn’t get a letter.

Good luck on your end