Immigration to Canada. Newcomer's Experience (BSF186, BSF186A forms)

Hello friends.
In this video, I want to share a journey with you - my experience of immigrating to Canada and crossing the border.
As a newcomer to Canada, I realized there was a lack of information about the immigration process at the border/customs. That is why I decided to dive deep into my recent firsthand experience and share it with all of you.
This is just my personal story and not advice. You should only trust the canada.ca website and not anyone on the Internet, including this video :-)
But hopefully, my experience will provide you with some valuable insights.
I will be talking about immigration to Canada, declaration of goods upon arrival and goods to follow via BSF186 and BSF186A forms (so-called B4 and B4A forms), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and a few tips on how to fill up those forms.
This is the official link from the canada.ca government website for your information:
www.canada.ca/en/immigration-...
If you have any questions, suggestions, or just a kind word, leave a comment. Like and subscribe to see my new videos first.
I am planning to make more videos about life in Canada as a newcomer and share my experiences and learnings about jobs, careers, and AI as well. All exciting stuff for newcomers.
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Disclaimer: everything presented in this video is my own opinion and is meant to educate and share information, nothing mentioned or described here is legal or financial advice. Ruslan Brilenkov is not responsible for any profits or losses associated with your investment. So, please be responsible for your own actions.

[@ruslanbrilenkov]

IMPORTANT UPDATE: If you are immigrating with PR or left Canada and are coming back, you HAVE TO provide BSF186 and/or BSF186A forms (B4 and/or B4A forms). This is not necessary for the work/study permit. But always check out the canada.ca website for the most up-to-date and official information.

[@brgsbri]

Thanks for the video, there is not a lot of content about it! I do have a question... i am gonna do my land as PR... i will bring two luggages but just with clothes, books, shoes, and very personal items. Should i declare ? Should i take the "green" or "red" line ? Thanks!

[@ruslanbrilenkov]

Hi, thanks for a nice comment and great question.
Answering your question, in short: Yes, as the PR you have to declare everything you bring to Canada, according to the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) website.
So, you need to fill up the B4 (BSF186) form, which is called the effects accounting document or settler’s effects list. Here is a link to the CBSA website and the B4 form:
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf186-eng.html
And you will need to go via the "red" (goods-to-declare) line in the airport.
​Note that I am not an immigration expert, but when I went to the red line in the airport (with a work permit), the officer said that if you were coming on PR, you have to declare the goods. Otherwise, you will have to pay taxes on the goods.
Hope it helps but please check out the canada.ca and CBSA websites for an updated information. These are the only official resources and rules also get updated from time to time.

[@Sha-Sha.]

Is it necessary to bring bsf186 form if you have less than 10,000 cad coming as pr?

[@ruslanbrilenkov]

Hi, good question, and congrats on your PR!
When I arrived at the airport, just before the declaration of goods section I had to write my basic data in the check-in kiosk (monitor), as I shared in the video. Right there, you have to tell if you are bringing more or less than 10k CAD with you.
The canada.ca website separates the goods (Settler’s effects list) and money (Disclosure of funds) you bring, described in this link:
www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/prepare-life-canada/border-entry.html
The form BSF186 (or B4) outlines and keeps track of the items you are bringing with you at the time of entry into Canada. So, if you have any, I would suggest declaring the goods via the BSF186 form.
But it is independent of the proof of funds. Hence, I would not worry about it, unless you have to show proof of funds according to your situation and PR stream.
***I am not an immigration specialist, and what I have shared is the information from the Canadian government website. I hope this answers your question but if you are still unsure, please consult an immigration specialist or canada.ca website.

[@KIDSchannelwithTitibird08k]

I have a question, how many languages you can bring with you? do I have to pay for all my luggage or not? my cousin will move to Canada after the new year? after filling out the form where do I've to send it? she wants to take her staff on the same day for about 4 languages is it possible? thank you

[@ruslanbrilenkov]

Hi, great question. From what I understood, there is no limit on the number of luggages one can bring while moving to Canada. If all the items are meant for personal use, one should not have to pay any taxes on those items.
To be sure you do not have to pay taxes, please fill out the BSF186 (sometimes called B4) form. This form is meant for the items and good that one (in this case your cousin) will bring. It should be possible to bring 4 luggages but be sure that the items and their value are written in the form. As I explained in the video, it is enough to separate items roughly on groups like “clothing “, “books”, “musical instruments”, etc. and approximate value.
For your other question, your cousin needs to carry the BSF186 form with them and go through the “goods to declare “ exit before leaving airport. I do not know your exact situation to suggest more.
Please refer to the Canada.ca and CBSA (Canadian Border Service Agency) websites. They are only official resources and you should not trust anyone else, even though I am referring to the information from their websites, you can check out this web page on the items you can import duty- and tax-free:
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html

[@KIDSchannelwithTitibird08k]

@@ruslanbrilenkov thank you for the details, one more question , she's flying with Air France , only 1 luguage is free, does'she need to pay for the 3 left ,? or it's free?

[@ruslanbrilenkov]

​@@KIDSchannelwithTitibird08k You are welcome!
If the ticket allowance is only 1 luggage, then yes, you have to purchase extra bags. But it depends on the specific airline. Sometimes it might be even cheaper to go for first/business or just some higher tier of the ticket to get 2 luggage allowance than buying extra luggage. But you need to check out what is cheaper/better right now because rates keep changing. 🧐
This question is out of the scope of the video but based on my experience usually you can purchase additional luggage/bags online, or in the case of Air France, as follows:
- when you purchase your ticket online;
- at any moment, and up to 30 hours before your flight in 'My Bookings';
So, check out the details with AirFrance!
Hope it helps. 😉

[@KIDSchannelwithTitibird08k]

@@ruslanbrilenkov very helpful, Thank you so much for the answer...Merry Christmas to you and to your family, God bless you

[@ruslanbrilenkov]

@@KIDSchannelwithTitibird08k Happy to help! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family as well. And best of luck to your cousin with the travel! ✈