Calgary - Alberta Settlers, Let's Network here

[patecole]

Nice for sharing....but what about your PR cards? Did they arrive within the 12 days you were there?

So, here is my landing experience.

Me and family landed on May 26, 2015 at Calgary International Airport.

Overall it was very smooth, i went for a short landing with my family, when we went off from plane, in first hall, entry stamps were put on our passports then we were instructed to the immigration hall. We went over there and it was a bit crowded, we were waiting in line then one officer came from back and took us to his room and sat with us and asked us to show our documents to him for landing purpose. He stamped COPR papers and asked us to sign our copy in front of him, he noted our address in Calgary to post our PR cards. He further instructed to keep stamped COPR papers in a safe custody as these will be required through out our stay in Canada.

Before leaving his room, he once again welcomed us in Canada.

Then we went to collect our luggage and moved on to CBSA staff to submit our Goods to Follow List. I had two sets ready with me and presented the same to the officer and she smiled and said that this will reduce my work as if i don't have two copies then she had to make a copy of all the lists for me after filling. Afterwards, she stamped all lists and kept one copy with her and returned one set to us to keep with us and present this when i move these items later on.

In plane, we were given Declaration Cards, which was to be filled for a family so that card was first signed by immigration officer and then CBSA lady kept that paper and asked us about the POF which i have already mentioned that i am carrying CAD 10,000 + amount in cash with me, she didn't ask me to show the cash neither she wrote the figure i was carrying with me, i was carrying mixture of USD and CAD with me.

While leaving her counter, she once again smilingly said, Welcome to Canada.

Next Day of my landing, i went to service canada to apply for SIN cards, which i got by showing Passports and COPR papers. Then i went to registry to apply for health cards. There is one registry in Calgary from where you can get the Health Card numbers at the spot, i took the address of that registry from the registry office i went and visited that particular office and applied for health cards for me and and my wife. The lady gave us the health card numbers in 5 minutes time. The same day i went to scotia bank and opened joint account and applied for the credit cards, me and my wife were given credit cards of 2000 CAD limit each. We got the debit cards at the spot. Then we submitted our cash after account opening.

Same day afternoon, i booked an appointment in a clinic for the next day and met family doctor for a meet and greet visit. I just wanted to make sure that our health cards are working and we are into the health care system. We went to the doctor and she advised blood tests. We booked appointment in a laboratory for the tests as family doctor needed to make a bench mark for her records. All was free of cost. I came to know that if we are prescribed with any medicine, only then we need to pay from our pockets.

So these were a few of landing activities which i did, now after 12 days of stay in Canada (4 days in Calgary, 4 days in Edmonton, 4 days in Toronto), i came back to Saudi Arabia yesterday night and will be planning for the permanent landing in months to come.

 

[rizwan150]

Nice for sharing....but what about your PR cards? Did they arrive within the 12 days you were there?

Nope, nowadays, it is taking about 2 months as per immigration staff. So, when they will come my friend will send it through some person to Pakistan to me.

 

[SK1123]

So, here is my landing experience.

Me and family landed on May 26, 2015 at Calgary International Airport.

Overall it was very smooth, i went for a short landing with my family, when we went off from plane, in first hall, entry stamps were put on our passports then we were instructed to the immigration hall. We went over there and it was a bit crowded, we were waiting in line then one officer came from back and took us to his room and sat with us and asked us to show our documents to him for landing purpose. He stamped COPR papers and asked us to sign our copy in front of him, he noted our address in Calgary to post our PR cards. He further instructed to keep stamped COPR papers in a safe custody as these will be required through out our stay in Canada.

Before leaving his room, he once again welcomed us in Canada.

Then we went to collect our luggage and moved on to CBSA staff to submit our Goods to Follow List. I had two sets ready with me and presented the same to the officer and she smiled and said that this will reduce my work as if i don't have two copies then she had to make a copy of all the lists for me after filling. Afterwards, she stamped all lists and kept one copy with her and returned one set to us to keep with us and present this when i move these items later on.

In plane, we were given Declaration Cards, which was to be filled for a family so that card was first signed by immigration officer and then CBSA lady kept that paper and asked us about the POF which i have already mentioned that i am carrying CAD 10,000 + amount in cash with me, she didn't ask me to show the cash neither she wrote the figure i was carrying with me, i was carrying mixture of USD and CAD with me.

While leaving her counter, she once again smilingly said, Welcome to Canada.

Next Day of my landing, i went to service canada to apply for SIN cards, which i got by showing Passports and COPR papers. Then i went to registry to apply for health cards. There is one registry in Calgary from where you can get the Health Card numbers at the spot, i took the address of that registry from the registry office i went and visited that particular office and applied for health cards for me and and my wife. The lady gave us the health card numbers in 5 minutes time. The same day i went to scotia bank and opened joint account and applied for the credit cards, me and my wife were given credit cards of 2000 CAD limit each. We got the debit cards at the spot. Then we submitted our cash after account opening.

Same day afternoon, i booked an appointment in a clinic for the next day and met family doctor for a meet and greet visit. I just wanted to make sure that our health cards are working and we are into the health care system. We went to the doctor and she advised blood tests. We booked appointment in a laboratory for the tests as family doctor needed to make a bench mark for her records. All was free of cost. I came to know that if we are prescribed with any medicine, only then we need to pay from our pockets.

So these were a few of landing activities which i did, now after 12 days of stay in Canada (4 days in Calgary, 4 days in Edmonton, 4 days in Toronto), i came back to Saudi Arabia yesterday night and will be planning for the permanent landing in months to come.

Thanks rizwan150 for sharing your landing experience.
As you said you stayed in 4 cities, which one is the best from permanent living prospective in your experience?

 

[mastfadi]

So, here is my landing experience.

Me and family landed on May 26, 2015 at Calgary International Airport.

Overall it was very smooth, i went for a short landing with my family, when we went off from plane, in first hall, entry stamps were put on our passports then we were instructed to the immigration hall. We went over there and it was a bit crowded, we were waiting in line then one officer came from back and took us to his room and sat with us and asked us to show our documents to him for landing purpose. He stamped COPR papers and asked us to sign our copy in front of him, he noted our address in Calgary to post our PR cards. He further instructed to keep stamped COPR papers in a safe custody as these will be required through out our stay in Canada.

Before leaving his room, he once again welcomed us in Canada.

Then we went to collect our luggage and moved on to CBSA staff to submit our Goods to Follow List. I had two sets ready with me and presented the same to the officer and she smiled and said that this will reduce my work as if i don't have two copies then she had to make a copy of all the lists for me after filling. Afterwards, she stamped all lists and kept one copy with her and returned one set to us to keep with us and present this when i move these items later on.

In plane, we were given Declaration Cards, which was to be filled for a family so that card was first signed by immigration officer and then CBSA lady kept that paper and asked us about the POF which i have already mentioned that i am carrying CAD 10,000 + amount in cash with me, she didn't ask me to show the cash neither she wrote the figure i was carrying with me, i was carrying mixture of USD and CAD with me.

While leaving her counter, she once again smilingly said, Welcome to Canada.

Next Day of my landing, i went to service canada to apply for SIN cards, which i got by showing Passports and COPR papers. Then i went to registry to apply for health cards. There is one registry in Calgary from where you can get the Health Card numbers at the spot, i took the address of that registry from the registry office i went and visited that particular office and applied for health cards for me and and my wife. The lady gave us the health card numbers in 5 minutes time. The same day i went to scotia bank and opened joint account and applied for the credit cards, me and my wife were given credit cards of 2000 CAD limit each. We got the debit cards at the spot. Then we submitted our cash after account opening.

Same day afternoon, i booked an appointment in a clinic for the next day and met family doctor for a meet and greet visit. I just wanted to make sure that our health cards are working and we are into the health care system. We went to the doctor and she advised blood tests. We booked appointment in a laboratory for the tests as family doctor needed to make a bench mark for her records. All was free of cost. I came to know that if we are prescribed with any medicine, only then we need to pay from our pockets.

So these were a few of landing activities which i did, now after 12 days of stay in Canada (4 days in Calgary, 4 days in Edmonton, 4 days in Toronto), i came back to Saudi Arabia yesterday night and will be planning for the permanent landing in months to come.

Rizwan,

I am glad to read about your good experience with landing. best of luck

 

[rizwan150]

Thanks rizwan150 for sharing your landing experience.
As you said you stayed in 4 cities, which one is the best from permanent living prospective in your experience?

It varies from your profession to profession, for people working in oil and gas and petrochemical sector, Alberta is the best, and specially Calgary is a big market place but overall, Canada is dried out nowadays regarding job opportunities. But still as experience people says, Calgary is the best choice for this profession.

If you belong to IT profession or software engineer or telecom industry related, then Toronto, Ontario region is the best.

Overall, if someone, asks me to choose the city without job perspective, i would definitely select Toronto, as being Pakistani, i saw life in that city, typical food was widely available, specifically the Gerrard Street full of Asian cuisines, hmmmmmmmm , weather was good too, in day time, we need to keep AC on while roaming around.

 

[rizwan150]

Rizwan,

I am glad to read about your good experience with landing. best of luck

Thanks Fahad Bro.

 

[patecole]

Thanks for the insight....

It varies from your profession to profession, for people working in oil and gas and petrochemical sector, Alberta is the best, and specially Calgary is a big market place but overall, Canada is dried out nowadays regarding job opportunities. But still as experience people says, Calgary is the best choice for this profession.

If you belong to IT profession or software engineer or telecom industry related, then Toronto, Ontario region is the best.

Overall, if someone, asks me to choose the city without job perspective, i would definitely select Toronto, as being Pakistani, i saw life in that city, typical food was widely available, specifically the Gerrard Street full of Asian cuisines, hmmmmmmmm , weather was good too, in day time, we need to keep AC on while roaming around.

 

[arkscan]

So, here is my landing experience.
.....

Hi rizwan,

thanks for sharing ur landing experience...

I have a few queries->

a. Can u share how u prepared the lists for B4/B4A form?..as in item, description, value?..how did u categorize old clothes, books, electronics etc...

b. You gave a Calgary address for PR card or out-of-state? If out-of-state, did it create any issues? I believe the question asked is where are you going to stay and in answer, we have to give the address which the Officer will pick up for PR card....So if out-of-state, do they get suspicious...

c. Were u asked to show the ticket (as in return ticket)?

d. In the CBSA Declaration Card, did u fill Part B (visitors) or Part C (residents)

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/e311-eng.pdf

Thanks in advance...

 

[rizwan150]

Hi rizwan,

thanks for sharing ur landing experience...

I have a few queries->

a. Can u share how u prepared the lists for B4/B4A form?..as in item, description, value?..how did u categorize old clothes, books, electronics etc...

b. You gave a Calgary address for PR card or out-of-state? If out-of-state, did it create any issues? I believe the question asked is where are you going to stay and in answer, we have to give the address which the Officer will pick up for PR card....So if out-of-state, do they get suspicious...

c. Were u asked to show the ticket (as in return ticket)?

d. In the CBSA Declaration Card, did u fill Part B (visitors) or Part C (residents)

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/e311-eng.pdf

Thanks in advance...

a. item wise main heading (1- Clothes, 2- Furniture, 3- Jewellary, 4- Electronics etc etc) on the form and attached individual lists in excel format containing sub categories including individual price of each item, on main form only total price against each category was mentioned and its overall sum.

b. i gave calgary address, but i know people gave different state address and there cards were delivered to the address

c. No, i was worried about this thing too but luckily i was not asked this question.

d. I left the stay field empty as my friend did it too and he also got away with the return ticket question, i left the field empty, i checked No in Part B and Part C, these are related to the duty free items you are carrying, you need to declare if above specific amount given in left hand side. After checking No in Part B & C, i moved on to fill Part D which is signatures section and thats it.

 

[arkscan]

a. item wise main heading (1- Clothes, 2- Furniture, 3- Jewellary, 4- Electronics etc etc) on the form and attached individual lists in excel format containing sub categories including individual price of each item, on main form only total price against each category was mentioned and its overall sum.

b. i gave calgary address, but i know people gave different state address and there cards were delivered to the address

c. No, i was worried about this thing too but luckily i was not asked this question.

d. I left the stay field empty as my friend did it too and he also got away with the return ticket question, i left the field empty, i checked No in Part B and Part C, these are related to the duty free items you are carrying, you need to declare if above specific amount given in left hand side. After checking No in Part B & C, i moved on to fill Part D which is signatures section and thats it.

Thanks a lot..good luck!!..best wishes +1

 

[nrmp]

So, here is my landing experience.

Me and family landed on May 26, 2015 at Calgary International Airport.

Overall it was very smooth, i went for a short landing with my family, when we went off from plane, in first hall, entry stamps were put on our passports then we were instructed to the immigration hall. We went over there and it was a bit crowded, we were waiting in line then one officer came from back and took us to his room and sat with us and asked us to show our documents to him for landing purpose. He stamped COPR papers and asked us to sign our copy in front of him, he noted our address in Calgary to post our PR cards. He further instructed to keep stamped COPR papers in a safe custody as these will be required through out our stay in Canada.

Before leaving his room, he once again welcomed us in Canada.

Then we went to collect our luggage and moved on to CBSA staff to submit our Goods to Follow List. I had two sets ready with me and presented the same to the officer and she smiled and said that this will reduce my work as if i don't have two copies then she had to make a copy of all the lists for me after filling. Afterwards, she stamped all lists and kept one copy with her and returned one set to us to keep with us and present this when i move these items later on.

In plane, we were given Declaration Cards, which was to be filled for a family so that card was first signed by immigration officer and then CBSA lady kept that paper and asked us about the POF which i have already mentioned that i am carrying CAD 10,000 + amount in cash with me, she didn't ask me to show the cash neither she wrote the figure i was carrying with me, i was carrying mixture of USD and CAD with me.

While leaving her counter, she once again smilingly said, Welcome to Canada.

Next Day of my landing, i went to service canada to apply for SIN cards, which i got by showing Passports and COPR papers. Then i went to registry to apply for health cards. There is one registry in Calgary from where you can get the Health Card numbers at the spot, i took the address of that registry from the registry office i went and visited that particular office and applied for health cards for me and and my wife. The lady gave us the health card numbers in 5 minutes time. The same day i went to scotia bank and opened joint account and applied for the credit cards, me and my wife were given credit cards of 2000 CAD limit each. We got the debit cards at the spot. Then we submitted our cash after account opening.

Same day afternoon, i booked an appointment in a clinic for the next day and met family doctor for a meet and greet visit. I just wanted to make sure that our health cards are working and we are into the health care system. We went to the doctor and she advised blood tests. We booked appointment in a laboratory for the tests as family doctor needed to make a bench mark for her records. All was free of cost. I came to know that if we are prescribed with any medicine, only then we need to pay from our pockets.

So these were a few of landing activities which i did, now after 12 days of stay in Canada (4 days in Calgary, 4 days in Edmonton, 4 days in Toronto), i came back to Saudi Arabia yesterday night and will be planning for the permanent landing in months to come.

Thank you very much for sharing!!! it give a excellent idea for the process.

I just have one question:

Does de PR card arrived before you left Calgary?
or did you left without the PR card? and if that the answer with what documentation your are going to re-enter canada?

 

[masood8]

a. item wise main heading (1- Clothes, 2- Furniture, 3- Jewellary, 4- Electronics etc etc) on the form and attached individual lists in excel format containing sub categories including individual price of each item, on main form only total price against each category was mentioned and its overall sum.

b. i gave calgary address, but i know people gave different state address and there cards were delivered to the address

c. No, i was worried about this thing too but luckily i was not asked this question.

d. I left the stay field empty as my friend did it too and he also got away with the return ticket question, i left the field empty, i checked No in Part B and Part C, these are related to the duty free items you are carrying, you need to declare if above specific amount given in left hand side. After checking No in Part B & C, i moved on to fill Part D which is signatures section and thats it.

Do we have to submit Declaration form by each family member separately or only the for principle applicant?
If only one then there is only 4 columns and we r a family of 5. so how to fill it?

 

[Gravity]

Dear All Immigrants to Calagary.

I have landed in Calgary;
Abu Dhabi to Heahtrow airport via Etihad Airways; Etihad served excellent service
Heathrow to Calgary via Air Canada; AC disappointment.
At customs declaration card was submitted . went to immigration section. few questions .collected suitcases and met CBSA officer - all were welcoming and all went smooth. POF were asked they noted and checked B4 form and my list of goods . one copy given back to me and one was kept by them . STaying at relatives and now busy in getting others requirements for being in CA.
I want to thank you all who guided, suggested, and advised me ; Regards

 

[rawdah]

Dear All Immigrants to Calagary.

I have landed in Calgary;
Abu Dhabi to Heahtrow airport via Etihad Airways; Etihad served excellent service
Heathrow to Calgary via Air Canada; AC disappointment.
At customs declaration card was submitted . went to immigration section. few questions .collected suitcases and met CBSA officer - all were welcoming and all went smooth. POF were asked they noted and checked B4 form and my list of goods . one copy given back to me and one was kept by them . STaying at relatives and now busy in getting others requirements for being in CA.
I want to thank you all who guided, suggested, and advised me ; Regards

Welcome to Canada

 

[rizwan150]

Thanks a lot..good luck!!..best wishes +1

You are welcome, i have learned alot from this forum and every senior was always contributing to me and many others, so now after completing the immigration process, i will also contribute to this forum by sharing the knowledge from my experience.

You and all others may feel free to ask me any question any time.