I made some facts and checklist with help of friends who staying in canada. Thought this will be helpful to others.
Let me know if i missed anything so that i can add it.
Facts:
1. Clothes are not so expensive in Canada.
2. You can get Jeans pant almost at the same price as in India.
3. If you prefer tailor made clothes, then you must bring it from India.
4. You should bring good leather or heavy jackets from India. They are available here (Made in India) but quite expensive.
5. You can also bring light jackets. In summer you need light clothes.
6. Sports shoes are available here in great variety and with good price. You should not bring them.
7. Leather shoes are very expensive here, so please bring couple of good pair.
8. You may bring Hawaii sandals from India.
9. Leather belts are also little expensive here, so you might need to bring more belts per person from India.
10. Good suits are required for gents at the time of interview (for office kind of jobs), but it is not compulsory. Good while shirt on any dark (non-jeans) pant is enough.
11. If you like to bring suits, you can do so, but only one is enough.
12. Here people wear suits on some occasions, but it is not so common.
13. You should bring books from India as far as possible, as books are very expensive here.
14. You may need to bring good blankets from Raymond. However if they are occupying too much space, you can avoid it.
15. Please bring bed-sheets of largest size available – here beds are very big – they call is queen-size and king-size.
16. So get few good bed-sheets of Bombay-dying. You can also bring full size pillow cover.
17. If you have few Canadian dollar coins and 25 cents, it is better.
18. On airport you can get cart by inserting a dollar in the slot to carry your luggage, otherwise those collies will charge you 15$ (450 Rupees!) just to get out of airport.
19. The 25 cents (known as quarter here) will be useful if you need to call your relative or friend or you need to call Taxi.
20. Ensure that you carry all your educational certificates, job experience certificates and any short term or long-term course certificates without fail.
21. If you have a car-driving license, it is a good idea to take it with you.
22. If you wish to drive a car as soon as you arrive in Canada, you can take an International Driving Permit also.Even if you have good driving experience back home it is advised to take 2 or 3 classes at the minimum to get accustomed to the roads and its rules here.
23. If you are arriving by plane, you will be given a Customs declaration form in your flight. Complete it fully and clearly.
24. As soon as you land at a Canadian airport, you need to go through the Canadian Immigration check.
25. When you arrive at the Immigration Counter, keep your passport, immigration papers and duly filled Customs declaration form ready and show them to the Immigration Officer.
26. You will probably be directed to go to another area and meet another officer. That officer will verify your passport, immigration papers, and the funds you are carrying and sign and stamp your immigration papers.
27. That means you have finally LANDED in CANADA. Now go and pickup your luggage and pass through Canada Customs.
28. There are several public phones in the airport. Go to a telephone booth and dial the number (including the area code) you want to reach and when a voice tells you to deposit 25 cents (for a local call) or the calling card to be swiped, do as directed.
29. If no body is picking you up from the airport, take a taxi or public transport from the airport to reach your accommodation, if you have already booked in advance.
30. If your accommodation is not booked in advance, contact the information counter at the airport, who can help you to find accommodation.
31. If you have arrived in Toronto Pearson International Airport, Taxis (or Limousines) charge fixed fares from the airport to your destination.
These fares are posted at the taxi stand.
32. If you wish to take public transport (buses), enquire at the information counter in the airport on which bus to take.
33. If you do not have any friends or relatives living in Canada, with whom you can stay or who can arrange for your initial accommodation, it is very important to make your own arrangements at least for your temporary accommodation on your arrival.
CheckList:
1 International Driving Permit
2 23 kg Checkin baggage - 2 and 7 kg Cabin baggage
3 Transcripts in Sealed Envelope from respected University.
4 2 formal shirts (Preferably White)
5 2 Formal Trousers
6 At least C$3000 or equivalent Travelers check
7 2 Formal Pants
10 Dental Filling - Do if necessary. In Canada its expensive
11 20 Pairs socks
12 20 Underwear
13 Vests - If you prefer wearing them
14 Leather Belt
15 Ticket in Cabin Baggage
16 Passport in Cabin Baggage
17 Passport size fotos. Here its very expensive
18 Dont buy phones or laptop
19 Towels
20 Bedsheet
21 Formal Shoe
22 Copies of all documents in the Check-in baggage
23 All original documents in the Cabin baggage
24 Visa, Ticket, Admit Letter in Cabin baggage
25 Photos in Cabin baggage
26 Leave one copy of all documents at Home
28 Leave 10 blank signed papers at home
29 Check for Flight Delay - 5 days prior to departure
30 Crocin (4 Sachets)
31 Citrocine (3 Satchets)
32 Vicks Vaporub (3 Nos.)
33 Amrutanjan (2 Nos.)
34 License abstract Letter from RTO
36 Scientific Calculator
37 Umbrella
38 Shorts (2 Nos.)
39 Handkerchief (2 Nos.)
41 Thin Blanket
42 Thin Bedsheet
43 Thin Towel (2 Nos.)
44 Suit - Must for Presentations
45 Bathroom Slippers
46 Sandals
47 Blade (3 set)
48 Razor
49 Shaving Brush
50 Aftershave
51 Small Scissors
52 Shaving Kit Bag
53 Park Avenue Soap (2 Nos.) - Your preference
54 Soap Box (2 Nos.)
55 Shampoo Bottle
56 Body Spray
57 Toothpaste
58 Toothbrush (3 Nos.)
59 Comb-Wide Toothed
60 Hair Oil-Clinic Plus
61 Nail Cutter
62 Buds
63 Dont buy Jackets, Thermals, Mufflers, Scarf or any cold resistant wear from India. They simply aren't good enough for Canadian Winters
64 One pair casual shoes. Canvas type.
66 Stapler with pin box
67 Pencils (5 Nos.)
68 Sharpener
69 Eraser
70 Scribbling Pad
71 Glue Stick
72 Ruler
73 Cello tape
74 Office Clip
75 Fevi Kwik (3 Nos.)
76 All spices and food stuff for cheap and I will post places later.
77 Learn to cook or you are fucked
78 Dont book ticket which has US connections, you ll need US transit Visa for that
79 On the first day in Canada open bank account with TD Canada Trust - Ask for student plan
81 And get a phone - Mobilicity preferably
82 When You land in Canada you should have at least C$1000 cash- Smaller denominations (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50)
83 Don't buy iron box. Wont work here.
84 Get Pressure cooker and some flat bottom cooking utensils. Don't buy spoons and stuff - Remember there is no gas fired stoves only flat top electric ones
85 Don't buy any new electronic stuff
86 Have an open mind to accept nothing but change and everything upside down
87 Good Document File
88 I am not sure whether I have got everything in. Please check with somebody else to draft your final check list.
If its helps +1 for me..
Let me know if i missed anything so that i can add it.
Facts:
1. Clothes are not so expensive in Canada.
2. You can get Jeans pant almost at the same price as in India.
3. If you prefer tailor made clothes, then you must bring it from India.
4. You should bring good leather or heavy jackets from India. They are available here (Made in India) but quite expensive.
5. You can also bring light jackets. In summer you need light clothes.
6. Sports shoes are available here in great variety and with good price. You should not bring them.
7. Leather shoes are very expensive here, so please bring couple of good pair.
8. You may bring Hawaii sandals from India.
9. Leather belts are also little expensive here, so you might need to bring more belts per person from India.
10. Good suits are required for gents at the time of interview (for office kind of jobs), but it is not compulsory. Good while shirt on any dark (non-jeans) pant is enough.
11. If you like to bring suits, you can do so, but only one is enough.
12. Here people wear suits on some occasions, but it is not so common.
13. You should bring books from India as far as possible, as books are very expensive here.
14. You may need to bring good blankets from Raymond. However if they are occupying too much space, you can avoid it.
15. Please bring bed-sheets of largest size available – here beds are very big – they call is queen-size and king-size.
16. So get few good bed-sheets of Bombay-dying. You can also bring full size pillow cover.
17. If you have few Canadian dollar coins and 25 cents, it is better.
18. On airport you can get cart by inserting a dollar in the slot to carry your luggage, otherwise those collies will charge you 15$ (450 Rupees!) just to get out of airport.
19. The 25 cents (known as quarter here) will be useful if you need to call your relative or friend or you need to call Taxi.
20. Ensure that you carry all your educational certificates, job experience certificates and any short term or long-term course certificates without fail.
21. If you have a car-driving license, it is a good idea to take it with you.
22. If you wish to drive a car as soon as you arrive in Canada, you can take an International Driving Permit also.Even if you have good driving experience back home it is advised to take 2 or 3 classes at the minimum to get accustomed to the roads and its rules here.
23. If you are arriving by plane, you will be given a Customs declaration form in your flight. Complete it fully and clearly.
24. As soon as you land at a Canadian airport, you need to go through the Canadian Immigration check.
25. When you arrive at the Immigration Counter, keep your passport, immigration papers and duly filled Customs declaration form ready and show them to the Immigration Officer.
26. You will probably be directed to go to another area and meet another officer. That officer will verify your passport, immigration papers, and the funds you are carrying and sign and stamp your immigration papers.
27. That means you have finally LANDED in CANADA. Now go and pickup your luggage and pass through Canada Customs.
28. There are several public phones in the airport. Go to a telephone booth and dial the number (including the area code) you want to reach and when a voice tells you to deposit 25 cents (for a local call) or the calling card to be swiped, do as directed.
29. If no body is picking you up from the airport, take a taxi or public transport from the airport to reach your accommodation, if you have already booked in advance.
30. If your accommodation is not booked in advance, contact the information counter at the airport, who can help you to find accommodation.
31. If you have arrived in Toronto Pearson International Airport, Taxis (or Limousines) charge fixed fares from the airport to your destination.
These fares are posted at the taxi stand.
32. If you wish to take public transport (buses), enquire at the information counter in the airport on which bus to take.
33. If you do not have any friends or relatives living in Canada, with whom you can stay or who can arrange for your initial accommodation, it is very important to make your own arrangements at least for your temporary accommodation on your arrival.
CheckList:
1 International Driving Permit
2 23 kg Checkin baggage - 2 and 7 kg Cabin baggage
3 Transcripts in Sealed Envelope from respected University.
4 2 formal shirts (Preferably White)
5 2 Formal Trousers
6 At least C$3000 or equivalent Travelers check
7 2 Formal Pants
10 Dental Filling - Do if necessary. In Canada its expensive
11 20 Pairs socks
12 20 Underwear
13 Vests - If you prefer wearing them
14 Leather Belt
15 Ticket in Cabin Baggage
16 Passport in Cabin Baggage
17 Passport size fotos. Here its very expensive
18 Dont buy phones or laptop
19 Towels
20 Bedsheet
21 Formal Shoe
22 Copies of all documents in the Check-in baggage
23 All original documents in the Cabin baggage
24 Visa, Ticket, Admit Letter in Cabin baggage
25 Photos in Cabin baggage
26 Leave one copy of all documents at Home
28 Leave 10 blank signed papers at home
29 Check for Flight Delay - 5 days prior to departure
30 Crocin (4 Sachets)
31 Citrocine (3 Satchets)
32 Vicks Vaporub (3 Nos.)
33 Amrutanjan (2 Nos.)
34 License abstract Letter from RTO
36 Scientific Calculator
37 Umbrella
38 Shorts (2 Nos.)
39 Handkerchief (2 Nos.)
41 Thin Blanket
42 Thin Bedsheet
43 Thin Towel (2 Nos.)
44 Suit - Must for Presentations
45 Bathroom Slippers
46 Sandals
47 Blade (3 set)
48 Razor
49 Shaving Brush
50 Aftershave
51 Small Scissors
52 Shaving Kit Bag
53 Park Avenue Soap (2 Nos.) - Your preference
54 Soap Box (2 Nos.)
55 Shampoo Bottle
56 Body Spray
57 Toothpaste
58 Toothbrush (3 Nos.)
59 Comb-Wide Toothed
60 Hair Oil-Clinic Plus
61 Nail Cutter
62 Buds
63 Dont buy Jackets, Thermals, Mufflers, Scarf or any cold resistant wear from India. They simply aren't good enough for Canadian Winters
64 One pair casual shoes. Canvas type.
66 Stapler with pin box
67 Pencils (5 Nos.)
68 Sharpener
69 Eraser
70 Scribbling Pad
71 Glue Stick
72 Ruler
73 Cello tape
74 Office Clip
75 Fevi Kwik (3 Nos.)
76 All spices and food stuff for cheap and I will post places later.
77 Learn to cook or you are fucked
78 Dont book ticket which has US connections, you ll need US transit Visa for that
79 On the first day in Canada open bank account with TD Canada Trust - Ask for student plan
81 And get a phone - Mobilicity preferably
82 When You land in Canada you should have at least C$1000 cash- Smaller denominations (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50)
83 Don't buy iron box. Wont work here.
84 Get Pressure cooker and some flat bottom cooking utensils. Don't buy spoons and stuff - Remember there is no gas fired stoves only flat top electric ones
85 Don't buy any new electronic stuff
86 Have an open mind to accept nothing but change and everything upside down
87 Good Document File
88 I am not sure whether I have got everything in. Please check with somebody else to draft your final check list.
If its helps +1 for me..