First Time Landing Info Required

[KhalidF]

Hi all,

I got FSW visa which is valid till March 2014, however I am planning to permanently move to Canada in the month of May, because of my current job contract.

I am planning to do my first landing in the month of Oct 2013, duration of my stay will be one week. I need some advice.

1. Do I need to bring cash or bank statement will be enough.
2. What documents are required to get prepaid SIM, and from where I can get it in Toronto.
3. Please suggest should I apply for SIN card during my first time landing or should I apply after I move permanently.
4. I'll appreciate if someone can suggest me hotel/guest house near to Metro/Public transport.

Thanks and Regards.

 

[coolguy2010]

Hi,

1) You need to carry minimum funds as per CIC guidelines ( maximum no limit)
2) For Prepaid SIM card, only your passport will be enough , no SIN number also required (SIN number only for post paid card)
3) You need to apply for SIN and provide address for PR card delivery at Airport
4) Where you are landing ?......if Toronto then, Safehomestay is recommended


Regards
Cool

 

[banrad]

Just to add to Cool's comments:

1) Cash or checks are OK; Statements issued by other than Canadian/USA banks are usually not accepted. If I were you, I wouldn't take a chance with a non-Canadian bank statement.
2) well said
3) definitely apply at landing for both your PR card and SIN if you can provide a Canadian address. If not, you can do so once you're back in May. Depending on your landing airport, you can apply for SIN at a Service Canada kiosk at your port of entry if it's open (surely not if you land e.g. around midnight ;D). Beware that Service Canada does not have a counter at all airports; but there's one at Pearson Toronto airport.
4) I have no experience with short-stay accommodation

You might also wish to apply for your OHIP card if you can provide a Canadian address for its delivery. Your coverage will start 3 months after your landing date, hence, in January considering the timelines you provided. You'll be back in May and have it at hand. For details on eligibility and much more go to http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/after/OI_AFTER_HEALTH.html

I recommend you peruse the new immigrants tab of CIC http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/residents/new_immigrants.asp
and make use of their interactive "Living in Canada" tool to locate the services, provincial or federal, you might need upon landing or later on http://www.cic.gc.ca/lctvac/english/index

 

[coolguy2010]

Hi,

3) You must provide address for PR card (can provide later by fax or online update)

U cannot hold address till May, as u will not be able to land again without PR card in May 2014

 

[NN74]

For SIN you need to provide your friend/family home address, if you dont have yours.

For OHIP you cant apply as long as you dont have TENANCY CONTRACT in your name or you have to provide proof of your address e.g. bank statement mailed to you on that address. So how difficult it is you know, open a bank account, wait for 45 days till your statement is mailed to you......etc.

Just to add to Cool's comments:

1) Cash or checks are OK; Statements issued by other than Canadian/USA banks are usually not accepted. If I were you, I wouldn't take a chance with a non-Canadian bank statement.
2) well said
3) definitely apply at landing for both your PR card and SIN if you can provide a Canadian address. If not, you can do so once you're back in May. Depending on your landing airport, you can apply for SIN at a Service Canada kiosk at your port of entry if it's open (surely not if you land e.g. around midnight ;D). Beware that Service Canada does not have a counter at all airports; but there's one at Pearson Toronto airport.
4) I have no experience with short-stay accommodation

You might also wish to apply for your OHIP card if you can provide a Canadian address for its delivery. Your coverage will start 3 months after your landing date, hence, in January considering the timelines you provided. You'll be back in May and have it at hand. For details on eligibility and much more go to http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/after/OI_AFTER_HEALTH.html

I recommend you peruse the new immigrants tab of CIC http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/residents/new_immigrants.asp
and make use of their interactive "Living in Canada" tool to locate the services, provincial or federal, you might need upon landing or later on http://www.cic.gc.ca/lctvac/english/index

 

[banrad]

A valid point! If you are not a holder of a visa-free country passport, you'll need your PR card to re-enter Canada in May. If you truly cannot arrange for having the PR card on you when arriving in May, you'll need to apply for a travel authorization document at a Canadian embassy... for a fee, of course

As for the OHIP card and residency proof, if you open a bank account and cannot wait for the next statement do be mailed to you, you can ask the bank for a one-off, out-of-cycle statement to be mailed to you immediately (2/3 business days)... for a fee, of course ;D

Happy landing!

 

[KhalidF]

Thank you coolguy2010, NN74 and banrad for your help

can you please also suggest me about clothing, i'll be landing in Toronto on 3rd week of Oct.

 

[banrad]

As for weather and proper clothing, it's hard to advise so well in advance. Still, the temperature towards the end of October should be around 12/14°C, with a low down to about 4°C at night. It's your call depending on how you tolerate such temperatures
There might be already some freezing nights (around 0°C), but I don't expect the day temperature to drop drastically end of October.

In general, to keep yourself warm in colder weather put more layers instead of one thick outer jacket. In other words, put on undershirt, T, sweater, jumper, jacket .... like an onion - layers you can add or take off as needed.

 

[KhalidF]

Thank you all for your help.

I had to carry cash because i was not able to get travelers cheque/draft from UAE.
for SIM card i just gave my friend's address and telephone and i got chattr prepaid sim card.

 

[Hasni]

Thank you all for your help.

I had to carry cash because i was not able to get travelers cheque/draft from UAE.
for SIM card i just gave my friend's address and telephone and i got chattr prepaid sim card.

where did you stay Khalid, and did you apply for OIHP ! How about other formalities at the airport,...did all go fine, if you could share some detaile, thanks

 

[bcpnpnom]

As for weather and proper clothing, it's hard to advise so well in advance. Still, the temperature towards the end of October should be around 12/14°C, with a low down to about 4°C at night. It's your call depending on how you tolerate such temperatures
There might be already some freezing nights (around 0°C), but I don't expect the day temperature to drop drastically end of October.

In general, to keep yourself warm in colder weather put more layers instead of one thick outer jacket. In other words, put on undershirt, T, sweater, jumper, jacket .... like an onion - layers you can add or take off as needed.
[/quote

Hi there, we'r planning to do our landing ds Dec 2013 for just 2 wks in Vancouver, may I know if its okay for me to address my PR card to my friend's address in Edmonton (w/c is outside BC) since we are under BC PNP? thanks...

 

[KhalidF]

where did you stay Khalid, and did you apply for OIHP ! How about other formalities at the airport,...did all go fine, if you could share some detaile, thanks

i stayed in safehomestay’s guest house. It is located near Don Mills subway station and FairView mall.
Halal restaurant Iqbal kabab house is within 10-15 mins of walk from the guest house.
At airport, it went pretty well. Immigration officer asked me to show him funds, he didn’t count them though.
I got prepaid chattr SIM from FairView mall by providing local address and telephone number.
I applied for SIN card and have opened my bank account by just showing them landing paper.
And no I didn’t apply for OIHP card.

 

[Hasni]

i stayed in safehomestay's guest house. It is located near Don Mills subway station and FairView mall.
Halal restaurant Iqbal kabab house is within 10-15 mins of walk from the guest house.
At airport, it went pretty well. Immigration officer asked me to show him funds, he didn't count them though.
I got prepaid chattr SIM from FairView mall by providing local address and telephone number.
I applied for SIN card and have opened my bank account by just showing them landing paper.
And no I didn't apply for OIHP card.

great, how about PR card ! Did you give a y friend's address or will avail safehomestay's service ! Thanks

 

[KhalidF]

great, how about PR card ! Did you give a y friend's address or will avail safehomestay's service ! Thanks

i gave my friend's address