Dear Forum Friends, I am writing here after almost 20 days.
But very happy to inform you all that everything went really well and we are now landed immigrants.
My E-Cas shows status "complete" and has five lines now.
We received your application for permanent residence on May 28, 2013.
We started processing your application on November 27, 2013.
Medical results have been received.
A decision has been made on your application. The office will contact you concerning this decision.
You entered Canada at the Lester B Pearson International Airport, Terminal No. 3 office on February 20, 2014 and became a Permanent Resident.
Anybody landing in Toronto with Pregnant wife, Read this carefully.
1.Get complete chek-up with 3D-4D ultra sound done before the landing day.
2.Get a fitness certificate from your Gynecologist.
3.Talk to your Airline before booking tickets. Generally till 30 weeks its not a problem but though make it sure.
4.In Ontario, it takes 90 days to get your health plan (OHIP card) activated. So get Insurance for this period.
5.Once you land, Get an address proof (like a rent agreement or Bank statement) go to Service Canada Office and register yourself and spouse for OHIP.
6.If the Due Date is well ahead of the day your OHIP starts (90th day after your landing), Go to your area's Community Health centre or Women's center. Ask them about getting your wife's medical aid financed without OHIP. They will start registration process and your wife will get the medical care without spending any money or your hard earned POF money.
7.If you miss this option, register for "Mid-wife birthing option". This will also be charge free. But First one is better.
8.Givt. also provide free Pre-Natal care, classes and advices and A free mattress for the lady ( can save you 700 to 800 CAD ).
9. Else you have to spend 10000 to 120000 CAD for the complete medical care.
Following is my Landing Experience.
Luggage and Packing:
Dont bring dairy and meat items. No ghee n No oil. Fill form b4 vey carefullly wih all valuse and attach the first summary sheet of my excel sheet with total value. Keep printout photos of all jewellery -2 copies of all three items. Dont bring any vegetables or live stuff.
You wont need PR card application form but keep it. But form b4 and packing list is must.
Flight:
Go for BA. Manage your luggage in bus if possible. Flight is awsome and good stay at london. Fairs are competitive. And very generous luggage policy. But be very very carefule with weight and sizes mentioned on BA site. Dont violate by even an inch or a gram. Is possible go with less weight. No other airline allows two hand bag bit check the sizes as both has different one. Bon voyage.
Immigration:
Go at least 4-5 hrs ahead of your flight. Security and immigration time sucks at mumbai. Abd or Delhi might be easier but still it gives lot of peace.
At london:
You can handover other two handbags here for check in and enjoy. They dont charge for it. So do it. Dont forget to use 45min free wifi.
Stay & living:
Book your stay and pick up in advance. No risk here. Its a new country.
Mostly newcomers have to go for Basements because without a canadian job offer letter or credit history, Apartment leasing companies do not accept your application. Secondly they want you to write the lease agreement for One year which is not good for a new comer as you do not know where you are going to work.
Location to leave :
Etobicoke is a good but old area. It is between Toronto, Brampton and Mississauga. You get frequent buses, trains and lot of basements and apartments here. But its up to you to decide where you want to leave. Stay close to your work place. And rent the place which is very close to bus terminal. You don't want to walk in -20 deg C for 500 to 700 meters in winter. Closer is better.
Keep the change:
On Canadian airports, trolleys are paid. 2 cad for one. So keep at least 12 cad in 6 coins of 2 cad each. If you dont have it use the Travelex money exchange to buy coins from Indian rupees. Keep 5 to 7k INR with you. You will need it in London and here for breakfast and when you go back.
PoF:
They don't ask for receipt of purchase but good to not take this risk if you don't have relatives here. Declare it in landing card given in flight.
Bank account:
Go for CIBC or RBC. CIBC is the cheapest and good one for newcomers with 1yr free acount.
I wanted to go for scotia but I did it in RBC. Hey have free banking package for fsw guys. Also applied for a credit card with 1000cad limit. Thanks to RBC. A good deal.
Remember, you will only get the first statement after One month of opening the account. Which you can use as address proof. This is very important for the guys who are going to stay in Basement where there is no rent agreement.
SIN and PR card:
This will get applied guring immigration. No hassles. Just keep your passsports and copr ready. Dont pack it in luggage just keep it wih you. Keep all your indian identity cards and education certificate s wih you. They dont ask but just to avoid looing them in transit.
Health card:
This will get applied once you are in canada. At service canada centres. But you will need you bank account statement or housing lease for it. Statement will take a month. But dont worry. Your 90 days count in ON starts from the day you become PR irrespective of your application for health card.
Bus passes:
Buy it. Its a good deal. But need separate passes for Toronto and GTA. GTA passes cost 50 CAD and Valid for 5 yrs. You spend 2.45 CAD per trip for two hours. For Toronto, buy a monthly pass of 133CAD which is unlimited travel in month within TTC buses and Train. During job and living place search, you may spend lot of money if you dont have pass. Its cost 3 CAD per trip for 2 hours.
Phone no.:
Very tough to get a good deal. I am still searching for one. I will report once I have one.
License:
Go to Toronto for application. Dont do it in GTA. They dont accept dl extract and idp. But Toronto guys do and reduce your waiting time.
Address in Canada:
During your landing, the cbsa officer will aks for your address in canada. If you have any of your friend or relative you can use their address to get you pr and Sin cards. But inform them and tell that they will receive a verification call from cbsa about your card. And SIN can not be disclosed to every one so its very sensitive. If somebody gets your sin card before you he can steal you identity. So be careful.
Credit history:
Try to get a credit card as soon as you arrive. Building credit will give you good deals every where.
Get a map:
Get a map of location you arr going to stay at. Read it before hand and identify the important locations like s3rvice Canada center, banks, bus pass, mobile shop and health center. Understand the bus routes and transport system. This will keep your mind at peace about how you will move and communicate.
Jackets and woolens:
Guys without relatives here pls don't take risk and bring at least a good jacket with cap. Inner will save you a lot from cold waves. Buy two pairs of jockey inner. Don't go for cheap one. Medical will cost you more if you have rashes or cold. You will not come to know for two days abt buying stuff from your area so till then these items will save you.
