FSW 2013 Applicants Timeline- Lets Network Here.

[sinestra]

Okay fellas, I am sorry it took some time to document my landing experience. This is no easy task I must say even though I have landed in summer.
I will list my landing experience and I will also list some pointers.
I booked my flight tickets with British Airways. The economy class flight was from Bangalore to London Heathrow and from there to Toronto.
Baggage allowance was: 1 person could get 2 check-in baggage each weighing 23 kilos max, 2 cabin baggage, weighing 23 kilos max. Also the check-in baggage and cabin baggage needs to be within the specified dimension. So whatever you do, your cabin baggage may still not exceed the prescribed 23 kilos. It was a frigging nightmare to pack and document the stuff we packed. We had to give up suitcases and really good trolley bags with corrugated boxes to fulfill our needs.
Flight was long and the halt at London was a big relief after which we boarded our flight to Toronto and we reached on 26th at 17:30 and off we went to the immigration counter. Things were pretty straight forward however, one needs to be mindful of where the CBSA officer is asking you to sign. In my case, he asked my wife to sign on my COPR and when I noticed that, he was like “Oh that's alright, you can just sign next to it.” I just noticed that my document is not stamped by CBSA. GRR! He also asked me about proof of funds and I showed it to him but he just asked for it and expected verbal answers.
Here he put the details of the Canadian address where the PR is supposedly going to be delivered. I gave my friend's address and that was done. This took about 15 minutes. After which the CBSA officer directed us to Services Canada counter where we got our SIN. That done and dusted, we were asked take the route where the Services Canada's kit was being distributed. We were advised to make an appointment with a settlement worker and fill up health card and enroll for child benefit etc. With the kit in hand we went to locate the baggage we checked in. (7 in all. I requested the BA official to check in one of my hand baggage as I was having a daughter to manage. Surprisingly they agreed) I called the porter as I didn't want to injure my back. I paid the porter $10 and he got a large trolley and loaded our ugly boxes on them and we moved on to the Canadian customs official.
The Canadian customs official lady was good looking and she asked me basic stuff about gold we are carrying and gold that we are wearing. She clarified that we needed to include the gold that we were wearing to be included in the goods accompanying list with photographs. We had that and we had also weighed that and mentioned the weight on the photographs. So that went fine. In the mean time I tried to contact my friend to pick me up. The officer told me that it is prohibited to make phone calls while I am clearing custom formalities. I apologized as I knew I was wrong and then she asked me for the total value of goods accompanying and goods to follow. I showed the excel sheet where I had categorized them and that got over. I got a document with goods to follow “Casual Goods Accounting Document” duly signed and sealed with our copy of goods to follow (Remember to make 2 copies of goods to follow and goods accompanying).
There is just one exit and you can hire a taxi or call your friend. I called my friend and he picked us up and we were dazed due to the jet lag. However, my friend took us straight to his house and gave us food and we requested him to drop us to Studio6 (a service apartment). We just went off to sleep. Following morning we began looking for accommodation thanks to the free Internet and local calls provided by Studio6. We managed to get contacts from basement accommodation but they were either too far from Toronto or asking for credit history.
We then finalized on an apartment in Victoria Park and needless to say, even they wanted credit history or guarantor. Thankfully, I could get 2 of them, but I wasn't keen on putting their credit history at risk and I asked the apartment management for another option. I was told to pay upfront 6 months rent and I could move in right away. I got the bank draft for 6 months and moved in right away.
With that done, I had to get a mobile connection. I approached Fido as they were not very expensive (What am I saying??? It is bloody expensive in comparison to India) compared to Rogers and the network is good. I was asked for a credit card and I produced my Indian American Express card and they processed it right away. (It took some time for me to get my credit card from Scotia Bank).
My wife is without a cell phone currently as she didn't have a credit card.
We then ordered an Internet connection from BELL. They have a plan for 375 GB for $45. I found that good enough for my usage. With Internet at home, I had an option to order for a VOIP home phone. I am currently in the process of shortlisting one.
The apartment is attached to the Subway by the skywalk and it is in a convenient location in Toronto.

So folks who are immigrating keep these pointers in mind:
1. Immigrate during summer time in Canada. You will have mobility. This is a big thing!!
2. Complete your credential evaluations and certifications while in your home country.
3. You don't need to invest in swanky trolley bags and hand bags. You need to pick the lightest ones that can accommodate the maximum amount of luggage.
4. Buy ample formal clothes. There are no megamart and coupon stores here. You will pay a bomb to buy formal clothes here.
5. If you are coming in summer, you don't need to stock food grains and other edible stuff as you can always travel to an Indian store nearby and stock up your kitchen. The edible items sold here is not very expensive, if you are at the right place. You will even get coconuts and curry leaves here.
6. Buy thermals. Not the fancy woolen ones but the normal ones.
7. Get vessels that work with induction stoves.
8. Don't have to get induction heaters from home country as most of them cook on induction heaters here.
9. Get a spike guard or power strip for laptops, mobiles and to make that work you must get universal power adaptor. The American/Canadian ones are way different than UK and Indian ones.
10. Get at least 2 plastic mugs and some containers.
11. Get Preethi's Blue Leaf Platinum Mixer 110 Volts.
12. Carry a pen, Portable Charger, deodorant and hand sanitizer.
13. Carry ample amount of cash (say about $2500)
14. Please smile at people who smile at you.
15. Do not spit or litter places. You can be fined. Believe me the fine is too much here.
16. Revive your contacts in Canada well before you arrive.
17. And if your contacts ask you to get stuff to Canada, politely refuse as you will not have enough space for your goods. I promise you that.
18. Keep an open mind. Be happy!! You have made it to Canada. This is a wonderful country, however if you have a different opinion, you will eventually agree that it is a wonderful country.
19. Remember that PR expires after 5 years and you can either renew it or apply for citizenship. If you intend applying for either, you will need IELTS. I am yet to get details, but the one you got to immigrate will still be valid is what I am told. I will verify this.
20. If you are a general manager, CEO, CFO, Architect, etc., in your home country, prepare to start from scratch or stay where you are.
21. Get small quantity of sugar, salt and Tea/coffee. It will be of use wherever you land.

Thought of re-posting this here!!

 

[1111]

+1 for sharing your wonderful landing experience, sinestra.

 

[SAP_BW]

Hi Sinestra

Nice to read your landing experience! Its helpful.

+1 for you.and all the best for your future in canada.

 

[rajanbe]

Hi

Congrats for your visa! Good to get visa by person. Happy Landing!

I think our visit finalized our file coz our visa issue date is today's date only...n my ecas still shows in process

 

[rajanbe]

Hello all,

My DM was made on 02nd-June. Till today I haven't received my passport.

Does it take more than a week to reach Bangalore from Delhi. Can any one please advice.

Thanks

thats nice congratulations

 

[Rastafarian]

+1for ur valuable inputs..sinestra.

 

[Aimer Le Canada]

Hello all,

My DM was made on 02nd-June. Till today I haven't received my passport.

Does it take more than a week to reach Bangalore from Delhi. Can any one please advice.

Thanks

do not worry. in this week you will sure get it.

 

[rajanbe]

+1 for sharing your experience. Document is really helpful for guys preparing to land.

Thanks

Thought of re-posting this here!!

 

[rajanbe]

Hi Vedi,

Got my DM on 2nd June. Till today I haven't received my passport. I am worried a lot!
Does it take lot of time to reach Bangalore?

Thanks rajanbe & congrats to you too
It usually takes a week time. I got DM on 23rd May (the date on visa stamp) & received my passport on 31st May.

 

[bhFSW2174]

Hi Vedi,

Got my DM on 2nd June. Till today I haven't received my passport. I am worried a lot!
Does it take lot of time to reach Bangalore?

Dear Member,
First of all, Congrats for DM
Certainly, you will get it in within few days through Registered Speed Post or if you have opted for VFS then through VFS. God Bless Us

 

[devkis]

Congrats to hookhabar, patelvelgi, c73w, shailp. All the best, guys.

edvrfn, thanks for the intimation.

(glbl ss updated!)

 

[edvrfn]

Congrats to hookhabar, patelvelgi, c73w, shailp. All the best, guys.

edvrfn, thanks for the intimation.

(glbl ss updated!)

Another missed DM

I got my DM today 22-2-2014

now waiting for passport.....thanks lord,,,,n all the best to all

And double entry for babub, need to be removed from MR PP sheet
-----------------------------------

Devkis there are many members who got PER AOR from NDVO but haven't updated further since last year and are also not active in the forum.. I think they shoud to be moved to inctive sheet. I have been able to check and identified these members below.


Rock
Chris
grewal
Voluptuous abby
kunal_kharidia
vakkan1234
CRL83
MR GRAVITY
CanadaPRwaiting
guula
rahul2132
Begum
anish14
Bharat1986 (FSW3)
JJames
vishvav482
brijesh124
surajcanada
adanac
leolion
Chandrock
adithyain
CK007
nav2nav7
gvjohn
denishkanani
Roccky

Also there are few who are inactive after MR/PP requests and probably have got their DM, but didnot update in the forum.

knna
Luckyshyama
hari2013
LoveVikky
swapnil3353
harry physio
pratik.pandya.85
metallica.kyoto
Amit Khera
binu14983
casv
lucky2263

 

[sharmausct]

I am blessed with a baby girl on 29th May.I submitted my passport and medicals on 29th jan. I raised a CSE in mid April, requesting early visa and informing my wife's pregnancy.But no reply.Now on 30th may I again raised a CSE informing my child's birth and requesting her inclusion on my application.Still no reply till today.what do you think friends.what is happening in my case.4.5 months have passed after passport submission...what should i do now??????????

 

[Aimer Le Canada]

I am blessed with a baby girl on 29th May.I submitted my passport and medicals on 29th jan. I raised a CSE in mid April, requesting early visa and informing my wife's pregnancy.But no reply.Now on 30th may I again raised a CSE informing my child's birth and requesting her inclusion on my application.Still no reply till today.what do you think friends.what is happening in my case.4.5 months have passed after passport submission...what should i do now??????????

hey congrats for baby girl. wait for few days more you will sure get reply from NDVO that what additional docs require to add her. I think NDVO know that your wife is pregnant as in medical report dr mention that this much month pregnancy she has. that is why they have not issue visa to you. because after visa issuance, any change will take more time than now.

 

[sharmausct]

hey congrats for baby girl. wait for few days more you will sure get reply from NDVO that what additional docs require to add her. I think NDVO know that your wife is pregnant as in medical report dr mention that this much month pregnancy she has. that is why they have not issue visa to you. because after visa issuance, any change will take more time than now.

thank you for your wishes