Landed. Please update Global and NDVO spreadsheets.
Hi Guys,
This is my landing experience so far. Landed 20 May 2015 local time 4.30 PM ET.
I did an online check-in on Emirates and reached airport 2 hrs before my flight.
I only had jewellery list with photos printed and No B4 or B4A. I just had a handwritten list of items per bag.
By the Time I was done with baggage weighing, Immigration line and security check line we had only 40 min for the take off at Chennai.
Our 4 piece luggage was overweight by 2.5kg overall. But they didn't mind. I did not pad-lock bags but had the lock ready. I did this just in case if I had to open the luggage to remove items due to limit exceed or in case if they wanted to check.
Don't do as I did. I wasted their time. Have all the luggage pad locked and keys with you ready.
I wanted to take customs certificate for the personal jewellery but they said I should have done it before I crossed security check. They also said that the process takes an hour or more and anyway I was too late for that.
We arrived at Dubai and during layover time had some food and relaxed. Connected to free Wi-Fi with 1hr limit no data limit. The shops in Dubai airport don't accept CAD. Luckily I had 40 USD. So I suggest you have at least a few USD as sometimes credit card might embarrass us. And also mind the forex rates on credit card swipes outside home country.
Security check at Dubai was very strict compared to Chennai. Probably it is same in any airports if we are boarding any North America bound Airplanes.
Take off from Dubai to Toronto was delayed by an hour due to some passengers arriving late due to baggage check.
It was fun all way from Dubai. We watched movies, TV shows, slept several hours. Mobile charging was easy as they had both power terminals and USB ports. I charged through USB as my power adapter will not fit in their socket.
We filled the declaration form and prepared a rough draft for B4 1 hr before we landed.
There are external cameras on the Airbus A380 and I was enjoying the view outside through the display as well as through window.
The sun was shining bright and hot through airplane 20 min before landing. I thought for a second that we had a Chennai Summer. But we felt the actual weather only after stepping out of airport. Sun shines bright but the wind was chill.
After getting of airplane we went to immigration department where they examined COPR, stamped both copies and kept the copy with photo with them. The officer provided us the form to update our address later as per our request.
Then the same room exit had a desk for welcome Canada who gave us some booklets and shared basic info. We asked about temporary insurance, the sweet old lady suggested us blue cross insurance (Not the animal blue cross we have in India).
We got our SIN numbers at next room. Be cautious that you verify your personal info that officer takes for SIN. Check the SIN printout. My wife had a typo on postal code that we noticed while at the bank. This was no big deal. But same can happen to your name or other critical info.
After this we walked out to baggage collection and customs. Customs was only interested in cash or any form of money. This is normal for any flyer crossing in to Canada's international airport. This is nothing to do with POF. No one asked for it. I advice you keep it though to play safe.I asked customs officer if they want to look at my jewellery photos or need B4. They said they don't want any of those forms if the items are all accompanying with us.
So with no B4 and no jewellery snaps we exited airport with our luggage.
My pickup was waiting and we reached our temporary accommodation that we booked for 2 wks. at safehomestay.com.
Luckily our accommodation was close to a big Mall linked to a Subway. The mall had all mobile service providers, RBC and TD bank.
So next day after landing we got our SIM card for our mobiles with our Indian Passports and COPR.
The next day we created Bank Chequing ac, Savings ac with 6 month free banking and 100 cheque leaves and unlimited transactions. Applied for credit card with 1000CAD limit. All of the above was done separately for me and my wife. They instantly gave temporary debit card. And no money was needed to be deposited for this. Just take your Passports and COPR.
*Get both Savings and Chequing ac!
I already received my Credit card and bank/debit card. It took less than a week.
Debit card will not have visa/master logo. So can't be used online. If you need online capability on debit card you need to request for Visa debit card separately.
We explored the local Mall, a local Chinese store and the local park on our first weekend in Canada. A;so we made few calls to Kijiji and Craigs list ads for Basement rent and arranged appointment to visit the homes on next day and day that follows.
Monday and Tuesday we visited 2 homes each and we finalized one of them which is a basement. We paid 2 month advance and signed 6 months contract.
Did CN tower tour on 2nd day of home hunting as we had lot of time between visiting 2 homes.
We made 10 calls, Sent few SMS with a standard response to house owners who has the Ad online and got 4 house visit appointments. Other calls went to Voice mail, some said house was already taken, one of the houses we visited wanted credit check.
So don't lose hope. Few calls and Few house visits you will find a home.
We updated new address to all services we signed up for Mobile and Banking. We waited till we got our debit and credit card delivered before changing address.
Home hunting was a learning experience in many ways as we learnt how to use bus/Subway/street car. Follow the signs ask for help and you just need a day or two to get a hang. Mobile with data absolutely necessary as google maps tells you what bus/train to board, where to get off and which way to walk.
We are moving in to the permanent accommodation next Wednesday after we finish our 2 wk. stay here at safehomestay. Safe home stay can be slightly expensive, but gets you a good start. Don't book for more than 2wk stay. Check their website for rates. www.safehomestay.com
As we have bank documents we would apply for OHIP card coming week, do our G1 written which would give us our much required Canadian photo ID. Also we will visit service Canada for back to reality (job hunting).
Hope this helps future landing immigrants. Research your best before landing, but you learn 95% of “Canadian life” only after landing.
Wishes for everyone waiting here to get the good news you are expecting.
Mine was a long and painful wait, but not long as many others.
If your application is clean and error free you can always have hope. It comes late sometimes but definitely comes.
Thank you!
All set --_ God speed!
