Hi Everyone !
I am here to share my landing experience with you all..
Landed with my wife and son from Cathay Pacific Flight from Hongkong and Landed in vancouver Interantaional airport...on 14th Jan'2011
Immigration process took almost 10 minutes but need to wait for 1.5 hours because there were two chinese immigrants with whom Immigration officer were struggling for longer time...because they can't speak english ..
With us they had an informal interview and ask for landing papers.... and sign infront of them ...
A I already had an address to stay ..So applied for PR Card and they have said that they are going mail us within two weeks..( Must have an address to file for PR Card )
After that One porter asked whther we need help for luggage or not ... I said yes and he took our luggage to car park .Paid him $ 20 ... If you wish to carry yourself , you can do ...
My friends were waiting to pick us up in two cars.. Then we moved to Burnaby to stay ... It tiook us around 30 mintues to rach our new home.... Burnaby is a beautiful city in between New westminister and Vancouver...
Next day we went to apply card with a copy of landed paper in service canad center in canadaway... It too us around an hour get our SIn card no only..They are going to mail us cards within 4-6 weeks..SIN nos are important to work , open a bank account and other services ..
After receiving SIN no , we have posted child tax benefit form and Medical Service plan... All these detils will be given to you at airport only on arrival ..
As My friend has already arranged me a job in one of the international fast food chain as a manager ..That's the reason i moved here in Vancouver..he most important aspect we need to keep on mind...Particulalry landing in Vancouver because CITY is quite expensive... including food as well...
Please try to get a job and find a friend a relative before u land here...
Started learning driving lessons in the morning....Driving is a different ball of game here not like in India and Neoal.. Thought of driving without driving lessons... I found imposible.... But quite expensiv thoug...
$ 40 per hour..
I have registered my son in school..They asked for his immunization record , resullts of two previous years report cards, SIN no ,..They enroll children in school on the basis of age and take english test in welcome centre ....Schools re close by and in walking distance....
My wife is gone to SUCCESS and skill center and they are helping her out...I beleive they said ,she will get her inital job with in a month...
So far experience is quite exciting and having a great time with the help of friends...
However i strongly suggest to find out a province for yourself according to you profession..For example hoteliers and Nrses , British Columbia is great one.... Otherwise you need to bring plenty of money to survive here Living expenses in Vancouver is almost $ 2 k per month..
Another important point is you need a strong point of reference to get a job here. In my case my friend has recommende me for this job ..Otherwise impossible to get a job here....Anyhow basic jobs are available , but not enough to cover up monthly needs....
I have decided to stay with my initial job for another six months..There is a growth in this company but too slow..As my family settles down , I will start thinking big..
All above suggestions are just my experience ,please donot take it ootherwise...because todayis just 11th day in Burnaby...
I would like thank you all in this forum including Qorax...
Regards
Shubash
