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Immigration Process a Success, Getting Settled in Ontario a Nightmare

Mrs.Redneck

Full Member
Jun 25, 2012
41
0
Sooooooo, brief update, my U.S. husband officially landed here on June 20.....YAAAAAAAAAAAY!! The immigration process for us was quite straight forward and painless, just required patience. In the U.S. he was a Commercial Truck Driver. He has a heart condition (heart stent), getting his U.S. CDL changed to a Canadian one has been nothing but bureaucracy and red tape, fill out this form but to get that form you need this form first, use the self help phone service which keeps you on hold for over 2 hours then when an agent finally answers your call gets disconnected. Any phone number available for Ontario MTO is never answered, finding a Dr. was almost impossible, Dr. isn't even filling out forms in a expeditious manner. he has been here for 3 months and isn't even remotely close to getting his Canadian Commercial Driver's License. He's getting very frustrated as I am also, I'm very embarrassed about how his first experience with Canadian (Ontario) government is going and I'm feeling hugely guilty. And if you can believe this he's actually talking about going back to the U.S. just so he can work and provide for my Son and I. God I'm so frustrated! Anyways, next issue, getting his U.S. vehicle (which WAS formally imported) insured and Ontario plates. My insurer requires an Abstract ( which is SUPPOSED TO BE on it's way by mail) and a letter of experience from his last U.S. insurance company. Contacted State Farm in Texas, they say they don't issue letters of experience. Aren't they OBLIGATED to by law? God give me strength, I'm going to go POSTAL soon. Thanks for any advice anyone can provide. I never thought the tough part would happen AFTER he arrived here in Ontario. :(
 

Mrs.Redneck

Full Member
Jun 25, 2012
41
0
To tell you the truth, I think it would be easier for him to open a Day Care than get his Commercial Drivers License changed over. ::)
 

Kayaker

Hero Member
Aug 4, 2013
679
50
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
05-02-2014
AOR Received.
04-03-2014
Med's Done....
08-11-2013
VISA ISSUED...
29-09-2014
LANDED..........
11-10-2014
Poor you... you'd think paperwork between US-Canada would be simpler than between other countries.

I had to go 3 times to get my Ontario license (I have a Japanese driver's license). And still don't have the ok from the insurance company - although they first said I'm fine to drive my husband's car if I have an Ontario license. I'd only need a letter of experience or smth if I had my own vehicle. Now they say they're not too sure about that, hemming and hawing.
 

uskyoot

Star Member
Feb 28, 2012
181
7
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-05-2014
AOR Received.
25-06-2014
File Transfer...
07-07-2014
Med's Done....
03-03-2014
Interview........
Waived
VISA ISSUED...
01-08-2014
LANDED..........
CORP received 5/8/2014 Landed 30/08/2014
My husband and I are insured with State Farm in the U.S. After reading your post about not getting a letter of experience I called my agent. She said no problem but it would take a couple of hours to get it. We are in Tennessee. I don't know if that makes a difference
 

canvis2006

Champion Member
Dec 27, 2009
2,383
309
Toronto
Visa Office......
Paris, France
NOC Code......
FC4 - PGP
App. Filed.......
May 2009
Doc's Request.
March 2012
File Transfer...
Jan. 2013
Med's Request
May 2013
Passport Req..
July 2013
VISA ISSUED...
August 2013
LANDED..........
Sept 2013
It's better if he ends up sponsoring you to the USA instead.

Less bureaucracy in the US.