Folks,
I have now returned back to my country after completing my landing procedure and would return to Canada for good in the next few months after wrapping up stuff here. I would like to share some of my after landing experience.
First of all, I would like to mention that I loved the country and the systems here. Having seen the US and much of Europe, I find Canada's administrative systems to be far superior. Although, cost of living is a bit expensive for the majority and the taxes are a bit high but compared to the returns you get they can be acceptable. Anyhow, that is a different debate and I wouldn't want to ruin this thread on that conversation.
My After Landing Experience:
Car rental:
I had rented a car from Hertz for the 2 weeks while I was in Toronto which I picked up at the ariport. I got a good deal with them through my company's corporate account. Total CAD 575 for the 4 door economy car including all taxes, the LDW, unlimited kilometers and child car seat (which they din't charge me for). I had my own GPS navigation system on my Pocket PC and I got US / Canada maps installed on it. I used that to move around. Although, I had my relatives to help out but I din't want to trouble them a lot.
SIN Card
The day we reached it was already a bit late in the evening so we rested that day. The next day we went for the SIN card at the Services Canada Office in Brampton. I drove there and reached the office around 10 AM with my family and there was hardly any queue. To my surprise, the Services Canada office plaza had paid parking. Anyhow, after paying for the parking, I went inside and informed at the reception that we are new immigrants and we are here for the SIN card application. He saw our landing papers and the passports and entered some information in the computer. After giving back the documents, he asked us to wait in the waiting area. There were at least 7 to 10 people waiting there. After 15 to 20 mins, a Services Canada official called us to join him at his desk. I already had the filled SIN card application with me which he took from me together with the passport and landing papers and used that to enter the information at his computer. After entering the information he verified that information with us verbally. He told us that there is no need for this filled application anymore and he is going to trash it since he had already entered all the information from that form in the system. He then gave us 3 separate printed documents mentioning the Social Insurance Numbers (SINs), name and address. He then asked us to keep them safely as they can work as legal documents till I receive my SIN cards. He informed me about the child care benefit and how I can use the new comer information centers and other resource centers to prepare my resume and apply for jobs etc. He asked us if we know about Child care benefit and also helped to print out the Child Care benefit application form for me. It took us about an hour in total from the time we reached the office.
To be Continued... I will write more about bank account and other miscellaneous recommendations later...
