I landed at pearson international airport toronto on 18th Dec 2009. Here is my experience...
Received customs declaration forms on the plane. Filled it in and remembered to tick the box for "goods to follow". Upon arrival, passed through a counter who checked the declaration form and passport, returned without any stamp. Proceeded to immigration. Few people in the queue. Lady at the counter was very helpful. Gave passport, custom declaration, copr forms. She returned customs declaration forms. Asked when will the rest of the family will join me. Asked how much funds I will be relocating with? Did not ask for proof. Asked for local address, gave her pre printed slip. She made me sign on the copr form and informed me that, it will be the same signature appearing on the PR card when issued. That's it, she welcomed me to Canada and returned the passport and one copy of the copr form. I asked about PR card and I was told it will be sent to mentioned address in 3 to 4 weeks time. If I do not receive by that time, I have to call the service centre. I was then directed to "welcome to canada" counter for new immigrants. I was given some printed material and a bag. Passed through another counter where I was given information on Ontario health card application. I strongly recommend all to read the material as I found them extremely useful. Then proceed to collect the check in baggage. It was a long long wait and queue. First the flight was A380-800 from dubai, lot's of passengers. Then there were many other flights arriving at same time. Almost after an hour , I was with customs official. He took the "Goods to follow" list in duplicate, declaration form. Asked which are the few highest value items in the list. Stamped the list and returned to me along with customs receipt showing the total value of the goods I have declared as "to follow". Next day, it was saturday. Visited city hall centre for sin registration. I was told they work mon to fri. Hence I had to visit another office near my residence on monday for sin registration. Reported at the reception with copr form , passport and duly filled in sin card application. I was given back the documents and was asked to wait. There were many computers, sat and completed three profiles for the job bank. I was called in by another lady. I was then assisted with sin registration. It took about 20 minutes to get letter with my sin number. I was told that the sin card will be sent to the address mentioned in 10 working days. Went back to the terminal to check some job matches. Again I recommend that you try creating profile in the job bank, atleast it was useful for me to get an idea on what skills, the employers in canada looking for in my profession. website link is http://seekers.jobbank.gc.ca/common-commun/login-connection.aspx?redirect=true&target=6&lang=en-CA
My next stop was at "Toronto Centre" Employment resource centre. Great place to be!!! You can get access to computers, printer, fax machine, phone, lots and lots of study material on how to find a job, dvd's to assist on tip's to write winning resume, facing interviews etc.,etc., All for free!!
Then proceeded to apply for OHIP (Health card). I could not complete the process as I did not have acceptable address proof ie lease agreement or temporary drivers license or monthly bank statement which would have arrived by post. I will work on possibly getting the temporary driver's license.
This is it for now...........
Received customs declaration forms on the plane. Filled it in and remembered to tick the box for "goods to follow". Upon arrival, passed through a counter who checked the declaration form and passport, returned without any stamp. Proceeded to immigration. Few people in the queue. Lady at the counter was very helpful. Gave passport, custom declaration, copr forms. She returned customs declaration forms. Asked when will the rest of the family will join me. Asked how much funds I will be relocating with? Did not ask for proof. Asked for local address, gave her pre printed slip. She made me sign on the copr form and informed me that, it will be the same signature appearing on the PR card when issued. That's it, she welcomed me to Canada and returned the passport and one copy of the copr form. I asked about PR card and I was told it will be sent to mentioned address in 3 to 4 weeks time. If I do not receive by that time, I have to call the service centre. I was then directed to "welcome to canada" counter for new immigrants. I was given some printed material and a bag. Passed through another counter where I was given information on Ontario health card application. I strongly recommend all to read the material as I found them extremely useful. Then proceed to collect the check in baggage. It was a long long wait and queue. First the flight was A380-800 from dubai, lot's of passengers. Then there were many other flights arriving at same time. Almost after an hour , I was with customs official. He took the "Goods to follow" list in duplicate, declaration form. Asked which are the few highest value items in the list. Stamped the list and returned to me along with customs receipt showing the total value of the goods I have declared as "to follow". Next day, it was saturday. Visited city hall centre for sin registration. I was told they work mon to fri. Hence I had to visit another office near my residence on monday for sin registration. Reported at the reception with copr form , passport and duly filled in sin card application. I was given back the documents and was asked to wait. There were many computers, sat and completed three profiles for the job bank. I was called in by another lady. I was then assisted with sin registration. It took about 20 minutes to get letter with my sin number. I was told that the sin card will be sent to the address mentioned in 10 working days. Went back to the terminal to check some job matches. Again I recommend that you try creating profile in the job bank, atleast it was useful for me to get an idea on what skills, the employers in canada looking for in my profession. website link is http://seekers.jobbank.gc.ca/common-commun/login-connection.aspx?redirect=true&target=6&lang=en-CA
My next stop was at "Toronto Centre" Employment resource centre. Great place to be!!! You can get access to computers, printer, fax machine, phone, lots and lots of study material on how to find a job, dvd's to assist on tip's to write winning resume, facing interviews etc.,etc., All for free!!
Then proceeded to apply for OHIP (Health card). I could not complete the process as I did not have acceptable address proof ie lease agreement or temporary drivers license or monthly bank statement which would have arrived by post. I will work on possibly getting the temporary driver's license.
This is it for now...........
