Landing ,, Any advice ?

[dm06]

Hello guys ,
My husband and I are planning to land next month and I am already panicking !!
I don't know anyone in Canada , absolutely nobody not a friend or relative or even an acquaintance .
I am worried almost about everything
How will I find temporary accommodation ? How will I receive PR card ? Open bank account ?
I have been reading in every forum to have some peace of mind but I would highly appreciate it if someone would advice me or share their experience
What I am worried about most is finding a survival job since I am a dentist and will need some time to pass the licensure exams .
Is it possible to find a survival job for a woman like me who is willing to work hard but has no experience out of the dental field ??
Will finding a permanent place to stay be easy or even moderately difficult ? What do landlords ask about when renting a place for someone ?
Would paying rent in advance be enough or do they need complicated stuff like a credit score or to make sure I have a job ..etc ?
Are people friendly and nice with a colored person like myself ?
I appreciate any feed back ...

 

[steaky]

You will receive the PR card in the mailbox (assume you give them the Canadian address at the airport).

To get the address and accommodation, you will have to either find one in person, hotel engines websites (such as trip advisor.com) or through advertisement in the local papers or internet (such as craiglist or rentfaster.ca). Landlords and their agent often request the renter to tell them about themselves before they consider rent the place to them. Some requires credit history check while some don't. Some require deposit and some don't. It really depends...

Where are you landing btw?

 

[jc94]

For accommodation I would suggest at least looking at AirBNB. I didn't have an amazing experience with a very small space for ~3 weeks (all the cupboards were full!) and the 'kitchen' was basically a work space where cooking anything setup of the smoke detector (and it was -20C and 46th floor, not a good place to have the window open)...
But, I paid < $1000 for 3 weeks in downtown Toronto and had it done before arrival which gave me time to find somewhere.

I'm afraid that most major rental places aren't going to want to rent without proof of a job (or a lot of money). I had problems with a job as a lot of them wanted past pay stubs and for various reasons my first 3 paystubs never appeared and I was being paid by wire transfer. Your best bet here is AirBNB or private short term rentals where you'd be able to pay up front. I assume you have some funds as you are appreciating you need time to pass licensing exams.

There's a thread here about banks. Personally though I just got my SIN card (get first day after you land) and walked down the road until I found a bank that would give me an account. First one didn't, 2nd one did.
Just carry everything you can, like passport, previous bank statements, proof of address and I would get a Canadian cell phone (even PAYG) so you have a Canadian phone number to associate everything to.

I'm pretty unaware of any race problems across Canada (you might have some issues way up north), but again it might depend on areas as I've not visited everywhere by any means. Vancouver and Toronto are both pretty diverse and unlikely to cause issues, and almost everyone in the maritimes is friendly in my experience.

 

[CDNPR2014]

where do you plan to land? this informaiton will be helpful in determining what help we can give you.

i would highly recommend finding a settlement agency in the area you will be landing. these are usually non-profit organizations that offer free help to newcomers for a variety of things, including housing, employment, family settlement, schooling, etc. the best way to find one is to google "immigrant services" or "settlement agency" + the city you are landing in.

Definitely try to find an organization that can give you a referral to LASI World Skills, assuming they are in your area. This is a great organization and they help newcomers/internationally trained professionals find work in canada. they have workshops, job listings, and mentorship programs. they were very valuable in my experience.

 

[dm06]

You will receive the PR card in the mailbox (assume you give them the Canadian address at the airport).

To get the address and accommodation, you will have to either find one in person, hotel engines websites (such as trip advisor.com) or through advertisement in the local papers or internet (such as craiglist or rentfaster.ca). Landlords and their agent often request the renter to tell them about themselves before they consider rent the place to them. Some requires credit history check while some don't. Some require deposit and some don't. It really depends...

Where are you landing btw?

Have not decided yet where to land , I see everybody almost wants to land in toronto

 

[dm06]

For accommodation I would suggest at least looking at AirBNB. I didn't have an amazing experience with a very small space for ~3 weeks (all the cupboards were full!) and the 'kitchen' was basically a work space where cooking anything setup of the smoke detector (and it was -20C and 46th floor, not a good place to have the window open)...
But, I paid < $1000 for 3 weeks in downtown Toronto and had it done before arrival which gave me time to find somewhere.

I'm afraid that most major rental places aren't going to want to rent without proof of a job (or a lot of money). I had problems with a job as a lot of them wanted past pay stubs and for various reasons my first 3 paystubs never appeared and I was being paid by wire transfer. Your best bet here is AirBNB or private short term rentals where you'd be able to pay up front. I assume you have some funds as you are appreciating you need time to pass licensing exams.

There's a thread here about banks. Personally though I just got my SIN card (get first day after you land) and walked down the road until I found a bank that would give me an account. First one didn't, 2nd one did.
Just carry everything you can, like passport, previous bank statements, proof of address and I would get a Canadian cell phone (even PAYG) so you have a Canadian phone number to associate everything to.

I'm pretty unaware of any race problems across Canada (you might have some issues way up north), but again it might depend on areas as I've not visited everywhere by any means. Vancouver and Toronto are both pretty diverse and unlikely to cause issues, and almost everyone in the maritimes is friendly in my experience.

Thank you . Very good information .
Appreciated :-*

 

[ifeedly]

Hello guys ,
My husband and I are planning to land next month and I am already panicking !!
I don't know anyone in Canada , absolutely nobody not a friend or relative or even an acquaintance .
I am worried almost about everything
How will I find temporary accommodation ? How will I receive PR card ? Open bank account ?
I have been reading in every forum to have some peace of mind but I would highly appreciate it if someone would advice me or share their experience
What I am worried about most is finding a survival job since I am a dentist and will need some time to pass the licensure exams .
Is it possible to find a survival job for a woman like me who is willing to work hard but has no experience out of the dental field ??
Will finding a permanent place to stay be easy or even moderately difficult ? What do landlords ask about when renting a place for someone ?
Would paying rent in advance be enough or do they need complicated stuff like a credit score or to make sure I have a job ..etc ?
Are people friendly and nice with a colored person like myself ?
I appreciate any feed back ...

what you need first of all is to look for a place to stay.
a typical hotel would be good for short term about 7 days approx 700CAD. hotels/motels close to airport usually are pretty inexpensive look for something that is in your budget.
once you land go to any branch of TD Canada Trust or RBC (if you are specifically looking for a name) both these are good banks for newcomers however there are many more options available.
apply for Social insurance number and health card.
Check for the feasibility of getting a license.
Carry your licenses from back home with you.
look for an apartment as soon as possible because the hotels will quickly make your money disappear (expensive)
some apartment rental places such as boardwalk are good ideas. before settling for a particular apartment or area of the city follow your gut feeling.
if you see mattresses or discarded bedsheets near the dumpster of the building you are going to rent then watch-out because discarded bedding/mattresses are number one indicators of bedbugs in that building.
trying to live downtown is exciting but in Canada you will find better rates and better accommodation outside downtown area.
when you make payments do not use cash. use cheques or demand drafts. If you have credit cards, use them.
always take receipts.
for groceries you can look for walmart, sobey's, giant tiger, no frills, e.t.c. e.t.c.
you will find mom&pop stores very expensive.
check to see 7/11 e.t.c. where you can buy bus pass as paying for each ticket will be costlier then bus passes (but that also depends on you particular circumstances)
use public transportation as it the most cost effective approach.

once you take care of apartment, transportation half your worries will disappear.
definitely visit a settlement agency.

for the rest go through the advice you have received from forum members on this post.

you are going to need an address for PR card to be mailed to you. You have the option of telling the officer that you do not have an address available as you will be staying in a hotel initially, they will provide you information about how to send them an address for PR Card to be delivered.

 

[dm06]

where do you plan to land? this informaiton will be helpful in determining what help we can give you.

i would highly recommend finding a settlement agency in the area you will be landing. these are usually non-profit organizations that offer free help to newcomers for a variety of things, including housing, employment, family settlement, schooling, etc. the best way to find one is to google "immigrant services" or "settlement agency" + the city you are landing in.

Definitely try to find an organization that can give you a referral to LASI World Skills, assuming they are in your area. This is a great organization and they help newcomers/internationally trained professionals find work in canada. they have workshops, job listings, and mentorship programs. they were very valuable in my experience.

I have not decided yet where to land As I am not going to work in the dental field straight away so I would like to land somewhere where it is easy or even a little (not much) difficult to find a casual job . Any recommendations ?
Thank you for the advice about settlement agency I did not know such help exists

 

[dm06]

what you need first of all is to look for a place to stay.
a typical hotel would be good for short term about 7 days approx 700CAD. hotels/motels close to airport usually are pretty inexpensive look for something that is in your budget.
once you land go to any branch of TD Canada Trust or RBC (if you are specifically looking for a name) both these are good banks for newcomers however there are many more options available.
apply for Social insurance number and health card.
Check for the feasibility of getting a license.
Carry your licenses from back home with you.
look for an apartment as soon as possible because the hotels will quickly make your money disappear (expensive)
some apartment rental places such as boardwalk are good ideas. before settling for a particular apartment or area of the city follow your gut feeling.
if you see mattresses or discarded bedsheets near the dumpster of the building you are going to rent then watch-out because discarded bedding/mattresses are number one indicators of bedbugs in that building.
trying to live downtown is exciting but in Canada you will find better rates and better accommodation outside downtown area.
when you make payments do not use cash. use cheques or demand drafts. If you have credit cards, use them.
always take receipts.
for groceries you can look for walmart, sobey's, giant tiger, no frills, e.t.c. e.t.c.
you will find mom&pop stores very expensive.
check to see 7/11 e.t.c. where you can buy bus pass as paying for each ticket will be costlier then bus passes (but that also depends on you particular circumstances)
use public transportation as it the most cost effective approach.

once you take care of apartment, transportation half your worries will disappear.
definitely visit a settlement agency.

for the rest go through the advice you have received from forum members on this post.

you are going to need an address for PR card to be mailed to you. You have the option of telling the officer that you do not have an address available as you will be staying in a hotel initially, they will provide you information about how to send them an address for PR Card to be delivered.

Thank you for the advice :-*
My main concern about permanent accommodation is would a landlord rent to a newcomer without job :-X
In my country it is almost impossible ! I have some money in the bank and can afford even a year's rent with no issues but do not know how things work in Canada :'( This is my main worry and also finding a job with no previous work experience
Maybe I am worrying too much after all

 

[Nyz2Canada]

You will receive the PR card in the mailbox (assume you give them the Canadian address at the airport).

Hello, may I please ask at the time of landing in Toronto (being our first POE) is it correct to give an address of a friend in Toronto albeit us being SINP nominees for the delivery of the PR card?

 

[ifeedly]

Thank you for the advice :-*
My main concern about permanent accommodation is would a landlord rent to a newcomer without job :-X
In my country it is almost impossible ! I have some money in the bank and can afford even a year's rent with no issues but do not know how things work in Canada :'( This is my main worry and also finding a job with no previous work experience
Maybe I am worrying too much after all

1) The landlord/management of the condo will ask for references and credit check which is non-existent for you as you are new therefor you should visit "immigrant services" or "settlement agency" they will be able to provide options. A lot of people come to Canada without having any contacts here and they do get apartments so thats a no biggie.
2) Finding a job is something nobody can say anything about. its a hit and miss thing. newcomers usually spent initial months looking for a job and first taking survival jobs while waiting for the dream job thats why saving money is important. A friend of mine's wife is a dentist and has been trying to write her professional exams.
You have actually summarized Toronto in terms of Job Hunt by saying almost everybody lands in Toronto. Therefor the struggle to get job in Toronto and Vancouver is more intense (even survival jobs).

Services for new immigrants will help you in job search by letting you have access to tools and advice.

and yes, you are worrying too much, but you are worrying because you realize that you dont know anything about the country you are about to land into. A good amount of worry is always good as it prepares you for potential situations.

if you are lucky you will get a job(whatever type, just a job) immediately or within three months otherwise the stress starts building-up.

 

[next2015]

Hello, may I please ask at the time of landing in Toronto (being our first POE) is it correct to give an address of a friend in Toronto albeit us being SINP nominees for the delivery of the PR card?

During the landing interview the IO will ask you for an address. At that point, inform him/her that you do not have one but also inform them, you know someone in Toronto and ask the IO if they can take that (while stressing you're landing in the province that nominated you). Most likely, the IO will not take it, but it doesn't hurt to ask/try. That's what I did, and the IO for a moment seemed open to the idea, but decided its "safer" I get one in my province. Doesn't hurt....

The other option is to identify temporary accommodation places and inquire if they're open to guests using their addresses. I've read on threads here that some actually offer that as an additional service.

All the best.