Dear Forum Members,
This being my maiden post, I would first like to express my heartfelt thanks for all your generous contributions and experiences. I have read through many of your detailed posts over the last few weeks. God bless each of you.
Having landed in Toronto recently, I would like to share my experience with you all:
Background:
• Applied as FSW about 22 months ago to the CHC in London
• Completed our medicals & final PCC in October 2010, and received PPR in Jan 2011
• Got COPR & passports back in Feb 2011.
• Flew in March.
Flight:
• About an hour before landing, disembarkation forms were handed out. I noted our local Canadian address, and also ticked the money declaration box.
• Local weather was clear, and landing was smooth.
Arriving at Pearson International Airport:
• Got off the plane and basically followed the crowd. We reached a very large room that had a massive zigzagging queue of passengers making their way to the lines in front of the Passport Control desks. I, for one, appreciated the mini walkathon after such a long flight.
• At Passport Control, I handed the Disembarkation card and our Passports over to the Officer. I informed her that we were doing our first landing. She welcomed us to Canada, scanned our visas and completed the official portions of the Disembarkation card. We were then directed to the Immigration section.
Immigration Counter:
• There were about 15 to 20 people already in line, and more joined after us.
• As we moved closer, we could see and hear some passengers getting quizzed about different things at some of the counters. This was a little daunting, but we quickly realized that these were people trying to get back into Canada – not first-timers. Example: One person was on refugee status trying to return, some were students, etc.
• Made it to the counter and handed over our COPR & Passports. Was asked how long I would be staying at the Canadian address provided, and I said ‘Permanently’. The Officer then proceeded to fill in the address, and other portions of the form. We were asked to sign in different places. The Officer explained that our PR Cards would be mailed to the address provided in 4-6 weeks.
• After collecting some brochures and pamphlets at two ‘New Comer’ desks, we proceeded to the luggage area.
Baggage collection:
• Took the escalator down to the luggage carousel associated with our flight.
• I had made it a point to carry smaller Dollar bills. I inserted CAD 5/- into the machine and got change for a luggage cart.
• Collected our luggage, and started moving towards the exit area.
CBSA:
• I saw two Officers at a counter just before the exit door. I informed them that we doing our first landing, and had goods to follow. They first welcomed us to Canada, and then directed us to the CBSA queues on the right.
• Again, had about 15 people in front of us. Several people were asked to scan their bags, and many had to actually open it up for the Officers to inspect goods.
• We finally made it to one of the counters, but were not asked to open anything.
• Thanks to members on this forum, such as Qorax, who have written extensively on the ‘Goods Accompanying / Goods To Follow’ lists, we had absolutely no issues at all.
• The Officer took down our address details. He then asked me to sign both copies of the GTF list and stamped every single sheet, including pictures of jewelry. I offered the ‘Goods Accompanying’ lists also, but he said it was not required.
• He then directed me to the Cashier.
• In the few seconds we took to walk there, the lady behind the counter had already printed out our paperwork. She just asked for my full name, and then attached this document to our stamped GTF list. It basically shows that these goods have a $ 0.00 tax value.
Airport Exit:
• WE THANKED GOD FOR ALL HIS BLESSINGS, and pushed our trolley out of the exit doors.
SIN Card:
• Two days later, went to the nearest Services Canada office.
• The lady at the counter looked at our COPR & Passports, took down our names and asked us to sit in the waiting area. In 10 minutes, we were called in to a cubicle by one of the staff.
• He double-checked our documents, and then entered some details into the system for each of us.
• About 10 minutes later we were given letters baring our SIN card numbers. (The actual cards were mailed in about 12 days)
Bank Account:
• We had pre-booked an appointment on the same day with an Account Manager at a local bank.
• This ensured that a few hours after getting our SIN numbers, our bank account was also created.
• Credit Card setup was also initiated the same day.
PR Cards*:
• Received by mail in 34 working days.
*Note: I know that recently some forum members have had trouble with their photographs, due to a change in head-size specifications. I want to state very clearly that the photographs on our COPR were based on the ‘old’ size of 31mm-36mm from chin to crown. This was in accordance with the requirements sent to us by the CHC in London (in Jan 2011). I did not submit new photographs at the airport because I only read about the change in photo specs after we landed in March.
We just kept praying that our PR Cards would be processed and issued perfectly, and praise GOD that it was.
