Landing experience at Toronto , Aug 12th

[maran1976]

Hi, after 3 years of wait, finally laned and a PR now !
Thanks all for all the wonderful advise.

The landing was smooth, not many Q's asked !

At the exit of the aircraft, the passports/visas were checked and the purpose asked by the CBSA officers. This is quick , two seconds formality. Then we walked to the actual counter and stood in the visitors queue. I explain, I was a new immigrant and was carrying over 17$ , the lady replied ' I can see it ' , as I had ticked on the customs declaration that I was carrying over 10K. Then she directed us to to the immigration counter. While in the queue, an officer came from the back and asked us if were here as PR, I said yes and he directed us to a different queue in the adj room. No questions asked, other than ' have u been arrested or denied entry ' . we were asked to sit for a few minutes while the officer did some work on our paper, then he called us back and asked us to sign the COPR. I explained that I was worried about our baggage as it was taking ages. He quickly replied, ' yesterday, the wait time was 4 hours, you are are lucky today , I can assure you , your baggage will be safe ' . He then welcomed us to Canada. The next counter is of Services Canada ! Yes, from June, you can get your SIN at the airport, right next to the Immigration counter and the officer himself directed us there.

Got SIN for us and our 3 yr old at the airport itself.

Next day, an account with RBC and a credit card with a limit of $1000.

Now, getting a feel of Mississauga. Been going to Square One often and enjoying it.
Got a cell phone from PUBLIC. Got to have the handset from them (CDMA, mine costed 69$) but I get unlimited calling within Canada to India, USA and 45 more countries. Its not just called, TEXT and MMS are free too.
I saw their advert in one of the magazines that we received at the welcome desk. It costs me just 36$ per month !
The phone is not great, but for the tariff plan, worth it !

I don't know if it would work in the basements, but I live well over 10th floor with a nice big balcony and awesome view of Toronto Downtown and CN tower...

Have ordered broadband from BELL and would be installed on Saturday, 17th
Did not get a cable, as I get over 7 channels, incl some HD just by an indoor aerial for free !!!!

From Monday, the job hunt starts !
And now out to get a pass for miway

 

[coolguy2010]

Welcome to Canada

 

[gosia]

Hi, after 3 years of wait, finally laned and a PR now !
Thanks all for all the wonderful advise.

The landing was smooth, not many Q's asked !

At the exit of the aircraft, the passports/visas were checked and the purpose asked by the CBSA officers. This is quick , two seconds formality. Then we walked to the actual counter and stood in the visitors queue. I explain, I was a new immigrant and was carrying over 17$ , the lady replied ' I can see it ' , as I had ticked on the customs declaration that I was carrying over 10K. Then she directed us to to the immigration counter. While in the queue, an officer came from the back and asked us if were here as PR, I said yes and he directed us to a different queue in the adj room. No questions asked, other than ' have u been arrested or denied entry ' . we were asked to sit for a few minutes while the officer did some work on our paper, then he called us back and asked us to sign the COPR. I explained that I was worried about our baggage as it was taking ages. He quickly replied, ' yesterday, the wait time was 4 hours, you are are lucky today , I can assure you , your baggage will be safe ' . He then welcomed us to Canada. The next counter is of Services Canada ! Yes, from June, you can get your SIN at the airport, right next to the Immigration counter and the officer himself directed us there.

Got SIN for us and our 3 yr old at the airport itself.

Next day, an account with RBC and a credit card with a limit of $1000.

Now, getting a feel of Mississauga. Been going to Square One often and enjoying it.
Got a cell phone from PUBLIC. Got to have the handset from them (CDMA, mine costed 69$) but I get unlimited calling within Canada to India, USA and 45 more countries. Its not just called, TEXT and MMS are free too.
I saw their advert in one of the magazines that we received at the welcome desk. It costs me just 36$ per month !
The phone is not great, but for the tariff plan, worth it !

I don't know if it would work in the basements, but I live well over 10th floor with a nice big balcony and awesome view of Toronto Downtown and CN tower...

Have ordered broadband from BELL and would be installed on Saturday, 17th
Did not get a cable, as I get over 7 channels, incl some HD just by an indoor aerial for free !!!!

From Monday, the job hunt starts !
And now out to get a pass for miway

welcome to canada

 

[AAJ]

Hi, after 3 years of wait, finally laned and a PR now !
Thanks all for all the wonderful advise.

The landing was smooth, not many Q's asked !

At the exit of the aircraft, the passports/visas were checked and the purpose asked by the CBSA officers. This is quick , two seconds formality. Then we walked to the actual counter and stood in the visitors queue. I explain, I was a new immigrant and was carrying over 17$ , the lady replied ' I can see it ' , as I had ticked on the customs declaration that I was carrying over 10K. Then she directed us to to the immigration counter. While in the queue, an officer came from the back and asked us if were here as PR, I said yes and he directed us to a different queue in the adj room. No questions asked, other than ' have u been arrested or denied entry ' . we were asked to sit for a few minutes while the officer did some work on our paper, then he called us back and asked us to sign the COPR. I explained that I was worried about our baggage as it was taking ages. He quickly replied, ' yesterday, the wait time was 4 hours, you are are lucky today , I can assure you , your baggage will be safe ' . He then welcomed us to Canada. The next counter is of Services Canada ! Yes, from June, you can get your SIN at the airport, right next to the Immigration counter and the officer himself directed us there.

Got SIN for us and our 3 yr old at the airport itself.

Next day, an account with RBC and a credit card with a limit of $1000.

Now, getting a feel of Mississauga. Been going to Square One often and enjoying it.
Got a cell phone from PUBLIC. Got to have the handset from them (CDMA, mine costed 69$) but I get unlimited calling within Canada to India, USA and 45 more countries. Its not just called, TEXT and MMS are free too.
I saw their advert in one of the magazines that we received at the welcome desk. It costs me just 36$ per month !
The phone is not great, but for the tariff plan, worth it !

I don't know if it would work in the basements, but I live well over 10th floor with a nice big balcony and awesome view of Toronto Downtown and CN tower...

Have ordered broadband from BELL and would be installed on Saturday, 17th
Did not get a cable, as I get over 7 channels, incl some HD just by an indoor aerial for free !!!!

From Monday, the job hunt starts !
And now out to get a pass for miway

Thank you for sharing... So, we are confirmed now that SIN can be obtained at the airport itself...

 

[cocknbull]

Welcome to Canada and congrats on landing. Watch for public mobile, package can be cheap but signals poor........

 

[nice lady]

congratulations wishing you the best in your new life
but as i noticed non of you mentioned any thing about medical card(ohip) or private insurance for the time waitting for (ohip)
good luck thank you for sharing

 

[NeedAChange]

Congrats Maran1976. Enjoy the summer. Good luck for your job hunting.

 

[maran1976]

Welcome to Canada and congrats on landing. Watch for public mobile, package can be cheap but signals poor........

I have been using Public for about 3 days now, no issues where I live and commute. I don't know about rest of GTA, but they do have a money back policy, so no issues.

Also , what I forgot to add for people landing in Toronto, to have either 2 dollars handy per luggage trolley or a credit card. The porters charge 10$ for 3 bags. My Indian Visa came handy and pulled out two trolleys.

 

[cocknbull]

I have been using Public for about 3 days now, no issues where I live and commute. I don't know about rest of GTA, but they do have a money back policy, so no issues.

Also , what I forgot to add for people landing in Toronto, to have either 2 dollars handy per luggage trolley or a credit card. The porters charge 10$ for 3 bags. My Indian Visa came handy and pulled out two trolleys.

Buddy its just 3 days, in long run it won't be that good because people have said so. Always avoid wind and public mobile they have poor services. If you want cheaper package with good service you can use CHATR or FIDO. They both use Rogers network and no contract and you can even use your unlocked phone brought from India because it operates on frequency GSM 850/1900. So no need to buy a new phone in Canada. The sim costs just $20

http://www.chatrwireless.com/web/chatr.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PlanBrowse

Another point you opened account with RBC, thats good but its only free for 6 months. Scotia bank is offering a package for new comers which is free account for 1 year plus unsecured $1000 credit card. So Scotia bank is a better option...

http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,2468,00.html

 

[maran1976]

Buddy its just 3 days, in long run it won't be that good because people have said so. Always avoid wind and public mobile they have poor services. If you want cheaper package with good service you can use CHATR or FIDO. They both use Rogers network and no contract and you can even use your unlocked phone brought from India because it operates on frequency GSM 850/1900. So no need to buy a new phone in Canada. The sim costs just $20

http://www.chatrwireless.com/web/chatr.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PlanBrowse

Another point you opened account with RBC, thats good but its only free for 6 months. Scotia bank is offering a package for new comers which is free account for 1 year plus unsecured $1000 credit card. So Scotia bank is a better option...
http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,2468,00.html

Hi dude, you are half informed ! You quote from the advertisement. After 6 months I get to move to a diff acct with RBC that does not charge ! RBC has given me and my wife a 1000$ credit card each ( no shared limit) .They give a free locker etc etc. Its almost the same as Scotia.

Also, I got public as my neighbor has been using it for over 7 months !!! No issues at all.
Also, if it doesn't work after a few months, do I lose anything ?NO ! I speak to India and USA atleast 2-3 hours a day ! Value for money ! I pay only 35$ a month , unlimited india / usa / Canada / 45 countries calling, SMS and MMS included !! Its not a contract and I can stop using anytime !!
It may depend from place to place , signal strength . I have been on bus all over Mississauga and to Toronto. No problem at all !
But I would suggest people to check with their friends on the service in the area. Its the same with all providers, works for some and for some it doesn't..

As of now, Starbucks Zindabad !
Getting Bell to come home tomorrow from Broadband ( another discussion on this now?? lol )

 

[cocknbull]

Hi dude, you are half informed ! You quote from the advertisement. After 6 months I get to move to a diff acct with RBC that does not charge ! RBC has given me and my wife a 1000$ credit card each ( no shared limit) .They give a free locker etc etc. Its almost the same as Scotia.

Also, I got public as my neighbor has been using it for over 7 months !!! No issues at all.
Also, if it doesn't work after a few months, do I lose anything ?NO ! I speak to India and USA atleast 2-3 hours a day ! Value for money ! I pay only 35$ a month , unlimited india / usa / Canada / 45 countries calling, SMS and MMS included !! Its not a contract and I can stop using anytime !!
It may depend from place to place , signal strength . I have been on bus all over Mississauga and to Toronto. No problem at all !
But I would suggest people to check with their friends on the service in the area. Its the same with all providers, works for some and for some it doesn't..

As of now, Starbucks Zindabad !
Getting Bell to come home tomorrow from Broadband ( another discussion on this now?? lol )

Hi buddy,

I am not half informed, neither quoting from an advertisement. You did not get what I told you. The account RBC is offering for free for 6 months normally charges $14.95 per month and it offers more facilities, the account you will move to after 6 months won't offer you that much facilities, thats the difference. While with Scotia bank same account and facilities for one year and then you can move to a different account with no fees. Hope you get it now. Scotia is also offering free locker and $1000 card for each person.

If public mobile is good for you then stick to it...Good luck...

 

[maran1976]

Hi buddy,

I am not half informed, neither quoting from an advertisement. You did not get what I told you. The account RBC is offering for free for 6 months normally charges $14.95 per month and it offers more facilities, the account you will move to after 6 months won't offer you that much facilities, thats the difference. While with Scotia bank same account and facilities for one year and then you can move to a different account with no fees. Hope you get it now. Scotia is also offering free locker and $1000 card for each person.

If public mobile is good for you then stick to it...Good luck...

I think almost all banks offer similar accts for new immigrants. With RBC the maintenance is waived off If have good savings with them, probably this will motivate me to save better ! lol
Just got Bell Internet installed today. Finally online at home, now job hunt !

BTW , Ecas now says COMPLETED ! Finally after 3 years !!
and the status inside says, ( with the address I had given to the immigration officer)
5.You entered Canada at the Lester B Pearson International Airport, Terminal No. 1 office on August XX, 2013 and became a Permanent Resident.

 

[sharedknowledge]

I think almost all banks offer similar accts for new immigrants. With RBC the maintenance is waived off If have good savings with them, probably this will motivate me to save better ! lol
Just got Bell Internet installed today. Finally online at home, now job hunt !

BTW , Ecas now says COMPLETED ! Finally after 3 years !!
and the status inside says, ( with the address I had given to the immigration officer)
5.You entered Canada at the Lester B Pearson International Airport, Terminal No. 1 office on August XX, 2013 and became a Permanent Resident.

Dera Maran,

Congrats on your landing.

I am seeking to know what are the main steps in the process of immigration after submitting application, and the time each step takes. I am sure many readers on this forum would be interested to know this.
So, would you please share this info?
Thanks in advance.

 

[nice lady]

congratulation finally after so long you are now half canadian wish you all the best on you job hunts
have you done health insurance yet?any good private health companys at least for the 1st three months till you get your ohip
thank you for sharing with us

 

[maran1976]

congratulation finally after so long you are now half canadian wish you all the best on you job hunts
have you done health insurance yet?any good private health companys at least for the 1st three months till you get your ohip
thank you for sharing with us

Nope, I haven't done pvt insurance yet. Both of us are trying to find a job ASAP which will cover us for health , vision and dental. If that doesn't happen soon, then will have to look at pvt...Let us see how it goes