Hello from Canada
Landed last Feb. 4 at Vancouver international airport...
I arrived at NAIA terminal 1 at around 8:30am, my flight is at 12:30nn. I know that's quite a long wait but it's better to go through the check in process early morning there aren't a lot of people around- shorter lines everywhere. First you put all your bags through x-rays, I was asked about the contents of 1 of my bags since it contains my wedding photo album. It's so thick i guess it blocked out the rest that was underneath it
After that i went to Cathay Pacific's check in counter, here you will confirm your fonal destination so you can tag your baggage correctly. Porters are aplenty at the terminal so unless you are willing to shell out money, decline anyone who offers to help especially if they are wearing a uniform. After check in, go to the middle of the terminal, there's a huge sign that says terminal fees, immigration, boarding gates. Go through here and fall in line to pay the terminal fee. Then fill up immigration's declaration form, fall in line and when it's your turn hand the officer the form, boarding pass and passport. After this another security check where you have to pass your carry on bag thru x-ray again, remove all jewelry, empty pockets and remove the shoes. Then you go to your boarding gate and wait. Since i am travelling with my 5 year old kid, we were preboarded ahead of the rest together with those requiring special assistance.
Arrived at hongkong after 2 hours, the gate of our connecting flight was quite far, we had to walk then ride the train then walk again. When we got there we waited a few minutes then boarded. Boarding here is according to seat/row number. During the flight it was quiet for the majority of the way but at 2 hours away from Vancouver there was turbulence, it lasted about 30 min. more or less. I was a nervous wreck!
En route we were given a declaration form for CBSA.
When we arrived we lined up tp have our paasports checked then we went down an escalator and proceeded to the right where the immigration section is. Once there we went to the newcomers to canada counter at the other end of the room. There we showed the passport with visa and COPR. We were given a number for the intetview with the IO, given information on newcomer organizations where we plan to settle. We waited about 30 minutes for my turn so in the mean time, i went out of the room to claim my bags and placed it in a trolley myself- all 4bags weighing 67kg total. Tiring but worth it! When it was my turn, the IO asked for our copr's and passports. He said our pictures won't do,good thing i brought some so he replaced it. Take note, the IO is the only 1 who can make changes to your copr. If there is anything you want to correct, do it during the landing process. And bring extra photos just in case. By the way, the IO also took the declaration form. He asked few questions, like any changes in my status since the visa was issued or i have committed any crime, etc. He looked at my B4 list and he said that we won't be needing it. They said it will only be for when we have items of really high value that B4 is needed. We only brought personal effects may be that os why. We were asked to have seat, then asked for a telephone number to call, then he had me sign the copr 4 times on the places he marked. After that he stapled it to our passports. Went for another long walk and checked in at westjet for connecting flights to Regina.
Very tiring, like this post... Tiring
