Hi Guys,
I've finally arrived!!!!!
In the spirit of sharing information, I thought I would also share my landing experience in case anyone else has questions, or it can be of use to anyone.
Since I arrived so late, the ServiceCanada station wasn't open, so I haven't gotten my SIN (social insurance number) yet, but I will do that first thing Monday, along with going to CIBC to open a bank account, request a credit card, and wire transfer funds to the new account. My sister had already arranged a cellphone (Rogers) and a PRESTO card (for public transportation) for me, which I went online and registered today.
Hope this was helpful, and good luck to everyone in their Canada journeys!
I've finally arrived!!!!!
In the spirit of sharing information, I thought I would also share my landing experience in case anyone else has questions, or it can be of use to anyone.- I arrived at the Lester B. Pearson Toronto Airport in Ontario (Mississauga) at 10:15pm yesterday (a Friday)
- Upon disembarking from the plane, we were directed to the Arrivals Hall (5-10 minutes of walking from the terminal, depending on how fast you walk); there were enough arriving passengers there, that it took me about 5 - 10 minutes to get through the line to a kiosk. I joined the line for 'All Passports'
- The kiosk asks you to indicate the country you're coming from, how you arrived (from the US, from another country, from another country but transit through the US), and the purpose for your visit (Immigration), as well as questions about what you're bringing into the country and if you're bringing in any money or monetary instruments valued at more than CAD$10,000). You also have to let it scan your travel document and wait for the kiosk to take a picture of you (remove your glasses if you wear them). At completion, it will print a declaration slip for you. This takes less than 2 minutes unless you're having difficulty understanding the kiosk's instructions, but there are Officers in the hall to assist you if needed.
- Once you finish at the kiosk, you will be directed to wait in line until an Immigration Officer can speak to you (this part was quick, I basically waited in line for 5 seconds, if that much). The Officer will ask you the purpose of your visit ("landing to become a permanent resident"), and if you have any 'goods to follow' (in my case "no"), and will make a mark on your declaration slip with a highlighter, then direct you to leave the Arrivals Hall. This took less than a minute
- As you're leaving the Arrivals Hall, an Officer will direct you to a room for 'New Immigrants, Work Permits, and Study Permits'. Before she directed me, I asked her where I should go as a permanent resident completing my landing, but I suspect she was about to tell me anyway based on the marks she saw on my declaration form
- The Immigration Room took the longest time; there were about 20 - 30 persons ahead of me when I arrived, and it took 30 minutes for me to get to an Immigration Officer
- When it was my turn, I handed my passport, COPR, and declaration form to the Immigration Officer. I asked him if he needed anything else and he said no. He made some small talk about a recent news item related to my home country, and asked me for a Canadian address, but otherwise didn't ask me anything else - no statutory questions - or ask for any other documents - no Proof of Funds. After logging my address, he had me sign in 3 places on both copies of the COPR, handed me my copy of the COPR, gave back my passport and declaration slip, and said 'Welcome to Canada'. That was it. Took about 2 minutes, although I feel like I was processed faster than many of the people ahead of me, but that might have been because some persons were in groups, and there were at least 4 persons who needed a translator to communicate with the Immigration Officers (Spanish-speakers, I think).
- The Immigration Officer directed me toward baggage claim, which was right outside the room. Since I was waiting in line for 30 minutes in the Immigration Room, my luggage was already out on the carousel. I grabbed a cart and collected my checked bags (I had 2 checked, 1 carry-on, and 1 personal item (backpack)). This took 5-10 minutes, but only because I was silly and didn't put away my documents first, so I was juggling holding my documents (without dropping them), maneuvering a luggage cart to the carousel, and getting my bags unto the cart.
- With bags in hand (or 'on cart), I walked out of baggage claim. A Customs Officer took my declaration slip as I was leaving, but didn't ask to check my luggage, or ask me for a 'List of Goods'.
- A few steps later, I met up with my sister and our friend, who were waiting for me with a camera (and a beanie and jacket). However, it was warm enough that I actually didn't need the jacket, even though it's the middle of January and was night. (I was wearing skinny jeans, a long-sleeved turtleneck with a camisole underneath it, a fleece sweater, and sneakers).
Since I arrived so late, the ServiceCanada station wasn't open, so I haven't gotten my SIN (social insurance number) yet, but I will do that first thing Monday, along with going to CIBC to open a bank account, request a credit card, and wire transfer funds to the new account. My sister had already arranged a cellphone (Rogers) and a PRESTO card (for public transportation) for me, which I went online and registered today.
Hope this was helpful, and good luck to everyone in their Canada journeys!
