My landing experience at Toronto (YYZ)

[gautamankur]

1. Not necessary. If you are OINP and landing in a different province, then you can mention to the officer that you will be going there in the near future.
2. After you have landed, you can travel anywhere within Canada. You can leave Canada the same night, but to re-enter you need your PR card or PRTD document.

Thanks for your revert buddy.
But I am just confused since under arrival city Toronto is mentioned on my CPR. I hope it wont cause any trouble if I land at Vancouver.

 

[APPNOV2014NY]

Thanks for your revert buddy.
But I am just confused since under arrival city Toronto is mentioned on my CPR. I hope it wont cause any trouble if I land at Vancouver.

It won't. If asked , then just casually mention that you will spend few days in Vancouver and then move to Toronto.

 

[soulseek]

Love how you refer to Airbnb as if it is one hotel or one flat - lol ...

Hi Everyone,


Airbnb:

This is not far from to the heart of Toronto. The place def costs much more than I would've liked but it's a nice place and it's close to EVERYTHING. It comes to about $2100 for a month. It's not a basement apartment and is a full floor one bedroom apartment. I'm sure one can find something for all price ranges and locations.

 

[thisislinh]

Bank Account:

Had opened up an account with Scotiabank from India itself (startright program) but decided to move ahead with TD.

Thanks for such great details of your post!! Regarding this bank account thingy, I've opened an account using Startright program prior to my landing and am also thinking of switching to another bank after I arrive. I want to ask if you closed your Scotiabank account right after you activated it, or did you wait for some time? I'm aware that there's a charge of $20 if an account is closed within 90 days of opening. Also when you closed it, did Scotiabank questioned anything, were they trying to make it difficult for you at all?

 

[radu08]

Service Canada:

Two desks - one person was chatting on the phone, the other couldn't see me initially but came forward to help when she did. Told her I'm a new immigrant and ... "oh! you're here to apply for the SIN. Please come."

She asked for my number and address - dint want the intl number and the address I gave was of the airbnb I'm staying. She said we will never call that number or send anything to the address so no need to worry or update it later. It's not reqd.

Entire process took 5 mins. Got a printout and walked to collect my bags.

P.S. There's only a few restrooms between arrival gates and immigration and customs AFAIK. You might want to get it done when you can in case immigration/customs takes time.

Customs:

This was the most time consuming process.

You'll be guided to a huge hall with about 6-7 counters. It was mostly empty with 2-3 people being served. I was called up - the officer took my landing card, passport and entered some info in their system.

I had already made a "goods with me" and "goods to follow" list in detail with all fields filled up and value mentioned. I carried two copies of this set.

Handed them over - the officer went over it carefully and added the individual values up. I'd not mentioned the address on the form so he asked me to write it down. I asked him if I could give the temp airbnb address (I don't rem his exact response) but I ended up giving the same one as the PR card delivery address.

He went into a room, came out with a CBSA printed form with the Total value of all goods I'd mentioned and stamped & signed over all the documents. Asked me to sign too AFAIR. He mentioned that if I'm having these items shipped I'll have to hand this to the moving company so that I'm not charged any import duty for bringing these items over (which were in the list).

No questions were asked about the items or their value. He did not even ask me to open any of my bags.

Though I did see some people being asked to open their bags. Maybe having a detailed list with all values helps. Maybe, Can't say for sure though.

Exchanged pleasantries and he guided me to the exit.

There's a restroom, a Tim Hortons counter and some small places to eat right before the exit door. You might want to give them a try if you feel like.

Took a taxi from the rank and came to the airbnb. The taxi fare was $45+tip (AEROPORT TAXI AND LIMO) flat rate. The car was big enough for a few more people and some more bags. Uber estimates were higher and I had some heavy bags.

1. On goods to follow list do I mention the name of the importer or my name?
2. I mistakenly signed and dates both of my copr doc. Will that be an issue?

-TIA!

 

[APPNOV2014NY]

1. On goods to follow list do I mention the name of the importer or my name?
2. I mistakenly signed and dates both of my copr doc. Will that be an issue?

-TIA!

You are suppose to sign COPR document in front of CBSA agent. Please reach out to CBSA/CIC to check what can be done now. May be they send you another copy of COPR.

 

[gautamankur]

HI All,

Need advise on below.

My Wife and I am landing at Vancouver airport. I will be coming from US and my wife from India and we are landing at different times (i am landing before her). We would be landing at different terminals is what i believe.

In this case how should we coordinate and complete our landing procedure?

Please help.

 

[pitico55]

HI All,

Need advise on below.

My Wife and I am landing at Vancouver airport. I will be coming from US and my wife from India and we are landing at different times (i am landing before her). We would be landing at different terminals is what i believe.

In this case how should we coordinate and complete our landing procedure?

Please help.

The primary applicant should land first. Other than that, no issues.

 

[ras_dent]

Are 3 hours enough for the landing process and flight transfer at Toronto airport?

 

[qureishi]

yes, to be safe yon also request the officer

 

[decent1984]

Hi There,

How did you handle the freight [extra goods/luggage]. Do you contact the airline itself or a separate freight company?

Thanks

 

[Canada_cube]

Hi Everyone,

I'm going to share my (first) landing experience. I've divided the post into sections, so feel free to jump/skip if need be.

[.

Thanks for the detailed experience.

1. Do you or anyone else knows if the mailbox rentals can be used to receive the PR cards?
2. Does someone have to be physically present to sign when the PR cards arrive or do they arrive via simple mail?

Thanks

 

[RookieMistake]

Thanks for the detailed experience.

1. Do you or anyone else knows if the mailbox rentals can be used to receive the PR cards?
2. Does someone have to be physically present to sign when the PR cards arrive or do they arrive via simple mail?

Thanks

Hey,

1) I've read about some people in this very forum doing this. You may search but don't hold me to it.
2) I don't think so - coz I got it at my friends house and they din't have to sign it.

 

[gautamankur]

Thanks

The primary applicant should land first. Other than that, no issues.

Thanks Mate!!

 

[nourasu]

This is super helpful, thanks for the detailed information. I even set up my Scotia account today, so thank you for that!

I have a few questions if anyone is able to answer, apologies in advance if they have already been answered elsewhere:

1) If I'm only staying in the country for a week and ask for my PR card to be couriered to a friend's house - does anyone know if that friend has to be in the same province in which you did your landing? For example, if I'm landing in Toronto, but have a friend in BC - can I have CIC send the card to my friend in BC or would it have to be someone in Ontario?

2) I know the clock starts ticking on my needing to be in the country for 720 days in a total (so that's effectively 2 years and 2 weeks) within 5 years to maintain my PR status from the date I do my landing. If I want to apply for citizenship, can I just carry on from these 2 years and 2 weeks to complete the 3 years total (so staying for an additional 11 months and 2 weeks over and above the 2 years and 2 weeks) before I can apply for citizenship? Or does it have to be 3 years additional to the 2 years and 2 weeks?

3) Regarding bringing your belongings in to Canada duty free - I understand that the forms BSF186A and BSF186B have to be filled out. On the form it says that they are valid in case you plan to move within 1 year from the date of landing - does anyone know what happens if you don't plan to move within the 1st year? Can I still bring my belongings in duty free?

Thank you!!