My landing experience at Toronto (YYZ)

[APPNOV2014NY]

I had shown only US bank statements but from India people recommend letter from bank along with statements.

"To whomsoever it may concern"

 

[ptg89]

4 months bank statements are OK.

Is it ok that the statements are from a different bank (different from the statements provided during visa process)?

 

[APPNOV2014NY]

Is it ok that the statements are from a different bank (different from the statements provided during visa process)?

Yes. It's OK.

 

[ptg89]

Thanks @APPNOV2014NY Appreciate quick responses.

 

[Bossy]

Thank you for sharing your experience. My family and I will be landing in January

 

[Zayynah]

Continuing (each post has a 10000 char limit)

Phone:

For now I've signed up for the Public Mobile service. Will see how it goes.

Talked to the guys at freedom mobile but have read many negative reviews about data connectivity problems and call drops. Their rates are very competitive though.

Public mobile SIM cards are available at Walmart, wow mobile stores and online (no tracking on delivery though). I bought it at a Walmart (was asked to pay "exact" cash. Lol. Paid by card instead).

The sim costs $11 and some change. Plans and inclusions are available on their website.

Service up until now has been good. LTE and 3G speeds have been excellent.

Weather:

It's been overcast for the past few days with intermittent showers. Not too cold and not too warm.


Hope this helps.

Open to queries or other pointers if anyone needs.

Hope you all have a wonderful time in the country.


Best Regards,


RookieMistake.

Excellent post. Thanks so much

I just have a few questions if you hwlp out plz

1- when you said you had stated values in goods with me and goods to follow losts, what sort of items did you state values for (plz give examples of small and big items if possible)

2- how did you find a reliable airbnb?

3- since you had opened the account from india, did you transfer money at the airport or following day at branch?

4-which phone service are you using now?

Thnx

 

[Zayynah]

1. Full amount by Principal Applicant at the time of landing.
2. Yes, you will need to declare items to be carried by your wife as goods to follow

Hi
Just needed to clarify
1- is it ok to pre post stuff to a relative's place voa FedEx? In which case does it need to be declared....in what sense
2- if stuff is reaching us later (through FedEx, not shipping) will it still need documentation from airport staff to receive it?

 

[Zayynah]

Hi Everyone,

A big thanks to everyone for these posts. It was very helpful. I landed in Toronto as PR 4 days back. Everything went on smoothly.

At first I was directed to a machine to collect my immigration slip.In the machine ,you have to select the language,place the passport and then enter the details as asked, like how many members, resident country, are you carrying more than 10,000 CAD cash( tick yes, only if cash is more than 10,000, no need to include the amount in your travel card or travellers' cheques) etc etc. Collect the slip and you will be directed towards a counter along with other travellers. The officer there asked about the purpose of my visit, whether I carry any food, especially ghee, how much money do I carry, but she didn't check any documents. Then I was moved to another hall for immigrants. There I was asked to show my CPR. Asked me about any dependents, where would i stay in Canada(keep detailed address handy as they will send you the PR card to this address),whether I was convicted for any crime before, or whether I was denied entry to Canada. She wrote the answers in the CPR, stamped it and asked me to sign, and she said "U r PR of Canada now, Welcome to Canada". I collected my documents, moved to exit, where a lady stopped me to hand over few leaflets and a guide for newcomers. She asked to collect SIN number from Service Canada office later, as its closed on weekends. I collected my luggage and was directed to another hall. They saw my papers, asked how much amount I carry and asked to move. I informed that I got Goods to follow and need my B4 forms to be stamped. It was done. So please be proactive to get your B4 forms stamped, they are not asking them. The officer handed over a copy of B4 form and its done.

What exactex is a B4 form?

 

[zardoz]

What exactex is a B4 form?

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf186-eng.html
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf186a-eng.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/prepare-life-canada/border-entry.html

 

[RookieMistake]

Excellent post. Thanks so much

I just have a few questions if you hwlp out plz

1- when you said you had stated values in goods with me and goods to follow losts, what sort of items did you state values for (plz give examples of small and big items if possible)

2- how did you find a reliable airbnb?

3- since you had opened the account from india, did you transfer money at the airport or following day at branch?

4-which phone service are you using now?

Thnx

Hey Zayynah,

1) You may find my sample list here - https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/sample-bsf186-and-bsf186a-attached-for-ref.525057/

2) This one's tricky - I generally go for superhosts but the one I chose for this period wasn't one but turned out to be quite awesome... user reviews (and strength of those user profiles) everything from the best reviews to worst, apt/house pics, google street map views (to filter out obviously fake pics), exchange several emails/texts/chats to get an idea...
but even after all of this it's still a chance once has to take... just that we can reduce risks as much as possible.

3) I did open my Scotia account while I was in India itself but never went through with it - landed here and walked in to the nearest TD branch and walked out in about 20 mins with the checking, savings accounts & Credit Cards (I was unemployed at the time so got one with a CAD 1,000 limit - but helped me in building a credit history.)
Have been using TD ever since then.. no problems up until now...

4) I'm still on public mobile - no problems up until now...

Lemme know if you need anything else...

Hope you and everyone here has a wonderful time in Canada!

Tk cr.

 

[MrsMurtaza]

Hi I have a quick question. Does anyone know the timings and days the SIN card desks operate on at the airport so that I can book mine and my husbands flights accordingly. I want him to get the SIN card over with at the airport and I believe I’ll have to go to service Ontario for health card?

 

[arthurbr]

Hi I have a quick question. Does anyone know the timings and days the SIN card desks operate on at the airport so that I can book mine and my husbands flights accordingly. I want him to get the SIN card over with at the airport and I believe I’ll have to go to service Ontario for health card?

I think it's 08:30AM to 4PM, but I'm not sure. As for the health card, yes, you must go to a ServiceOntario centre.

 

[canuck78]

Hi I have a quick question. Does anyone know the timings and days the SIN card desks operate on at the airport so that I can book mine and my husbands flights accordingly. I want him to get the SIN card over with at the airport and I believe I’ll have to go to service Ontario for health card?

You should only be getting a health card if you are settling permanently.

 

[MrsMurtaza]

Thank you sooo much for the quick response. Lol yes most ppl do come here to settle permanently so that’s the plan and I believe the health card does not kick in till 3 months anyways. I had another question would you guys suggest grabbing the SIN card from the airport or going to a service Canada later and getting it because I’ve heard mixed reviews regarding the service Canada desk at the airport as in it is understaffed and hence over crowded so takes longer as opposed to other offices around the city.

 

[canuck78]

Thank you sooo much for the quick response. Lol yes most ppl do come here to settle permanently so that’s the plan and I believe the health card does not kick in till 3 months anyways. I had another question would you guys suggest grabbing the SIN card from the airport or going to a service Canada later and getting it because I’ve heard mixed reviews regarding the service Canada desk at the airport as in it is understaffed and hence over crowded so takes longer as opposed to other offices around the city.

There can be waits at both locations. If the wait is too long at the airport you can visit one of the locations in the city. A large percentage of people do a soft landing before moving permanently. There is a residency requirement for most health cards so if you are not moving to Canada permanently you wouldn't qualify for healthcare so no point in getting the card. Assume you are moving to Ontario.

To meet the minimum qualifications for OHIP you must:

• be physically in Ontario for 153 days in any 12‑month period
• be physically in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after you began living in the province
• make Ontario your primary home

Most people are unaware of this and are only aware that it takes 3 months to qualify for healthcare.