Here is a brief summary to what I have experienced so far:
1. Pre-landing preparation
- I took one preparation course of how to prepare your resume and such.
- I brushed my Linkedin (I do not have premium, so I do not know if and how many potential Canadian employers did check the site). Most importantly I have contacted my colleagues for positive review and I have connected more people on my Linkedin (so that it looks nice and professional)
- I have decided on the city to live in Ontario - I am their PNP (I did not take to obvious choice of Toronto or Ottawa, but I went for a bit smaller city, which is still a nice city).
- I have some research about my future home (size, a bit of history and most importantly some organisations that are helping new immigrants). I went even so far as to contact some of them in advance and to ask for the first meeting
- I have signed up for the Meetup groups (if you have some hobbies or common interest then you go for such groups)
- I have booked first days at Airbnb.
- I have prepared most of the standard documents (except of the good to carry and goods to follow for customs). Seeing the oversea import costs I had no sense what so ever to bring some furniture and such stuff. And for the goods with you, they can help you on the airport so I did not bother either.
2. Landing
First plane to Amsterdam was late, but I planned gap which was big enough, so we could manage to change in time.
I have arrived around 4 pm to Toronto. There was huge queue on first passport check. It took like 90 minutes just to pass that one.
On the first counter, we showed our passports and stated the reason to come. The officer filled some details in the landing cards and then he sent us to the next queue.
Next one was much shorter (only app. 15 mins). We got just very few standard questions, and then were asked to sign our COPRs.
After that was the service Ontario counter, where we got some booklet and also our SIN numbers.
And only then we went to pick up our luggage (which was waiting a good bit there) and then direction customs clearance. Apparently they had busy day, so when they saw just 1 big suitcase per person they did not ask for any declaration paperwork.
So whole that fun part took us 3 hours in total (or almost). Then we went to the bus ticket counter and bought tickets to the final destination and the last part was to get a cab (with the help of the bus driver).
The whole fun ended for us at app. 10 pm (in the hosting family)
3. First steps
Next day we have visited the cultural center for newcomers (these organisation can have different names in different places, so the best is to check some websites and to be prepared), We got appointment for next week (it was Friday that day) and we did first shopping and stuff.
4. Long term accommodation
This was the trickiest part of all. We needed it very fast, but they were always asking for job and salary proof. At the end in one of those rental companies somebody helped us, so that the application was approved against our savings. So this was done within a week.
5. Job hunting.
We went to our first appointment with the cultural center and they have forwarded us to the next organisation for job hunting workshop. It was all starting from resume, then following presentation and interview and also how to follow up. And by that time I we started to send out resumes for job positions. We also went to another organisation for more appointments and help
6. Lucky hit at job
This week I was lucky and there was one urgent opening in my field of specialisation, They needed somebody fast and with lot of experience. That was the reason why I was contacted. They called and I went for the interview the next day. And the day after I got the job.
So far I am doing really well here.
Best luck to everybody and I hope this helps a little bit.
1. Pre-landing preparation
- I took one preparation course of how to prepare your resume and such.
- I brushed my Linkedin (I do not have premium, so I do not know if and how many potential Canadian employers did check the site). Most importantly I have contacted my colleagues for positive review and I have connected more people on my Linkedin (so that it looks nice and professional)
- I have decided on the city to live in Ontario - I am their PNP (I did not take to obvious choice of Toronto or Ottawa, but I went for a bit smaller city, which is still a nice city).
- I have some research about my future home (size, a bit of history and most importantly some organisations that are helping new immigrants). I went even so far as to contact some of them in advance and to ask for the first meeting
- I have signed up for the Meetup groups (if you have some hobbies or common interest then you go for such groups)
- I have booked first days at Airbnb.
- I have prepared most of the standard documents (except of the good to carry and goods to follow for customs). Seeing the oversea import costs I had no sense what so ever to bring some furniture and such stuff. And for the goods with you, they can help you on the airport so I did not bother either.
2. Landing
First plane to Amsterdam was late, but I planned gap which was big enough, so we could manage to change in time.
I have arrived around 4 pm to Toronto. There was huge queue on first passport check. It took like 90 minutes just to pass that one.
On the first counter, we showed our passports and stated the reason to come. The officer filled some details in the landing cards and then he sent us to the next queue.
Next one was much shorter (only app. 15 mins). We got just very few standard questions, and then were asked to sign our COPRs.
After that was the service Ontario counter, where we got some booklet and also our SIN numbers.
And only then we went to pick up our luggage (which was waiting a good bit there) and then direction customs clearance. Apparently they had busy day, so when they saw just 1 big suitcase per person they did not ask for any declaration paperwork.
So whole that fun part took us 3 hours in total (or almost). Then we went to the bus ticket counter and bought tickets to the final destination and the last part was to get a cab (with the help of the bus driver).
The whole fun ended for us at app. 10 pm (in the hosting family)
3. First steps
Next day we have visited the cultural center for newcomers (these organisation can have different names in different places, so the best is to check some websites and to be prepared), We got appointment for next week (it was Friday that day) and we did first shopping and stuff.
4. Long term accommodation
This was the trickiest part of all. We needed it very fast, but they were always asking for job and salary proof. At the end in one of those rental companies somebody helped us, so that the application was approved against our savings. So this was done within a week.
5. Job hunting.
We went to our first appointment with the cultural center and they have forwarded us to the next organisation for job hunting workshop. It was all starting from resume, then following presentation and interview and also how to follow up. And by that time I we started to send out resumes for job positions. We also went to another organisation for more appointments and help
6. Lucky hit at job
This week I was lucky and there was one urgent opening in my field of specialisation, They needed somebody fast and with lot of experience. That was the reason why I was contacted. They called and I went for the interview the next day. And the day after I got the job.
So far I am doing really well here.
Best luck to everybody and I hope this helps a little bit.
