Dear Friends,
Let me share my or our Landing experience in Vancouver. Even though we might end up living in Toronto we decided to make a landing in Vancouver as my wife had few friends in Vancouver (As she did her graduation there) and wanted to use this trip to visit them too. It was a very short trip as we wanted to land and do all the obligations in few days and head back to Asia to finalise my exit plan and move permanently in 4 - 5 months time.
So me and my wife landed in Vancouver on the 30th June 2012 (Saturday) at around 10.30 a.m. Even though it was a long flight through Narita we were so excited and at the same time a bit nervous not knowing how the landing procedures might go through. We got of the plane and proceeded to the immigration counter. we started queuing up on the "New Immigrants line" and when our turn came we went to the lady CBSA officer and there was the shock . Whenever I think of immigration all that comes to my mind is the unfriendly, stiff, rude Immigration officers of various countries and this was nothing like that, the CBSA lady was so kind, polite, friendly and asked us to proceed to an area where some processing needs to be done.
Then we went to this room where we were welcomed by an NGO C.A.N.N. which explained about few services available for new comers and gave us some brochures to read and advised us to go to the counter for processing the PR Card. This is very we came across the CBSA Officers who asked us few procedural questions but at the same time super friendly and polite. The CBSA officer filled our PR application form (All we did was sign some areas and give them a local address), They didn't even ask for POF (proof of funds) but then volunteered with the information that I have some money and they filled in all the required forms again and all we did is just to sign.
They didn't even ask any goods we are carrying or what would be following? any ways we didn't have much along with us and nothing to follow. Over all the procedures of landing was so much easier and effortless than to buy a SIM card in my country of origin. All the Officers so friendly and polite. You can hear "Welcome to Canada" so many times. From the time we queued up till the finishing of the landing procedure it took a maximum of 15 minutes (Which would be easily the time you would be waiting for your luggage to arrive) then picked up the luggage and went to the hotel through the Metro Train "The Canada Line".
As we Landed on a Saturday and being Sunday & Monday a public holiday due to Canada Day we decided to go to a bank which opened on Saturday. We reached the bank on Saturday late afternoon and made a appointment to meet the branch manager on the 3rd July which was a Tuesday and we did. We went back to Tuesday had a meeting with the branch manager and she was so honest in explaining the different plan which might suit us and why its good to open an bank account when we come back permanently in few months time.
we also applied for SIN card which was an another fun experience and took 5 minutes of our time. We haven't apply for medicals yet as we wanted to do that when we permanently move here few months time.
even though we where there only for 4 days we could do a lot of stuff like visiting Vancouver Island, Victoria e.t.c in the limited time because the procedures are so easy , Public transport is brilliant and people or so friendly. I haven't seen a friendly bus drivers anywhere else.
I didn't have much time to see how the job market is, But what I learnt from conversations with the locals is that there are jobs , you just have to learn how to get that e.g : Networking is one key area to find a job. And for people in my industry which is Hospitality it is very encouraging.
There are some people in this forum who are negative about weather, job market e.t.c regarding weather, yes Canada might have some severe winter but its not a third world country. most of the places have heaters and makes your life very comfortable. Regarding Jobs, if you are ready to be positive and give it a strong push in the first 3 months I am sure you can make it . The Key is to know people and talk to people and get connections. The other key is to integrate into the society. It will make life much easier. Again Getting a PR through immigration is not a "Right" its a "Privilege".
We left Vancouver on the 4th July for Asia but the shocking memories of Friendly Immigrations officers, Bus drivers, Waiters e,t,c lingers in our mind so much that we can't wait to head back again to Canada sooner than we thought.
This is our experience in Vancouver but don't know whether Toronto is different? might be . but who cares as every city in this world has a pro's and con's and I am sure Toronto will live up to our exception as Vancouver did in its own way.
regards
charlie
