Landing Experience
We traveled from Dallas to Calgary by car and landed at Coutts, AB. It was a 10 day road trip through Mt Rushmore, Thermopolis, Yellowstone etc.
Just before entering the Canadian side, I went to US customs (just before the Canadian border, on ur left; there are sign boards) and exported the car. I had emailed 1)Vehicle Export Worksheet 2)Bill of Sale 3) Vehicle Title 4)Vin Inquiry to WHITLASHEXPORT @ dhs.gov 4-5 days before and I called them to ensure whether everything was good. At the customs office, the officer wanted my H1B approval notice too. He stamped the title stating exported. After exporting the car, we reached the Canadian side.At main gate, I told the officer that we are landing. He asked us to go the building on the left. I gave them the documents to the officer in immigration. We asked them about the photos. He said he will check it, and that he will take new pictures in the office in case our pics are not according to specs. Later he informed that it was good, even though it was according to the old specs. We signed document for PR card and was informed that it will arrive in mail. Then, he asked us to go to the export desk, and I gave them all the forms (B4 & B4A). I had some pictures of jewelry in the goods to follow list, but he did not take that and told me that he does not need it and he is not going to send any of these to Calgary. He told me to complete the changing of license plate etc within 45 days.
After completing the all the formalities, which took around 45 minutes, we started for Calgary.
Apartment
I had rented a two bed room apartment on month to month basis before starting from Dallas. Paid one month rent (CAD 1275) as security deposit.
Shipment
Used Vitran. $570 for 500lbs. We packed it extremely well with uline.com 300 lb stackable capability boxes. Everything arrived in good shape. Went to customs to clear it. If anybody needs to know more, I will write later in detail.
SIN & Health card
The next day, we applied for SIN. She gave us SIN no. and told us that actual cards will arrive in mail within 2 weeks. The officer informed us that we will receive a letter stating when & where receive PR card. We applied for health cards at health registry. They also gave us temporary cards and told us that actual cards will arrive in mail. Both cards came in mail exactly after a week. Health card is printed on paper.
Bank account
Went to bank to apply for account, was informed that we need appointment; so got appointment for the next day. Opened account and applied for credit card, for $500 unsecured. (US conversion rate was so terrible 0.92 by scotia on that day, that 6000 USD was just ~ 5500.00)
Dr & Health visits
My son had severe itching and developed rashes after reaching Calgary. So we went to a walkin clinic. It is first come, first serve basis and had to wait for just 20mts. The diagnosis was Calgary weather and asked us to put moisturizer two –three times a day. I had bad cough, told him so. The Dr. said it will go away in 2-3 days time. But it worsened, so after 3 days, I went again to the walk in clinic. Told the Dr. I need antibiotic. So he prescribed one; went to the pharmacy. 7 day Amox course costed just $25. Then we went to a health center and submitted immunization records of my kids. My youngest is due for his immunization and told them so. They said I will receive a call after 1 week. We didn't get any, so called them once again after a week. The receptionist told us it will take 2-3 weeks. So we are still waiting for the call. From the net, we downloaded the list of family Drs accepting new patients and called one. We were scheduled a ‘meet and greet' appointment. The Dr(not the nurse as is done in US) took our past medical history. He informed that we will have to wait till October to do the adults complete medical checkup. Only after the checkup, will he accept us ‘technically' as his patients. He asked us to schedule another appointment for our kids. So we again went back the next day, just to take the kids height, weight and listened to breathing etc. He could have done this the previous day itself. ‘Well child' checkup in US is more elaborate and charts and handouts with information regarding kids are given. Here, we had to ask them to give the height and weight of my 6 month old at least. The receptionist gave it on a sticky note. The experience was good except that Drs are not as courteous as in Tx.
School
We scheduled appointment in catholic school board to enroll my eldest in KG. He was doing preschool in Tx, but we were home schooling him too. They took all our details, took copies of COPR, baptism certificate of the child, parents baptism certificate/marriage certificate in a catholic church .The reviewer took my son(alone) to one room and tested his knowledge and skills for about 20 mts. The reviewer was satisfied and asked us to go to the school (which is the nearest catholic school from our home.) in which he will be enrolled. So he started KG from the next day.
Alberta license
We went to a registry (same one where we applied for health cards) to apply for driving license. You need US license, driving record from DMV for at least two years (to get full license), address proof (copy of temporary SIN letter which you get when u apply is good) , COPR, SIN and health card. Paid ~ $85 per person. The eye test is more elaborate than in US.
Traffic/Driving here is terrible compared to US. Drivers are not courteous. Be prepared to do defensive driving.
We have not yet completed changing Car title. Will write about it later.
My opinion
US is better in all respects except health care. The only thing good I found is health care. But in US I had good insurance, so I never had a problem there too.
Thanks to BZ mom, ag_tou, cchabert, jxjy01 and all the members in this forum for helping us through.
