Question regarding Cash to carry before landing and ATM cards.

[aditya_]

for a single person traveling from india to canada
what is your preferred source to obtain petty cash before landing.
how much cash would you carry.
Aren't there ATM's at the international airports?
wont an international visa debit card ( from india) work at all atm's and establishments in canada
are there any heavy transaction charges?

How much cash is needed for the first 2-3 days.

 

[rawdah]

for a single person traveling from india to canada
what is your preferred source to obtain petty cash before landing.
how much cash would you carry.
Aren't there ATM's at the international airports?
wont an international visa debit card ( from india) work at all atm's and establishments in canada
are there any heavy transaction charges?

How much cash is needed for the first 2-3 days.

Hi aditya,

Are you making short landing or landing for good?

Petty cash can be obtained from forex outlets. You may join the fb group and I am sure you will get the answers to all your listed queries from our group members.

 

[rhcohen2014]

yes, using your ATM card is possible. You will get charged by that bank, as well as your own bank for making an international withdrawl. MAke sure to call your bank and let thm know you are traveling to canada, so they don't stop service on your card. Also, the ATM machines do have daily limits, so there are some that will not give you more than $400 in a day. I have found using my ATM card the best way to get cash because the bank charges I receive is far less than going to a currency exchange.

If you are traveling by yourself, it's always good idea to travel with SOME cash on you, just in case you happen to get stuck somewhere that doesn't have an ATM, or your card just happens not to work.

 

[aditya_]

@rhcohen
That is an interesting point you make, that atm charges are lower than going to forex.

@rawdah
Landing for good mate.

 

[Indian applicant]

You are allowed to carry upto 10K CAD (cash or drafts) per person that does not require you to declare.
Anything above 10K requires you to declare on the dis-embarkation slip more for customs purpose. No impact for PR folks landing.
You should also be ready to show PoF for you landing. Have a local address ready for SIN registration and PR card delivery.
You can take bank DD; Travellers Cheques; etc to open Canadian bank account.

Take about CAD1000 in cash even if you are doing a short landing. As many small denominations as possible.
You can get Canadian Dollars converted in Indian Post office; Western Union; ForexExchanges.
You can also open SCOTIABANK account before leaving India through Kotak Mahindra bank and Scotiabank.
There is ofcourse SBI and ICICI bank in Canada also but far fewer than Canadian banks.

You can ofcourse use most debit cards in the ATMs especially with those that carry CIRRUS/MEASTRO logos but my experience has been different when it comes to exchange rates. rhcohen's experience would differ as his US bank debit cards may not be treated very differently in Canada and unlike those from India.

These are my personal experience and views only.

 

[aditya_]

Yes small denominations cash . good point.
I wasn't aware we could get Canadian dollars in indian post office.
Do we need to keep paying cash for all the landing formalities at the airport?

 

[Indian applicant]

Postoffice in conjunction with HDFC provide this service. see http://www.indiapost.gov.in/ForexService.aspx
You do not have to pay ANYthing for immigration formalities at the airport.
But from the moment you leave the airport, you will need for Coffee; Taxi; hotel; food; bus etc. Luckily the trolley at YYZ airport was free which used to cost $2 earlier.

 

[Edwin sam]

Want to share my experience with others...I went to HDFC Bank initially to get my Cash and Demand Draft. They have so many rules and regulations(like getting a certificate from a CA). I looked for other options, and found Thomas Cook to be really good. You can make an online payment to them, and they will deliver you a Canadian Dollar DD and Cash at your doorsteps. Most of the documents like passport copy etc were sent by email. Very professional people. Dont waste your time with all these banks.

 

[Indian applicant]

Hi Edwin Sam,
Thanks or the info.
can you share the value of the DD for which a CA certificate was demanded by HDFC ?