My recent exp in Canada
I know many of us here have shared their experience after reaching canada, so here comes another experience..
I have applied under FSW '0213' and my appl was recieved by Buffalo July 2009 since then no update, but in between my company has transfered me to Toronto and I reached here on work permit on 3rd april..
Here is some exp and suggestions ( some of this will be valid for any new immigirant)
I landed via Vancouver BC and then reached Toronto.
> Try to carry cash, any bankers cheq or travels chq if you put in your newly open account in canada, will go on hold for
5 days...
> First thing you do is to apply for your SIN, so that you can open account and look for apartments.You will get SIN# same day
> Do not open account with ICICI bank, they ask for two ID proof and one of them has to be from Canada ( how can a new person
in canada give canada based ID, SIN card does not work as ID proof)
> TD Canada Trust bank open account easily based on your passport and work permit.
> Car rental in canada is very costly ( My company booked car for one week and it costs $500+ ), if you are coming without
job ( I mean planning to begin your search after landing, then try to stay at a place where public transit is available)
> Be prepared to give 2 months rent in advance when you rent a apartment and if you are taking in the middle of month
then you may end up paying for first month(pro-rated) + nextmonths + lastmonth in one short ( I had to do and end up blocking good amount of money)
> Since we don't have account in Canada, the rental office ask for certified chq and/ or money order. You can't get certified chq from bank
until your new account with them is not 48 hrs old and if you have put chq as I mentioned above you have to wait
for 5 working days, before the hold on your money goes off. Post office does issue money order but the limit of amount is $999.99 and they charge betn $5.50 to $8.00
> Cell phone service and Internet/Cable services are all on contract based.Rogers and Bell these companies provide this service but they are costly,
try TekSavvy for Home phone and Internet it comes with no contract
> Be prepared to give deposit to cell phone providers since any new comer won't have credit history.
> If you are coming from India, then you will be in shock to see the level of education / curriculum for Elementary schools.
I know many of us here have shared their experience after reaching canada, so here comes another experience..
I have applied under FSW '0213' and my appl was recieved by Buffalo July 2009 since then no update, but in between my company has transfered me to Toronto and I reached here on work permit on 3rd april..
Here is some exp and suggestions ( some of this will be valid for any new immigirant)
I landed via Vancouver BC and then reached Toronto.
> Try to carry cash, any bankers cheq or travels chq if you put in your newly open account in canada, will go on hold for
5 days...
> First thing you do is to apply for your SIN, so that you can open account and look for apartments.You will get SIN# same day
> Do not open account with ICICI bank, they ask for two ID proof and one of them has to be from Canada ( how can a new person
in canada give canada based ID, SIN card does not work as ID proof)
> TD Canada Trust bank open account easily based on your passport and work permit.
> Car rental in canada is very costly ( My company booked car for one week and it costs $500+ ), if you are coming without
job ( I mean planning to begin your search after landing, then try to stay at a place where public transit is available)
> Be prepared to give 2 months rent in advance when you rent a apartment and if you are taking in the middle of month
then you may end up paying for first month(pro-rated) + nextmonths + lastmonth in one short ( I had to do and end up blocking good amount of money)
> Since we don't have account in Canada, the rental office ask for certified chq and/ or money order. You can't get certified chq from bank
until your new account with them is not 48 hrs old and if you have put chq as I mentioned above you have to wait
for 5 working days, before the hold on your money goes off. Post office does issue money order but the limit of amount is $999.99 and they charge betn $5.50 to $8.00
> Cell phone service and Internet/Cable services are all on contract based.Rogers and Bell these companies provide this service but they are costly,
try TekSavvy for Home phone and Internet it comes with no contract
> Be prepared to give deposit to cell phone providers since any new comer won't have credit history.
> If you are coming from India, then you will be in shock to see the level of education / curriculum for Elementary schools.