To be optimistic-Lets talk about landing..:)

[rorita_76]

I woke up today and decided to start to be optimistic, stop searching about interview, problem, question, document...
I decide to do some search about landing and landing interview and landing document, so I will be prepared, If God wish and got my PR..
I wasn't able to find much info about it from real experience, I guess , if anyone who got approved and preparing for landing, he won't return here or other forum to share landing experience.
I found some info here and there, but I guess that I am missing some more info.
Here is what I found, I hope I was able to understand well, because the Nescafe hasn't take effect on my brain yet..:
1-to land you should have COPR "Confirmation of permanent resident"
2-Valid passport
3-be prepared for question like the one in application
4-proof of your funds
5-List of goods accompanying and list of goods to follow (2 copies from each, one for you one for Officer)

So here are my questions:
1-are these the ONLY document I need for landing?
2-concerning proof of funds, since my husband is my sponsor, do I need a proof of funds?
3-Is the list of good accompanying is B4a? "Personal effect accounting document" list of goods imported? and how to fill it, I mean how much in details should I write, clothes, shoes...or red blouse, black shoe..., and concerning the jewelry, should I have appraisal for them, if all of them are under 10.000$.
4-do I need another ID than my passport?
5-do I need passport picture for the PR card?

These are the question till now from what I found, waiting the answers.
Because it seems that we need to know lot of info for landing and after landing, concerning OHIP and driving license...ouff it is endless search, thank you forum and thank you Google...

 

[lisa_joanne_uk]

Hi
I'm sorry i can't help you more but from what i've read if you've had your driving licence less than 7 years you need to take a driving test there, i'm not totally sure though but i hope this kinda helps
Lisa

 

[Leon]

You don't need a proof of funding when you are being sponsored.

You don't need passport pictures because you already sent them pictures when you did your application.

Health card, SIN number and drivers license are all things you need to think about after you land. When you are being sponsored by a spouse, the spouse can help you get that sorted.

There is no 7 years clause on drivers licenses that I know of but there are a handful of countries with mututal agreements with provinces in Canada on accepting each others licenses. In AB and ON those are Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, UK and the US. In BC it's Austria, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, South Korea, US. For other provinces, use google. At least it varies a bit.

If your drivers license is not in English, get it translated by an official translator while you are still in your home country. Depending on where you come from or where in Canada you are going, it may be hard for you to find an official translator there. Most likely you will have to surrender your old license to get the Canadian one. If you are from one of the countries with exchange agreements, it is pretty straight forward. If you are not, you will have to take the driving test but depending on the province, you may need to provide your foreign license anyway to be allowed to take the test right away. Most provinces in Canada now have so called graduated license programs where you have to start with a learners permit for a year before you are allowed to get another conditional license which you then need to have for another maybe 2 years until you are allowed to get a full license. If you have a foreign license, you may skip over those waiting periods.

 

[rorita_76]

Hey there,
Well I am doing what is called an "international driving license" witch allow me to drive in several country, one of them is Canada, like they mention on the card. And the date of issuing my original Lebanese driving license show as well on this international driving license.
My driving license is from Lebanon and I will be living in Windsor, Ontario.
I drive since 1996.
From research I made yesterday, I discover that I need a valid driving license, in English of course from my home country, and a letter from the ministry that deals with cars..Forgot the name.. to show the date when I first drive.
the driving license card is covered and on the way to my house...but since it shows the date when my original driving license was issued, do I need that letter, because...frankly, I guess they will laugh at me in the ministry, cause I never heard of something like this.
From research as well, here what I find:
Requirements for Crediting Driving Experience for Out-of-Country Applicants -

All applicants for an Ontario driver's license are required to present a valid foreign driver's license, pass a vision test and a written knowledge test regarding Ontario's traffic rules, pay all applicable fees and provide proof of identity. Applicants who fulfill these requirements can obtain a G1 license.

Applicants are required to provide adequate proof of foreign driving experience. However, if that is not possible, applicants may declare their foreign driving experience on the driver's license application form.

All applicants must declare their driving experience on the driver's license application form.

Drivers from any other country
As of January 10, 2006 the Ministry of Transportation Ontario has revised their policy regarding crediting driving experience. This change affects many newcomers. Specifically, if you are exchanging a driver's license from any country that does not have an exchange agreement with Ontario, and for some US States.

Now, if the license you are exchanging is not from Canada, Canadian Forces-Europe, U.S.A., Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Germany, France, Great Britain and Austria, you must present official, written confirmation of your driving experience.

Written confirmation can include an original letter from the originating licensing agency (such as the ministry of transportation in your country or state), or from the Embassy, Consulate, or High Commissioner's offices representing the country. The accompanying letter must be on official letter head and written in either English or French.

This letter must include information about:

The date first licensed.
License expiry date.
Class of license.
That the license was valid for the relevant period of time for the purposes of exchange and experience.
Not including this information may delay processing of your license exchange

 

[Leon]

The international license when presented along with your original license will only let you drive in Canada for one year. You will need a Canadian license eventually.

In that information you posted, they say you can take the written test and get a G1 license but G1 in Ontario is just a learners permit, see http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/classes.shtml You could not drive without a licensed adult in the car. Anybody can walk in and take the written test and get a G1 license.

There is some info on foreign licenses here: http://www.drivetest.ca/en/license/OutOfCountryDrivers.aspx

Basically they say they will recognize your driving experience to let you take the road tests earlier. If you could not prove driving experience, you would have to spend 12 months with the G1 learners permit and after that 12 months with another conditional G2 license.

 

[rorita_76]

Thanks Leon for all your reply,
Here is the main question, on the international driving license, there is a place where they mention that: Issued according to local license...Dated 25/6/1996. Since here it shows my driving experience, do I still need that authentication letter from the motor ministry or whatever it is called?
Either anything related to immigrations is complicated, or my brain is getting slow, or living in a country where as soon as you can reach the pedal you can drive...I don't know.
So please be patient with me, here is what I need in order to get a driver license in Ontario to buy grocery..:
-My international driving license
-My translated local driving license
-Authentication letter from the motor ministry
-Do a G1 test, if ok, do G2 test, so I will be able to drive alone without having someone with a valid adult license with me...
Thank you for you patient with my slow head, still to come, I will do some research about how to declare the jewelry I have, witch I will ask you later

 

[Leon]

Yes, something like that. The link I gave you before includes this info:

Applicants declaring a minimum of 24 months driving experience within the preceding three years:

* To obtain recognition for more than 12 months driving experience, applicants are required to obtain written authentication of their foreign driving experience from the originating licensing agency, or from the Embassy, Consulate or High Commissioners' offices representing the jurisdiction. The authentication letter must be on official letterhead and be written in either English or French. It must be dated and cannot be more than 6 months old. If the Authentication Letter is in a language other than English or French, it must be accompanied by a Letter of Translation from a qualified translator.
* The ministry will recognize the applicant's foreign driving experience as certified on the authentication letter.
* Applicants have the option of attempting either the G1 or G2 exit road tests (mandatory wait times are waived) when a valid “Letter of Authentication” indicating a minimum of 24 months of foreign driving experience is submitted.
* If the applicant chooses to attempt the G1 road test and successfully completes it, the applicant will then be eligible to attempt the G2 road test.
* Upon successfully passing the G2 exit road test, applicants will be issued a G licence.
* If applicants do not provide a letter of authentication, applicants must pass the G1 road test and must fulfill the 12-month waiting period prior to taking G2 road test.

To start with, you need to pass the written test and vision test like everybody else. Then with your foreign license and letter, they will let you take whichever road test you want. You can take the G1 road test which is more basic and would let you get a G2 license or you can take the G2 road test and get a full G license. A G2 license will also let you shop for groceries with the conditions that you do not have a beer before you go grocery shopping because you are allowed zero alcohol, see http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/gradu/index.shtml

 

[rorita_76]

Thank you Leon, you have been more than helpful, I will start preparing all this paper and document.
And I guess there is no law against being high on chocolate and Nescafe like I am usually is.
concerning taking the jewelry, I have some with are under the amount of 10.000$, and because of the fact that we don't have a licensed appraisal or licensed jewelry man in Lebanon, I am thinking of taking picture of the the jewelry, each separate, with date that show on the picture, write description on the back, with the price, since I bought some and the other are from my husband, so I know the prices, and write the same info on the list of goods.
I hope all this preparation won’t be for nothing, and that I get my PR during the coming months

 

[rorita_76]

Still optimistic, don't know why, I guess I gotten sick of being down and angry and sad, anyway, I was doing some research on landing, list of goods and stuffs like that, and I have some question for the master here, PMM, Leon and the other.
1-Am I suppose to fill in form for the SIN card and the health insurance card during the landing process, or later on...cause I hate filling form alone, cause they ask lot of question witch I don't understand, so I prefer having my husband with me.
2-Is is ok to prepare an excel file instead of B4a in order to write down the goods accompanying me so I can be more detailed and have more space, along with the B4e, witch as I understand is the cover letter and mandatory, if yes, I will keep a space for my signature and the officer stamp on the excel sheet.
3- I was going over lot of post here and there concerning the list of goods accompanying and to follow, I am ok with it, but here is my question. If later on after having my PR card of course, return to my home country for a visit, bough some clothe, home decor or anything like that, won't I be able to take it inside Canada because it isn't mention on the stamped list to follow goods????

I swear, after all this end, I am going to write a lonnnnnnnnnnng post, in witch I will share my experience with each small detail from the beginning to the end, so other preparing for a sponsorship will use my experience, my problem, anger, "knowledge", the pain in my eyes reading over forum... and be more prepared for their long trip thru immigration

 

[Boncuk]

Good idea rorita you have a great positive attitude! I like that So much stuff happens to all of us during the process we forget to look at the end of the story.
1. As for the SIN and OHIP you can do that after. They will probably provide you with the forms. Fill them out when you are settled in your home. I think they only thing they request is that you have your address on hand for your PR Card application
2. I read that some do provide their own papers and not the standard forms from CSBA. Try not to get too detailed like 10 socks, 12 shoes etc. Just write clothes and the value. The most detailed you need to get is for electronic stuff. Especially if you have goods to follow. I think if you purchase something later on and its not on your goods to follow it will be charged duties and taxes as technically the stuff you have listed had to have been used by you prior to landing to be exempt.

I think it's great you want to share your experience with others. It's a new process for everyone so the more people talk and share their stories the better. You never know who will benefit from it.
Keep up the good thoughts.. before you know it you will be there

 

[rorita_76]

Thank you Boncuk for your reply,
Well I am trying to be optimistic as much as I can, cause I can't handle being down anymore, it has been a long process, and being apart from my husband has killed both of us actually.
You know, I think it is a good idea that immigration make rules and law for goods importing and stuff, but I feel little sad, because I feel that I will always feel like a stranger or something like that until I got the citizenship, cause as I understand, they will keep checking my bag each time I return to Canada, and charge me for new stuff...it is a bad feeling , I don't know, it is like ok , you want PR, you got it, but guess what, we will watch you very closely until you become a citizen...anyway, everything in life has its price, no full package in life.
I was wondering, I have a personal backup hard drive, where I have my software, picture, music, immigration file...I was wondering, do they keep it and check what is in there, cause all my software are pirated, cause I live in Lebanon, and no one here buy a original software, you buy a pirated version for 5$ , as well as the music...is there any law against that, all the software are for my personal use, witch mean I won't use them in a commercial way, cause I won't work in my profession witch is photo editor, I am planning to work as hand made crafter, witch I am very talent in, and it is something that I can work it at home.
And concerning my wish to share my experience about immigration, well, as soon as I get my PR, if God wish, and settle down in Windsor, I will post the longest post ever containing everything I knew and experience with links and everything..

 

[Boncuk]

Hey sister
Let me make one thing straight! I have been a Canadian since birth.. and I have travelled extensively around the world.. and whether I'm a citizen or not they still SEARCH your bags.. depending on where you are travelling from. When I got back once from Turkey.. I was travelling alone.. and they even looked inside my SHAMPOO bottles ) So don't feel like you will be second class.. NO SUCH THING! We are all treated like morons HAHAHA I'm joking.. but seriously.. Depends where you are coming from.. If I came from Egypt.. you know how much search and questions I got by customs officers on my exchange flight?? this was in Amsterdam.. I got asked about 50 questions and I was 6 months pregnant at the time as well. They even asked me if I was the one who put the Quran in my bags?! I said to him look buddy out of respect to you I will explain something.. I am a Canadian Citizen but I am a muslim since birth.. I said I know you have your job to do but I have my rights as well to be who I am.. etc etc.. This all happened to a canadian citizen so don't feel at any time you won't be accepted until you become citizen! There are tonnes of PR's in Canada
I as well have brought personal hard drives and at that moment I did get searched they just asked me what is in it I said my work, personal documents, some dvd movies, and lots of pictures.. they said ok that's fine. I don't they will go into too much trouble hooking it up to check what's on it I know the procedures about pirated software.. its the same here in Egypt.. I'm sure they have heard it all lol.. A couple of other times I had it buried between some under garments and they didnt bother to check there lol hahahaha So don't worry and I hope I made you feel a bit ok

 

[rorita_76]

Thank you,
Yes you made me feel better; I am with them in making sure that we don't have any illegal stuff, or whatever.
But I am trying to figure out something here, I don't know if I a right.
as long as I am PR, I won't be able to bring with me from my vacation in my home country or other place anything new ?? Except my own belonging witch were been mentioned on the list of goods accompanying??? And if I bring something new, I will have to pay tax on it??? so each time I will return to canada while I am a PR, my bag will be searched closely with my list of goods that they already have from my landing, and say..OK, personal clothe, ok ,makeup set OK, new perfum..not ok..pay tax..))) or I am getting it in a very wrong way..
I am with them in paying tax if I am bringing a diamond set for 20.000$ but for small amount, should I pay tax.
and last question, Am I suppose to declare in detail my stuff in the bag each time I go out from Canada???..)

 

[mitamata]

No no no, you're over complicating things. Don't worry so much

You're free to bring in new items. They do not care about anything small or souvenirs. If it's anything expensive, like those diamonds, you will have to declare it to customs and pay the tax. Just like a citizen would have to do.

 

[rorita_76]

I see, well as you said I was complicating the issue, after all I am new to all these, in Lebanon you can bring a full house in your bag, no one ask and no one care..
So no more buying diamond for me anymore, I will use the 15 set I already have..
thank you ..