Toronto landing-things that need to be done and how?

[hassan09]

Good day,

I've reading alot of topics about what to do in the first 2 weeks when you land in terms of preparations, well i would like to know what things i need to do with the procedure during the first week or two:

-SIN : should be able to get it at pearson airport while landing, no more cards its justa paper. pls confirm?
-Bank Account, I'm an HSBC premier user, so i would open an HSBC account in toronto automatically, any idea about HSBC??
-OHIP: shall i fill the application online for it?? to whom i should send it ?? pls confirm
-Driving license: I have a saudi arabian DL, so i'm brining tomorrow a 24months + driving certificate, translate it along with DL and go for G (road+ written test)
-.. what else?

thanks all

 

[steaky]

SIN: Yes, I heard you can get the number at airport. No more cards.
Bank account: It's not automatically. You need to request it either at your local branch or once you are in Toronto. However there are not many HSBC branches in Toronto.

Hope others will answer the rest.

 

[keesio]

SIN: as steaky mentioned, you can get it at some airports. My wife got hers at Pearson after landing in terminal 1. I hear it may not be available at terminal 3. If not, you can simply go to a Service Canada office and get a number on the spot
Bank Account: Just because you have an HSBC account in one country doesn't mean you automatically have an HSBC account in another. I have a Citibank USA account and I was told that Citibank Canada is a separate bank and I would need to open a new account with them if I wanted to bank with Citibank in Canada.
OHIP: you must apply in person at an OHIP office. See: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip/ Note that you will need to wait 3 months before coverage kicks in. So you should buy some emergency coverage in the meantime.
DL: Not sure about how a Saudi DL translates.

 

[hassan09]

thanks gents,

Keesio, I have been banking with HSBC for over 5 years in different countries, if you hold a premier account and transferring residency from one country to another, you'll be able to receive the full benefits of the premier account in the new country.

but thanks for the input

 

[hassan09]

One more question,

for the driving license, i'm getting a letter from RTA along with copy of my DL with me , both are in arabic language and need to be translated.

Do i need to translate them through a sworn translator in canada, or i can translate them in country of issuance??

Thanks

 

[lawrence2007]

thanks gents,

Keesio, I have been banking with HSBC for over 5 years in different countries, if you hold a premier account and transferring residency from one country to another, you'll be able to receive the full benefits of the premier account in the new country.

but thanks for the input

It is confirmed that you will need to open a new bank account with HSBC Canada. However, all your accounts with HSBC in different countries will be linked to each other through Global View and you can make free Global Money Transfers between these accounts. The point about less number of HSBC branches is valid. You might want to consider opening another account with a bank with large branch network as it offers more convenience.

 

[davek1979]

You need to take it to a sworn translator. It is not cheap and that is what the ministry will want

 

[hassan09]

thanks deavek,

but you mean the sworn translator in canada, right??

how much does it cost approx??

Thanks lawrence 2007,

it does make more sense to have another account with another canadian bank, agree

 

[davek1979]

Yes in Canada. I don't remember what the cost was but it was more expensive then just translating regular documents.

 

[hassan09]

Good day,

- I'm planning to bring 15K in cash and around 10K in bank draft (we are a family of 4), can i bring a bank certificate instead of bank draft?? as PoF in case the VO wanted to check?? or i have to bring the bank draft?? what about declaration of money?? assume i have 150K in my bank account, of course i will not bring them all to canada for now, but i need to declare those (in order to be exempted from taxes), when can i do that?? is it while landing?? or??

-Driving Licenses: I'll be bringing with me a 24 months driving certificate from RTA along with my driving license. now they said that these need to be translated in canada. have you done this yourself?? do you recommend any translator in toronto area??
if yes, how you can book for the DL test??

thanks

 

[steaky]

Good day,

- I'm planning to bring 15K in cash and around 10K in bank draft (we are a family of 4), can i bring a bank certificate instead of bank draft?? as PoF in case the VO wanted to check?? or i have to bring the bank draft?? what about declaration of money?? assume i have 150K in my bank account, of course i will not bring them all to canada for now, but i need to declare those (in order to be exempted from taxes), when can i do that?? is it while landing?? or??

thanks

You can bring money into Canada any time but you must show proof of funds at your first landing.