Planning to land in Feb and have few related queries!!!

[meena]

Hi Seniors,

I am planning to land Missisauga by the end of Feb'11.
I would like to know few things like:

1. Should I apply for International Driving Lisence before I leave for Canada or I can go without it also. Though I know in my first few months I would not be able to effort any Car. Please guide at which stage it requires and the importance of having IDL from our contry only.

2. I would be taking all kitchen Utensils including pulses and masalas for the same. Should I mention that too in the list which i would be showing there to the Officer.

3. Can I get my money tranfer into Travellers Cheque and rest like 2000$ as cash.

4. For rentals which place wud be better, Missisauga or Toronto. I am looking for cheap apartments and that too in good location and no basement.

5. My son is 2.5 years old and his immune system is very weak. Is this the right time to land there.

Looking forward to hear from u Seniors.
Meena..

[qorax]

Hi,

1. Should I apply for International Driving Lisence before I leave for Canada or I can go without it also. Though I know in my first few months I would not be able to effort any Car. Please guide at which stage it requires and the importance of having IDL from our contry only.
U'd require the IDL/IDP to drive a 'rented car' after landing, for 2 months max in Ontario. If u do not wish to rent one - u do not need the IDL/IDP. But, don't forget to obtain your "DL Authentication Letter" - w/out that u'd not be able to fetch a waiver from the Canadian DL graduated system.

2. I would be taking all kitchen Utensils including pulses and masalas for the same. Should I mention that too in the list which i would be showing there to the Officer.
Anything & everything that u bring along should be listed in the B4s. Just the 'gross figures' r required. U might escape w/out mentionning some - but, if stopped - u might get into a 'spin' - why take the risk?

3. Can I get my money tranfer into Travellers Cheque and rest like 2000$ as cash.
Yes, why not? However, a Bank Draft is a preferred choice.

4. For rentals which place wud be better, Missisauga or Toronto. I am looking for cheap apartments and that too in good location and no basement.
I have written about it ealrier. Both locations have their own pros & cons. For ease of transit - Toronto downtown would be better - TTC is great! But, for cost-of-renting Mississauga would be far cheaper.

5. My son is 2.5 years old and his immune system is very weak. Is this the right time to land there.
Feb will be very cold. Snowfall & Blizzards. However, if u r not always 'out' - it doesn't matter. But, as u stated earlier that u'd not be driving for sometime - it might pose a problem for u. Waiting at a bus stop, during snow storms is a heart wrenching experience. Nonetheless, nothing stops in Toronto - businesses go on as usual. So, it's u & only u who need to decide. But, with that baby's condition - if u had a choice - coming here in the summers (after May) should be wise.

Good Luck!

Qorax

[meena]

Thanx a lot Qorax,

I always appreciate your replies.

It gives me proper guidance always.

Ragarding my reaching would be Feb only as on 1st May my Visa wud get expired. I wud take extra care for my son.

Thanx again.

Meena

[Leon]

If you live downtown Toronto, you can find a building that is connected to the underground shopping and metro.  That way, you would never have to go outside.  Still, I think as long as you wrap your son up well before you take him outside, he should be fine.  Canadian children survive the winter too.

[meena]

Thanx a lot Leon.

And yes I agree with you.

Actually I was more concern because my son is a preterm baby. But I understand giving him extra care wud work.

Thanx again.

[meena]

Hi,

3. Can I get my money tranfer into Travellers Cheque and rest like 2000$ as cash.
Yes, why not? However, a Bank Draft is a preferred choice.
Meena>>> Please provide me more details on Bank Draft.
This Bank Draft will be on whose name and how this would be encashed.Meena

[qorax]

Meena>>> Please provide me more details on Bank Draft.
This Bank Draft will be on whose name and how this would be encashed.Meena

U get the draft made on your 'own' name, payable at one of the banks in Canada.

Encashing Timeframe:
-If the draft's drawee bank is in your city (of landing)................... different bank than yours............ 72hrs.
-If the draft's drawee bank is NOT in your city (of landing)............ different bank than yours............ 96hrs.
-If the draft's drawee bank is in your city (of landing)................... same bank as yours.................... 24hrs.
-If the draft's drawee bank is NOT in your city (of landing)............ same bank as yours................... 48hrs.

Qorax
*There's no lock-in period.

[prsh_patel]

U get the draft made on your 'own' name, payable at one of the banks in Canada.

Encashing Timeframe:
-If the draft's drawee bank is in your city (of landing)................... different bank than yours............ 72hrs.
-If the draft's drawee bank is NOT in your city (of landing)............ different bank than yours............ 96hrs.
-If the draft's drawee bank is in your city (of landing)................... same bank as yours.................... 24hrs.
-If the draft's drawee bank is NOT in your city (of landing)............ same bank as yours................... 48hrs.

Qorax
*There's no lock-in period.

Thats nice info Qorax...one of my freind recently moved to canada and he carried bank draft from Thomas cook, the draft is still yet to get clearance even after over 1 n half month...i'm really not sure whats the glitch, but i'll be inquiring about bank drafts from thomas cook and icici in a day or two...i'll be landing in toronto in 3rd week of jan...thanks for the info...

[qorax]

Thats nice info Qorax...one of my freind recently moved to canada and he carried bank draft from Thomas cook, the draft is still yet to get clearance even after over 1 n half month...i'm really not sure whats the glitch, but i'll be inquiring about bank drafts from thomas cook and icici in a day or two...i'll be landing in toronto in 3rd week of jan...thanks for the info...

Yes, with drafts there's a danger of delays (mostly due to the banking arrangement of some FOREX houses). Which is why, it's advisable to observe the 80-20 rule (20% in cash). However, these delays r not 'usual'... they do not occur with all.

If u r doing "Bank-to-Bank" (ie. overseas bank to a Canadian bank) - those timeframes, which I mentioned before, r perfect. But, if u r doing "FOREX House-to-Bank" - u could expect delays... only in some cases. And in that scenario it's always wise to make the draft/s from a FOREX House which has a relationship with a Canadian Bank in your city of landing.

I bring-in my drafts (even one last month), which is drawn from a FOREX House in Dubai (Al Fardan Exchange). They r tied-up with BMO-Toronto. I deposit them in my A/c with TD-toronto (different bank)... and they get credited within 48hrs everytime. So, it depends on the FOREX House, as I stated before.

Qorax

[wasay_123]

hey qurox,

i m from india..our driving lisence is in english, do i still need a International driving lisence to just drive only for starting 2 months? or my original lisence will be enough for driving for the first 2 months?

[qorax]

hey qurox,

i m from india..our driving lisence is in english, do i still need a International driving lisence to just drive only for starting 2 months? or my original lisence will be enough for driving for the first 2 months?

U require the IDP/IDL... your current Indian DL won't work.
Qorax