I've been looking around for answers to your queries and here is what I found:shadh said:i had two more queries, although maybe not regarding these issues, but im not getting an answer so i guess i'll post it here just in case someone's kind enough to answer
1.should the airports charge me if i bring my 3.5 inch 2TB internal HDD with me when i come? Im coming for the first time on a study permit in ottawa, and I think I'll be bringing that HDD and quite an amount of clothes like most Bangladeshis.... but someone said canada might put a tax on that
2.I'm going to canada for doing my M.Eng in ECE from ottawa university. I'm planning to finish it by 3 semesters, but 1 semester will be null since ottawa doesn't offer m.eng courses in summer. My question is, if i do that, when I have applied for a work permit, what will be the duration of it and going through that , how will it affect my chances of getting a PR in ottawa? The official duration of the course is probably two semesters (says on my offer letter "it usually takes a person two years to complete the course")
1.) I have seen many students going to, and coming from Canada, with smartphones and laptops who were never stopped by customs in Dhaka or in Canada. If you want to avoid customs inconveniences, then I suggest that you land first in Vancouver. It is widely known that Vancouver International is the best airport to avoid customs hassles. If you take your 2 Terabyte hard disk drive to Canada, you should not have to pay any customs duties or taxes as long as it is for your personal use and you don't intend to sell it or give it to any Canadian as a gift or use it for your business. You can also check the website of the airline/airlines that sold you the air ticket. Their website will have additional info on luggage restrictions and customs duties. Talk to your travel agent or airline. In addition, you must check the website of the Canadian Border Services Agency, which is responsible for all customs duties and taxation at all ports of entries in Canada. Ports of entries are defined as airports, seaports, etc. Info on customs duties and taxes for international students at Canadian airports is available here:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ifvc-rpvc-eng.html
2.) My advice to you is don't inquire about permanent residency (PR) until you have successfully landed and have exited the airport in Canada with a Study Permit. Otherwise you might put your application in jeopardy.
Canada does not issue student visas and it does not have any student visa system like other countries. But all Bangladeshis need a visa and medical tests to enter Canada. So we apply for a Study Permit. CHC Singapore does not issue any study permit. Instead they give you a 'Letter of Introduction' and an air travel counterfoil or stamp on your passport. This allows you to travel to Canada. Once you're at the port of entry (airport) in Canada, you'll have to prove to the immigration officer that you still meet all the requirements of a study permit - proof of sufficient funds; ties to home country and you'll return home after graduation; you won't overstay or work illegally unless given a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP); etc. If you successfully answer all questions, and your answers match the info you submitted in your forms and supporting documents to CHC Singapore, then the port of entry officer will issue a Study Permit. A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is issued automatically together with the Study Permit. After you have settled in, you can talk to your international student adviser at the university about PR or PGWP or call the toll free number of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (www.cic.gc.ca/english/contacts/index.asp) to inquire about PGWP.
Cheers!
