I just thought about posting my landing experience here hoping someone might benefit from the information provided:
1. Destination: Calgary, AB
2. Arrived at Vancouver with wife (pregnant) and 2 kids. We had to wait in line for almost 2.5 hrs because there were 40 people ahead of us. Most of the people were Asians and could not speak English and needed an interpreter, hence the delay. When our number was called, the officer asked a few questions, we submitted our documents and in about 10-15 mins, we were through. We gave the officer an address to which the PR card would be sent. "Welcome to Canada" were the last words of the officer.
3. We proceeded to the check in counter only to be told that we've missed our flight to Calgary. It was now 5:30PM and we had to wait for another flight at 8:30PM. We arrived in Calgary at 11:00PM. On arrival, I realized the officer in Calgary did not ask for the list of goods accompanying document. So I went to calgary customs office at the airport and gave them my list. They attached it to a form and stamped it. I was asked to sign the paper and they gave me a copy to keep. They also mentioned that I have until 5 years to bring those goods/items duty free to Canada.
4. The next day, we went to Canada Services and registered for the SIN. On arrival, they asked for our landing documents and we were issued copies of the forms documents with the number. We were told that the cards would be mailed to our address.
5. The next step was the bank. We went in and deposited some money.
6. On day 3, we went to Alberta Health Office and were asked to present the following: landing documents and the paper from Canada Services with SIN information with our address. Upon submission, we were asked to wait and within 15 minutes, we were issued our Health Cards (all 4 of us). We were also told that coverage begins the day we arrived. In addition, we were informed that a premium of $88 for our family has to be paid by the end of December 2008. That from January 2009, premiums would no longer be necessary.
I would be happy to answer any questions anyone might have.
1. Destination: Calgary, AB
2. Arrived at Vancouver with wife (pregnant) and 2 kids. We had to wait in line for almost 2.5 hrs because there were 40 people ahead of us. Most of the people were Asians and could not speak English and needed an interpreter, hence the delay. When our number was called, the officer asked a few questions, we submitted our documents and in about 10-15 mins, we were through. We gave the officer an address to which the PR card would be sent. "Welcome to Canada" were the last words of the officer.
3. We proceeded to the check in counter only to be told that we've missed our flight to Calgary. It was now 5:30PM and we had to wait for another flight at 8:30PM. We arrived in Calgary at 11:00PM. On arrival, I realized the officer in Calgary did not ask for the list of goods accompanying document. So I went to calgary customs office at the airport and gave them my list. They attached it to a form and stamped it. I was asked to sign the paper and they gave me a copy to keep. They also mentioned that I have until 5 years to bring those goods/items duty free to Canada.
4. The next day, we went to Canada Services and registered for the SIN. On arrival, they asked for our landing documents and we were issued copies of the forms documents with the number. We were told that the cards would be mailed to our address.
5. The next step was the bank. We went in and deposited some money.
6. On day 3, we went to Alberta Health Office and were asked to present the following: landing documents and the paper from Canada Services with SIN information with our address. Upon submission, we were asked to wait and within 15 minutes, we were issued our Health Cards (all 4 of us). We were also told that coverage begins the day we arrived. In addition, we were informed that a premium of $88 for our family has to be paid by the end of December 2008. That from January 2009, premiums would no longer be necessary.
I would be happy to answer any questions anyone might have.