Thanks for all the well wishes.
We finally landed in Toronto Pearson Airport on Friday, 5 Aug 11 at 4:30 pm (local time). It was a long flight. About 7 hours from Singapore to Dubai, 5 hours transit in Dubai, & 14 hours from Dubai to Toronto. Fortunately the leg room in both the Emirates planes were adequate for a 6 footer.
As was mentioned by others earlier, we were provided the Custom's Declaration Card on board the plane. Had a closer look at it, even though I have used it before, to note the question posed with regards to funds brought in. It's mentioned all fund you are bring – money and other instruments - totalling $10,000. So it's likely to be a “yes” for most of us not landing alone. Also note that the date format required is “YYMMDD”.
The first stop upon arrival is Immigration. After posing a few questions (e.g. amount brought, etc), and stamping our Passports, the officer cleared us with a smile and a “Welcome to Canada”. Next we were shown to a section for new Immigrants. Here you would be required to present your COPR, and again after filling it and returning a copy to you, you receive another smile and a “Welcome to Canada”. Next to 2 consecutive counters where you will be provided with several booklets, and forms, and another smile and “Welcome to Canada”. Finally after collecting our baggage, it was to Customs, where you have to present your “Goods Accompanying” and Goods to Follow” forms. I only had the former; as we opted to pay for excess baggage charges to bring everything in one go. The officer merely had a look at it and after stamping the form and returning one set to us, another smile and “Welcome to Canada”! After that we exited, and proceed to Ground Level (i.e. one level below Arrival) where we had already pre-booked a private van with a Red Car Service, to Guelph where our cousins resides.
We should be in Guelph for a couple of weeks till we find ourselves a suitable accommodation, most likely in Mississauga. Service Canada is closed today (Saturday), and so our plans is just to get our insurance, bank, and mobile line issues resolved over the weekend. In all it has been one great experience and everyone has been so welcoming - from the officials in the airport to the gentleman who drove the private van.
Cheers.
