Final destination Ottawa, but landing in Montreal first

[sandydonor]

Hi

I am immigrating to Canada with family soon. I am coming from India on an Indian passport and my final destination in Canada is Ottawa, but the flight that I have booked is landing in Montreal first. I came to know that irrespective of my destination city I will have to clear the immigration in the city where I land first.

I have got a few questions:
1- How long does it take the complete the complete customs and immigration formalities. Time between my connecting flights is just 1h and 45m. Is the time enough or will I miss the connecting flight. Any thing I can do about it.
2- I have come to know that immigration formalities in Quebec are different from the rest of the country. What is the difference, will this cause any issues in my case. Do I need any special documents to face no hassle there.
3- Do you suggest cancelling this ticket and landing in Ottawa directly or taking a halt in Toronto. Although this is a very expensive option, but I assume it takes off all other risks and hassles. In this case, I am getting tickets via Newark, US to Ottawa. Do I need a US transit visa when I am travelling to Canada on immigrant visa.

Please help me with the above questions as I have very less time left and need to decide on it ASAP.

Thanks
Sandeep

 

[Bs65]

Others can comment but my personal view would be

1)people usually advise 2-3 hours between flights to complete a landing can be less can be more no way to predict as depends on how busy airport is at immigration checkpoint and generally determined by time of day most international flights arrive.

2) cannot really comment specifically on this but other than showing your intention to travel on to Ottawa cannot see why landing in Montreal as your first POE should be any different or more complicated. Plenty of people on here take this route just the connection time might be an issue.

3)any flight via the US you will need a US visa even transiting given the US expect you to clear immigration and customs. Whether you are emigrating to Canada or not is of no interest to the US, anyone transiting US needs a visa or if visa exempt an ESTA.

 

[sandydonor]

Others can comment but my personal view would be

1)people usually advise 2-3 hours between flights to complete a landing can be less can be more no way to predict as depends on how busy airport is at immigration checkpoint and generally determined by time of day most international flights arrive.

2) cannot really comment specifically on this but other than showing your intention to travel on to Ottawa cannot see why landing in Montreal as your first POE should be any different or more complicated. Plenty of people on here take this route just the connection time might be an issue.

3)any flight via the US you will need a US visa even transiting given the US expect you to clear immigration and customs. Whether you are emigrating to Canada or not is of no interest to the US, anyone transiting US needs a visa or if visa exempt an ESTA.

Thanks BS for your views. But as far as I have read in forums people say that immigration formalities for first timers is not so friendly in Quebec.

Lets see what other also have to say.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thanks BS for your views. But as far as I have read in forums people say that immigration formalities for first timers is not so friendly in Quebec.

Lets see what other also have to say.

Provided you can show proof of onward travel out of Quebec, you should have no issues with your landing.