Hi all,
Just to help everyone else moving towards their landing experience, I'm posting my recent experience landing at Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Toronto. Please note that I had previously landed a week prior at Boston Logan in MA to visit with family and leave my larger luggage behind. I landed alone, no family to bring with me.
As this was a 2 week trip to Canada to fulfill the COPR visa expiry timeline (plus explore Toronto to Quebec City) and obtain all necessary landing documents I arrived on a direct Air Canada flight from Boston Logan at 10.40 am on 24 May 2018. The arrival / immigration area was empty so no reason to queue up. I brought with me all relevant documents, COPR, and had 1 small cabin luggage bag in cargo.
Stop 1 - CBSA at Immigration Counter
Smooth process, I informed him I was landing for permanent residency. Showed him all relevant COPR documents. He asked me about my criminal history, funds on hand (which he wrote down), didn't ask to see/count it despite my offer (I told about I carried both USD and CA dollars) and filled in feedback on COPR. He then proceeded to cancel the visa in my passport (drew across it) as I had fulfilled my landing. Directed me to another room where more CBSA agents were waiting.
Stop 2 - CBSA Processing
Upon entry, again room was empty. I waited a few minutes (sign will indicate to wait at front) before I was called up by the officer who proceeded to look through my documents and fill in relevant details into the computer. Again asked me about my criminal history, funds on hand and I told him the same thing. He informed me that I should expect my PR card in 6 weeks.
As I was concerned (having read feedback here re new pictures required by CBSA for PR card) I asked him if my picture attached to my CoPR was okay to be used. He said based on his estimation it was fine and he had no issues but CBSA processing may think otherwise.
He wished me well, welcomed me to Canada and then asked me to proceed further into the room to obtain new immigrant support information.
NOTE that CBSA officer 1 and 2 did not ask to see my proof of funds statement from my bank (I got an updated letter from my bank just in case) or any of my references or certificates. I cannot verify if this will be the case for other new immigrants landing as I was alone and saw noone else but I have spoken to a few people and these checks are solely based on the CBSA guidelines.
I believe they may ask for this information if they are suspicious for any reason. My advice is to bring all submitted documents plus copies and get an updated PoF statement. I also made a copy of my COPR just to keep. You don't get it back once they start processing as you will be issued a PR card in 6 weeks.
Stop 3 - Immigrant Welcome
A very kind older gentleman - (Kenyan immigrant but not a CBSA officer) as I asked him where he was from and how long he had been in Canada (25 years) - waits at a welcome kiosk (you have to pass it to go further into the room) and he asks if you are a new immigrant, fills a document up and gestures to a counter where I'm to collect all further new immigrant information. Then very warmly says, Welcome Home!
Stop 4 - New Immigrant Counter
The counter provides all information about immigrant services in Ontario, the elderly lady (a Russian immigrant was so helpful) provided me with a thick book that answers all questions I may have, YMCA and other new immigrant services I may access in the city as well as basic information about things that would need to be done once you have landed i.e. applying for a drivers license, health card and opening of bank account etc.
Stop 5 - SIN Counter
Young lady behind the counter (Filipino immigrant and so sweet!) takes the COPR, processes and prints my SIN document which is just 1 page. Advises me that my SIN information is private and only to be provided for healthcare, and banking purposes. It is not to be shared otherwise.
This entire process i.e. right up to Stop 5 took approximately 1 hour. I asked CBSA officer 2 if my bag was fine and he answered that it would be stacked and waiting at the baggage area just before I exited the airport.
Stop 6 - CBSA Customs
Upon me collecting my bag and exiting, I showed the officer at the exit the documents provided to me by the CBSA, my COPR etc. He directs me to a large room right after the exit where I make my final stop. Declaration of my Goods Accompanying and Goods to Follow list.
IMPORTANT: Based on the various feedback from other people's landing plus research at other forums, I made sure I was well prepared with these documents. If you do not give a thorough clear list, you are apt to annoy the hell out of the CBSA agent.
For my Goods Accompanying list, it was a basic list of:
- Clothes
- Luggage
- iPhone (copy of invoice and serial no)
- Watch I wore
- Jewelry I wore (value in document plus photos attached)
For my Goods Following, I listed out items and value next to it:
Example of how I listed it out
HOUSEHOLD
- Assorted Furniture
- Wall Art
- Crockery and Crystal
- Lamps and Lighting
- Linen and Towels
ATTIRE AND ACCESSORIES
xxxx
PERSONAL GROOMING
xxxx
LUGGAGE
xxxxx
JEWELRY
xxxxx
I only took close up pictures of all my jewelry and got a rough estimate (compared online prices), did not get
it professionally evaluated as all my jewelry was inherited or bought by my parents.
I made 2 copies; photos were color copies on my home printer.
I showed it to the CBSA agent and he was thrilled at how the documents were prepared. Clearly typed out, itemised so he did not have to waste time or have trouble figuring out what I missed.
He commented that many new immigrants were not aware of what was required for these documents, did not bring any list and ended up at customs for hours writing it out. He said a new immigrant couple spent 6 hours the day before doing that. This will cause problems later as any items you cannot recall or have no pictures of, will end up taxed.
He told me I didnt need a Goods Accompanying List; I cant recall what he said when I asked why so he just scratched that out. He then proceeded to take my documents into a separate room, where he completed a CBSA document verifying CBSA received my Goods Following list and stamped each page. He then informed me that every time I brought an item into Canada, I was to show the document to the shipping firm and the CBSA agent so its not taxed.
All in all that process took 30 minutes so I exited into the arrivals hall at 12:20 pm. I arrived at Terminal 1 and waited at the hall for my bf to meet me - he flew into Terminal 3 from Amsterdam.
I had already booked into an AirBnB in the city and paid for my UP train tickets online (had the app on my phone). I had made an appointment with RBC online to open a new immigrant account at the branch nearest to my accommodation for 3pm where I deposited all my money.
Note I provided my relative's address in Mississauga for all my documents, my banking and my SIN. I was issued a temporary bank card by RBC - I could access the ATM to withdraw funds while on my holiday, but not to make direct payments. Before I left Canada I received my new permanent ATM card.
To be safe, I went to the nearest Walmart in Mississauga and took new passport sized photos. Should CBSA write and inform me my submitted photos cannot be used, then my relatives will submit the new photos on my behalf along with a letter stamped and addressed to the CBSA Processing Unit.
My relative will be visiting Toronto in July and I will ask her to bring my PR card back with her vs getting it couriered. Im back home now and will be moving to Toronto in a year if all goes well. My only concern is employment.
Very easy process if you are well prepared and verify everything as you go along. Feel free to ask questions, I may have forgotten things so let me know. Will help where I can! Best of luck to everyone landing in the coming months
Just to help everyone else moving towards their landing experience, I'm posting my recent experience landing at Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Toronto. Please note that I had previously landed a week prior at Boston Logan in MA to visit with family and leave my larger luggage behind. I landed alone, no family to bring with me.
As this was a 2 week trip to Canada to fulfill the COPR visa expiry timeline (plus explore Toronto to Quebec City) and obtain all necessary landing documents I arrived on a direct Air Canada flight from Boston Logan at 10.40 am on 24 May 2018. The arrival / immigration area was empty so no reason to queue up. I brought with me all relevant documents, COPR, and had 1 small cabin luggage bag in cargo.
Stop 1 - CBSA at Immigration Counter
Smooth process, I informed him I was landing for permanent residency. Showed him all relevant COPR documents. He asked me about my criminal history, funds on hand (which he wrote down), didn't ask to see/count it despite my offer (I told about I carried both USD and CA dollars) and filled in feedback on COPR. He then proceeded to cancel the visa in my passport (drew across it) as I had fulfilled my landing. Directed me to another room where more CBSA agents were waiting.
Stop 2 - CBSA Processing
Upon entry, again room was empty. I waited a few minutes (sign will indicate to wait at front) before I was called up by the officer who proceeded to look through my documents and fill in relevant details into the computer. Again asked me about my criminal history, funds on hand and I told him the same thing. He informed me that I should expect my PR card in 6 weeks.
As I was concerned (having read feedback here re new pictures required by CBSA for PR card) I asked him if my picture attached to my CoPR was okay to be used. He said based on his estimation it was fine and he had no issues but CBSA processing may think otherwise.
He wished me well, welcomed me to Canada and then asked me to proceed further into the room to obtain new immigrant support information.
NOTE that CBSA officer 1 and 2 did not ask to see my proof of funds statement from my bank (I got an updated letter from my bank just in case) or any of my references or certificates. I cannot verify if this will be the case for other new immigrants landing as I was alone and saw noone else but I have spoken to a few people and these checks are solely based on the CBSA guidelines.
I believe they may ask for this information if they are suspicious for any reason. My advice is to bring all submitted documents plus copies and get an updated PoF statement. I also made a copy of my COPR just to keep. You don't get it back once they start processing as you will be issued a PR card in 6 weeks.
Stop 3 - Immigrant Welcome
A very kind older gentleman - (Kenyan immigrant but not a CBSA officer) as I asked him where he was from and how long he had been in Canada (25 years) - waits at a welcome kiosk (you have to pass it to go further into the room) and he asks if you are a new immigrant, fills a document up and gestures to a counter where I'm to collect all further new immigrant information. Then very warmly says, Welcome Home!
Stop 4 - New Immigrant Counter
The counter provides all information about immigrant services in Ontario, the elderly lady (a Russian immigrant was so helpful) provided me with a thick book that answers all questions I may have, YMCA and other new immigrant services I may access in the city as well as basic information about things that would need to be done once you have landed i.e. applying for a drivers license, health card and opening of bank account etc.
Stop 5 - SIN Counter
Young lady behind the counter (Filipino immigrant and so sweet!) takes the COPR, processes and prints my SIN document which is just 1 page. Advises me that my SIN information is private and only to be provided for healthcare, and banking purposes. It is not to be shared otherwise.
This entire process i.e. right up to Stop 5 took approximately 1 hour. I asked CBSA officer 2 if my bag was fine and he answered that it would be stacked and waiting at the baggage area just before I exited the airport.
Stop 6 - CBSA Customs
Upon me collecting my bag and exiting, I showed the officer at the exit the documents provided to me by the CBSA, my COPR etc. He directs me to a large room right after the exit where I make my final stop. Declaration of my Goods Accompanying and Goods to Follow list.
IMPORTANT: Based on the various feedback from other people's landing plus research at other forums, I made sure I was well prepared with these documents. If you do not give a thorough clear list, you are apt to annoy the hell out of the CBSA agent.
For my Goods Accompanying list, it was a basic list of:
- Clothes
- Luggage
- iPhone (copy of invoice and serial no)
- Watch I wore
- Jewelry I wore (value in document plus photos attached)
For my Goods Following, I listed out items and value next to it:
Example of how I listed it out
HOUSEHOLD
- Assorted Furniture
- Wall Art
- Crockery and Crystal
- Lamps and Lighting
- Linen and Towels
ATTIRE AND ACCESSORIES
xxxx
PERSONAL GROOMING
xxxx
LUGGAGE
xxxxx
JEWELRY
xxxxx
I only took close up pictures of all my jewelry and got a rough estimate (compared online prices), did not get
it professionally evaluated as all my jewelry was inherited or bought by my parents.
I made 2 copies; photos were color copies on my home printer.
I showed it to the CBSA agent and he was thrilled at how the documents were prepared. Clearly typed out, itemised so he did not have to waste time or have trouble figuring out what I missed.
He commented that many new immigrants were not aware of what was required for these documents, did not bring any list and ended up at customs for hours writing it out. He said a new immigrant couple spent 6 hours the day before doing that. This will cause problems later as any items you cannot recall or have no pictures of, will end up taxed.
He told me I didnt need a Goods Accompanying List; I cant recall what he said when I asked why so he just scratched that out. He then proceeded to take my documents into a separate room, where he completed a CBSA document verifying CBSA received my Goods Following list and stamped each page. He then informed me that every time I brought an item into Canada, I was to show the document to the shipping firm and the CBSA agent so its not taxed.
All in all that process took 30 minutes so I exited into the arrivals hall at 12:20 pm. I arrived at Terminal 1 and waited at the hall for my bf to meet me - he flew into Terminal 3 from Amsterdam.
I had already booked into an AirBnB in the city and paid for my UP train tickets online (had the app on my phone). I had made an appointment with RBC online to open a new immigrant account at the branch nearest to my accommodation for 3pm where I deposited all my money.
Note I provided my relative's address in Mississauga for all my documents, my banking and my SIN. I was issued a temporary bank card by RBC - I could access the ATM to withdraw funds while on my holiday, but not to make direct payments. Before I left Canada I received my new permanent ATM card.
To be safe, I went to the nearest Walmart in Mississauga and took new passport sized photos. Should CBSA write and inform me my submitted photos cannot be used, then my relatives will submit the new photos on my behalf along with a letter stamped and addressed to the CBSA Processing Unit.
My relative will be visiting Toronto in July and I will ask her to bring my PR card back with her vs getting it couriered. Im back home now and will be moving to Toronto in a year if all goes well. My only concern is employment.
Very easy process if you are well prepared and verify everything as you go along. Feel free to ask questions, I may have forgotten things so let me know. Will help where I can! Best of luck to everyone landing in the coming months
