My Landing Experience - Toronto (Brampton)

[RajeevPillai]

Make sure you submit the transcripts for evaluation. Will save a lot of time later. Also try visiting employment centers like Acces or Costi to gather more information on job search in Toronto. I have benefited greatly from my association with Acces

 

[ItsBeenLongNow]

Hi guys,

Finally Landed at Toronto Pearson Airport thru KLM Airlines via Amsterdam. Flight service was good and everything was on time. We had halt at Amsterdam for 3.5 hours which we enjoyed seeing the airport , duty free,etc (no transit visa)

Now coming to Toronto Airport, after coming out of plane, there were 2 lines – a) Permanent Residents Entry and b) Visitors Visa. If u r landing first time, u need to go to Visitors Visa Line. (Many of this will be known but just want to share , as we had went to PR entry line and were trying to scan the Canada Visa which was not working)

You will enter at Immigration who will check your passport (not COPR or goods to follow list ,etc). She will stamp ur passport and will ask you to go to CBSA officer who check your COPR and will ask you the address. Here we had address but there was one number (e.g 75) which was apartment number and I was not sure whether its Villa Number or Street Number. So make sure you understand ur address correctly. She ask me to update the address online or fax one form (she gave) to given number. For Proof of Funds , I had handed over the form which had US$ and CA$. She didn't ask the funds for checking. Finally she said “Welcome to Canada”.
After clearing from CBSA officer ( COPR and POF) , u will go ahead and u will get detailed explanation of Canada benefits, schooling, etc which will be explained by person at the counter.

After getting all brochures for Canada, you will move ahead for Customs for goods declaration. Normally they don't ask for Goods carried list and ask for Goods to Follow list. I had Goods to Follow list in excel sheet print out (6 pages) with nearly $60K. There was not much crowd and officer ask us to come. He ask do you have goods to follow list and I immediately handed over the list. He went through the list thoroughly one by one and said “GHEE” is not allowed. He cross that item and ask What's “MILK MASALA”. My wife explained him. Again he ask “What's “CHUDIDHAR” (indian dress) , we told that its indian dress for girls.
Then he was checking gold item list and ask do u have photos and we showed the photos. I asked him that I need to add 2 things which I missed and he said you can add it. I added manually in the list and he then trying to add the values in the list (as I had not given total value of goods at end of sheet)
Took a taxi for Brampton and it cost us 65$ from Pearson Airport to Brampton.
Next day, I went to Service Ontario for SIN Number and we got it in half hour. The lady well explained to us of Canada system ,etc. I had updated my address there as there are Desktops lying there for online service (free to use). There will be lady who will be helping if u r stuck up anywhere.
After SIN number, got my mobile SIM card ( please remember its not mandatory to give ur SIN Number to mobile card sellers for prepaid card atleast). For post paid card also, u don't need to give SIN but then u will not get SIM card. So its ur call to give the SIN number or not. I didn't gave SIN number to card sellers as it was prepaid.

SIN number is very important and keep it in proper custody. There may be misuse of your number.

On 2nd Day, I went for Driving test at Brampton . I showed my Dubai License, RTA letter (Attested one and its mandatory) with Passport. She gave me token and ask to pay. At other counter, the guy took my eye testing and confirmed my address, DOB, and name. I asked him that “Is Attestation mandatory on this letter”?. He said yes its mandatory and other lady staff also told with him the same thing.
I pass the G1 test and will be appearing for classes for G2 (3 to 4 classes). Each class will cost $30 and then I will be appearing for G2 test. Again then I need to take 3 to 4 classes for G test and then final test on highway.
Note:
1) In G1 test, there are two sets of questions – a) Sign test and b) Rules test.
2) Rules Test is tricky and suggest you to prepare yourself. There are some rules in Canada which you will know after you have practice. You can go to “ApnaToronto.com” for test.

This country is very calm and peaceful. People here are very polite and courteous. Everything is systematized and you will like it.

That's all for now and will keep you update guys.

Regards
Cool

Welcome to Canada, all the best!

 

[coolguy2010]

Hi rajeev, can u PM ur cell no

Make sure you submit the transcripts for evaluation. Will save a lot of time later. Also try visiting employment centers like Acces or Costi to gather more information on job search in Toronto. I have benefited greatly from my association with Acces

 

[thereds]

SIN number is not available at airport. We went to Service Ontario to get it

Wrong. You can get your SIN number right after you complete landing at YYZ and before Customs. Service Canada has a counter there right beside the Immigration counters.

 

[coolguy2010]

after completing landing , you will be guided by a person for Canada system, benefits ,etc who will give u various brochures. He himself said that u need to get SIN number at Service Canada.

After finishing that, u will be directed to Customs.

Wrong. You can get your SIN number right after you complete landing at YYZ and before Customs. Service Canada has a counter there right beside the Immigration counters.

 

[edmonta]

Dear Edmonta,

You become a permanent resident of Canada only after an immigration officer checks your papers at the canadian airport and grants you PR. Holding a PR visa stamp does not make you a Permanent resident. then you get your PR card and from next time, you join the line that says permanent residents.

Cheers !!

Then they can make three queues.
1)for citizens
2)New arrivals for PR
3)Visitors
There is no point for PR aspirants to go in visitors visa line..IMHO,They need to amend what they are doing..
Regards,
Edmonta

 

[coolguy2010]

After getting ur PR card, u will be going to PR line bocz u will be scanning ur PR card or canadian passport for declaration. Since u cannot scan initially, u can do it after getting PR card

Then they can make three queues.
1)for citizens
2)New arrivals for PR
3)Visitors
There is no point for PR aspirants to go in visitors visa line..IMHO,They need to amend what they are doing..
Regards,
Edmonta

 

[banrad]

Dear Edmonta,

Considering how little you know about the difference between an immigration visa and permanent residence, hence the associated procedures, it's quite striking how bold you are in advising the Canadian border services on how they should organize they work and fine-tune procedures.

Don't get me wrong, but a bit more of humility and respect would do you better to be going places.

Cheers

Then they can make three queues.
1)for citizens
2)New arrivals for PR
3)Visitors
There is no point for PR aspirants to go in visitors visa line..IMHO,They need to amend what they are doing..
Regards,
Edmonta

 

[Jayson]

Thx Jayson

You're very welcome Mate

 

[edmonta]

Dear Edmonta,

Considering how little you know about the difference between an immigration visa and permanent residence, hence the associated procedures, it's quite striking how bold you are in advising the Canadian border services on how they should organize they work and fine-tune procedures.

Don't get me wrong, but a bit more of humility and respect would do you better to be going places.

Cheers

@Banrad,
The point is not who knows better or how much we should know and I am damn sure that nobody knows all including you.
My point is simple.
As coolguy said,there were two queues:1)Permanent resident entry 2)visitor Visa..Now first thing will come in mind is that by seeing Permanent residents ENTRY line against Visitors line ,one will get confused & tempt to go in Permanent resident entry lline as coolguy did and I am sure everyday hundreds of first time landers must have been doing the same thing..Now simply making a clear third window of PR aspirants/first time landers for PR,they will not only help first time landers but will help themselves also as I am damn sure that they must be guiding thousand times in a day the guys who are entering in PR lines and not in visitor's line.
Now,I mean how come a person will enter in visitor's line when he is not landing as visitor but for PR?
& FYI,I have travelled more than six countries till date and I know the difference very very well between immigration visas,PR visas,visitor visas,diplomat visas,business visas and what not.Adding to this,I have travelled more than sixty times on different international airports,have taken different residence visas,visitor visas,business visas etc.
As a better citizen of not only for my own country but as a global citizen it is my right to understand the system and if me or my fellas are getting any troubles,I deserve that right to speak freely and express my opinions irrespective of whatever topic or whatever country or whatever system I am addressing to. I am not a part of any dumb mob who just see,dont understand anything and dont respond for something wrong .
Hope this helps you to understand,
Regards,
Edmonta

 

[juma005]

Hi all,
Can we use the pre-filled PR Application form while landing ? in order to save the time and tension.. ha ha

Juma

The Visitors line means for "New arrivals".
The other lines are for Canadian citizens and for those Canadian residents already in possession of PR cards. First landing personnel- new immigrants and visitors - should follow other queue.

 

[thereds]

after completing landing , you will be guided by a person for Canada system, benefits ,etc who will give u various brochures. He himself said that u need to get SIN number at Service Canada.

After finishing that, u will be directed to Customs.

I guess the Service Canada employee was not working at the airport when you arrived.

 

[amitind]

Hi guys,

Finally Landed at Toronto Pearson Airport thru KLM Airlines via Amsterdam. Flight service was good and everything was on time. We had halt at Amsterdam for 3.5 hours which we enjoyed seeing the airport , duty free,etc (no transit visa)

Now coming to Toronto Airport, after coming out of plane, there were 2 lines – a) Permanent Residents Entry and b) Visitors Visa. If u r landing first time, u need to go to Visitors Visa Line. (Many of this will be known but just want to share , as we had went to PR entry line and were trying to scan the Canada Visa which was not working)

You will enter at Immigration who will check your passport (not COPR or goods to follow list ,etc). She will stamp ur passport and will ask you to go to CBSA officer who check your COPR and will ask you the address. Here we had address but there was one number (e.g 75) which was apartment number and I was not sure whether its Villa Number or Street Number. So make sure you understand ur address correctly. She ask me to update the address online or fax one form (she gave) to given number. For Proof of Funds , I had handed over the form which had US$ and CA$. She didn't ask the funds for checking. Finally she said “Welcome to Canada”.
After clearing from CBSA officer ( COPR and POF) , u will go ahead and u will get detailed explanation of Canada benefits, schooling, etc which will be explained by person at the counter.

After getting all brochures for Canada, you will move ahead for Customs for goods declaration. Normally they don't ask for Goods carried list and ask for Goods to Follow list. I had Goods to Follow list in excel sheet print out (6 pages) with nearly $60K. There was not much crowd and officer ask us to come. He ask do you have goods to follow list and I immediately handed over the list. He went through the list thoroughly one by one and said “GHEE” is not allowed. He cross that item and ask What's “MILK MASALA”. My wife explained him. Again he ask “What's “CHUDIDHAR” (indian dress) , we told that its indian dress for girls.
Then he was checking gold item list and ask do u have photos and we showed the photos. I asked him that I need to add 2 things which I missed and he said you can add it. I added manually in the list and he then trying to add the values in the list (as I had not given total value of goods at end of sheet)
Took a taxi for Brampton and it cost us 65$ from Pearson Airport to Brampton.
Next day, I went to Service Ontario for SIN Number and we got it in half hour. The lady well explained to us of Canada system ,etc. I had updated my address there as there are Desktops lying there for online service (free to use). There will be lady who will be helping if u r stuck up anywhere.
After SIN number, got my mobile SIM card ( please remember its not mandatory to give ur SIN Number to mobile card sellers for prepaid card atleast). For post paid card also, u don't need to give SIN but then u will not get SIM card. So its ur call to give the SIN number or not. I didn't gave SIN number to card sellers as it was prepaid.

SIN number is very important and keep it in proper custody. There may be misuse of your number.

On 2nd Day, I went for Driving test at Brampton . I showed my Dubai License, RTA letter (Attested one and its mandatory) with Passport. She gave me token and ask to pay. At other counter, the guy took my eye testing and confirmed my address, DOB, and name. I asked him that “Is Attestation mandatory on this letter”?. He said yes its mandatory and other lady staff also told with him the same thing.
I pass the G1 test and will be appearing for classes for G2 (3 to 4 classes). Each class will cost $30 and then I will be appearing for G2 test. Again then I need to take 3 to 4 classes for G test and then final test on highway.
Note:
1) In G1 test, there are two sets of questions – a) Sign test and b) Rules test.
2) Rules Test is tricky and suggest you to prepare yourself. There are some rules in Canada which you will know after you have practice. You can go to “ApnaToronto.com” for test.

This country is very calm and peaceful. People here are very polite and courteous. Everything is systematized and you will like it.

That's all for now and will keep you update guys.

Regards
Cool

Congratulations !!!

 

[emamabd]

My point is simple.
As coolguy said,there were two queues:1)Permanent resident entry 2)visitor Visa..Now first thing will come in mind is that by seeing Permanent residents ENTRY line against Visitors line ,one will get confused & tempt to go in Permanent resident entry lline as coolguy did and I am sure everyday hundreds of first time landers must have been doing the same thing.

Its not always the case, at the time when i landed there were airport staff directing the people - (they were standing right before the initial customs counter - which is also before immigration)...i have asked about initial landing and they have advised to proceed to the visitor's queu.

So its not as bad as you may think ....maybe when coolguy landed those guys were not there..or maybe he hasn't noticed them...anyway its not a big issue, there are bigger things to worry about when you are landing....like the job search for example :-[
Afterall..landing is only the begining of the journey...

 

[emamabd]

Wrong. You can get your SIN number right after you complete landing at YYZ and before Customs. Service Canada has a counter there right beside the Immigration counters.

You maybe right..but i guess there's nothing wrong with getting the SIN the next day or 2 after landing. You wont need the SIN once you place your foot on canadian soil....its not like the job is waiting right outside the airport ..this is canada maaaan..we all know how tough it is