Need guidance on arrangements/queries before arriving to Canada

[kumar_ap]

I have received my PR visa and COPR letter in Sep 2017 with validity ending in June 2018.
I am planning to arrive Canada during May 2018 and do the port of entry at Toronto airport. I will be searching for SAP jobs in Toronto and stay there permanently untill all the documentation formalities are completed(PR card, SIN, health card)
Please guide me to make necesssary arrangements before I arrive to Canada and also give your valuable suggestions on few of my below queries.

Accomodation:
1. Which are the best and suitable options to book accommadation beforehand from India?

PR card process:
2. How is PR card application process handled for newcomers at POE?
a. Is it mandatory to give Canadian mailing address?
b. If I dont provide Canadian mailing address, Will they initiate the request for PR card and wait for the mailing address in next 180 days.
c. PRC process is handled at Service Ontario Center as well which I can do it later in next few days along with SIN?

Insurance:
4. Which Insurance company and type of policy I should prefer for a health coverage upto 6 months? I have heard it takes around 3-5 months to get health card in Ontario.

Proof of Funds:
5. I am travelling alone for now, but in my COPR have my wife's name as dependent.For Proof of funds (bank statement & balance certificate) in INR will suffice the requirement of approx 12000 CAD for 1 person or something else is also required ? Is this amoount need to be declared to customs in Declaration card?
6. How much initial cash I must carry in CAD for first day expenses? Do I need to declare this amount as well(2000-3000 CAD)?

Bank Account:
7. When and with which bank should I open a bank account? Is it ok to open it beforehand from India (like ICICI/SBI/Citibank) or post landing?

 

[canuck78]

Still confused on whether you are moving to Canada on a permanent basis or whether this is a soft landing. Seems like a permanent move but some statement make it unclear. Important to know so we can answer questions correctly. Both options are possible, legal and won't cause any problems.

 

[PMM]

Hi

I have received my PR visa and COPR letter in Sep 2017 with validity ending in June 2018.
I am planning to arrive Canada during May 2018 and do the port of entry at Toronto airport. I will be searching for SAP jobs in Toronto and stay there permanently untill all the documentation formalities are completed(PR card, SIN, health card)
Please guide me to make necesssary arrangements before I arrive to Canada and also give your valuable suggestions on few of my below queries.

Accomodation:
1. Which are the best and suitable options to book accommadation beforehand from India?

Depends what you want? You could look into a Air BNB for short time or hotel, and once you have an idea what area you want to live in, you could find rental accommodation on line through Kijiji or Craigslist. Don't put a deposit down on a rental until you see it.

PR card process:
2. How is PR card application process handled for newcomers at POE?

When you "land" the CBSA officer will process your PR card application from the COPR with your photo. Processing is about 61 days, + mailing and you need a Canadian address, it could be a friends. If you don't have an address, you will be given a form to fax within 6 months with an Address.

a. Is it mandatory to give Canadian mailing address?
b. If I dont provide Canadian mailing address, Will they initiate the request for PR card and wait for the mailing address in next 180 days.
c. PRC process is handled at Service Ontario Center as well which I can do it later in next few days along with SIN?

No, Service Canada issues SIN, if you "land" during the day at Toronto, you can be issued your SIN at the Service Canada office there, otherwise you will have to attend a downtown office to get your SIN.

Insurance:
4. Which Insurance company and type of policy I should prefer for a health coverage upto 6 months? I have heard it takes around 3-5 months to get health card in Ontario.

You only need a 3 months policy, which is the waiting period for OHIP, Blue Cross, Sun Life are a couple of companies.

Proof of Funds:
5. I am travelling alone for now, but in my COPR have my wife's name as dependent.For Proof of funds (bank statement & balance certificate) in INR will suffice the requirement of approx 12000 CAD for 1 person or something else is also required ? Is this amoount need to be declared to customs in Declaration card?

You have to show proof of funds for 2 people. If you are carrying over $10K in financial instruments, must be declared. There are no taxes or duties on it.
6. How much initial cash I must carry in CAD for first day expenses? Do I need to declare this amount as well(2000-3000 CAD)?

It is the total funds in possession that must be declared. I wouldn't carry that much cash. Traveller's cheques or international credit card/debit card much safer.

Bank Account:
7. When and with which bank should I open a bank account? Is it ok to open it beforehand from India (like ICICI/SBI/Citibank) or post landing?

None of the banks mentioned very many branches (if any) in Canada. If you want to open an account before arriving, try HSBC or RBC

 

[kumar_ap]

Still confused on whether you are moving to Canada on a permanent basis or whether this is a soft landing. Seems like a permanent move but some statement make it unclear. Important to know so we can answer questions correctly. Both options are possible, legal and won't cause any problems.

I am making permanent move and not soft landing.
I am hesitant to provide any Canadian mailing address at the time of POE for PR card. As the case may be that I shift to other place in toronto in next few days if I didn't like the place/hotel/area. hence question 2 with a,b,c part.
I hope I have clarified my situation better now.

 

[kumar_ap]

Hi




None of the banks mentioned very many branches (if any) in Canada. If you want to open an account before arriving, try HSBC or RBC

Thanks PMM for your answers

 

[kumar_ap]

Hi




None of the banks mentioned very many branches (if any) in Canada. If you want to open an account before arriving, try HSBC or RBC

Hi PMM,
You've mentioned Blue Cross and Sun Life insurance (Canada based) companies.

Can I purchase a policy from my home country(India) with an Indian insurance company?Do these policies acceptable in Canada for any medical emergencies.