ONLINE APPLICATION (PHILIPPINES)

[humdrumdum]

@ DocRZ and msladybug: If it helps, I'm planning to open up an account through Scotiabank online once nag-medical exam na ako. They allow Philippine residents to sign-up for an account prior to their arrival in Canada so once you get there, all you have to do is to go the bank branch you chose and verify (usual stuff, present passport, signature cards etc.) then you can use your account na. I've even heard you can request na "deposit only" lang muna yung account mo so you can wire in your funds beforehand then you can use it after you verify upon arrival. But I'm mainly choosing it because we can get free movies through points from your Scene debit card hehehe

I actually have a sister who's been studying there for 3 years na, she uses BMO (Bank of Montreal). They have special accounts for full-time students that don't have monthly/annual fees. The same goes for RBC (Royal Bank of Canada). Our parents usually just wire transfer the funds from a USD bank account but the transaction is in Canadian dollars, the bank automatically converts it to whatever currency specified. Although, may charges of course. Wouldn't suggest buying USD then converting it again to CAD though... You'll get less CAD for the same amount of PHP (although it's not a big difference, just a few cents).

 

[humdrumdum]

Oh and I'm surprised (and happy) that IOM offered to expedite your med exam, DocRZ! Mostly happy about not having to strip completely though HAHAHA I really think na aabot po kayo sa target date niyo!

@msladybug: please let me know how your exam at SLMC goes, I plan to take it there since I'm near the area lang po so I can go directly once I get the med request. Kakatapos ko lang rin po sa period ko so most likely if magparequest po ang CEM within the coming week, earliest I can take the exam is on Aug 12 pa.

 

[DocRZ]

msladybug, you don't need to buy USD. Buy CAD with your peso. Medyo liliit ang value ng peso mo if you buy USD then you'll use the USD to buy CAD.

I checked different student account offerings from some banks in Canada. Most student friendly is Scotiabank and CIBC. No monthly fees with unlimited transactions.

May idea ba kayo how much should be our cash in hand at the point of entry? Tinatanong ba kung magkano pera mo sa immigration?

 

[msladybug]

@Minsky: No prob! It's always a pleasure helping other people.

@Humdrumdum & DocRz: Thanks for the tip guys. Sana may malapit na Scotia Bank or CIBC. Ang sure ko lng Bank of Montreal snce doon din Bank Account ng School na papasukan ko. Naisip ko din nga kung how much ba dapat dala sa point of entry. All I know is para sa mga FSW applicants lng. Hehe

Worried din nga ako bukas for my medicals coz I'm expecting my period anytime soon, dapat ngayon pero thank God wala pa naman.

 

[humdrumdum]

I was first interested in TD Canada Trust since they also have a pretty good offer for student accounts but Scotiabank got me with free movies haha Don't bring more than 10k in cash or else you'll have to declare it in customs and prove that you're not laundering money HAHA When my sister first came, she told me she just brought CAD 5,000. Not sure about them asking how much money you have but better prepare for it na lang siguro. Best if you already opened an account in Canada before coming

 

[DocRZ]

Guys, do we need to attend immigration seminars before leaving for Canada? They say there are 2. One conducted by the Canadian Embassy and another by the Philippine government. They call it PDOS.

 

[humdrumdum]

I don't think it's required for students, only PR's and those with work permits

 

[cocoagirl]

Guys, do we need to attend immigration seminars before leaving for Canada? They say there are 2. One conducted by the Canadian Embassy and another by the Philippine government. They call it PDOS.

I think not required na ang PDOS, but it wouldn't hurt to ask siguro. Baka may tips and pointers sila offered for settling in a new place, whether student or worker lahat naman nag aadjust? Not sure though.

 

[peggiechua]

Guys, do we need to attend immigration seminars before leaving for Canada? They say there are 2. One conducted by the Canadian Embassy and another by the Philippine government. They call it PDOS.

As what I know applicable lang ito sa mga first time immigrants or sa mga workers. Pero sa mga students and sa mga naka Open Work Permit hindi sya required. Though yung iba they opt to attend the seminar.

 

[humdrumdum]

Hi guys, my request for a medical exam just came in moments ago! Just waited 4 working days! IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET A STUDENT PERMIT IN A MONTH ;D

@cocoagirl: Usually po kasi may pre-departure orientation po talaga kung through an agency ka nag-apply. And when you get there rin, may separate orientation rin ang school na papasukan mo for you. Better to ask but I don't think we students would get much out of it

 

[cocoagirl]

Hi guys, my request for a medical exam just came in moments ago! Just waited 4 working days! IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET A STUDENT PERMIT IN A MONTH ;D

@ cocoagirl: Usually po kasi may pre-departure orientation po talaga kung through an agency ka nag-apply. And when you get there rin, may separate orientation rin ang school na papasukan mo for you. Better to ask but I don't think we students would get much out of it

Congrats for getting your MR! Ang bilis ha! God bless! For September 2013 ka po ba?

 

[humdrumdum]

@cocoagirl: opo, September 3 kailangan nasa Vancouver na ako HAHA 3 weeks ago lang ako inaccept ng school kasi wait-listed po ako. Fresh grad lang ako actually kaya hinintay ko pa college diploma ko before ako nakapag-apply sa school... Kaya ayun, domino effect, last week lang ako nakapag-file ng visa.

Kakatapos lang ng period ko (hehe babae po ako ) so next week pa po ako actually mag-memed exam. Sana po mabilis rin irelease ng clinic! Pinag-iisipan ko pa rin kung sa IOM or SLMC Taguig...

 

[DocRZ]

Humdrumdum: Aba teka pwede mainggit sa bilis ng medical request mo ah... Isang linggo ka lang naghintay samantalang ako inabot ng 3 buwan! Hahaha! Congratulations. Ang galing! Minsan pala the late bird catches the worm..

 

[humdrumdum]

HAHAHAHA grabe di nga ako makapaniwala nung nakita ko yung e-mail ng CIC, akala ko yung attachment is a letter saying na denied ako on the basis of short notice! ;D Pa-try-try lang kumuha ng visa kahit walang time.... lol

Humdrumdum: Aba teka pwede mainggit sa bilis ng medical request mo ah... Isang linggo ka lang naghintay samantalang ako inabot ng 3 buwan! Hahaha! Congratulations. Ang galing! Minsan pala the late bird catches the worm..

 

[cocoagirl]

@ cocoagirl: opo, September 3 kailangan nasa Vancouver na ako HAHA 3 weeks ago lang ako inaccept ng school kasi wait-listed po ako. Fresh grad lang ako actually kaya hinintay ko pa college diploma ko before ako nakapag-apply sa school... Kaya ayun, domino effect, last week lang ako nakapag-file ng visa.

Kakatapos lang ng period ko (hehe babae po ako ) so next week pa po ako actually mag-memed exam. Sana po mabilis rin irelease ng clinic! Pinag-iisipan ko pa rin kung sa IOM or SLMC Taguig...

Ay, sorry. Sis ka pala eh Sir pa ang tinawag ko sayo sa kabilang thread. Based sa mga nabasa ko parang mabilis nag IOM. Cheaper pa ng konti?