Nkunjur said:
Hello,
Just wanted to let you know my parents have received their immigration visa (LVO: NDVO)on their passport and have until July 2017 to claim their PR. While I am relieved I am now curious as to what the next steps are re: SIN#, Health card...etc. Also how does taxation work? Wondering if we should start a separate forum for those whose parents are now relocating to Canada.... what are things we need to do/know to make sure our parents have a smooth transition to Canada.
my mom just landed last week. On top of my head, here's a list of things we're going to do:
- Sin Card
- Bank account (as she needs proof of resident address for applying health card later on)
- Extra insurance on top of OHIP (her Super Visa insurance is good til May 2017)
- Health Card (next month)
My mom has been in Canada since 2013 on Super Visa, not much for her to adapt regarding lifestyle. She's pretty much get used to it already. But as 71 yr old senior who doesn't speak English and never leave her home country, I consider her adapting to the new life in Canada very well.
For younger parents, who can drive, speak English and use computer. I think they're gonna fit right in. But the parents are older in age, we have to pay more attention on their well being and mental health, coz something that's easy for us, could be a real challenge for them. And they usually don't tell us what exactly their struggles are coz they're afraid it will cause us time and trouble.
If the parents are retired, I would suggest to get your parents enrolled in any sort of senior activities offered by local community centre. When my mom arrived here in 2013, I enrolled her in English, singing and exercise classes. The learning part is not important, but the fact that she got to meet a lotta people at her age who speak the same language, helped her feel more at ease of her new life here.
As my mom doesn't drive, I also gave her pamphlets, maps and bus schedules, and taught her the basic of getting around town by bus and subway. So she doesn't get to be stuck at home or the neighborhood area when I'm at work. She can go wherever and whenever she wants. I also install a tracking app on her phone (we use "Life 360"). In case she got lost and call me, I can pin point her location and help her find the way home.
My mom said she met a lotta seniors who have been living here for 10+ years but still know nothing about the place they live, where or how to do stuff, or how to get around town. They rely solely on their kids for transportation and don't go out much to meet people at their own age. My mom as a Super Visa visitor, found herself often giving advice and direction to them. It's a bit funny, but sad at the same time. For older parents, I think it's very important to let them go out and explore the city by themselves and let them feel comfortable interacting with the locals.
.
