Landing
This is the beginning of the real journey. After your long plane flight or trip across the border you get to hear the words "Welcome to Canada" in person from your immigration officer. I can tell you when you hear those words at that point it will be like no other time before or after it. Congratulations you are finally here!
When I arrived after about a 6+ hour flight, the first checkpoint was a bank of automated systems. They were pretty straight forward to use, there were people around pointing you to the next free one and once you can read and comprehend well enough you can figure this out just fine. When that was complete I collected a slip and continued to the next immigration checkpoint (a person) where I showed my receipt and was told me which line to go into..
Now here is the thing and I didn't know this before I landed, the day and time you land in Canada can dictate how long you spend in the line. I landed just about the end of August, I guess I didn't factor that everyone (maybe a plane or three full) was returning for school (new and returning international students); added to the other people who were landing as permanent residence. Just imagine how looooooonnng the line was, yes it was very long. Did I say it was long already? If I was just a visitor I wouldn't have to be in this particular line but oh well I just had to have patience.
When it was my turn I had all my paperwork in hand, passed it to the officer, I was able to answer his questions, give my address but one thing I missed was having my monetary instruments (bank drafts) at hand so after some digging in my carry on I found them, a few other things happened and then I heard it (WELCOME TO CANADA). There was an explosion of joy "Oh my, I am finally here as a PR should I pinch myself". Then I took my bag and left the counter smiling.
What to expect
Quick things you should expect:
- To present all document necessary (passport, PR confirmation letter, picture)
- Declare cash over 10000 CAD, have a breakdown of cash and draft amount and keep the draft at hand)
- Declare other items you may be shipping or are brining into. they may ask won't hurt to have a list
- Provide address (this is where they will mail your PR card) if you followed the checklist and book you should have this waiting
- To be asked questions, not hard, so don't panic be calm and honest
Leaving immigration
After you get pass the main immigration officer checkpoint continue and look out for these.
- A Service Canada booth, you can get your SIN number one time (just have your documents from landing and an address) it takes a few minutes. They also give you a Welcome to Canada package with a book, documents to read very good stuff.
- Luggage collection point
- Exit officer after your collected your luggage, this is another checkpoint
- Lobby area where the public can wait to collect you and you can find taxi's outside
- Mobile plan vendors. You may be able to grab a prepaid SM in the terminal building so look out for them
The experience check
The experience was fantastic so don't worry about long lines it's worth the wait. The tips above should give you a good idea what to expect, there are several main entry points into Canada so it won't be "exactly" as I described but it won't be far off either. So all I can say is "Welcome to Canada".
Bonne Journée