10 WEEKS TO ARRIVAL-POE
 

Just to let you know that we arrived in sunny Calgary yesterday (Saturday 27th September).

It was amazing how smoothly everything went. My husband got his job offer on 18/7/08, AAIT approval on 18/08/08 and LMO on 8/9/08. We could have arrived earlier, but we didn't want to have our leaving do before a friend came back from travelling.

We did our Work Permits on Point of Entry (POE) was easy as we didn't need medicals and it took about 10 minutes to do. This included me getting my spousal open work permit and adding the children on to allow them to go to school. We did try and get Study permits, but the immigration officer said that as they were under college age they didn't need one. (They are aged 8 and 10 years). I tried to insist as I didn't want any problems as the type I have read on some of the threads, but all she did was put their details on my husbands work permit with the instructions that they are authorised to attend primary and secondary school, told me to show the school the permit and that was that, all done and dusted.:thumbup:

We flew by Thomas Cook (Canadian Affair) with an upgrade to Premium class which was worth every penny of the £79.50pp we spent. I was very dubious about flying with them but with the upgrade we got an extra 10kilos luggage each which was very handy. We are staying in an executive suite for a month and looking around for accommodation in the meantime.

It is a bit surreal being here, and I have to say that this expat site has been a WEALTH OF INFORMATION and has helped us immensely. All those thinking of making the move, don't be put off as it doesn't always take years, it all depends. ALL THE BEST TO ALL.:thumbsup:

Re: 10 WEEKS TO ARRIVAL-POE
 

Welcome to Canada, send out the calgary.

Glad everything went quickly and smoothly for you.

Thanks for the confirmation about the way they're handling children's eligibility for schooling (that is, writing it on the parent's work permit).

Happy trails. :)
x

Re: 10 WEEKS TO ARRIVAL-POE
 

Whey, how fab for you!! Please keep us posted on your ssettlingin period.
We wish you a very very happy and ffulfilledfuture

Nikki and Lee
X

Re: 10 WEEKS TO ARRIVAL-POE
 

Thank you. If you are in Calgary, do you know which the best place to buy/lease whatever a car? We are hiring a car this weekend by Enterprise who have a special offer of 50% off, but need to get a car soon before the weather turns. The public transportation does not go as far out as I had thought. In UK you can get practically anywhere on public transport, but here it is a lot different.

Re: 10 WEEKS TO ARRIVAL-POE
 

Congrats on your move, hope you all settle in well.

Just to confirm, when we go out hubby will be getting a twp and me a sowp, do I just ask for one when he fills out the paperwork or do you have to apply for it beforehand, sorry if it seems a bit straightforward but I'm a tad useless at things like that. We will also need a study permit for my son who is 5, so it's good to know they are writing it on the work permits.

Laura x

Re: 10 WEEKS TO ARRIVAL-POE
 

Hi Laura

We didn't need to fill out any paperwork. My husband gave them his contract and LMO and said he needed a work permit and they asked if I wanted a work permit as well and after checking our passport details, they asked if we had any criminal convictions then issued the work permits.

They did ask me if I had a medical before I left the UK, and as I hadn't I wouldn't be allowed to work with children or in hospitals. However, if I did want to work there I would have to get a medical done before I could do so.

Hope this helps, I'm sure it will go ok.

I was a bit nervous doing it this way, but the immigration people were very helpful.