Landing on March 8th
 

Folks,
I'm landing in Toronto on March 8th. I'd appreciate it if anyone could give me any advice or relate their experiences when they presented themselves to immigration. Failing that could anyone supply me with a link to a previous thread if this has been discussed already?

8 weeks to go........I feel sick !!

Re: Landing on March 8th
 

Thought you were going to BC? Good luck, you'll be fine! No-one was interested inour goods to follow and the whole thing took about an hour.:)

Re: Landing on March 8th
 

We intend to settle in Vancouver Island, I have an aunt and her family there. We are flying into Toronto simply to save money. Flying in on the 8th returning to the UK on the 13th and then start the process of selling up.

I'd like to go straight to VI but can't really justify the cost of a "jolly" now that we are almost there.

Typical skinflint Scot eh!!:)

Re: Landing on March 8th
 

At least you're not Aberdonian! That's even worse! Tight as a duck's backside.:eek: Long road for a shortcut but I hope it goes well.;)

Re: Landing on March 8th
 

Time spent in the airport depends a lot on the time you land. We were an hour just getting through Passport Control - two LD flights landed at the same time - then about the same in Immigration - then off to Customs. Have all your paperwork handy, including a copy of your manifest if you've got goods to follow. Be pleasant, smile a lot and say Thank you at every opportunity - it goes a long way. All in all we were through in about two and a half hours...but that might not be typical......

Re: Landing on March 8th
 

Hey Tam, Congratulations.
I arrived on August 11th, just gone, the day after the security alerts. Luckily for me, my flight was confirmed, and wasn't cancelled. I had booked BA, specifically because they allowed hand baggage and a briefcase/laptop in the cabin, and I had my life with me, including some very expensive camera equipment. Unfortunately, it was a waste of money, as everything I had with me had to go in the hold. My luggage consissted of two very large hockey bags. I managed to put the camera bag in the middle of one, wrapped by everything else in the bag, and luckily it arrived undamaged.
I hadn't worn any make up, as I figured it would be streaking down my face if I cried when my friends dropped me off....which I did! I didn't allow family to see me off, as I thought it would be too distressing and wanted to start my new life looking forward to it, not upset. Still got upset saying goodbye to my friends though! Decided to go for the ecclectic look, and wore all my jewelry at the same time, as didn't want it to go missing! Had to argue with the check in desk that my birth and marriage certificates were important documents that needed to go in my see through plastic bag. Fortunately, security agreed with me. I didn't have much sympathy for the woman in front of me complaining about having to get rid of her lip stick, as I had just put my whole life in the hold!
Went through security, and the lady there now knows my exact bra size!
It wasn't pleasant to get airside and find all the tv's blaring out "TERROR PLOT!" Fortunately, I'm not a nervous flyer, and realised that it was actually the safest day to fly, as nothing was getting through those checks, (Had another just before getting on the plane.) Sat down in my seat to find the guy next to me had his Daily Mail open on the page informing everyone "How to make a liquid bomb." Nice!
Anyway, landing was easy. They sent me to the immigration bit, and I was seen straight away, by a very friendly lady, who then took my picture for my immigration card. Unfortunately, I had no make up on, red eyes, hair like a scarecrow, as I didn't have a brush,(Not allowed in my little plastic bag,) and now am in proud position of my card, which has the worst photo I have ever had taken on it! I look like a munchkin on drugs. (Why do they use a wide angle lens up close?)
Fortunately the only time I have to show it to anyone is when I re-enter Canada after a trip abroad. My Driving license is much better. Full face make up, and they even told me to smile.
After finishing with the lady, I went to the man who gave me a folder with all the forms to get my social sec. no, health card etc... and he presented it with a big smile, and said "Welcome to Canada!"
Then it was through immigration, where I presented my goods following, forms, which he glanced through, told me to go and pay the tax on my camera equipment, (Professional use) but not as much as I feared, as it was only the equivalent of the GST, and I thought they might have charged GST, PST, and importation taxes on top. Tried to find out what % it would be beforehand, but couldn't get a straight answer anywhere.
Back to the immigration man to show him the receipt, he stamped the forms, gave them back after making a copy, and sent me on through the doors to Canada.
Greeted by my Husband, who turned 40 the day I arrived. Promptly burst into tears! Hardly surprising, with the added excitement/stress of not knowing if my flight was going to fly at all, worried about my cameras, and leaving my family and friends.
BUT I'm very happy, settled in nicely, and apart from some sad news from home which I discussed in an earlier thread things are going very well, and I'm glad I made the move.
Good Luck to you Tam, and I hope you have a less stressfully time leaving than I did, but that your landing is as straightforward as mine was.
Sally

Re: Landing on March 8th
 

Errrrr excuse me.............. just because we like our BOGOFs, hang teabags out to dry for re-using later and and cut the toes off the kids shoes so they can wear them for another year as sandals doesn't mean that we have anything in common with our feathered friends :rolleyes:

Re: Landing on March 8th
 

Nice to read other experiances going through landing process. Good luck with it all Sally. Also wish you best Tam. I just cant wait til its my turn :)

Re: Landing on March 8th
 

.....but lovely with it. Foos yer doos? Oh sorry, more feathered friends! Welcome to Canada!

Re: Landing on March 8th
 

Thanks for your support Sally........I guess the secret is to be prepared and with the wealth of experiences shared by you and others on the forum there is really no excuse for not being prepared in terms of paperwork etc.

I've learned (from bitter experience) that with two kids under the age of three preperation is the key!!. I don't want to be hanging around immigration for hours with the two children becoming increasingly irritated, that would simply stress me and the OH out .........not to mention the Customs Officials!!

thanks to everone for there input.