As my landing date approaches the questions in my head keep multiplying.

If somebody has gone through the landing experience recently can you please fill me in.

So, after checking in at the Quebec border, what is the sequence of events?

How long does it take to get the Social Insurance number, and have permission to work? How long does it take to get the PR card? Anything else I should be aware of after landing?

Thanks so much in advance

I don't know much about landing in Quebec but I can not imagine it being entirely different from other provinces. So please read my notes about immigrating to Ontario with care as they do not strictly apply to Quebec. But you get the picture.

Start here: www.stephenbottcher.net/imm.htm

All the best, Stephen in Ontario

You can apply for work and start working before your SIN number is finalised, it shouldnt be a problem, but if it is, you can phone a few days after applying and they should be able to give it to you verbally. The plastic card takes 3 or 4 weeks usually.

You need to go to your local HRDC office to apply for the SIN, sooner the better.

PR card takes about a month to arrive I believe.

Dont forget to exchange drivers license (or arrange a retest), you probably need to arrange in province auto insurance and transfer registration of your vehicle to Quebec at some stage too if you are still planing on bringing in a vehicle. Registration is not a hot item though. Local license will probably help reduce insurance costs.

Register for Quebec Health Plan. In ontario you can either book an appointment at a local hospital (usually a longish wait), or go in person to the regional OHIP office and do it while you wait. The card takes a week or two to arrive IIRC. NOt sure about Quebec waiting times for eligiability

Open bank accounts if you havent already.

Thats all I can think of. probably missed something though.

You're heading to Montreal correct?

For SIN, apply straight away, took me a week to get the plastic card,usually arrives in two. Though as Iaink has said, you can phone them after 2-3 working days and get them to tell you over the phone.
All the paperwork you need is proof you are eligible to work.
There's several HRDC offices in Montreal, though be aware they normally in habit very small crevices of the city, and can be a pain to find! (like many of the government buildings/offices).

If you have a US driver's license, I think you need to be retested (though don't take my word for this, have heard this from some people). You need to contact the SAAQ and get an appointment, then turn up on the day and wait... (get used to waiting...). If you are taking your car, and expect to stay here, you will need to import your car, and register it. Again, as Iaink has posted, local license helps with the insurance.

For the health plan, or RAMQ, go to the local office (there's one downtown in Montreal). However, the card and start date takes 3months to kick in. So go before the 15th of that month to qualify otherwise its another month: eg: applied 14th Jan, health plan starts April, whilst 16th Jan, health plan starts May.

bank accounts, yeah open. With TD Canada you can open a US account to as they are an affiliation with TD Waterhouse... might be interesting for you.

PR, i don't know about..

PS: If you want addresses in Montreal for the SIN, RAMQ, driving license and insurance broker PM me and i'll pass you the details...

Thanks again.

You guys are always helpful!

As has been said make getting your SIN card a priority.

Even though it may take a few weeks for the plastic card to be sent to you they give you a document stating that you have applied for one which is invaluable at the start. e.g. We needed it to open a bank account.