Got it (from Sydney) and just landed in Vancouver
Jul 22nd 2001, 6:09 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
I have just landed in Vancouver and would like like to share my experience as
a newcomer.
My application timeline :
Nov 1998 Application (Civil engineer - French citizen) Dec 1998 AOR from Sydney
(Australia) March 2000 Interview waived and received forms for medicals July 2000
Medicals done Oct 2000 More medicals requested, done the same month Feb 2001 Request
for payment of landing fees and renewal of passports April 2001 Documents received
July 14 (Bastille day !) : landed at Vancouver airport at 9 : 35 am with my wife and
2 children (10 and 11 yrs). The terminal was almost desert. I told the immigration
officer that I was landing. He checked the passports, stamped them and told us to go
to the immigration office. He was very courteous and said the first "Welcome to
Canada" of the day. At the office, there were three female officers. One of them,
made us sit at her desk and asked for the papers. She entered many details on her
computer, asked how much money I was bringing into Canada (did not ask proof),
noticed there was an error on my daughter's visa (Passport number) and asked my wife
and me to sign documents. She stapled one sheet of the visa on each passport. She
gave application forms for Social Insurance and tried to explain something in French.
She gave up when my kids started laughing.
After the traditionnal "Welcome to Canada", we went to a booth held by the
Community Airport Newcomers Network where a lady gave us more papers and useful
information for newcomers. Although the lady was speaking english, she could say
"Bienvenue au Canada".
We picked up our 12 pieces of luggage and went to clear customs. The customs
officer (another lady) asked for my goods to follow list. Stamped them and handed
them back to me. When I asked whether she needed the list of the goods we were
carrying, she said no.
We were done. No queue. We were outside the terminal at 10:10 to meet our friends.
July 15 : rented a car for one week and went to Costco buy a few things. Went to the
house we have rented to see what we needed. House is rented almost unfurnished. We
spent the first days buying some pieces of furniture.
July 17 : moved in "our" new home. Went to Telus booth (local phone company) in a
shopping center and asked to be connected. It was done on the same day.
July 18 : called the Sanitation branch of Municipality to get more information on
garbage collection. Got internet connection via AOL with a CD ROM that was in a
computer magazine (first month free). Started sending email and faxes to my friends
and relatives.
July 19 : got the documents from sanitation branch. Spent one hour understanding and
explaining to my little family how to sort garbage (Basic garbage, newsprint, paper
products, containers, yard trimmings etc ...). Bought a TV set and a washer. Called
Hydro BC (electricity) to set up an account.
July 20 : the above mentioned items are delivered. I realized that I forgot to
suscribe to cable. Called Shaw cable, will be connected on the 25th.
July 21 (today) : I opened a checking account at TD Canada Trust. Why? Because it was
the nearest bank to our place. I read in the local newspaper the regulations about
lawn sprinkling. Odd addresses on Thursday and Sunday and between specific hours
early morning or evening.
We have been residents of Canada for one week, but too busy to realize that we
started a new life.
Next week, on the agenda : application for SIN, Canada child tax benefit, driver's
licence, school for children.
It is time for me to thank all the NG members who provided, and are still providing,
valuable information. To all of you who are still waiting for your papers Good luck!
Eddie J
a newcomer.
My application timeline :
Nov 1998 Application (Civil engineer - French citizen) Dec 1998 AOR from Sydney
(Australia) March 2000 Interview waived and received forms for medicals July 2000
Medicals done Oct 2000 More medicals requested, done the same month Feb 2001 Request
for payment of landing fees and renewal of passports April 2001 Documents received
July 14 (Bastille day !) : landed at Vancouver airport at 9 : 35 am with my wife and
2 children (10 and 11 yrs). The terminal was almost desert. I told the immigration
officer that I was landing. He checked the passports, stamped them and told us to go
to the immigration office. He was very courteous and said the first "Welcome to
Canada" of the day. At the office, there were three female officers. One of them,
made us sit at her desk and asked for the papers. She entered many details on her
computer, asked how much money I was bringing into Canada (did not ask proof),
noticed there was an error on my daughter's visa (Passport number) and asked my wife
and me to sign documents. She stapled one sheet of the visa on each passport. She
gave application forms for Social Insurance and tried to explain something in French.
She gave up when my kids started laughing.
After the traditionnal "Welcome to Canada", we went to a booth held by the
Community Airport Newcomers Network where a lady gave us more papers and useful
information for newcomers. Although the lady was speaking english, she could say
"Bienvenue au Canada".
We picked up our 12 pieces of luggage and went to clear customs. The customs
officer (another lady) asked for my goods to follow list. Stamped them and handed
them back to me. When I asked whether she needed the list of the goods we were
carrying, she said no.
We were done. No queue. We were outside the terminal at 10:10 to meet our friends.
July 15 : rented a car for one week and went to Costco buy a few things. Went to the
house we have rented to see what we needed. House is rented almost unfurnished. We
spent the first days buying some pieces of furniture.
July 17 : moved in "our" new home. Went to Telus booth (local phone company) in a
shopping center and asked to be connected. It was done on the same day.
July 18 : called the Sanitation branch of Municipality to get more information on
garbage collection. Got internet connection via AOL with a CD ROM that was in a
computer magazine (first month free). Started sending email and faxes to my friends
and relatives.
July 19 : got the documents from sanitation branch. Spent one hour understanding and
explaining to my little family how to sort garbage (Basic garbage, newsprint, paper
products, containers, yard trimmings etc ...). Bought a TV set and a washer. Called
Hydro BC (electricity) to set up an account.
July 20 : the above mentioned items are delivered. I realized that I forgot to
suscribe to cable. Called Shaw cable, will be connected on the 25th.
July 21 (today) : I opened a checking account at TD Canada Trust. Why? Because it was
the nearest bank to our place. I read in the local newspaper the regulations about
lawn sprinkling. Odd addresses on Thursday and Sunday and between specific hours
early morning or evening.
We have been residents of Canada for one week, but too busy to realize that we
started a new life.
Next week, on the agenda : application for SIN, Canada child tax benefit, driver's
licence, school for children.
It is time for me to thank all the NG members who provided, and are still providing,
valuable information. To all of you who are still waiting for your papers Good luck!
Eddie J
Jul 22nd 2001, 2:25 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
in article [email protected], Eddie J at
[email protected] wrote on 7/22/01 2:09 PM:
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Congratulations Eddie!
I'm still waiting for the results of my medical myself .. hopefully its a "go"
after that.
You seemed to have forgotten one very important part of landing in BC though. You're
not covered for medical yet, and, as I understand it, you will not be covered even if
you get a SIN. You have to get medical insurance to cover the couple of months
(three, I think) before you're covered under the provincial umbrella.
Better to be safe than sorry
Good luck!
Mark Pan Website: http://home.pacific.net.sg/~mmenace
--
Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.
The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself. Baz Luhrman / Mary Schmich
[email protected] wrote on 7/22/01 2:09 PM:
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Congratulations Eddie!
I'm still waiting for the results of my medical myself .. hopefully its a "go"
after that.
You seemed to have forgotten one very important part of landing in BC though. You're
not covered for medical yet, and, as I understand it, you will not be covered even if
you get a SIN. You have to get medical insurance to cover the couple of months
(three, I think) before you're covered under the provincial umbrella.
Better to be safe than sorry
Good luck!
Mark Pan Website: http://home.pacific.net.sg/~mmenace
--
Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.
The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself. Baz Luhrman / Mary Schmich
Jul 22nd 2001, 4:44 pm
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi Casper, Welcome to Canada! I want to ask you a question. You are French citizen,
why the application was sent to Australia? If the application is sent to France, does
it take a shorter processing time?
Best Regards,
P.
[email protected] (Eddie J)
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why the application was sent to Australia? If the application is sent to France, does
it take a shorter processing time?
Best Regards,
P.
[email protected] (Eddie J)
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Jul 22nd 2001, 8:11 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi Patrtick.
When applying for PR, I was living in French Polynesia which is covered by CIC Sydney
(Australia).
Regards
Eddie J
[email protected] (Patrtick)
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When applying for PR, I was living in French Polynesia which is covered by CIC Sydney
(Australia).
Regards
Eddie J
[email protected] (Patrtick)
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Jul 22nd 2001, 8:18 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the advice. Actually, I am still covered by my previous social insurance
until July 31st. But you are right, I will need to shop around and jet a local
medical insurance.
Regards.
Eddie J
Mark Pan <[email protected]>
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[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > Next week, on the agenda : application for SIN, Canada child tax benefit,[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > driver's licence, school for children.[/usenetquote2]
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Thanks for the advice. Actually, I am still covered by my previous social insurance
until July 31st. But you are right, I will need to shop around and jet a local
medical insurance.
Regards.
Eddie J
Mark Pan <[email protected]>
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[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > Next week, on the agenda : application for SIN, Canada child tax benefit,[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > driver's licence, school for children.[/usenetquote2]
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