Landing experience at YYZ
May 9th 2006, 11:21 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Milton, Ontario
Posts: 1,215
Landing experience at YYZ
OH officially landed at YYZ at around 4:50pm on Sunday. Ignoring the part where they changed the plane at the last minute to one with more seats (and therefore instead of 35" of legroom, 6'6" OH had about 29" legroom...so they gave him 3 seats to himself to spread out!), it all went very smoothly.
There were two officers checking your passports almost as soon as you departed the plane, they then directed you to the immigration hall. It was busier than last time, but it appeared that every desk was open, with a queue of about 4 people for each. We joined a queue, and it took about 5 minutes to get to the officer. He checked our passports and we told him that OH was landing. He directed us to the office behind him. We stood in a queue of 2 people there for about 2 minutes, then when we explained what we wanted, we were directed to some chairs on the left. When we got there, there were 3 officers chatting, one saw us and escorted us to a cubicle immediately. 3 minutes later she welcomed hubby to Canada, said his PR card should be with him in 4 weeks and directed us to a woman to give him a welcome pack including applications for SIN, OHIP, etc. Whole time spent in the back immigration room - 5 minutes!
We then collected our bags and went on to customs. Stood in line for about 5 minutes, then were sentto an officer. We'd done a 2 page goods to follow list, the only thing she was interested in was the total value (which I'd forgotten to include...doh!). She totted it all up, took both copies of the goods to follow form I'd brought, then brought one back with a cover sheet, telling us to present that when we brought the rest of the goods back with us.
Skipping over the collecting the hire car and navigating Canadian roads for the first time, Monday morning at 9:30 we went to the HRSDC office in Georgetown with a completed SIN card application, walked straight up to the counter and was told that hubby should receive his card within 30 days. They asked if he had a job lined up, if so they could get the number for him, but since we aren't in a rush we left that. 9:50 put us at RBC, where I'd opened a bank account when we were over in October. Hubby provided his COPR and passport and was added to the account, making it joint. 10:00 had us finished all processing, and completely free for shopping!
So all in all, a remarkably painless process. The only headache we had was we ordered a Fido Canadian SIM from a company affiliated with Canadian Affair. When we got my brother to try to call it, he got a "number unavailable" message. When we tried to dial out, we got a message saying that the account had expired. Called Fido and was told that there was no credit, although the SIM was supposed to come with $10. They also told us that we could only register a Canadian credit card to top up, or buy vouchers. The frustrating thing is that we'd put this number on resumes sent out last week, so if anyone's tried to get in touch with us they wouldn't have been able to. Contacted the company who supplied it by e-mail, they replied this morning apologising profusely saying that the $10 credit had not been added to our account for some reason, and confirming that yes, you do need a Canadian credit card to top up (something that isn't mentioned on their website). We're popping out in 5 minutes to get a voucher.
So...that's landing for ya!
There were two officers checking your passports almost as soon as you departed the plane, they then directed you to the immigration hall. It was busier than last time, but it appeared that every desk was open, with a queue of about 4 people for each. We joined a queue, and it took about 5 minutes to get to the officer. He checked our passports and we told him that OH was landing. He directed us to the office behind him. We stood in a queue of 2 people there for about 2 minutes, then when we explained what we wanted, we were directed to some chairs on the left. When we got there, there were 3 officers chatting, one saw us and escorted us to a cubicle immediately. 3 minutes later she welcomed hubby to Canada, said his PR card should be with him in 4 weeks and directed us to a woman to give him a welcome pack including applications for SIN, OHIP, etc. Whole time spent in the back immigration room - 5 minutes!
We then collected our bags and went on to customs. Stood in line for about 5 minutes, then were sentto an officer. We'd done a 2 page goods to follow list, the only thing she was interested in was the total value (which I'd forgotten to include...doh!). She totted it all up, took both copies of the goods to follow form I'd brought, then brought one back with a cover sheet, telling us to present that when we brought the rest of the goods back with us.
Skipping over the collecting the hire car and navigating Canadian roads for the first time, Monday morning at 9:30 we went to the HRSDC office in Georgetown with a completed SIN card application, walked straight up to the counter and was told that hubby should receive his card within 30 days. They asked if he had a job lined up, if so they could get the number for him, but since we aren't in a rush we left that. 9:50 put us at RBC, where I'd opened a bank account when we were over in October. Hubby provided his COPR and passport and was added to the account, making it joint. 10:00 had us finished all processing, and completely free for shopping!
So all in all, a remarkably painless process. The only headache we had was we ordered a Fido Canadian SIM from a company affiliated with Canadian Affair. When we got my brother to try to call it, he got a "number unavailable" message. When we tried to dial out, we got a message saying that the account had expired. Called Fido and was told that there was no credit, although the SIM was supposed to come with $10. They also told us that we could only register a Canadian credit card to top up, or buy vouchers. The frustrating thing is that we'd put this number on resumes sent out last week, so if anyone's tried to get in touch with us they wouldn't have been able to. Contacted the company who supplied it by e-mail, they replied this morning apologising profusely saying that the $10 credit had not been added to our account for some reason, and confirming that yes, you do need a Canadian credit card to top up (something that isn't mentioned on their website). We're popping out in 5 minutes to get a voucher.
So...that's landing for ya!
May 9th 2006, 11:29 am
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Vietnam (Canadian)
Posts: 266
Re: Landing experience at YYZ
Congrats. Glad to hear things went smoothly for you. Welcome to Canada!!!!
May 9th 2006, 12:43 pm
#3
Mans
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Oakville
Posts: 343
Re: Landing experience at YYZ
Congratulations.
Sounds like it was a breeze for you guys. From experience.....Immigartion people at Toronto are very good.
I did my actual landing by crossing the border at Niagra...though it was painless and straightforward....they were very cold in attitude.
Can I ask what else was in the "welcome pack" as I did not get one
Good luck
Mans
Sounds like it was a breeze for you guys. From experience.....Immigartion people at Toronto are very good.
I did my actual landing by crossing the border at Niagra...though it was painless and straightforward....they were very cold in attitude.
Can I ask what else was in the "welcome pack" as I did not get one
Good luck
Mans
May 9th 2006, 6:05 pm
#4
Enjoying being in Canada!
Joined: May 2005
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Posts: 93
Re: Landing experience at YYZ
I also landed in Niagara and it took only 5-10 minutes and the officer was very pleasant. I was a little bit concerned that I got myself refused entry to the US eventhough I had valid visa. They said it was 'standard procedure' - it turns out to be right as I was issued a 10 year US visa yesterday. They didnt even mention the entry refusal at Niagara.
May 9th 2006, 7:13 pm
#5
Mans
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Oakville
Posts: 343
Re: Landing experience at YYZ
Originally Posted by ExBritExAfrican
I also landed in Niagara and it took only 5-10 minutes and the officer was very pleasant. I was a little bit concerned that I got myself refused entry to the US eventhough I had valid visa. They said it was 'standard procedure' - it turns out to be right as I was issued a 10 year US visa yesterday. They didnt even mention the entry refusal at Niagara.
Thats intersting and re-assuring for me
I too got refused entry at Niagra border to US. I too was told "standard procedure" ...don't worry...we have 15-20 people doing the same every day (crossing Niagra border to just re-enter Canada to "LAND")
I did ask them about 3 times if they are sure and they said not to worry....the only way of realy finding out is to cross the border again (once i receive the PR card)...but at least I know you went through the same thing
Rgds
Mans
May 10th 2006, 4:15 am
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Alberta Canada
Posts: 190
Re: Landing experience at YYZ
well done at last the journey begins
bottoms up chaps
bottoms up chaps
May 12th 2006, 5:50 pm
#7
Kelly
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Oro-Medonte, Ontario
Posts: 613
Re: Landing experience at YYZ
Originally Posted by cov-canuck
OH officially landed at YYZ at around 4:50pm on Sunday. Ignoring the part where they changed the plane at the last minute to one with more seats (and therefore instead of 35" of legroom, 6'6" OH had about 29" legroom...so they gave him 3 seats to himself to spread out!), it all went very smoothly.
There were two officers checking your passports almost as soon as you departed the plane, they then directed you to the immigration hall. It was busier than last time, but it appeared that every desk was open, with a queue of about 4 people for each. We joined a queue, and it took about 5 minutes to get to the officer. He checked our passports and we told him that OH was landing. He directed us to the office behind him. We stood in a queue of 2 people there for about 2 minutes, then when we explained what we wanted, we were directed to some chairs on the left. When we got there, there were 3 officers chatting, one saw us and escorted us to a cubicle immediately. 3 minutes later she welcomed hubby to Canada, said his PR card should be with him in 4 weeks and directed us to a woman to give him a welcome pack including applications for SIN, OHIP, etc. Whole time spent in the back immigration room - 5 minutes!
We then collected our bags and went on to customs. Stood in line for about 5 minutes, then were sentto an officer. We'd done a 2 page goods to follow list, the only thing she was interested in was the total value (which I'd forgotten to include...doh!). She totted it all up, took both copies of the goods to follow form I'd brought, then brought one back with a cover sheet, telling us to present that when we brought the rest of the goods back with us.
Skipping over the collecting the hire car and navigating Canadian roads for the first time, Monday morning at 9:30 we went to the HRSDC office in Georgetown with a completed SIN card application, walked straight up to the counter and was told that hubby should receive his card within 30 days. They asked if he had a job lined up, if so they could get the number for him, but since we aren't in a rush we left that. 9:50 put us at RBC, where I'd opened a bank account when we were over in October. Hubby provided his COPR and passport and was added to the account, making it joint. 10:00 had us finished all processing, and completely free for shopping!
So all in all, a remarkably painless process. The only headache we had was we ordered a Fido Canadian SIM from a company affiliated with Canadian Affair. When we got my brother to try to call it, he got a "number unavailable" message. When we tried to dial out, we got a message saying that the account had expired. Called Fido and was told that there was no credit, although the SIM was supposed to come with $10. They also told us that we could only register a Canadian credit card to top up, or buy vouchers. The frustrating thing is that we'd put this number on resumes sent out last week, so if anyone's tried to get in touch with us they wouldn't have been able to. Contacted the company who supplied it by e-mail, they replied this morning apologising profusely saying that the $10 credit had not been added to our account for some reason, and confirming that yes, you do need a Canadian credit card to top up (something that isn't mentioned on their website). We're popping out in 5 minutes to get a voucher.
So...that's landing for ya!
There were two officers checking your passports almost as soon as you departed the plane, they then directed you to the immigration hall. It was busier than last time, but it appeared that every desk was open, with a queue of about 4 people for each. We joined a queue, and it took about 5 minutes to get to the officer. He checked our passports and we told him that OH was landing. He directed us to the office behind him. We stood in a queue of 2 people there for about 2 minutes, then when we explained what we wanted, we were directed to some chairs on the left. When we got there, there were 3 officers chatting, one saw us and escorted us to a cubicle immediately. 3 minutes later she welcomed hubby to Canada, said his PR card should be with him in 4 weeks and directed us to a woman to give him a welcome pack including applications for SIN, OHIP, etc. Whole time spent in the back immigration room - 5 minutes!
We then collected our bags and went on to customs. Stood in line for about 5 minutes, then were sentto an officer. We'd done a 2 page goods to follow list, the only thing she was interested in was the total value (which I'd forgotten to include...doh!). She totted it all up, took both copies of the goods to follow form I'd brought, then brought one back with a cover sheet, telling us to present that when we brought the rest of the goods back with us.
Skipping over the collecting the hire car and navigating Canadian roads for the first time, Monday morning at 9:30 we went to the HRSDC office in Georgetown with a completed SIN card application, walked straight up to the counter and was told that hubby should receive his card within 30 days. They asked if he had a job lined up, if so they could get the number for him, but since we aren't in a rush we left that. 9:50 put us at RBC, where I'd opened a bank account when we were over in October. Hubby provided his COPR and passport and was added to the account, making it joint. 10:00 had us finished all processing, and completely free for shopping!
So all in all, a remarkably painless process. The only headache we had was we ordered a Fido Canadian SIM from a company affiliated with Canadian Affair. When we got my brother to try to call it, he got a "number unavailable" message. When we tried to dial out, we got a message saying that the account had expired. Called Fido and was told that there was no credit, although the SIM was supposed to come with $10. They also told us that we could only register a Canadian credit card to top up, or buy vouchers. The frustrating thing is that we'd put this number on resumes sent out last week, so if anyone's tried to get in touch with us they wouldn't have been able to. Contacted the company who supplied it by e-mail, they replied this morning apologising profusely saying that the $10 credit had not been added to our account for some reason, and confirming that yes, you do need a Canadian credit card to top up (something that isn't mentioned on their website). We're popping out in 5 minutes to get a voucher.
So...that's landing for ya!
I became landed May 5th. Very similar experience to yourselves. We were done and dusted within an hour of getting off the plane. Handed my SIN application in Barrie last Monday so should have that at OH's cousins pretty soon. Back in Wigan now to sell the house.
