Jimmy

Pre and post landing questions:

I have had my meds done and docs sent. I am waiting for the passport
request and am assuming that it is safe to start looking forward to
landing (sometime in May/June) and subsequent moving (hopefully by
August). So here goes my plan… let me know if there are any ‘gotchas'
in it …

Prepare the goods to follow list (make couple copies) and drive upto
one of the POEs near Buffalo. Will explain to the Canadian customs
that I will be in Canada for less than a week and that I am not
importing my car. Have the required amount in cashier's check to prove
the availability of settlement funds. Tell the INS folks that I will
keep my I94 (if necessary –I have H1B multiple entry until the end of
year) and once I get my landing papers and stamp at Canadian
immigration proceed to Canadian customs where I hand over the goods to
follow list which includes my car.
Proceed to Toronto and first get a mailboxes etc mailbox with mail
forwarding feature. Then go upto HRDC and apply for SIN (with address
of mailboxes etc or an acquaintance). Later open a bank account and
deposit cashiers check. Swap the drivers license with ON license or
atleast apply for it. Come back to US and start looking out for a job.
Since my H1b expires in fourth quarter, I will have 4 to 5 months left
after I get my passport request…Since I am three hours away from
Toronto, I will commute to Toronto whenever I get called up for an
interview. I will make a final move hopefully within 3 months after my
initial landing with a job offer in hand. I shall then bring in my
goods in a uhaul truck with car hitched to the truck. Once I go thru
the canadian customs, I should proceed to my new apartment after
making sure that the INS knows that I left the country well within my
H1 expiry. Ofcourse the last step would be to toast to the new found
freedom but then I am getting way ahead of myself….()

So here are my questions and please feel free to point out any others
that I may have missed…

1. Can I drive my car up and down or do I have to use a car rental? I
am close to the border.
2. Can I move across the border freely without surrendering my I94. I
do have multiple entry H stamp with name of my current company.
3. Do I have to cash my funds right away or bring the check back and
hold on to it until I move finally.. or what if I need funds after I
come back to US? Can I use my new canadian account in US?
4. Will INS give me any grief one way or another?
5. Once I get my landing papers and stamp (perhaps saying that I am
not moving immediately) Is it best to apply for TD in case I get an
interview call before my PR card arrives?
6. Speaking of PR card, can I supply MBE address?
7. Will the receipt of SIN application satisfy prospective employers
until SIN arrives?
8. Will the banking Industry give me any grief in terms of opening a
bank account the first go around.. quoting that I don't have a
physical presence yet?
9. Will prospective employers be okay with the fact that I am still US
based (even though resume address will say otherwise).. Is it a good
idea to disclose that my H1 is expiring soon ? Is it helpful or
harmful? Some employers like the fact that you are still employed
while others may prefer unemployed folks already residing in TO. CV
will have MBE address with NY telephone #.
10. Is it a good idea to obtain a GSM cell phone for job hunting? Will
canadian cellphones work in NY?
11. How hard is it to get an apartment?
12. I will be moving the car with no title (albeit with permission
letter from my lien holder) any gotchas in this? The car is just fine
as far as RIV is concerned with daytime running lamps, dual
speedometer etc..
13. How do we make sure that when the final move comes, that our I94
will be properly processed? What if the INS thinks I am still in US
after my H1 expires? I am going to be in trouble…
14. Once you get a PR card, crossing the border is simplified correct?
All I have to do is just show the card?
15. Can I have swap my NY drivers license with ON license? Do I get
my comprehensive driving record in US first in order to obtain
canadian one?
16. Is there a problem if you move the car across the border and want
to drive it in states with ON plates? Is it helpful to move every
thing first and then live in US as a true "Guest" worker than wait
until I get a job offer and then move everything?
17. Is there an issue with driving NY plated car in ON? Or for that
matter with NY license in ON? Or viceversa?
18. What about Health Insurance coverage?

Any other potential roadblocks/bottle necks?