Finding Accommodation - Basics

Finding accommodation is probably the first thing that you are going to do, once you land. There are several aspects to be considered in this case:

1. What location should I chose?

2. Should I buy or rent the house?

3. If I want to rent, what is the best way to go about it?

4. If I want to buy, what are the mortgage options and what are the buying options?

I am here to help you in all these aspects. Remember, you can always email me at any point, or if you want to discuss in detail, you can always call me. Send me an email and I will give you my number. I will also help you in making your renting/owning decision easier, implement that decision and get a mortgage. All this comes at absolutely no cost to you. Having said this, lets now discuss the above points, one by one. Please note however that I am only going to talk about the Greater Toronto Area here, as my expertise and experience lies in the GTA. If you want information about other cities, happy to provide some indicators and inputs. Please email me your requests.

1. What location should I chose?

This decision is based on 5 factors:

a. What kind of home are you planning to live in

b. How old are your children (how important is public schooling for you)

c. How important is it for you to live in your own community

d. How much time are you willing to commit to your daily commute

e. What is your budget

Each factor is carefully analyzed in this post

2. Should I buy or rent the house?

This decision is based on a single factor, that is, whether you have enough money for down payment

3. If I want to rent, what is the best way to go about it?

You need to consider the following 4 factors, which are analysed in detail in this post:

a. What is your rental budget?
b. What kind of rental choice do you want?
c. What areas are you looking to rent in?
d. How picky are you about your children's schooling as far as the temporary rental accommodation is concerned.

4. If I want to buy, what are the mortgage options and what are the buying options?

This decision is based on the following factors:

a. What is your budget?
b. How much time are you willing to spend in your commute?
c. What kind of housing choice do you want?
d. What neighborhood is best suited for you from a convenience, safety and community perspective?

Some of the decision factors are inter-related. I suggest you go through all the posts related to finding accommodation in order to make your decision. As always, if you are in doubt or have questions, drop me an email on tanmaycanada@gmail.com

Finding accommodation - Location

Location is the single most important factor when it comes to finding accommodation in any city. More so in Toronto. The reasons are easy to understand:

a. The location determines the quality of the school your kids will go to (unless you plan to put them in Private schools)

b. The location determines your daily commute to work and the related expenses

c. The location determines whether you will have access to your own community in an unknown country - a tremendous support network which is necessary to an immigrant

d. All conveniences (groceries, recreation, fitness, health) will be location specific and will differ from area to area in terms of proximity.

a. Quality of schools:

Although publicly funded, the quality of schools in the GTA differs considerably from area to area. Some schools are constantly able to top the charts whereas others do not make the cut. This is largely a factor of the neighborhood, both in terms of the demographics and the ethnicity that dominates the neighborhood. For example, majority of schools in Markham are considered to be very good. This is the result of high concentration of Chinese in the area. So for a new Chinese immigrant, it may be a great area to live in, if you also want to have a closeness to your own community. Of course, various suburbs and locations have very good schools but then it is critical for you and your realtor to work together to find the best school for your kids and then find a suitable home for your family. Typically, the Fraser Institute school rankings are a good reference point to start. However, Fraser institute does not cover the areas outside the Toronto District very well. To explore the schools in other school districts such as Peel (consisting of western GTA such as Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon) or York (consisting of northern GTA such as Vaughan, Aurora, Richmond Hill, Markham, Newmarket etc.) or Durham (consisting of eastern GTA such as Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, Whitby etc.) the best source is to refer to something known as EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office) scores. This is an agency that tests and measures students’ achievement in reading, writing and math at key stages of their education. The results are school-wise, across Ontario and measure the student success at grade 3, grade 6 and grade 9. These results are a good indicator of how a school is doing. Obviously, you need to work with your realtor to determine whether that school is indeed suitable to your child, what are the school boundaries (for the location of the house) and whether any houses are available within that particular boundary. I will help you make this decision. It is a collaborative and time consuming process, but when done right, you have secured your child's place in one of the better schools in Ontario.

b. Commute:

Majority of the new immigrants who want to have a regular job will end up working in downtown core. Accordingly, farther you are from the downtown, more expensive it would be for you to commute. Typically, people rely on public transport to commute to work, as parking in the downtown is either impossible to get or works out to be extremely expensive. Certain far out areas of Toronto such as Scarborough do have access to Toronto Transit. Other areas have their own transit systems which connect to downtown Toronto via the "Go" Network. Each client that I sit with gets a document listing various transportation options from the place they are planning to stay in and the relevant costs. 

c. Community Support Network:

Although Canada is an extremely diverse country and Toronto is one of the world's most diverse cities, you can not deny the fact that particular communities tend to close in around their members, creating pockets of their own. To a new immigrant, this becomes an extremely important community network. This is a source of job referrals, grocery referrals and also the source of cultural and religious activities. Every immigrant should remember that all of the people they would meet in this country have been immigrants themselves at one point or another and majority of them are willing to extend a helping hand. All you need to do is ask. Obviously, you are going to find someone who wants nothing to do with their community and believes in keeping his/her distance but these instances are rear. My clients typically get a list of all community resources available in their areas and I personally take them out to various events and congregations to make them comfortable. Finding a house in the community you would like and the school you would like is a challenge, but is definitely fun. It takes time and patience and unfortunately not many realtors have either to spare. But believe me, once you take the time to do a thorough research, you will never have to look back as far as finding the right home is concerned.

d. Conveniences:

Most neighborhoods in the GTA have excellent access to all conveniences, including banking, shopping, grocery (including ethnic goods), community centers, gymnasiums, restaurants etc. Some have these facilities pretty close and some don't. New immigrants do not necessarily know which of the available options to chose from. Expert help may be required, especially with respect to choosing the right banking account, good grocery store etc. Newcomers may also need help in getting homemade food in their areas, if they don't have the time to cook their own food and want regular supply of ready made lunches or dinners. This information must be given to you by someone who knows the area well, or your realtor.

Getting Around

1. Driving:

Driving is not a luxury in Canada. It is a necessity. Driving in Canada is not very complicated, but it is made out to be so. Different provinces have different license classes. Most provinces have something called the "Graduated License System" for all new drivers. This means that you have to gradually progress through the learner's license to a full driving license. This usually consists of three steps, learners license; novice license and full license. There are waiting periods between each category of licenses. Restrictions such as maximum allowed blood alcohol, number of passengers carried and driving restrictions during night/on highways exist for the first two classes. The automobile insurance will be much higher for the initial two license classes. 

Driving license process starts with getting a learner's license. A vision test followed by a written test (mostly computer based, given at the test center) is required, with a minimum pass mark (Usually 75% and above). This will typically consist of rules test and road sign tests. Driving booklets are available from the Department of Transportation of every province. You will have to pay for it. Otherwise, online versions are also available. Before getting into the test center, make sure you have the required documents with you. The documents required include an ID proof (with photo) and signature proof. New PR cards that have signatures affixed should suffice. It is good to carry your passport just in case. Also carry your address proof. This can be your lease agreement or a letter from your bank stating your address. No photos or photocopies of the documents are required. 

Online versions of driver's education booklets:

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador

Ontario

Prince Edward Island

Saskatchewan

If you are an experience driver, do not forget to get a "Driver's experience certificate" or some similar document from the transport authority of your country. It should clearly mention the vehicle class and the years of experience driving that particular vehicle. When you go for your Learner's license booking, please remember to show this document, along with your original driving license of your country to the officials. This can either remove all waiting times for the graduated license (giving you the opportunity to give the test for the highest license category) or significantly reduce these times.

There are driving instructors who will give you lessons. Generally for an experienced driver, three to four lessons are sufficient. Lessons currently cost $30-40 per lesson, depending on the instructor. The instructor will also tell you the right test center to chose (typically far from the metropolitan centers, with high pass rates and low traffic). They will also take you to the test and most importantly, give you a "training certificate". This certificate will get you a large discount on the insurance cost. If you are coming to Toronto or nearby, I can give you a few instructor's numbers and you can chose the one you wish. 

2. Public Transport:

The large Canadian cities have excellent public transport, consisting of trains, buses and trams. These are cheap, well connected and an excellent eco-friendly option if you stay close to downtown. Most come with significant discounts for monthly passes and the cost of public transportation to and from your office is a deductible tax expense. Toronto is covered by the TTC and suburbs are serviced by Go transport, which connects these suburbs to downtown core. Suburbs of Toronto also have their own transport systems, including buses.

3. Uber:

Uber is an excellent option, if you don't want to maintain a car but want to have the flexibility to drive to a place quickly. It is reasonable and saves on insurance, gas and the cost of your own car.

Lodge and Board

On your first landing, you will typically stay in a short-stay accommodation till you find a suitable rental/own home. Several lodging options are available in all Canadian cities. Following is a short summary:

1. AirBnB: You can book an AirBnB apartment/home for a day or more here. The advantage is you are staying in someone's home with the host being there or not. Many times, it turns out to be cheaper than a hotel stay, but make sure you are checking the rates and comparing with the hotels. Also check if the hotel rates include breakfast.

2. Short stay serviced apartments: If you plan on staying for more than 15-20 days, these apartments make economic sense. Typically these apartments are furnished and have fully functional kitchens and come with several amenities such as en suite laundry, internet, cable TV and free local calls.  The apartment buildings can also have common amenities such as a gym, swimming pool and security. Majority of the apartments would range from a studio to 2 Bedrooms. Weekly rates for one Bedroom suite are typically in the range of CAD$130/night and for two Bedroom suite are in the range of CAD$160/night. Rates will reduce as the length of stay increases. 

3. Regular hotel stays: Regular hotel stays should always be checked as an option. You may get lucky and get an excellent deal on a hotel room, with airport pick up and drop, free breakfast and many other facilities. So check out on various hotel booking websites, such as trivago or booking.com or hotels.com.

4. Stay with me: I rent my basement apartment for short stays. So check with me if you want to have a cheaper, cleaner option. The basement rental rates are $70 for a two bedroom basements. If you don't think you have enough money for your stay, don't worry. You can stay for free with me, till we find you a suitable accommodation. For this facility, a known reference is necessary.

There are additional homestay options and other short stay options especially for new immigrants. I would do a careful research into all these before booking any. My advise is stick to the well known service providers, as many of these other cheap options may be dodgy at best. Again, you are welcome to contact me if you are confused.

The First Landing Process

So you have booked your tickets and have all the documents ready and will start your journey to Canada soon! Bravo. You are just a step away from becoming a PR.

The first landing process is simple, but can be time consuming. First, just before your flight lands, you will be given a declaration card. You can print one yourself and keep it filled before you board, in case you are prone to having a drink too many on the flight. The key is to be as honest as possible. Please clearly list any food items you are bringing into Canada and if you are bringing currency/cheques/drafts exceeding CAD$10,000. In many immigrant cases, the later is going to be the case and do not worry. Canadian Customs (Border Services) officials will not trouble you or hound you for your cash, unlike some countries. They just want to make sure that you disclose whatever you brought in. If you don't declare it and they find it, it will be seized. 

Make sure that following documents for you whole family are carried in a separate bag which is a part of cabin baggage and is easily accessible. Rummaging through the bag at the immigration counter is very likely to irritate not only the immigration official but also the people behind you.

After you alight, depending on the airport you come to, the time taken for the process and the process itself may vary just marginally. I have personally experienced the Toronto Pearson Airport, so the following commentary is more appropriate for Pearson. I am sure the other airports more or less follow the same process.

Before you enter the immigration line, you need to approach the most official looking person around and tell him/her that its your first landing. He/she will direct you to the appropriate line and if you are lucky or if you are travelling with infants/children, you might even get priority in one of the lines to immigration. 

When you reach the counter, give the official all your documents, including all your passports and COPRs. He will ask you a few questions and may or may not ask for a proof of funds. The funds required will depend on the number of people in your family. Proof of funds is not required if you already have secured a job in Canada. A job letter will be required instead. The current fund requirements can be found here. Funds are typically in the form of drafts or certified cheques. Then the officer will ask you for your photos and to confirm your Canadian mailing address. This is the address where your PR cards are going to arrive. In many cases, people don't have any addresses to provide and there is an option to give the address within 180 days of arrival, using this tool. In case you have a friend or a relative in Canada, make sure you have their addresses handy. If you don't, not to worry. You can provide my address and I will receive the cards for you. Email me your details and I will send you my address. If you are going back after your first landing, you will most likely not get the PR cards as they arrive approximately 2 months after the date of landing. I will arrange to get these couriered to you if you so desire. Just let me know!

At this juncture, make sure that you present the "goods to follow" checklist to the border services official along with the jewelry photos. The officer will also give you one copy of your photos, stamped. The officer will take this list and give you an acknowledgement, which is again a form. It is extremely important to keep the form and the photos safe, as you will need it when the goods actually arrive. 

Additionally, you will get a welcome package, which will contain a lot of information about immigrant services, banking, healthcare etc. You can read through all that or you can refer to my blog for clearer information! 

Congratulations! You are formally a PR of Canada! Welcome to Canada!

Preparing For The First Landing

So you have got those coveted entry visas to Canada as a PR! Congratulations! In this post, I am going to lay out a few bare essentials to your landing process. Your immigration lawyer/consultant (if you have one) has probably not told you any of this but this is very important. So, print the page out and follow the instructions one by one. 

1. Please view this video. Remember, this is only the background and some basic information. 

2. Get your documentation ready. Documentation will include the following:

a. The passports for your entire family, with visa stamps on the passport (applicable only to visa required countries)

b. Confirmation of Permanent Residence (Form IMM 5292 or IMM 5688). You will have two copies for each immigrant, one with a photo attached and one without. You have to carry these forms with you while entering Canada. These forms are extremely important for landed immigrants and you will need them throughout the rest of your life in Canada. So keep them very safe. These forms are required for both visa exempt countries and non-visa exempt countries (in addition to the visa on the passport for these countries)
c. 4 passport size photos of each family member, in the prescribed CIC format (print this page and take it to the photo studio. They will do it for you, but compare your photos before delivery to ensure they match perfectly with the specifications required)

d. As a PR, you may be bringing personal goods with you or they may be following you later on. If that is the case, you need to fill this form for the goods that are coming with you and this form for the goods that are going to follow later. Make two copies of these forms. Most importantly, if you have any jewelry/gold/silver items on the import list, you must make two copies of the photographs of each item to be imported. Remember - when you go to present your landing documents to Canadian Customs, you must inform them that you are importing goods/have goods to follow. They will then take this list from you and give you one copy with acknowledgement, including one set of photos. Based on this list, you can bring in your personal effects. Please do not be very precise with the details, just mention generic items and that should be fine. You can bring in items of whatever quantity and cost you wish, free of any customs duties once you have those goods listed on this sheet.
f. Driver's experience certificate - see this post

3. Book your tickets:
Tickets can be booked by whichever method you like, but if you haven't tried Google Flights, I suggest you should. It is by far the best flight aggregation system. You will have to book through the airline website though. Some of the best and most cost effective flights to Canada are generally Turkish, Air Canada, Swissair and Saudi Airlines. Egypt Air and Al Italia can be cost effective but have long layovers. Emirates and Jet Airways are on the costlier side. Sometimes good direct flight deals can be found on Air India as well.

4. Pack your bags and travel! Bon Voyage!

 If you have any questions on the above, email me on tanmaycanada@gmail.com

Immigration Lawyers/Consultants

Many people have asked me as to which immigration lawyers I used or why did I go through an immigration lawyer in the first place. 

I have always believed that in today's day and age, you can learn everything from the internet. You can visit the Canada Immigration Website, learn what category of immigration you belong to and follow the process thereon. I did the same. Turns out, I ignored the last advisory by the CIC (Canada Immigration, that is) and my application was rejected because it did not fit the criteria on the date on which the application was received. Majority of my efforts were wasted. If you believe you will have the time to follow the CIC guidelines to the T, by all means, do it yourself. But remember, once in Canada, you will have many opportunities (lot of them forced) to DIY stuff. DIY beforehand might not be the best way to avail of these DIY opportunities in Canada. So, if I were in your shoes, I would use an immigration lawyer or consultant.

Immigration lawyers or consultants that you use have to be authorized by one of the agencies of the Canadian government to do this job legally. That means, they can not cheat you so easily, or squander your money without making the required efforts to get you to Canada. Do not use a lawyer/consultant who is not on this list. This is a big red flag and if you have money to squander, I can suggest a few great charities instead.

Now, which consultant or lawyer should you chose? It is your personal choice. Different consultants serve different classes of immigrants better. If you are confused as to which ones to use, just send me an email with your background and I can suggest the lawyer/consultant you can use, depending on your situation and location. Remember I get paid every time you use my referral, so please contact me! (just kidding. Some consultants do pay referrals, some don't, and majority of my referrals are as miserly as they come. I will, in any case, indicate whether I get any referral fees or not and the final choice is yours to make)

My Story

I had two professional degrees from India, a very successful career with six figure tax free salary in the middle east and a future that looked pretty bright. In the middle of all this, I decided to come to Canada - the land of the unknown, the land which according to many before me, sucked big time in terms of providing adequate job opportunities in the immigrants' chosen field of work and made them feel small, unwanted and rejected.

Why did I make this decision? Several factors contributed to it. The uncertainties of the middle east, the uncertainties of India as a place where our kids may or may not adjust, future of our children and also, to a certain extent, the tiredness of doing the same thing every day and the will to do something different. 

I am sure you are in a similar position now that you have obtained your Canadian PR. This blog is not focused on "How" to get your PR or "How" to immigrate to Canada, but it is focused on "What" to do once you land here in Canada. I have found that not many people talk about this issue. Lots of immigrants come here, some are extremely successful, some are not. Out of those who are not, some continue on, cursing their decision, cursing the country and all that stands in between. Some go back, completely disillusioned. My objective is to help you make an informed choice, force you to do some quality research before you decide to take the leap, and give you some tips on how to be successful in this country. It does not take a lot, it takes a bit of luck, lots of hard work and some guidance. Many a time, the guidance is something that is hard to come by, and that is precisely the reason why newcomers struggle. I want to make your lives a bit easier by providing that guidance. This is precisely the reason why I am going to give you my personal email so that you can reach me anytime, with any question that is not answered on this blog and I will try and answer the question to the best of my abilities.

So, lets start this journey together!

tanmaycanada@gmail.com