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!