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!