[10 October 2017]
Anyone who is planning on landing, here are key things you need to remember:
Before Landing:
1) Passport with stamped Immigrant Visa
2) COPR
3) CSQ (only for Quebec residents)
4) Declaration Card (you will get it inside plane. Sample 👉 bit.ly/2yX4qO4 . Leave blank 'Purpose of Trip' in Part A, 'Duration of Stay' in Part B and whole Part C. You can fill this form in Plane)
[UPDATE 2018: They don't give declaration cards in plane anymore. You now use ABC KIOSKs installed at various locations around immigration area or use the following "eDeclaration" app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.gc.cbsa.edeclaration ]
5) Good to Bring (bit.ly/2xNVFHb) and Goods to Follow Form (bit.ly/2Dxge0J), commonly known as B4 and B4A Form (can be explained in comments section if requested)
6) Food Items listed here 👉 ( cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/fpa-apa/menu-eng.html ) are strictly forbidden. Do not carry them with you or face possible fines. کینیڈا میں سب دیسی کھانا ملتا ہے
7) If bringing any form of any currencies equal to CA$10,000 or more (you should know currency conversion rates), you must declare it in Declaration Form.
8 ) Clothes (choose them wisely and do listen to your spouse ... PLEASE! *praying kitty*)
Landing Procedure:
- Exit Plane and follow the signs "Arrival"
- Upon reaching Immigration area, ask any officer standing before queue that you are here to complete your "Landing" process. Officer will guide you to the Citizen/Resident line, which is usually short.
- Do NOT use Automated Border Clearance (ABC) self-serve kiosks. They are for returning citizens and permanent residents who have PR card. Insist on seeing immigration officer at desk if necessary.
- Upon reaching desk, greet them gently and inform them that you are here to complete your "landing process" and then hand them over your Passport, COPR, CSQ (if landing in Quebec) and Declaration Card. Sometimes, officer will verbally ask you about any form of currency amounting to CA$10,000 or more just to check your body language.
- Your IMM Visa will be crossed over, your documents will be returned to you. Officer will ask you to follow 'Exit' Signs.
- Collect your luggage from relevant conveyor belt (look for your flight number)
-Your Declaration card will have "IMM" written, usually with a red marker. This will indicate other Custom Officials standing before 'EXIT' signs to redirect you to "Secondary Inspection" area when you hand them over your declaration card. Your COPR will be processed there.
- In Secondary Inspection, another officer will take all of your documents and process them. You need to provide them with a Canadian address too. This is going to be a long wait if you have landed during peak time, so be patient. Use WiFi and watch some videos or talk to your spouse or something.
- Officer will return with your documents, ask you simple questions (already listed on your COPR) and ask you to sign your initials on your COPR. Make sure you go through spelling of your name and date of birth, etc, before signing. Once done, they will congratulate you on becoming Permanent Resident.
- Officer will also stamp your 'Goods to Bring' and 'Goods to Follow' forms.
- You will be redirected to a booth to set an appointment date for your medical card registration. It's a fairly easy process.
- You also need to get your Social Insurance Number (SIN). Sometimes, they have desk situated at airports. If not, go to any Service Canada office and get it from there. (They don't issue SIN cards anymore)
-Follow 'EXIT' signs and VOILA!!!!
Canadian Officials are very friendly and you will also find most of the Canadians smiling, without knowing you. Do NOT be alarmed by it, as a new resident 😉
Best of Luck and Happy Landing Everyone!