Alright folks before the Landing, I was the usual, looking through the websites and trying to figure out everything and I found
a lot of helpful stuff from a lot of postings, so I thought I should put my two cents in also.
Anyway I entered Canada through Route 81 from NY to Ontario. The immigration post was Lansdowne. At the booth, I was asked
a few number of questions, like are you carrying any firearms, alcohol, cigarettes etc. I said no and said that I was landing.
I was given a slip of paper and told to go to the first booth. There we saw Immigration and Customs and we went to the Immigration
side first. I gave our Landing Papers to the Immigration Lady and then she asked for our passports. I gave them to her.
I had removed the I-94s previously, thanks to all the helpful postings which I had read on this website. Next I was asked for
bank statements which I showed them to her. I was asked if they were in US funds and I said yes. She noted the equivalent in
Canadian dollars. I was asked if there were any dependants with me other than those listed. I said no. I was asked if I had been
arrested. I said no. I was told to initialize at certain places and then signed at the appropriate place. After that the Lady stamped
our passports and said that we had landed and we should apply for our SIN cards and health cards and we could study and work.
We mentioned that we would be going back to the US after a week and eventually come back. She mentioned that we should be
aware of the 183 day rule.
Then we were told to go to the Customs. Now here I had prepared a "goods to follow list". I was asked by the Customs Official
if we were moving to Canada. I said no. I was asked again, whether I was moving to Canada. I said no and added that I was landing
in Canada, would be searching for a house and job and returning back to the US and eventually move to Canada in a couple of months.
He said then when we move to Canada, we should show our landed documents and then they would process the goods.
Now here being the big-mouth that I am, I mentioned that I had a "goods to follow list". Then he said that, are you sure that the
goods to follow list will not change and was I ready to process my car that day. I said no and he said have a good day.
So that was the experience. Of course usual advise, don\'t volunteer more info than asked for. So I did not have to import
my car, which otherwise would have cost me another CAN$ 200.
Ok, certain things about Canada. Usually when you change US funds to Canadian funds, many banks
take a charge of CAN$2.00 to 3.00, in addition to the buying rate. So its a good idea to shop around, if
you have the time. CIBC did not take any commision from me. Believe me take a calculator with you.
It will help you to convert US$ to CAN$, miles to km, gallons to litres, you name it.
Coming back, we came back through the Peace bridge. Again I had read on this websites the problems
that people had encountered on the Rainbow bridge. So I decided to avoid that and go through the Peace bridge.
The US immigration officer asked us for our Citizenships, we handed in our passports with the I-797 H1 approval
forms. The visa was expired and the I-94 that comes with the approval was stapled over the expired white I-94.
The Immigration Officer also looked at the Canadian Landing papers. He asked if we were bringing anything from Canada
and we said no and he let us through.
So hope this posting helps to all the prospective immigrants and travellers to Canada
a lot of helpful stuff from a lot of postings, so I thought I should put my two cents in also.
Anyway I entered Canada through Route 81 from NY to Ontario. The immigration post was Lansdowne. At the booth, I was asked
a few number of questions, like are you carrying any firearms, alcohol, cigarettes etc. I said no and said that I was landing.
I was given a slip of paper and told to go to the first booth. There we saw Immigration and Customs and we went to the Immigration
side first. I gave our Landing Papers to the Immigration Lady and then she asked for our passports. I gave them to her.
I had removed the I-94s previously, thanks to all the helpful postings which I had read on this website. Next I was asked for
bank statements which I showed them to her. I was asked if they were in US funds and I said yes. She noted the equivalent in
Canadian dollars. I was asked if there were any dependants with me other than those listed. I said no. I was asked if I had been
arrested. I said no. I was told to initialize at certain places and then signed at the appropriate place. After that the Lady stamped
our passports and said that we had landed and we should apply for our SIN cards and health cards and we could study and work.
We mentioned that we would be going back to the US after a week and eventually come back. She mentioned that we should be
aware of the 183 day rule.
Then we were told to go to the Customs. Now here I had prepared a "goods to follow list". I was asked by the Customs Official
if we were moving to Canada. I said no. I was asked again, whether I was moving to Canada. I said no and added that I was landing
in Canada, would be searching for a house and job and returning back to the US and eventually move to Canada in a couple of months.
He said then when we move to Canada, we should show our landed documents and then they would process the goods.
Now here being the big-mouth that I am, I mentioned that I had a "goods to follow list". Then he said that, are you sure that the
goods to follow list will not change and was I ready to process my car that day. I said no and he said have a good day.
So that was the experience. Of course usual advise, don\'t volunteer more info than asked for. So I did not have to import
my car, which otherwise would have cost me another CAN$ 200.
Ok, certain things about Canada. Usually when you change US funds to Canadian funds, many banks
take a charge of CAN$2.00 to 3.00, in addition to the buying rate. So its a good idea to shop around, if
you have the time. CIBC did not take any commision from me. Believe me take a calculator with you.
It will help you to convert US$ to CAN$, miles to km, gallons to litres, you name it.
Coming back, we came back through the Peace bridge. Again I had read on this websites the problems
that people had encountered on the Rainbow bridge. So I decided to avoid that and go through the Peace bridge.
The US immigration officer asked us for our Citizenships, we handed in our passports with the I-797 H1 approval
forms. The visa was expired and the I-94 that comes with the approval was stapled over the expired white I-94.
The Immigration Officer also looked at the Canadian Landing papers. He asked if we were bringing anything from Canada
and we said no and he let us through.
So hope this posting helps to all the prospective immigrants and travellers to Canada