Myself and My Husband have successfully completed our Landing procedure on the 23 aug 2005 ...We went by Lufthansa to USA -took a small vacation n then went to Toronto by American Airlines...as soon as we arrived the airport - once we told them that we are new immigrants they asked us to go to the immigration section n be seated there - One sweet soft spoken officer came to us and asked us if we were new immigrants - n asked us to follow him to his office. he had a look at our landing documents and asked us general question and did our formalities , paper work etc. then he goes your PR cards will be mailed to you on your mailing address in say 3-4 weeks. And greeted us on our successful immigration.my husband and myself were zapped...that’s it. its done...It did not even take about 10 minutes...
we were waiting for this time from such a long time n it was all done in just 5-10 minutes...It was really amazing. they then handed us SIN application form and materials on settling in Canada.
then we proceeded to baggage collection ..Once we collected our Baggage we headed towards the customs.the custom officer checked out Financials and asked us what all do we have with us...We provided him with our Inventory list of Goods to Follow He saw the List for about 3-5 minutes and complimented us our efforts in making the list. he said this is what Canadian government looks for ... the professionalism ..
he asked us if he could have a copy as a sample for other immigrants to come. we lucky had 3 copies with us so gave one to him....he took that copy and went to some senior officer's office .once we returned back he took the other two copies n went to custom cabin where they stamped our list .gave one copy to us and kept the other stamped copy with them.he then greeted us and said "WELCOME to CANADA ... Your New Home" .

This is a simple sentence of 6 words but to Us it was the biggest credit we ever had...it really boosted our confidence and gave us a feeling that YES ..Our decision in migrating to Canada is was the right one....

We then stepped out of Airport to faced our New Home...as the Immigration officer said...we then reached hotel...it w3as almost 11 at night by the time we checked in hotel.next day morning we went for our SIN card application. Again we both were amazed ...its done..it just took us 5 minutes to complete the procedure. but yes it took us 1 hour to search for the place.
We then relaxed that day n the next day went to our Driving license and then for health Insurance. We got our Library membership n visited the Public Library. got help from there for job search n all. Went to YMCA - and used their facilities (internet , printing and scanning etc)
We then got acquainted with the place near by ..visited few of our Family friends n after a week checked out Hotel and went to Niagara for 2 days. Took advantage membership from Travel mates with which we go to Niagara for the first time in 20$ and then after only 7$.we get benefits in Niagara with that advantage card like free parking etc.
We stayed in Canada for 2 weeks but in those 2 weeks we realized that YES we should go for it. the sooner we migrate to Canada the sooner we will settle..

So now that we have returned back - we will decide seeing all the pros and cons. Now for at least till winters are over we will not be able to take any step. So after winters are over we shall plan for some action. We did a lot of Market survey , spoke to many family friends who migrated there from India & Middle east .everyone gave a very boosting feedback which will really help us in making our decision of migrating.
Last but not the least Canada is not as BAD as what people keep saying. everyone has their own opinion....till the time you don’t see it with your own eyes you cannot form an opinion. Everyone has their own views on everything. So for those who are willing to migrate to Canada .... be positive and Canada will be positive to you..

- Roxy

hi Roxy,
Great landing. Normally landing in canada is always fantastic.
you said that canada is not as bad as people says.
no canada is not bad at all . canada is really a wonderful country. only problems starts when one search jobs.
any way you seems oozing with confidence . thats great. keep it up.

ptm

Its Not Ozzing with confidence...
Yes All problem starts when Job hunt starts but once you know that you have to face it...be prepared for it...
why to keep a negative mind ...be positive...
things will come to you ...but its the way how you take it ..and see it..
So..
keeping a positive attitude is of no harm...but infact will keep you from breaking down during job hunt.
-roxy

Well said Roxy...

Your posting will give moral boosing for lot's of Middle east applicants for their future plans...

cmanyam
abudhabi

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Hi to all...

You will suffer from Middle East syndrome. Your Savings will plummet down your expenses will rocket up and you will wish you had never left the middle east.

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You know you are a desi when ........ You spew forth the virtues of India, but don't want to live there...............You've never had a tanning salon membership

loser,
yeah they will realise all this after staying one year in canada.

Hello ptm & Loser,

Middle East is not heaven..It also has lots of shortcomings..
Otherwise nobody would have left it.

And I think most of the immigrants know they would not be saving much in struggle period.

If somebody wants to stay optimistic then they have right to be so!!