Hi All,

I landed in Calgary, Canada on 22nd August, 2004 by Air Canada flight AC0845 at 4.17 p.m. Flight was 30 minutes late.

Feels great. Temperature was 9 degrees during the day even though it is summer due to rains.

Everybody at the airport was very courteous. I had to undergo a secondary customs check. They inquired about the luggage I was carrying & the money. Since I was carrying more than $10,000 as settlement funds, I had declared on customs declaration form. I was asked to show what I was carrying. They also filled a form in which they noted down all details of demand drafts, travellers cheques, cash that I was carrying & was asked to sign it. They also asked me if I had shipped any material from India. Since my wife & kids are travelling later, they told me to inform my wife that she should carry the jewellery valuation certificate from goldsmith & a list of all jewellery she is carrying so that it will not attract any duty. Also it will help in case anything gets lost in transit.


They said PR card will come in 3 weeks time by post. Applied for Social insurance number today which they said will take 4 weeks but I expect it earlier looking to the recent experiences of others. Just had to fill a form. They asked to see the passport & landing record. Gave me a receipt. Then went to take out Alberta .health card which was given in 15 minutes. Will have to pay $44 from next month for health card. Also got a little familiar with the transport system (bus & train). Will go to the bank, resume centre, etc. tomorrow. Also inquired at Alberta Blue Cross for insurance coverage for prescription medicine, dental, eye coverage.

All those who are in the process of immigration, please note, that I was asked to produce Police clearance certificate taken out in last 7 days at Mumbai airport by immigration authorities. I had one which was 2 months old. I had to pay Canadian $50 to get through since they suggested that I miss the flight. Even though I told them that according to the police station the certificate is valid for 6 months, they did not consider.

Thanks & rgds.

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Let's make India a better place !

Hi,

Sorry for posting this in wrong section.

Please move to the appropriate section.

Thanks & rgds.

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Let's make India a better place !

Good going Raj , All the best 4 future & thanks 4 the PCC tip.

Manasvi

Hi Rajand,

Could you please tell me more abou the police clearance certificate. Is it required for those who had not submitted during application processing OR it is required for all new immigrants.

Is it required for those who are re-entering canada with PR card.

How are managing with Accomdation in Calgary.

Hi! is this reqd for even returning PR card holders?
Best of luck!

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Hi! is this reqd for even returning PR card holders?
Best of luck!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Don't worry Scorpion ..shouldn't be a problem for returning PR card holers
I am just back from my vacation in India and there was no issue at airport
How you can get a PCC if you are a NRI and not staying in India

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ani

Hi,

I am staying with a friend & his family. Plan to find out a house after about a month since my wife & kids join me in October end.

first 2 days have been good. Opened a bank a/c in CIBC yesterday & deposited settlement funds drafts, travellers' cheques. Since I had taken out my health card the day before, it became possible for me to open a bank a/c since it mentioned the address where I am staying.

Visited a few malls like TD Square, Walmart, etc. Starting to get familiar with the bus & train system. The sun was out yesterday which felt good.

All in all, Calgary seems to be a good city with companies like Microsoft, HP, Telus, Sunlife, etc. having offices here apart from the major oil & gas reserves nearby.

Rgds.

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Let's make India a better place !