2009 June - Canadababa - Your resource for immigrating, moving and living in Canada.

HSBC banking experience and Canadababa rating

HSBC is a new entrant into the Canadian banking system compared to other banks.

They have comparable good service with any basic transaction.

Just like any other bank in Canada they charge fees and sometimes the fees are high when compared to other services.

As a new immigrant, they waive the bank account fees for 6 months or so. But after that you will be charged the regular fees.

Depositing and clearing of checks is closer to a nightmare. They often cite their policies to clear checks and often it may take 30 (business) days for them to clear checks.

Their hours are not as great as TD Canada Trust and they close usually at 4:30 in the evening. From that perspective it is not that great. Some of the branches are open on Saturdays too.

Getting a credit card or loan as a new immigrant is very painful and a disheartening experience with HSBC. You would even wonder sometimes why did you immigrate to Canada. Infact one of the HSBC bank manager candidly admitted that she went through the same horrifying experience as a new immigrant. She couldnt really answer when she was asked if that means she will ensure every new immigrant will go through the same pain.

Over all, decent service. May be HSBC provides good service for Canadians. But for a new immigrant, HSBC is not that kind of a great bank.

So the verdict is: NOT GOOD and Canadababa gives a rating of 1 out of 10.

Filed under: Post-Landing

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What is the duty free allowance when arriving to Canada?

If you are not immigrating and arriving as a visitor, CBSA ( Canada Border Services Agency ) allows you to bring

Gifts ( excludes alcohol and tobacco ) valued at no more than CAN $60 each.
1.5 L of wine or 1.14 L of liquor or 24×355 ml cans or bottles (8.5 L ) of beer or ale.
200 cigarettes, 200 tobacco sticks, 50 cigars or cigarillos and 200 grams of manufactured tobacco.

If you are a resident of Canada then the following rules apply. Each resident returning to Canada is entitled to one of the following personal exemptions based on his/her time absent from Canada (include all goods and/or gifts purchased or received abroad):

24 hours: CAN $50 – Not claimable if goods exceed $50. Alcohol and tobacco cannot be claimed.
48 hours: CAN $400 – This includes alcohol and tobacco (see table below )
7 days: CAN $750 – This includes alcohol and tobacco ( see table below )

Alcohol and Tobacco exemption table

1.5 L of wine or 1.14 L of liquor or 24 x 355ml cans or bottles ( 8.5 L ) of beer or ale. ( You must be of legal age in the province of importation.)

200 cigarettes, 200 tobacco sticks, 50 cigars or cigarillos and 200 grams of manufactured tobacco ( Special Duty may apply )

Additional Info:

Every traveller into Canada will have to fill in a CBSA Declaration card. You may list up to four people living at the same address on one card. Each traveller is responsible for his or her own declaration.

Under the law, failure to properly declare goods, currency and/or monetary instruments brought into Canada may result in seizure action, monetary penalties and/or criminal prosecution.

Information from the declaration will be used for CBSA control purposes and may be shared with other government departments to enforce Canadian laws. For more information see Info Source ( ref. no. CBSA PPU 018), at a public library or visit http://infosource.gc.ca.

Filed under: MostPopular, Visitor

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Things to do before importing your car to Canada

Get a copy of your driving record – you will need this to get licence in Canada
Get a copy of your car insurance history – you will need this to get better rates on your car insurance quote
Title documents
Registration
Sales receipts
Verify if your vehicle is in the list of allowed vehicles in Canada. Check Registrar or Imported Vehicles here.
Determine additional costs, such as duty and taxes. Canada Border Services Agency, responsible for assessing and collecting duties and taxes, can be reached at 1-800-461-9999 (in Canada) or (506) 636-5064 (outside Canada).
Notify your border crossing station/ US Customs 72 hours before you cross. This is if you are going to drive your car across to Canada from the US. See US Customs Information here before you import your car to Canada. U.S. Customs recommends that you contact the port of crossing directly to determine exact documentation requirements and hours of operation.
See if you have all the following features in your car/van.

For Passenger Vehicles

Recall clearance letter [ You must have this document in order to pass the federal inspection.]
The vehicle must bear a manufacturer’s valid U.S. statement of compliance label at the time of importation.
The Registrar of Imported Vehicles will mail a Canadian statement of compliance label to you after passing the federal inspection.
Valid alpha-numeric 17-digit VIN
Metric speedometer and odometer labels (provided by inspection centre)
Daytime running lights
Child restraint tether anchorage hardware kit
Child restraint tether anchorage point locations (refer to Admissibility List)
French supplementary restraint system label for airbags that require periodic maintenance
Obtain information from the manufacturer or authorized dealer on costs and availability of parts for the required modifications. Some manufacturers require an authorized dealer perform the modifications. Remember that the costs of the modifications are your responsibility.

NEW: If the GVWR of this vehicle is less than 10,000 lbs, and the manufacture date after September 1, 2007, it must be equipped with an electronic immobilizer system that meets CMVSS 114.

Trucks, MPVs, motor homes, minivans, chassis cabs

Recall clearance letter [ You must have this document in order to pass the federal inspection.]
The vehicle must bear a manufacturer’s valid U.S. statement of compliance label at the time of importation.
The Registrar of Imported Vehicles will mail a Canadian statement of compliance label to you after passing the federal inspection.
Manufacturer’s cargo capacity label if manufactured after April 1, 1999
Valid alpha-numeric 17-digit VIN
Metric speedometer and odometer labels (provided by inspection centre)
Daytime running lights
French supplementary restraint system label for airbags that require periodic maintenance

NEW: If the GVWR of this vehicle is less than 10,000 lbs, and the manufacture date after September 1, 2007, it must be equipped with an electronic immobilizer system that meets CMVSS 114.

For all other vechicle types, check Registrar of Imported Vehicles here.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Registrar of Imported Vehicles at info@riv.ca or 1-888-848-8240

Filed under: Medicals to Landing, Newsletter

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Ontario Health Coverage Document List – Registration for OHIP Health Card

You will need one document from each list. All documents must be originals, photocopies are NOT accepted. The ministry may ask for additional documents.

List 1 – Proof of Citizenship or OHIP Eligible Status is:

A document to prove you are a Canadian Citizen or hold another status that makes you eligible for Ontario health insurance coverage.

List 2 – Proof of Residency in Ontario is:

A document that displays your name and current home address and confirms that your permanent and principal home is in Ontario.

List 3 – Support of Identity is:

A document that displays both your name and signature.

Acceptable documents for List 1 – Proof of Citizenship/Eligible Status

Canadian Citizens

Birth Certificate from a Canadian province or territory ( issued under the Vital Statistics Act)
Canadian Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad
Certified Statement of Live Birth from a Canadian province or territory
Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization ( paper document or card, not commemorative issue)
Certificate of Indian Status ( plastic or paper card)
Registered Indian Record (certified)
Valid Canadian Passport or Canadian Passport expired not more than 5 years

Permanent Residents / Landed Immigrants

Canadian Immigration Identification Card
Confirmation of Permanent Residence ( IMM 5292)
Valid Permanent Resident Card or Permanent Resident Card expired not more than five years
Record of Landing ( IMM 1000)

Other Immigration Status

Letter from Immigration and Refugee Board confirming Convention Refugee or Protected Person status
Protected Person Status document
Temporary Resident Permit (restrictions apply)
Work Permit (restrictions apply)
Written confirmation from Citizenship and Immigration Canada that you have applied for permanent residence in Canada and have passed the immigration medicals

Acceptable documents for List 2 – Proof of Residency

Child Tax Benefit Statement
Employer record (pay stub or letter from employer on company letterhead)
Income tax assessment ( most recent)
Insurance policy (home, tenant, auto or life)
Monthly mailed bank account statements for savings or chequing accounts ( does not include receipts, bank books, letters or automated teller receipts)
Mortgage, rental or lease agreement
Ontario Motor Vehicle Permit ( plate or vehicle portions )
Property tax bill
School, college or university report card or transcript
Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Works or for Ontario Disability Support Program
Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid T4E
Statement of Old Age SEcurity T4A (OAS) or Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits T4A(P)
Statement of Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) or Registered Home Ownership Savings Plan (RHOSP) from a financial institution( bank, trust company, credit union)
Utility bill ( home telephone, cable TV, public utilities commission, hydro, gas, water)
Valid Ontario Driver’s Licence or Temporary Driver’s Licence
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits T5007
Your Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions

Acceptable documents for List 3 – Support of Identity

Canadian Immigration Identification Card
Certificate of Canadian Citizenship ( plastic card )
Certificate of Indian Status (paper or plastic card)
Confirmation of Permanent Residence ( IMM 5292)
Credit Card
Current employee ID
Current professional association licence
Old Age Security card
Ontario Motor Vehicle Permit ( plate portion )
Passport (Canadian or foreign)
Permanent Resident Card
Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
Student ID card
Union Card
Valid Ontario Driver’s Licence or Temporary Driver’s Licence

Filed under: Post-Landing

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Emergency Travel Insurance – Effective date of coverage

Please note that this is usually common for most of the Insurance companies that provide Emergency travel coverage. Not all Insurance companies are the same, so you should consult with the company’s policy administrator for seeing if the following rules apply to you.

The effective date of coverage depends on when you actually purchase the Insurance policy.

Before your arrival in Canada
After your arrival in Canada

If the insurance is purchased prior to your arrival in Canada, the contract is effective on the latest of the following dates:

the effective date of the contract
the date of arrival in Canada
the day following the termination date of a similar coverage in Canada by virtue of another insurance contract.

If the insurance is taken oiut after your arrival in Canada, it is effective 72 hours following the date of purchase, but must be taken out within the 30 days after the latest of the following dates:

the date of arrival in Canada
the day following the termination date of a similar coverage in Canada by virtue of another insurance contract.

If the present insurance is taken out after the effective date of another insurance contract with a similar coverage in Canada, a proof of the latter is required.

Filed under: Post-Landing

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Blue Cross Emergency Travel Insurance – Eligibility

Immigrants or permanent residents:

Bluecross emergency travel insurance is offered to immigrants or permanent residents awaiting eligibility for the government health insurance plan or to persons who, during their trip, completed the procedures for obtaining immigrant or permanent resident status.

This insurance is offered only to persons 69 years of age or younger.

To be eligible, the applicant must have read and understood the declaration of health and successfully completed the necessary medical tests required by the governmental authorities.

Foreign Workers:

This insurance is offered to foreign workers in Canada who possess a work permit. Again, the person should be 69 years of age or younger. Acceptable proof is required from the employer attesting that the covered person is actively working in Canada during the coverage period.

Foreign Students:

This insurance is offered to foreign students in Canada who possess a study permit. This insurance is offered only to personsl 49 years of age or younger. Acceptable proof is required attesting that the covered person is registered during the coverage period as a full-time student at an educational institution recognized in Canada.

Visitors to Canada:

This insurance is offered to foreign persons or returning Canadians that are not eligible to government health insurance plan due to an extended leave. This insurance is offered to people 79 years of age or younger.

Filed under: Post-Landing

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OHIP Card – When will you get it after waiting period

When a new Immigrant comes to Ontario and applies for OHIP card, he/she usually has to wait for 3 months until their Health coverage comes into effect.

You will NOT receive your card during the waiting period. Once your coverage begins, you will get your OHIP card in TWO weeks.

You can call OHIP at 1-800-268-1154 or if you live in Toronto, Mississauga call 416-327-4327 if you have any further questions.

It is recommended that you get Private health coverage until your OHIP coverage comes into effect.

Please also note that if you leave the Province for more than 30 days in the first six months, your effective date will further be delayed.

Filed under: Post-Landing

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Driver licensing centres Locations in Vancouver – ICBC

Vancouver

Royal Centre (downtown Vancouver)
221-1055 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 3R5
Located in lower mall of Royal Centre, beside the food court.
Phone: 604-661-2255
Hours: Mon to Fri : 8:30 – 4:30.

4126 MacDonald Street
Vancouver, BC
V6L 2P2
Phone: 604-661-2255
Hours: Mon to Fri : 8:30 – 4:30. (Road testing starts at 8am)

2750 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC
V5N 5P4
Phone: 604-661-2255
Hours: Mon to Fri : 8:30 – 4:30.

Surrey

13426 -78th Avenue
Surrey, BC
V3W8J6
Phone: 604-661-2255
Hours: Mon,Tue: 8:30am to 4:30pm Wed,Thu,Fri 7:30am to 7:30pm

Guildford Expressway, Boardwalk Mall
Unit C1A, 15285 – 101st Avenue
Surrey, BC
V3R9V8
Phone: 604-661-2255
Hours: Mon. to Thu: 9:00 – 6:00 / Fri: 9:00 – 8:00 / Sat : 9:00 – 5:00

Richmond

5740 Minoru Blvd.
Richmond, BC
V6X2A9
Phone: 604-661-2255
Hours: Mon to Fri : 8:30 – 4:30.

Richmond Expressway, Ironwood Plaza (beside Rogers Video)
2030-11662 Steveston Highway
Richmond, BC
V7A1N6
Phone: 604-661-2255
Hours: Mon to Thu: 9:00 -6:00 / Fri: 9:00 to 8:00 / Sat: 9:00 to 5:00

Burnaby

3880 Lougheed Hwy.
Burnaby, BC
V5C6N4
Phone: 604-661-2255
Hours: Mon,Tue: 8:30am to 4:30pm / Wed,Thu,Fri 7:30am to 7:30pm

Expressway Metropolis at Metrotown
232 – 4820 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC
V5H4P2
Phone: 604-661-2255
Hours: Mon & Tue: 10am – 6pm / Wed – Fri: 10am – 9pm / Sat: 9:30am – 6pm

Coquitlam

104 – 566 Lougheed Highway
Coquitlam, BC
V3K3S3
Phone: 604-661-2255
Hours: Mon to Fri : 8:30 – 4:30.

Expressway, Coquitlam Centre Mall
1242 – 2929 Barrnet Hwy
Coquitlam, BC
V3B5R5
Phone: 604-661-2255
Hours: Mon & Tue: 10am – 6pm / Wed., Thu & Fri: 10am – 9pm / Sat.: 9:30am – 6pm

North Vancouver

125 East 13th Street
North Vancouver, BC
V7L3L2
Phone: 604-661-2255
Hours: Mon to Fri : 8:30 – 4:30.

Filed under: Post-Landing

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Landing Experience – Peace Bridge – Driving from USA

P.S: The following post is a personal experience of one of our fellow immigrants. Please do not take this as an advice but rather note key points that can help you in your landing experience.

I was living in California and I got my PR through the Federal Skilled Worker Programme. I got my passport with visa stamped from the Canadian Consulate in Los Angeles,CA.

I chose to drive from Buffalo and cross into Canada for my Landing. The reason why I chose driving from Buffalo,NY was because of the following reasons:

Tickets from California to Buffalo was much cheaper compared to direct flights from California to Toronto,ON
I had friends in Toronto and they advised me it would take only a couple of hours to drive from Buffalo,NY to Toronto,ON
I have never seen Niagara Falls in my life so I thought I could see it on the way back.

So I looked up a few experience on landing on the internet and chose Peace Bridge because

I heard traditionally traffic on Peace Bridge is much smaller compared to Rainbow Bridge or the Queenston Lewiston bridge.
It was also a much shorter route to where my friends lived in Greater Toronto Area.
I wanted to drive back through Rainbow bridge so didn’t want to take the same route again
Heard the Canadian Customs officials in Peace Bridge are much nicer
Queenston Lewiston bridge is used by all folks importing cars into Canada, so folks who try to land here are usually dealt in a much formal way here.

I reached Buffalo,NY on a late Wednesday night and slept in the airport for a few hours. Picked up my rental car from Buffalo-Niagara International airport (BUF) at around 6 in the morning and started driving. Within 15-20 minutes I reached Peace Bridge. There was a security gate and I informed the Canadian Border Services officer that I intend to do a landing in Canada. She took my passport and verified that I had an immigrant visa stamped on it. She gave me a customs form with something written on it and asked me to go inside the office building near by to complete my formalities. I also had to pay the toll for crossing the bridge. I carried some coins in change that really helped for the toll.

Once I entered in to the building, I noticed that there was a huge hall separated in the middle. The officer on the right asked me to stand in a line. Interestingly there was a bus load of passengers who had just landed and the last few people were standing before me. The officer was asking one of the passenger why he wanted to immigrate to Canada and when he would do it. The passenger I believe was an American citizen and was giving answers all around. The officer allowed him to land but told him that he would receive his PR card only when he decides to finally move to Canada and have a residential address.

After the last few passengers, my turn came. He asked me pretty much the same questions. I told him that I have been living in the US for a long time and that I was on a visa. I told him that I was tired working for a visa and needed to settle. I told him that Canadian PR would give me the opportunity to do things beyond what I am doing today. The officer then asked me when I would move to Canada. My intention was to move within 10 days or so and I informed him of the same. He asked me if I have an address in Canada. I gave him my friend’s address where I was planning to stay. He asked me if that will be my permanent address or if the address will be temporary. I understood the intent behind his question. Usually folks in USA when they immigrate to Canada, they wait until they finish three years and then move finally when they are legally required. This really defeats giving PR to a person. I was planning to rent a part of my friend’s home for the first few months and hence I told the officer that my address is permanent and that I am going to move there in a few days.

The Canadian Immigration Officer cancelled my visa stamping on my passport and asked me to sign my CPR ( Confirmation of Permanent Residence ) paper.Once that is done, he asked me to go to the customs officer on the opposite side ( aka left ). I had already prepared my Personal Effects Accounting Document and Goods to follow Document and I provided it to the customs officer. She looked at all the papers and asked if I had any Car or valuable items to import. I had a car to import, but it was the goods to follow document. She noted down the VIN number of the car and asked me to go to the Cashier’s counter in the room to get a stamping on the Personal Effects Accounting and Goods to follow document.

The Cashier stapled both of them together and gave it back to me. Then I walked out of the building and realized I had indeed become a Canadian Permanent Resident.

Note: Readers, if you have any questions, feel free to ask them below. I will try to get the answers as soon as possible.

Filed under: Medicals to Landing, MostPopular, Newsletter

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For Passenger Vehicles

Trucks, MPVs, motor homes, minivans, chassis cabs

List 1 – Proof of Citizenship or OHIP Eligible Status is:

List 2 – Proof of Residency in Ontario is:

List 3 – Support of Identity is:

Acceptable documents for List 1 – Proof of Citizenship/Eligible Status

Acceptable documents for List 2 – Proof of Residency

Acceptable documents for List 3 – Support of Identity

Immigrants or permanent residents:

Foreign Workers:

Foreign Students:

Visitors to Canada:

Disclaimer: We/CanadaBaba take no responsibility for accuracy of information provided. Please use at your own risk.