Journey to Canada - My Experience

Part 1 - Introduction

As an immigrant myself, I have benefited a lot  from this forum before and would like to contribute back in the form of our experience ( myself and my wife ) from the day we set our foot on this new land till now which is almost 2 years now. Let me introduce ourselves briefly. It will be sufficient to say that we come from South East Asia. My working back ground is Accounts / Finance and my wife has been home maker after we get married. She used to work as secretary and marketing position before that.

I have about 10 years of working as Accounts Manager before we applied for the PR. Similar with most applicants, we look forward to a better opportunity for our next generation as well for ourselves. Prior to application, we made a visit to Toronto to visit my Aunt to confirm if we like this country. That was in July 2005. Time certainly flies and it has been 5.5 years since. To cut it short, once we were back to our home country after the holidays, we file our applications and the clock start ticking. It was a long wait ( 3.5 years to 4 years of wait ).

The rules has changed since ( if I am not mistaken ) for the 2008 applicants. My first advice for the applicants and the ones intending to apply, do research on Canada and which province you would like to live. Google muchmore magazine as it has a lot of information. Research and more research during the waiting time or before your application. It will definitely help a lot as it will determine if this country is good for you.

The grass seems to be a lot greener on the other side but a word of caution – Life is definitely hard for new immigrant. Mark my word but I have no intention of discouraging newcomers. I would not want to talk on this issue as yet and I will come to this point later.

For my part, I made a lot of research but even then, when we arrive here in Feb 2009, things were different when we came here for holiday in 2005. Days spent as holidays then in 2005 and 2009 when we landed and to start living here permanently is definitely a huge different and as a result, realities set in quickly.

Tomorrow, i will write our journey in parts.....

Gary

Part 2 – 1^st month ( Feb 15 to Mar 15, 2009 )

I would like to write based on the chronology of events as it will be easier for me to remember the events easier by the dates as the day move along. Feb 15 mark our first day landing on Pearson Airport, Ontario. It’s been 22 months since we landed and I would say we have gone through a lot during this period. I will let you guys judge us later at the end of my story.

The first week is spent on getting the identification done eg SIN card, opening of bank account and trying to get the driver’s license. Sin Card and opening of bank a/c is easy but driver’s license hits a snag as I am required to get a translation of my driver’s license in English or letters to confirm on my license. I had to write to my embassy for an authentication of my driver’s license. Without it, basically you will have to start afresh like a new driver. You are not allowed to drive even if you pass the written test. There will be a waiting period if you start as a new driver. The other thing is to apply for child tax benefit for those with kids. It definitely helps as the income comes in handily for us

As it was still winter ( end Feb ) , you face the stark reality of how cold is the weather. It is definitely very different from where I live before.

On the bright side, the people you meet are mostly very friendly. Safety and security wise, it is fantastic as compared to my home country. Once the documentation is done, next was to find job. This is the biggest headache of all. Thinking that sending resumes all around may help, I start printing and start to send to hotels. I started to e mail from the job ad in the local papers. How naïve was I to think that I may receive a call. On hindsight, I can clearly say that the chances if equals to zero and I am not lying to scare you guys out there. What I am referring to are jobs in accountancy not survival job.

I was not aware of the programs conducted by the Ontario government which newcomers should enlist themselves into. It definitely helped.

As the month of Feb comes to an end, I started to get panic as you have expenses daily and you are not getting any income except for the child tax benefit above.

Towards the end of the first month, reality sets in that I will not get any call up for interview and there goes your confidence spiraling down……

Gary

Hi Gary, good that you are sharing your life experiences. Is your home country happen to be a tiny red dot run by the Lees?

canadaisgreat wrote: Good intention. I applaud you

Dear please keep up this attitude and avoid personal confrontation with fellow members. All forum members are well educated and should not abuse on the public forum. We should post useful matter in the forum.

Thanks.

ghua,
well. it is same with me. for the first 4 or 5 months i really thought of coming back to my country. i had lost all courage and confidence. to my luck my elder son shoulderd the responsibility as to what to do at that crisis.
but now, oh please thank heavens along with me.