The Day You Arrive in Canada
A Canada Customs officer will have an interview with you. You will have to give the officer a list of all the household and personal items that you will bring into Canada. You should also show the immigrant visa to the customs officer, who will direct you to an immigration officer.
The immigration officer will check your visa and other documents. Then, he will ask you some questions similar to those on the Immigrant Application Form, verifying that you are of good character and in good health. Meanwhile, you may also be required to show proof of your funds. If no difficulty occurs, the officer will authorize your entry to Canada as a permanent resident by signing your Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence.
If you arrive at one of the major Canadian airports, you will get a pamphlet called Welcome to Canada: What You Should Know. Information on most parts of life in Canada can be found in it. It also provides addresses and telephone numbers for:
- language training assessment centers
- immigrant-serving organizations across Canada;
- federal and provincial government offices.
Reception Services
If you arrive in Vancouver, Montréal or Toronto, you will find immigrant reception services in the airport. These services are managed by immigrant-serving organizations, which help newcomers get the information and services they want, and the help is often available in several languages.
Immigrant-Serving Organizations
Since you are newcomers to Canada, you’re not familiar with the surroundings. It is strongly recommended that you go to some immigrant-serving organizations for help. There are hundreds of immigrant-serving organizations in Canada. Many are staffed by former newcomers to Canada, who can fully understand your situation. In these organizations, there are people who speak your language and can accompany you as interpreters. Citizenship and Immigration Canada supports many of these organizations financially, helping newcomers adapt to life in Canada.
It will be easier for you to find lodging if you contact an immigrant-serving organization as soon as possible. The staff working for these organizations can help you find a place to live and can answer your questions about employment, language training, education for your children, health care and other important issues.
Immigrant-serving organizations can help you:
- find a place to live;
- find a job;
- enroll your children in school;
- get your Social Insurance Number and health-care card;
- receive language training;
- find out government and community services for newcomers;
- get emergency food assistant, if needed
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