Introduction
Once you’ve cleared all the paperwork for your desired trip, you’ll now face a grueling period of time. The process of moving to a new country can be a daunting one, from packing your belongings to finding part-time work. In this article, you’ll learn about everything you need to know as international student about relocating to Canada for your studies, including what to pack and what to leave at home, how to get a bank account as a student, and how to find affordable housing, transportation, and part-time work. So let’s get right down to work and not waste any time.
Check out the video to know more
Checklist
Documents
You will not be permitted to enter the Canadian border unless you have all of these documents:
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in place of a conventional travel document
- Documentation of a person’s birth
- Driver’s License: As long as you are a student, you can use your driving licence in Canada. We propose that you apply for an RTO-issued overseas driving permit. International driving permits make it easier to claim insurance while driving overseas. Visit their website for additional information on overseas driving permits.
- Explanatory letter
- A letter of acceptance from the college.
- Diplomas and other academic documents
- Recommendations from doctors
- Government Information Center (GIC) materials
- All of the paperwork you submitted in order to obtain a student visa
- Photocopies in Canada are very expensive, so make sure you have enough of copies of everything.
Clothing And Footwear
You’ll be attending interviews and presentations, so you’ll want a suit you can look your best in. Bring in basic clothing that will keep you warm and comfortable. There is no need to bring a large amount of clothing to Canada; it is quite reasonably priced there. The clothes can either be purchased for a very low cost at thrift stores or on sale virtually constantly. So don’t pack too many of these dresses.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Canadian weather is the requirement for a coat in order to be warm and comfortable.. As a result, whatever you choose to wear will be completely obscured by oversized coats. Even if you repeat it, no one will notice. That’s all there is to it. As a result of India’s climate and meteorological conditions, we advise you not to purchase any jackets there. In light of the variety of options offered as well as Canada’s varying weather conditions, a purchase from Canada may be your best option.
As far as Indian souvenirs go, you can’t go wrong with thermals, t-shirts, sweaters, and hats and mittens. Only a few pairs of pants and a few shirts would be in demand. Summer clothing doesn’t have to be a big deal. Even if you wash your clothes every day, they won’t dry and you’ll run out. Pack at the very least seven sets.
Don’t bring your snowshoes from India to Canada because they won’t be useful here. We recommend that you bring a pair of comfy shoes and thermal socks with you to Canada and shop around the local markets. Prepare for presentations and job interviews by getting yourself a pair of dressy shoes to wear with your suit. Also, don’t forget to pack a pair of slippers for your new residence in Canada.
In Canada, there are numerous dollar stores where you can get clothing and other accessories for one $1 each.
Electronics
Bring your laptop if you have one in India. Because laptops in Canada are so expensive, it’s always advisable to carry your working laptop with you. You can easily carry your laptop bag because it won’t be counted as luggage. However, if you’re looking to get one for academic purposes, you’ll want to purchase one from the United States rather than India. A warranty and other freebies are just some of the perks of shopping in Canada. Your university’s website will provide the specifications and requirements for laptops.
When it comes to your mobile devices in Canada, practically all unlocked handsets above 3G can be taken into the country and utilised. If you’d like, you’re welcome to bring a camera along to capture some of the most memorable moments.
The Indian trimmer, laptop and mobile phone chargers can all be brought into the United States from India. In Canada, they’re a lot more expensive than they are in the United States. Carry at least two or three universal adaptors for your Indian gadgets.
Food
Dried and packed foods can be purchased, but you must disclose them in customs or face a fine. It is illegal to bring into Canada fresh fruits and vegetables. In a well-packaged manner, you can pick up all kinds of spices (Indian masalas). In order to make up for the lack of Indian cuisine in Canada, get some Indian masalas. You can bring all of those masala packets into Canada if you label them with the name of the masala.
The instant food packets you bring with you to Canada will be a lifesaver during your first few weeks (and for the rest of the year. The dull, spice less cuisine you’ve been eating is going to make you miss your favourite Indian dishes at some time. Pickles are a traditional Indian dish that can be taken with you without incident. It is possible to import Indian Maggi masalas or even noodles to satiate your cravings, but doing so will cost you an arm and a leg.
Even while tea is a different kind of addiction, it’s still something you shouldn’t miss out on. Tea is a costly item in Canada, so bring your favourite tea powder and masalas to make a steaming cup of chai. However, keep in mind that if you don’t declare these products, they will be confiscated and you’ll have to pay a substantial fine.
Medicines
In the event of a medical emergency, it is essential to have some basic medications on hand. To be on the safe side, you should take medications for things like bodily aches, fever, the common cold, and menstruation cramps, among other things. Do not skip out on Vicks vapour rub if you are accustomed to using it in Canada, as they are astronomically costly in India. If you don’t have a prescription for all of your medications, you’ll be forced to stand and watch them be thrown away in front of you.
Miscellaneous
- Due to the high cost of these items in Canada, you’ll want to bring them from India. Purchase quick-drying bath towels. They dry slowly and take up a lot of space in your suitcase if they’re particularly thick and snuggly.
- Things like rubber bands and safety pins from India should be kept out of the cabin baggage and placed in the check-in luggage. You don’t need to bring any blankets from India because you can obtain decent ones here. There is a lot of room in your luggage as a result of this. As a spectacle wearer you should definitely bring your own pair with you, as they are extremely expensive in Canada. Carry an umbrella to protect yourself in any weather.
- If you’re a cosmetics fiend, you’ll want to bring as much as you can with you, because buying makeup in Canada is prohibitively expensive. Drugstore makeup companies like l’Oreal and Maybelline are expensive. Taxes are a major factor in why items end up costing more than they should.
- Bring some cash with you to cover your early costs. The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) can seize all of your money if you bring in more than C$10,000 without declaring it to customs.
Before Leaving Your Country – Vaccination
Fully Vaccinated Students (All ages)
- You should check to see if you’re properly vaccinated before travelling.
- All fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada by land or air are exempt from pre-entry testing.
- Random on-arrival testing will be conducted on travellers who meet the criteria for being completely vaccinated. As a result, if you are selected for arrival testing, you will not be obliged to quarantine yourself. Save time at the border by registering for your airport COVID-19 test ahead of time.
- Use ArriveCAN to upload your proof of immunisation in either English or French.
- No quarantine plans are necessary after April 25, 2022 for travellers who are completely vaccinated.
- If you are eligible to travel to Canada, get the necessary extra documentation.
- Check your health insurance to be sure you’re covered. In the spring, UHIP coverage begins on April 10 or when you arrive in Canada, whichever occurs first. Students who have paid their fees in full by the due date will receive their UHIP cards in early May from Sunlife. Your medical coverage will need to be comparable to or better than that provided by UHIP if you choose not to participate.
- Ingle International, Cowan Insurance, Guard.Me, and Blue Cross are just a few examples of private health insurance firms. To ensure that you’re adequately covered while travelling and living in Canada, do some research.
- Put together your non-medical face masks and other protective gear. When you arrive at the port of entry, you’re expected to put on a new mask.
- If you are suffering COVID-19 symptoms, do not travel.
Partially Vaccinated Or Unvaccinated Students Under 18
- If you are under the age of 18 and have not received all of your recommended vaccinations, you will be required to spend 14 days in quarantine upon arrival in Canada. Consider contacting the International Student Experience team if your housing does not satisfy Public Health regulations and you need a quarantine plan.
- Take a look at the directions in the ArriveCAN app or on the web and make sure you do everything correctly. If you don’t follow the rules, you could face anything from a warning letter to a fine of $1,000.
- Comply with current travel restriction policies, including submitting a quarantine plan through ArriveCAN and Portal. Your quarantine exemption will be decided at the border by a government official.
- In order to enter Canada during COVID-19, you’ll need to have the necessary travel documents ready. The COVID-19 Information FAQs provide guidance on what papers to gather.
- After reading the aforementioned frequently asked questions, you may want to speak with an immigration attorney.
- Check your health insurance to be sure you’re covered. In the spring, UHIP coverage begins on April 10 or when you arrive in Canada, whichever occurs first. Students who have paid their fees in full by the due date will receive their UHIP cards in early May from Sunlife. Your medical coverage will need to be comparable to or better than that provided by UHIP if you choose not to participate.
- Ingle International, Cowan Insurance, Guard.Me, and Blue Cross are just a few examples of private health insurance firms. To ensure that you’re adequately covered while travelling and living in Canada, do some research.
- Your quarantine plan should be finalised. Once your travel plans are finalised, you must notify the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) by entering the information into ArriveCAN before departing for Canada.
- You must submit an International Student Travel Plan and Quarantine Form to the university. If your trip plans change, you will need to submit a new form.
- Please take a COVID-19 exam. Prior to boarding a plane or entering the United States, you must have a negative COVID-19 test result.
- A positive COVID-19 molecular test result on a specimen collected between 11 and 180 days before to arriving in Canada is acceptable as part of the pre-entry test requirements for individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 but who continue to test positive.
- Save time at the border by registering for your airport COVID-19 test ahead of time.
- Put together your non-medical face masks and other protective gear. When you arrive at the port of entry, you’re expected to put on a new mask.
- If you are suffering COVID-19 symptoms, do not travel.
Airport procedures in Three Simple Steps
Step-1 : Declaration Card
It’s a pre-arrival rite that must be performed by every visitor to Canada. This card will be handed to you once you’ve boarded the plane.
It is the same as the Passenger arrival card of New Zealand and the Incoming passenger card of Australia that we discussed in the previous study abroad blogs. In terms of strictness, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is among the highest. Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) prohibits anyone from entering the country with anything that could harm the country’s delicate ecosystem.
It’s a legal requirement that you fill it out and hand it in to customs when you arrive in Canada. Students can use this card to declare anything they may have in their possession, including food, sharp objects such as kitchen tools, cash, and prescription medications. If commodities are not declared, they may be subject to seizure, fines, or criminal prosecution.
Step-2 : First CBSA Checkpoint
When you arrive in Canada, the first thing you should do is follow the instructions of the airport officials to the first CBSA checkpoint. It checks your declaration card, your ID and other travel documents at this point. In order to determine your immigration status, you will be asked a slew of questions about your trip plans.
If you haven’t declared an item, tell the police so you don’t get fined/criminalized or have your things confiscated. If you require linguistic assistance, you will be able to access it.
Step-3 : Baggage Claim & Second CBSA Checkpoint
Upon completion of the main examination, you will be able to retrieve your luggage from the airport conveyor and continue to the second CBSA checkpoint. You’ll be required to show your declaration card and any receipts for duty or taxes you’ve paid yet again.
Your luggage will be thoroughly inspected. To preserve the safety of the Canadian environment, you will be subjected to a thorough screening of your identity and luggage.
Congratulations, you’ve completed this process! You’ve finally made it to Canada, and now it’s time to live out all of your Canadian fantasies.
Conclusion
Always stay updated with the information from the official government website of Canada. Consider this information as a reference and always do your own research.