Before flying, we made a checklist on what to bring. This will ensure that we have all the needed documents before we move out of the country. It’s actually not so hard to research since most web sites and blogs have a section on “things to do/bring before landing”.
My favorite sites for these kind of research are either canadavisa.com forum or settlement.org. Be sure to bring whatever you think you’ll be needing since it will be hard for you to get these documents/things once you’ve landed.
| To Bring | Description |
| Passports | Must not be expiring within 6 months |
| Confirmation of Permanent Residence Form | This document should be included when they give you your visa, one for you and one per individual coming with you. |
| B4E – Personal Effects Accounting Documents (Accompanying items)
B4A – Personal Effects Accounting Documents (Items to follow) |
All items listed here will be tax free.
Downloaded here: B4E: http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/b4-eng.pdf B4A: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf186a.pdf |
| E677 – CROSS-BORDER CURRENCY OR MONETARY INSTRUMENTS REPORT
|
If you are bringing more than CAD 10,000 (cash and any other monetary instruments) you need to declare this with the Canadian customs.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/e677.pdf |
| Foreign Currency and Other Foreign Exchange-Denominated Bearer Monetary Instruments Declaration Form
|
This is the counterpart of form E677 in the Philippines.
http://www.bsp.gov.ph/publications/tables/2012_11/news-11132012a1.pdf |
| Birth Certificates | Bring at least two copies per person. This can be ordered online now through this site: https://www.ecensus.com.ph/Default.aspx |
| Marriage Certificates | Bring at least two copies. This can be ordered online now through this site: https://www.ecensus.com.ph/Default.aspx |
| Medical Records | Bring all medical records, including the one you’ve submitted during your medical exam. This should be typewritten. |
| Dental Records | Ask your dentist for your dental records. Our dentist used the form from the Philippine Dental Association. |
| Children’s Vaccination Form | If you have children coming with you, be sure to have their pediatrician list down all the vaccines administered to your children. The form should also be included in your Visa pack but, if it’s missing, you can download it here: http://www.chinacanada.ca/ss/down/immunization.pdf |
| IELTS | Bring your original IELTS results |
| ECA | Bring your original Education Credential Assessment document |
| Transcript of Records | Bring at least two original or certified true copies of Transcript of Records coming from your school |
| Diploma | Bring the original diploma |
| COE | Bring original certificates of employment from all the companies that you and your wife worked for |
| Drivers License | Bring driver’s license and receipt |
| LTO Certification with Red Ribbon | Bring original document. Note this document has a 6-month expiry. |
| Bank Draft and Canadian Dollars | Bring all monetary instruments with you, you must declare if more than 10,000 |
| Medicines | Bring medicines, especially if you have maintenance meds |
In filling out the personal effects accounting documents, you need not list down everything per piece (although this one is advisable). You can lump it into logical groups such as clothes, gadgets, shoes, food, etc. In our case, the customs officer didn’t ask for this form and told us that the goods to follow form is what matters.
We still have jet lag, thus this post at 6 in the morning EST. Until next post.
New Tatay Adventures 
Hi,
I’ve been reading your blog and it’s very informative. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.
I’ll also be migrating to Canada soon. I’d like to clarify a few things. Do we really need the following?
1. Two copies of birth certificate (why do we need 2 copies?)
2. Two copies of TOR (why do we need 2 copies)
3. Red ribbon of driver’s license (someon I know from Canada said it is okay to show just the Philippine driver’s license when applying for Canada drivers license. No need for red ribbon. Is this true?)
Would greatly appreciate reply. Congratulations on finding a job 🙂
Bunny
Hi Bunny,
Congratulations and welcome to Canada in advance.
See my answers below:
For 1 and 2, it’s my personal preference, just in case I’ll be needing to submit original copies here. Anyway, it’s up to you. 🙂
3. If you’ll be using just your license, at least here in Ontario, you can drive for 60 days without securing an Ontario issued license. Now, if you want to secure a full license (g2 and g) without going through the g1(student license) 1 year requirement, you need to prove that you’ve been driving for more than two years and that’s the time you will use your certification. Every province has different requirements. Be sure to research it before going here so you can secure whatever document is needed.
I hope I was able to answer your questions. I haven’t secured any license my self so as soon as I get one, I’ll share my experience.
God bless.
Good day! I am also applying for immigrant visa but as of now we are on the documentation process. But i have problem with my employment contract.I just want to ask any opinion or suggestion if we cannot get employment contract from our employee what i should do. Thank you!
Hi Ghensa,
Good day to you too. I’m assuming you already got your ITA.
To answer your question, it will be a little bit hard since CIC is expecting a Certificate of Employment. Would you have Pay Stubs or Tax forms for this company? You can try using this as proof that you worked for a company and just write a letter of explanation detailing the reason why you can’t get an official Certificate of Employment.
Let me know if you have further questions and Goo luck on your application.