Upon arrival to Canada, you will be greeted by an officer from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

You must have the following items:

• A valid passport and/or travel documents
• A valid permanent resident via and your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
• Proof that you have the funds to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada
• Two copies each of:
  • A detailed list of all the personal or household items you’re bringing with you
  • A list of items that are arriving later and their money value

The officer will ask you a few questions to make sure you still meet the eligibility requirements to immigrate to Canada. These questions are like the ones you have already answered when you applied.

You will not be allowed to Canada if you give false or incomplete information or if you do not convince the officer that you meet the conditions to enter Canada.

If you meet all the requirements, the officer will allow you to enter Canada as a permanent resident, confirm your Canadian mailing address and have your permanent resident card mailed to you there.

Disclosure of Funds

If you arrive in Canada with more than CAN$10,000, you must tell this to the CBSA officer. If you do not, you could be fined, and your funds could be seized. These funds could be in the form of:

• cash,
• securities that belong to you (for example, stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills), or
• bankers’ drafts, cheques, travellers’ cheques or money orders.

Customs Declaration Card

Before you arrive in Canada, you may be asked to complete a Customs Declaration Card. Complete this card before meeting with customs and immigration officials, even if you aren’t a Canadian citizen.

Here are some typical things to declare on the declaration card:

• items you must pay duty on, such as:
  • gifts
  • alcohol
  • tobacco
• amount of money more than CDN $10,000
• business goods, plants, food, animals, firearms or other weapons

Preparing for Life in Canada

Canada may be very different from your home country, which means there is a great deal to learn about and explore before you arrive here. Here is some information about important features about the country.

Land and Climate:

Canada is the second largest country on earth. It has three ocean borders:

• the Pacific Ocean in the west
• the Atlantic Ocean in the east
• the Arctic Ocean to the north

Canada borders the United States in the south and in the northwest.

Canada has many different types of landscape, including:

• high mountains
• prairie grasslands
• different types of forests
• arctic tundra where the ground is permanently frozen

Canada is also home to many rivers and lakes.

Seasons

In Canada, there are four different seasons:

• winter
• spring
• summer
• autumn (fall)

Cities, Provinces and Regions

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and is located on the Ottawa River between Ontario and Quebec.

Canada has 10 provinces and three territories, each with its own capital city. These provinces and territories are grouped into five regions:

Atlantic Provinces:

• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Prince Edward Island
• Nova Scotia
• New Brunswick

Central Canada:

• Quebec
• Ontario

Prairie Provinces:

• Manitoba
• Saskatchewan
• Alberta

West Coast:

• British Columbia

North:

• Nunavut
• Northwest Territories
• Yukon Territory

Most people live in southern Ontario and Quebec, southwest British Columbia and Alberta. Much of the north has a very low population because of the cold climate.

The Canadian People

Immigration has been a key part in Canadian society’s growth throughout our nation’s history.

Canada’s population of around 31 million people reflects a cultural, ethnic and linguistic mix that is unique in the world.

Canadian multiculturalism is based on the belief that all citizens are equal and that diversity makes us stronger as a country.

Government

Canada has three levels of government:

• federal
• provincial or territorial
• municipal (city)

The Prime Minister heads the federal government based in Ottawa. It deals with national and international matters.

A Premier leads each province and territory. The provincial and territorial governments have the power to change their laws and manage their own public lands

Mayors lead municipal governments. Municipal governments run cities, towns or districts (municipalities)