Finally in Canada
We arrived in Toronto yesterday. Went through customs on arrival and got asked some strange questions such as what jobs we had in the UK and if we knew anyone in Ontario. He then put a long pink line through our visa card and sent us on our way. We got to the next check point and got told to go to immigration rather than to baggage claim with everyone else.
There were a few people already being spoken to at the desks and a couple of people in the queue in front of us. Everyone looked very worried, as were we! One couple at the desk were being told that they did not have enough money for their trip and another was being threatened with imprisonment!
When it got to our turn we were pretty worried. The man asked us why we were visiting and for how long. We said a holiday and 10 days. He then asked where we were staying, we hold him. He then asked us if we knew anyone in London Ontario, where we were staying, we said no. Then he said that his screen told him that we had applied for residency and was our visit related to that? We said we would be looking around at the area to be sure of where we wanted to eventually settle, he then asked us more questions about our jobs, the money we had bought with us, credit cards we had etc. After about 15 mins he stamped our passports and allowed us entry to Canada. Strangely he wrote in our passports that our visa was only valid until Oct 05 (6 mths). I thought all visitor visas were for 6 mths anyway, so to actually print this in our passports was odd, but not an issue as we are only staying 10 days anyway.
This was a very nerve-wracking experience to say the least.
When we finally got our baggage etc we stayed the night at the Sheraton Hotel actually at the airport, which was a nice place with large room.
Today (Saturday) we got up, picked up our car and travelled down to London to our hotel. We have now settled into a great suite with full kitchen, dining area, office area, living room, large king bedroom, bathroom and several wardrobes – very comfortable.
Contacted our real estate people and are meeting up with the first on Monday, so will keep you updated.
Oh by the way – it is snowing, yes snowing here! Welcome to Canada!
