A new permanent resident described their first landing (June 2022) and members filled in the gaps. Some details are time-specific, but the overall flow still holds.
The landing flow, as experienced:- Self-scan kiosk. Scan your passport at the kiosk and collect the printed ticket.
- Immigration. First-time landers are directed to a dedicated officer. In this case it took about 10 minutes: the officer took passports and COPR and asked for the Canadian address where the PR card should be mailed — have this ready. No document is handed back at the airport; the officer applies for your PR card on the spot.
- Baggage, then customs (optional goods-to-follow). After collecting bags you can exit directly, or see a customs officer to stamp a goods-to-follow list (about 20 extra minutes). There is no prescribed format — a plain paper list of items with a total value works. Members noted nobody asks for a 'carry with you' list; if you will never ship belongings later, you can skip goods-to-follow entirely.
Questions members asked, answered by the poster:- Soft vs. permanent landing: nobody at the border asks which one you are doing.
- Health insurance: nothing is issued at the airport — apply for provincial coverage (e.g. OHIP in Ontario) after you arrive.
- Jewellery and valuables: you can bring them; declare if asked.
- Fresh food (e.g. mangoes): tropical fruits are allowed — declare them at customs.