What to bring: while migrating to Canada ?

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Not sure, what to bring while migrating to Canada in your limited luggage? Here is the answer:

In the whole process of applying for Canada Permanent Residency and moving to Canada, best time is when you already applied for PR online on CIC website and now you are waiting for PPR. Some of you will not agree may be because you have not yet landed to Canada. Real Challenge towards better life will start from the day you get your PR confirmation. Now you have so many questions unanswered in your mind like:

Shall I go with family initially or just me?
To do a soft landing or hard landing!
How to find better job?
Where to get settled (which province/city)?
Accommodation?
Driving license?
How much Money to bring? in what form ?

One of the questions is “What to bring with you while moving to Canada?”

Today will try to answer this question based on my experience.

Before we discuss tangible goods to fill limited baggage there is something else most important to keep it with you after taking bold decision of moving to Canada.
Most essential thing to have is courage which you might already have some but believe me you will need more of it. It’s not easy to move out of comfort zone, fight everyday, beginning from zero in a new country, new culture, making new friends. There will be times when you will be tired and would like to go back to your home country. To cope up with that fear, you need to believe in yourself and have strong determination. I always advise my friends who are willing to migrate to Canada that do not come here with half mind and keeping back up back home because it will make you weak, thinking that if things will not work out here in Canada, you have some back up to go back. If you are in same mind stage you will not give your 100%

So must have:

Courage
Self belief
Patience

Now let’s discuss tangible goods to bring:

DOCUMENTS

Passport
ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
Boarding pass or e-tickets
Itinerary
Pens for form filling at Airport and to add notes in diary
Proof of Travel insurance: Buy it for 90 Days because as a Permanent Resident your health coverage will start after 90 days of stay. Although you can go to service Canada and do formality for Health card. Make sure travel insurance covers trip cancellation, luggage handling and medical. Keep hard copy as well soft-copy on Smartphone.
Valid Driver’s license/International license and driving Extract from your country mentioning years of driving experience and driving history of any claims and convictions. Extract will give you credit for past driving experience.
Credit/debit card or Travelers card
Cash (Canadian dollars)
Printed Booking reservations for hotel if any
Pocket Diary with Phone numbers and addresses of friends in Canada and back home and Person to contact in case of emergency.
Vaccination details for children duly verified and stamped by doctors as it will be asked here in Canada while taking admission in school

TOILETRIES

Medicines for children and adult for cold-n-cough, fever, stomach infection and other medicine you might be advised by your doctor.
Lip balm
Hand sanitize
Soap and shampoo
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Deodorant / Antiperspirant
Tampons / Sanitary napkins
Shaving Kit
Hairbrush / Comb
Nail file / clipper
Moisturizing body lotion
Makeup kit
Hair elastics / barrettes
Hand mirror
Glasses / Contact lenses (Keep 2 extra pair as its very expensive in Canada)
Facial tissue
Sunscreen (minimum 30 SPF)
Aspirin (or other painkillers)
Contraceptive pills / Condoms

CLOTHING

Diaper bag for infants (diapers, changing mat, wipes, cream, bottles, toys, etc.)
Socks
Cool clothing (shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, dresses, etc.)
Warm clothing (jeans, pants, sweatshirts, etc.)
Shoes / Sandals
Sweater, thermals and winter jacket (at-least bring -10/-20 winter jackets)
Raincoat / Windcheater
Sun hat / Tuque
Scarf
Swimsuit / Towels
Underwear

ACCESSORIES

Converter / Adapter (electric) especially but for travel adapter to use your charger in Canada as voltage and plug sockets are different here.
Camera + charger
Video camera + charger
Tripod / Selfie stick
Memory cards
Mobile phone + charger + Power Bank
Ziploc bags (to protect electronics)
Garbage bags (dirty clothing)
Hairdryer
Travel pillow and ear plugs
Snacks and keep some nuts to eat when hungry and need energy
Trolley Bags strong enough to handle 23 Kg of weight as well airport transfer wear and tear. Try to get anti-theft chain bags available in market right now.
Backpack/laptop bags where you can also keep important documents
Sunglasses
Water bottle

FIRST AID KIT

Disinfectant
Adhesive bandages
Thermometer
Motion sickness medication
Anti-Diarrheal medication
Aloe gel for sunburn
Moleskin for blisters

KITCHEN

A Karai for Indian food lover
A Tawa (again 2 size one for chapatti and other for Dhosa and other stuff)
Chakla belan or Rolling Pin and board
Churner
Handi
Idli Cooker
Pressure Cooker with flat surface (2 size small and big)
Serving Spoons and normal spoons
Skimmers/strainers
Spice Grinder
Tongs
Spice box
Colander
Tea strainer
Garlic press
Lemon squeezers
Fry Pan and vessel
Masher
Mortar and pestle
Knives
Grater

Also try to bring goods related to your hobby like camera for photography, paints and brushes for painting, swimming costumes/glasses/hat, yoga mates, books you love, gadgets, music instruments.

For personal stuffs like jewelry/ ornaments/precious watches you may bring some or put it in list of goods to follow and get that documents signed at Canada airport.

Goods to follow form you can find on CIC website and you need to attach color photograph of all jewelry and ornaments with detailed description like weight and Canadian dollar value.

Wish you all the Best

Do write me if you have any Questions in comment.