Hello friends, meet me here at the other side of the world.
That is correct, for more than a month now, I have been living here up north (see the picture for a more detailed location). And finally, I am reunited with my husband. After a year of separation, we are now together. My visa has finally been approved; after all the tedious paperworks submitted and processed, we finally got our go-signal from the embassy.
And what did we do next? Book a one way ticket!
No.More.Waiting. 🙂
Leaving is of course difficult. It is not as if I have a ready luggage and can jump to the next flight available. It has taken me a month and a half to digest that I am finally going to where the four seasons are and will actually leave my tropical island for a while. Leaving the only home I’ve only known, leaving the coolest family behind, leaving that exciting and stress-filled job. All these have made my move bittersweet.
Anyway, I wouldn’t fill up this entry with my ramblings, but instead, tips on how to get ready, what to do when you arrive, and then, well, what to do later 🙂 This is for you, future immigrants!
Warning: this post is a long read. Sit properly, rest your back.
tip #1. Before anything else, ask yourself this: “are you really ready to move? your heart, your mind, your pocket, your whole being?” If you have qualms, please think twice! thrice! and then over and over. Go ahead, say your prayers. 🙂
tip #2. Be patient. Paperworks and requirement compliance are no joke. Take them seriously. Follow instructions. Be organized and file them neatly. Sometimes your papers will be handed back to you for different reasons (incomplete requirements, medical condition, wrong forms), please do not panic and work on it fast. Usually, submission of requirements has a deadline and if you’re not sure you can submit the files on time, please call the embassy or write them an email notifying them about the delay. If you have questions, please call the embassy. However, sometimes, the embassy doesn’t have any customer hotlines for visa applicants. The best way to answer your confusion is to read through the information kit you can easily download through their website. All the answers are there. Again, don’t panic.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index-can.asp
tip#3. “Good things come to those who wait”. Well, after you have completely submitted all the necessary documents for your visa application, the only thing to do now is wait. And while you are waiting, please check your email all the time. The embassy won’t call you on your landline nor on your cellphone. They won’t send you a mail too. So please try to open your email from time to time, including your spam. Sometimes, they would ask for additional documents. In my case, they asked for an Advisory on Marriages or a Certificate of No Marriage. You can get this from the very reliable National Statistics Office. NSO is quite fast and organized now. At least in my island that is.
tip #4. When you finally have your VISA, the embassy will also enclose a short orientation on what else to do. This may include the things and money you are allowed to bring. It may also include a few reminders before your departure. You may have to attend Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars. If you are a Filipino Citizen, you are REQUIRED to attend the PDOS. Do no miss it. Click this link for more information: http://cfo.gov.ph . You may also attend orientations sponsored by the country you’re migrating to. If you have time, or please do make time, please attend. They’re very helpful. I attended the orientation sponsored by Canadian Orientation Abroad. It’s Free. Go attend, it’s very helpful. It would include everything – from country’s history to the things you need to do when you arrive. Canadian Orientation Abroad site: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/partner/bpss/COA.asp
tip # 5. Prepare the things you are going to bring. Make a list. Do not forget your original documents. Keep them handy and dont file them inside your check in luggage. Make sure you have a duplicate copy of your documents and put them in your check in luggage. Do not overpack. Based from my experience, the most important things to pack are: jammies, jogging pants, socks, sweater, sweatshirts, thermal shirts, rubber shoes, slippers.
tip #6. Relax. When you have all your docs, especially your visa and your passport and that PDOS sticker, i think you are good to go. Bring some money too. Have them converted to dollars beforehand. Do not buy dollars from the airport as they’re a little higher compared to banks and money changers.
tip #7. Pray. Go to mass. Smile. Cry a little. or a lot.
Coming Soon: What to do upon arrival and what to do later! 🙂
islandera 