Things to pack and carry for Canada

Top Tips:

  • Never carry your important documents in the check-in baggage, always carry them in hand/carry-on baggage with you.
  • Carry the photocopies in different bags as well for all the documents, just to be safe in case of loss of any original or photocopies.
  • You should use Vacuum Bags in order to save space in your luggage. You will see a lot can easily fit into the suitcase once using the Vacuum Bags.
  • You should only bring stainless steel utensils, cutlery or cookware and avoid aluminum ones because the latter are not dishwasher safe.
  • You must keep your boarding pass safe all the time along with passports. It is a good idea to buy a waist travel pouch that can help you keep things handy and safe from getting dropped.

Documents/items:

  • Original Passport
  • Enrolment letter and Letter of Acceptance
  • Tuition fees receipt
  • GIC certificate
  • All original mark sheets, transcript, and IELTS score sheet.
  • Travel Insurance: Coverage is effective only from the first day of classes, not from your date of arrival in Canada. Therefore, if you arrive before the start of classes, it is strongly recommended that you purchase travel insurance, including health care insurance, to cover yourself until the first official day of classes.
  • Canadian currency (about $500 to $1500) is suggested for any immediate expenses especially if you are arriving late at night or on a weekend when banks may be closed and credit or debit cards (internationally accepted)
  • Passport Photos: Getting passport photos is quite costly in Canada. Hence, best will be to get about 20 passport sized photos from India itself.
  • Bring your own device policy – check your program website in order to see the compatibility of your Laptop.

Kitchen Supplies

  • Pressure Cooker: Well, this is the first and foremost thing everyone recommends but they are heavy and take space.
  • Chakla (Rolling Board) / Belan (Rolling Pin): You can bring these as they can be easily adjusted in the bag anywhere. If you are a student and do not want to make your own chapatis, tortillas are available along with Indian naans in major food stores.
  • Tava&Chimta for Chapatis: Except for Indian stores, you will not find Tava and small Chimta to cook Chapatis anywhere. Better to bring them from India especially if you plan to make your own Chapatis.
  • Spices Box & Indian Spices: Recommend to bring it from India itself and stuff small items in its containers to organize and save space in luggage. You must carry some amount of Indian spices as it will help in the initial days for sure and also save some money being cheaper in comparison.
  • Cutlery & other utensils, Kadai, Pots, and Pans
  • Miscellaneous: Small Drainer (Tea), Kitchen Knife & Peeler, Wooden Hand Blender 

Home & Living

  • Most of the stuff required for home and living are available easily in stores like Walmart, Ikea, Costco or Home Depots, etc. Hence, there is nothing much to bring, maybe a couple of cotton bed sheets& pillow covers for getting started.
  • You can carry some supply of stationery items such as pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, few notebooks, etc. as they are quite costly as compared to what you will pay in India.

Food Items

  • Apart from Indian spices, we recommend bringing food items including Maggie, rice, pulses, flour, beans, etc.. for initial days
  • You may bring homemade special multi grain laddoos or any healthy homemade items/sweets.

Personal Care & Hygiene

Non-medical masks/face coverings

  • You will find the majority of personal care items at reasonable prices here. However, before you get settled for the first week or two, you may want to carry the personal care kit.

Health Care, Medicines & Well Being

  • Eye Glasses, Lenses, and Eye Frames: After dental, eyeglasses, lenses and eye frames are quite costly here. So, DO NOT forget to carry an extra pair or two of spectacles.
  • Home Remedies
  • You may bring in some home remedy solutions in the form of churan/mixture, Badalchuran, Patanjaliheengpeda/anardaana, heenggoli, etc… Often these are helpful in digestion issues.

Prescription Medicines (ongoing)

  • You must carry your ongoing prescription medicines for a couple of months at least if any. It may take some time to get registered with a family physician as a new patient and start getting an appointment for them. Medical is one of the most frustrating parts of living. It will be best that you have your prescription medicines with you for at least two months.
  • First-aid Box

Disclaimer– Well medicines listed here are just a suggestion. You shall always consult your doctor before taking any of these.

  • ORS or ORS-L Tetra Packs at least 5 in number
  • Pain Relief Spray, Pain Relief Cream or Gel, Betadine – Antiseptic cream
  • Savlon or Dettol – Antiseptic solution
  • Combiflaim or Flexon – Pain Killers
  • Crocin or Paracetamol – Mild Fever
  • Avomine – Relief from Dizziness, Motion Sickness and Vomiting
  • Digene – Relief from Flatulence, Indigestion, acidity (mild)
  • Zinetac 150mg – Acidity or gastric problems (only if severe)
  • Eno Sachets – Quick Gastric Relief, Pudin Hara for stomachache
  • Entroquinol – Relief from Loose motion (mild)
  • Metrogyl – Relief from Loose motion (high)
  • D-Cold Total or Vicks Action 500 for cold
  • Crepe Bandage – 2 (for fractures)
  • J&J Band-Aid Fast Heal Wash proof – Long, Square and circle patches
  • Becosules for vitamin B-complex and sometimes energy
  • Nasivion for blocked and dry nose
  • Ongoing Regular Medicines, if any

Clothing

1. Winter Jackets and Heavy Woollens

Best to buy the winter jackets and heavy woolens here in the Canada as the ones available in India may not help you with cold conditions here.

2. Regular Clothing, 3. Ethnic Indian Wear, Footwear.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Tooth brushes, tooth pastes & tongue cleaners, Shampoo, soap, hair oil & combs, Cold cream, Shaving cream with disposable razors, scissors, Perfumes, deodorants, Nail cutter, mirror, safety pins, sewing kit, locks, talcum powder, dozen hangers, String for drying clothes, clips for clothes, etc.

Arriving at the Airport/Port of Entry

Have your documents ready

When you arrive at the airport or port of entry you should be ready to present the following documents:

  • Your letter of acceptance
  • A valid passport
  • Study permit received online (if applicable)
  • The letter of introduction given to you by the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate
  • Document showing financial support

Note: When handed your study permit at the airport, check that your personal information as well as the expiry date are correct.

After arrival

  • Apply for SIN  – Visit Service Canada (http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/tbsc-fsco/sc-hme.jsp?lang=eng)
  • Request Student Photo ID Card at the college (complete pre-requisites/ check college portal)
  • Select time table (recommended as soon as you receive your visas)
  • Setting up a Bank Account (Visit Scotia bank and complete the GIC formalities) when you arrive in Canada

We wish you safe journey and great future ahead