Entry Process

Use your passport at the Automated Declaration Machine for customs declaration and obtain a customs declaration slip.

At the Customs upon Entry, they will check your slip and inquire about your quarantine plan and its compliance.

Those with visas or PR status can proceed to collect their luggage. I was directed to the Visa Office to collect study and work visas.

At the Visa Office, they will ask some simple questions and request documents. Answer truthfully (some visa officers can be very friendly, so don’t be too nervous).

This step usually has the longest wait time in queues, especially if the flight is delayed.

After obtaining the visa, you can collect your luggage. Since getting the visa takes time, by the time you reach the baggage carousel, your luggage may already be placed next to it.

Upon collecting your luggage, you can exit the airport. Customs will ask for the declaration slip you received earlier upon exit.

After leaving, there will be ground COVID-19 testing. During these processes, it seems that Customs upon Entry may attach a green sticker to your passport based on the situation. If you have the sticker, the ground COVID-19 test may not be necessary.

Simply join the queue for testing and get a self-test kit. As I am a minor, a staff member gave me two self-test kits directly and did not require me to test on the spot (looking back, testing on the spot might have been more convenient).

After completing this step, you can leave the airport, and there are no further processes.

In summary, the entry steps are as follows:

1. Disembark from the airplane.
2. Use your passport to obtain a declaration slip (“7” will be used).
3. Customs upon Entry checks the slip and quarantine plan (may receive a green sticker on the passport, “6” will be used).
4. Visit the Visa Office to collect the visa.
5. Collect luggage.
6. Customs collect the declaration slip (use the slip from “2”).
7. COVID-19 testing (skippable if “3” has the green sticker).

Entry Documents

Here is a list of all the documents and credentials I brought, for reference. I also verified with my school’s international student department, and this list should be comprehensive. Basically, it should cover all possible challenges from customs:

School’s Letter of Enrollment, etc.: Normally, having the Offer and Letter of Acceptance should suffice. However, since my Letter of Acceptance expired on September 28, I had to purchase a Letter of Enrollment from “the center” for $10. Many people managed to clear customs without it, but my internship company requested the Letter, so I eventually had to buy it (/□＼*)・゜

Co-op documentation: Concerned that the visa office might not grant me a work permit and I wouldn’t have enough time to reapply next semester for co-op, I brought the “Co-op term information printed from WaterlooWorks” and the “Offer email sent by the internship company.” The Letter of Enrollment also indicated the importance of the upcoming Co-op semester. Fortunately, the visa officer only checked the Letter of Introduction, ensuring that I had selected the work permit option during the visa application.

Entry declaration form: Found a sample online, filled it out and printed it, but it was never used (1. The airplane distributes it 2. The eDeclaration app now replaces the paper form 3. Entry was done with a machine declaration, so the eDeclaration wasn’t needed either).

Minor’s guardian notarization: Being under 18 necessitated having a guardian notarization. In theory, both adults and minors should have a no criminal record certificate, but customs did not check this.

School’s address, contact information: Due to new COVID-19 requirements, although no one asked for it in the end.

Proof of funds: Brought the proof of funds used during the visa application just in case, including:

1. Lease agreement
2. Parents’ bank statements for the past two years
3. GIC certificate
4. School-issued tuition receipt

Vaccination certificate: Not for COVID-19 vaccines, but for regular vaccines like hepatitis. I initially thought that Canadian customs would inspect for vaccines, but everything I had carried on the plane was allowed through customs. About PCR testing.

Notes on the PCR Test Certificate

Although the official website does not specify detailed requirements for the PCR test, it mentions that the test must be conducted within 72 hours before the departure of the last direct flight to Canada. However, here are a few key points to consider:

1. Name
2. Passport number
3. Date of birth

Lastly, have the certificate in English. It is advisable to have the certificate issued by a relevant institution, as they are generally more professional and provide 24/7 service. Hospitals also offer the service, but the process is more complicated, and most importantly, staff providing English reports may not work during weekends. If your flight is on a Monday, this is something to consider carefully.

Ground PCR Testing

During arrival and quarantine, two PCR tests are required—one at the airport and the other to be conducted by yourself at the quarantine site (as a minor, I did both tests at the quarantine site).

It seems that if you have the green sticker, you may not need to do both tests.

Remember to register with SwitchHealth; it can save you some time when leaving the airport.

Usage of the Self-Test Kit

1. Open the SwitchHealth website.
2. Select Self-test.
3. Follow the instructions given to prepare. You will then be queued to have a video call with a nurse.
4. The nurse in the video call will guide and monitor you through the PCR test. After the test, you will be informed on how to mail the kit.
5. The last step on SwitchHealth will be to schedule a pickup by Purolator. Before the pickup, store the kit in the refrigerator, and when it’s time, call the front desk of the quarantine hotel to help you take it outside.

Interesting encounter:

When I arrived at the hotel late at night, the airport staff informed me that I should have used a Self-test Kit on that day itself (all adults did it at the airport). So, I opened the Kit, possibly due to exhaustion and forgetfulness about the website procedures—having been tested numerous times in China, I did the test on my own and prepared to mail it the next day. I even called Purolator myself to schedule a pickup. Later, upon visiting the SwitchHealth website, I realized something was off…

Quarantine

To be honest, an expiring hotel room card was a first for me. The room card can only be used on the first day of stay and becomes unusable afterward (ignore how I found out since that’s not important). It essentially forces you not to leave, though you shouldn’t be venturing out anyway. Canada’s government even called to check on me yesterday during quarantine, so it’s best to stay put.

Dining

The school delivers food daily, though sometimes the meals made me consider fasting instead (・-・*). Essentially, it became a game of half for me, half for the toilet. Fortunately, you can order groceries from Walmart Grocery to be delivered with a minimum order of $35. Bring some of your favorite dishes; they can save a meal sometimes.

Useful Items

Tier 0

Lock&Lock container: Useful for boiling water in the microwave, preparing instant noodles, tea, etc.

Thermos flask: For storing brewed tea or water.

Toothbrush and toothpaste: The hotel does not provide these; they are for sale (quite outrageous), but shower supplies are well-equipped.

Tier 1

Bedsheets, duvet cover, pillowcases: Since you will be sleeping for 14 nights, having your bedding can ensure a more comfortable rest.

Eye mask: The hotel’s lighting cannot be controlled as conveniently as in China, so having an eye mask is great for a nap without needing to switch off lights individually.

Ethernet cable + USB to RJ45 network adapter: If your laptop does not have an RJ45 port, you will need an adapter. The hotel has Ethernet ports, and connecting to them significantly speeds up internet access, making the quarantine days more bearable.

Regrets on Items Not Brought

Sewing kit

A small amount of dish soap: After consuming instant noodles, you can only wipe the Lock&Lock container with tissue.

Extra Lock&Lock container

Bring a variety of instant noodle seasonings; noodle sheets are affordable here.

Luggage Essentials

I will likely write a separate article on packing essentials. For now, here are some key points to remember:

1. Items containing alcohol are not permitted; even hand sanitizers cannot be brought in, as they would be confiscated by Chinese customs (there’s a chance alcohol wipes might pass through).

2. Thermometers containing mercury are not allowed and would also be confiscated upon entry.

The “Stay Home U12 Package” thoughtfully included hand sanitizer and a mask thermometer (although I am doubtful if the mask they provided can protect against COVID-19, but it does have the Waterloo logo, which should be good to keep warm). Waterloo even thoughtfully included a coloring sheet and an 8-color crayon box.

Tips for iPhones from China

Ordinarily, the iPhone 11 and above support eSIM and many Canadian carriers offer eSIM services, making it convenient. However, as China prohibits eSIM usage, eSIM capability on iPhones sold in China is disabled. Therefore, consider carefully which iPhone model you bring.

Flight

My flight departed from Shanghai, had a layover in Hong Kong, then proceeded to Toronto on Cathay Pacific CX826.

When changing planes, it is recommended not to transfer your carry-on luggage during check-in to avoid the airline staff weighing it upon check-in, which might result in forced checking of the luggage for weight. Once you clear this step, there should be no more weighing.

Your phone is unlikely to run out of battery; there are many places to charge along the way, including USB ports on flights with approximately 5V 1A power (not fast charging). Airports usually have charging ports, and some have power outlets. It is highly recommended to have a power bank that can be plugged directly into a socket for charging.

There is no hot water provided at the Hong Kong airport, but when entering, customs require all liquids to be disposed of, so you can only purchase water to drink.

The layover can be long, so having a companion to take turns watching your luggage means one of you can get a good nap.

Bring some chocolates; at least you’ll have something to eat if you get hungry. Hong Kong airport seemed like it had just been raided, with only four shops open, and only two selling food.

In-flight WiFi costs $10 for 1 hour or $20 for the entire flight, but there are plenty of movies available on the built-in screens. I ended up watching three movies, which happened to be ones I hadn’t seen before (even though I’m not a big movie-watcher). Unless it’s necessary for urgent matters, buying WiFi may not be essential, considering limited speeds and bandwidth.

I suspect every international flight has a few crying children during takeoff and landing, so bring noise-canceling headphones. However, the multimedia tablets on flights only have a 3.5mm wired output. If you don’t have noise-canceling headphones (like the ones provided on the flight), you would struggle to hear properly.

I recommend bringing an eye mask; with so many people around, you can’t expect everyone to sleep simultaneously. Having an eye mask makes sleeping better—doesn’t it sound pleasant (¦3[▓▓]?

Each international traveler is provided with a mask and wipes onboard, but it’s a good idea to carry a few extra N95 masks with you.

Security Checks

There aren’t many security checks along the way, and apart from the one at the exit, the rest are pretty relaxed.

1. Check-in counter checks for lithium batteries in checked luggage, and oversize items in carry-on bags. Airlines need to ensure you can land in your destination country, so they will verify your visa and related documents, resulting in a longer processing time. It’s best to get in line early to expedite the subsequent exit security check as well.
2. Customs upon exit, which is the most stringent check, inspects almost everything and requires a long wait. Prohibited items include liquids, fresh meat, vegetables, and alcohol.
3. Hong Kong layover prohibits liquids (even water from the flight needs to be discarded).

After that, the process is straightforward. Quite surprised that Canada’s entry doesn’t involve security checks.