I landed in Vancouver at the same time as two jumbo jets from Air China and Japan Airlines and found myself at the end of a long queue of organised tour groups and Chinese and Japanese students. The line moved swiftly and I collected my bags and headed to immigration to obtain my Canadian Working Visa.
My internet research led me to believe that this process was a simple as applying online, proving who you are, that you can support yourself and..."Welcome to Canada".
By the time I joined the line 15 student and working visa applicants from the above mentioned planes waited before me. As I reached the beginning of the line it became clear that they were being questioned heavily by the four immigration officials and being made to provide documents proving employment, enrolment in university and receipts for accomodation.
All I had on me was an email containing my Letter of Introduction, a copy of a bank statement and my passport...things got worse when the girl before me was only granted a six month visa as she could only prove she had 4 months of full time work. This wasn't on the internet...it was my turn:
Pablo: "G'day"
Canada: "Australian?"
Pablo: "Yes Sir"
Canada: "Passport?...born on rememberence day?"
Pablo: "Yes Sir"
Canada: "Would you like to stay for two years?"
Pablo: "Yes Sir"
Canada: *Stamp Stamp* "Have a nice day"
As the only person in the line not off the abovementioned aircraft it was a little embarassing walking back past the line of would be applicants. I had been processed in less than a minute when others had taken 15...equality for all?
I did not dwell on it for long - what did i care - my ticket was validated and a whole country stood before me.
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