Landing at Toronto Pearson Airport as a New PR — Step-by-Step

Toronto Pearson (YYZ) processes the largest share of new Canadian permanent residents. This page walks you through the landing process minute-by-minute — CBSA processing, COPR endorsement, SIN application, baggage, transport — so you arrive prepared and confident.

Before you fly: what to pack

• COPR (Confirmation of Permanent Residence) — original, NOT in checked luggage
• Passport with valid visa (or eTA confirmation)
• Print copy of your IRCC PR application + decision letter — backup if CBSA has questions
• Canadian address for IRCC (where PR card will be mailed) — written down
• Goods accompanying form (B4) + goods-to-follow form (B4A) — for items shipped separately. Fill these BEFORE landing
• Cash declaration if over CAD $10,000 equivalent (any currency) — declare on E677 form
• Phone with international roaming OR plan to get Canadian SIM at airport
• Bank card that works in Canada (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
• Address of your first night's accommodation (hotel reservation, friend's address)

On the plane: prepare the CBSA declaration card

Flight attendants will distribute the Canada Customs Declaration card (Form E311). As a new PR:

• Declare yourself as "Immigrating to Canada"
• List all goods you're bringing
• Declare goods-to-follow (items shipped separately like furniture, vehicles)
• Declare cash if over CAD $10,000 equivalent
• Declare food, plants, animal products

Honesty matters — non-declaration carries severe penalties + can affect future immigration status.

Step 1: Disembark + primary inspection

1. Follow "Arrivals" signs to the immigration hall
2. Use kiosks (Primary Inspection Kiosks / PIK) — scan passport, take photo, answer customs questions on touchscreen
3. Receive a receipt with a printed marker indicating your processing path

Step 2: Refer to CBSA immigration officer for PR landing

If you're landing as a new PR, the kiosk will direct you to a CBSA Immigration Secondary inspection counter. This is where the COPR is endorsed.

1. Present passport + COPR + visa
2. CBSA officer reviews your application, confirms identity, asks routine questions (Where are you settling? Who is your employer? Where are you staying?)
3. Officer endorses COPR with date + stamp — you are now a Canadian permanent resident
4. Officer confirms address for PR card mailing
5. You receive instructions for next steps (PR card photo + signature, SIN, etc.)

Typical time: 30-90 minutes from disembarkation to COPR endorsement.

Step 3: Service Canada SIN counter (same building)

Both Terminal 1 + Terminal 3 have Service Canada counters in arrivals (post-customs). Hours: roughly 8 AM-8 PM most days. Bring:

• Endorsed COPR
• Passport

SIN issued same day, on paper. Note: Service Canada will NOT mail a plastic SIN card; the paper confirmation is your record. Keep it safe.

Step 4: Baggage claim

1. Proceed to baggage carousels (signs in arrivals)
2. If bags arrived: collect + proceed to customs exit
3. If bags delayed: visit the airline baggage office to file a delayed baggage report

Step 5: Customs exit

Present your customs declaration to the CBSA officer at the exit. If you declared "goods to follow" (B4A), officer reviews the list + stamps it (you'll need the stamped B4A when those items arrive in Canada later, often by sea freight).

Step 6: Greet family + ground transport

Pearson has multiple ground transport options:

UP Express train (recommended for downtown Toronto)

• Direct from Terminal 1 to Union Station downtown
• 25 minutes, CAD $12.35 one-way, CAD $24.70 round-trip
• Every 15 minutes, 6 AM-1 AM
• Best option for downtown destinations

Taxi / Uber / Lyft

• Downtown Toronto: CAD $55-$80, 30-45 min
• Mississauga: CAD $30-$55, 15-25 min
• Brampton: CAD $40-$65, 20-30 min
• Markham/Vaughan: CAD $50-$80, 25-40 min

GO Bus (regional)

• GO Bus from Pearson Bus Terminal to GTA destinations
• CAD $5-$15 depending on destination
• Slower but very affordable

Limousine services

• Pre-booked or at the curb
• CAD $80-$150+ for downtown
• Convenient for newcomers with luggage

Same-day priorities (Day 1)

• Done: CBSA processing, COPR endorsement, SIN application
• Optional Day 1: Canadian SIM card at airport (Rogers, Bell, Freedom kiosks)
• Day 2: Bank account, provincial health card application, settle into accommodation

See First 30 Days in Canada for the complete settlement checklist.

Common Pearson landing mistakes

• Packing COPR in checked luggage — if luggage is delayed, you can't be processed
• No Canadian address ready for IRCC — leads to PR card delivery failures
• Not declaring goods-to-follow — items shipped by sea later can't be brought in duty-free without B4A
• Missing the Service Canada SIN counter — saves a week of bureaucracy
• Not researching ground transport — taxi without booking can cost CAD $100+

FAQ

Related: First 30 days in Canada · Toronto consultant · Citizenship