Ok, first off, before I ask my questions, I'd like to point out I'm going to put together a little step-by-step for non-EU nationals who've successfully obtained employment as soon as I get my permit. I've made notes about every little process I've been through and would like to help the community as it's helped me over the past little while. While the stickies that exist are great, they're at the 10,000m level and explain the general process but not the specifics.

In other words, if you help me out here you'll be helping others too!

My remaining questions, as I prepare to go register at the "alien police" (this from my little welcome letter from the Toronto consulate!)

I've been told by my employer that I need to bring the signed 2nd page of form M I filled out months ago, 200-and-someodd CHF, and a copy of my "casier judiciare" to the office.

Already by reading things here I know they're not 100% right - apparently I also need a signed copy of my work contract which I need to obtain. No biggie.

Re: criminal record. In Canada, we still use extremely outdated methods of keeping police records for various jurisdictions (local, provincial in some cases, federal). I'm in contact with the Toronto Police Department but they're telling me that it will take 2-3 months to generate what is required. No amount of money or convincing will speed the process up. How big of a problem is this going to be?

I'm working on getting my "basic" health coverage ASAP. I've been told that this is the same regardless of provider* so I'll pick the 3rd-cheapest just to be safe? EXACTLY what documentation of this will I need to provide on Monday when I go to register?

Thanks. Again, I'll be putting the answers to these and other queries together in a nice package for reference to others in the future. Cheers!

Edit: *Yes, I've read about the different types and there seems to be subtypes within them but Comparis is pretty good at explaining them in general terms.

Can't answer all but I can try to help, keep in mind every office is different in their flexibility for providing documents.

Health insurance - I told them who I was getting coverage with and they noted it and told me to follow up once I had my card, which was about 2-3 weeks later. No big deal.

Re CDN criminal record, my mom just went into the local police office and they gave it right there. Maybe your mom could do the same? I dint go through all of the fingerprinting non-sense. I think if you're trying to organize from a higher level (especially in Toronto) you'll have problems....but it shouldn't take that long!

Good luck!

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"What we have is no where as useful as the wheel. We keep reinventing the piece of rock that is still square"

hmm. Not what I got. But some more research indicates there's something called a "Clearance Letter" that is less involved. I'm waiting to see if copies of ID would work then I could send a friend. My folks are in Ottawa. I lived there 5 years ago but you're supposed to get it from your place of primary residence the past 5 years.

I'll call them when they open.

Not sure why you'd need your employment contract - the authorities already have that from your employer's application for your work permit. They know all about you before you go to register .

EU citizens need to take a copy of their employment contract because the first the authorities know of them is when they walk in off the street.