Landed from USA - Came back on "AVR"

[canada_dream100]

Guys... finally we did our landing via peace bridge....

it was gr8 experience....

thanks to Qorax, PMM, Leon for there expert opinion which helped to understand the process...

thanks to Qorax for always being there to answer the doubts....

and thanks to zulkfal also... he also applied in same time-frame, and always shared information/suggestion to maximum extent as per his best of knowledge....

thank you to all of you for your active support & Canadavisa.com for having wonderful forum....


Couple of points which could help others who are planning to land from USA....

-Immigration officer:
I did landing via peace bridge, and was asked to go inside the office. Immigration officer took 15-20 minutes for completion of processing.
(Tip: your photo on CPR must (strictly) be according to guideline, other-wise you could be in trouble. Landing officer checked the photos (matched) with standard, she didn't say anything to us, but was not happy with photos.... so I don't know if everything would be okay & I would get PR cards (in 6-8 weeks) without trouble).

-Customs Officer:
He also happily assisted to fulfill the process. But... again but...
(I read in Qorax's post that one should avoid using car which is part of "Goods to be follow" list. I planned with rental car, but later I got link to Peace Bridge site, there was a contact no. I called and clearly mention that I want to import my car later & it is in "goods to be follow" list; can I visit Canada with same car, officer at phone, very clearly & confidently said yes... I can do it.... and I changed my plan.

But... customs officer said, I would need to import it same day... and register the car, get all certificates with 45 days... otherwise penalty...

so I will look into that detail and try to fulfill as suggested, but this is self called headache which could be avoided.) 


-Just came back to USA using AVR, officer at border asked couple of questions (in 2-3 minutes), scanned something and allowed to comeback.


Experience in Canada
================

I was with my friend in Mississauga and I was surprised to see the difference between USA & Canada.... I felt I am in Indian city, whether its behavior of people, shopping centers or people around residence area.

In last 7 years in USA, I have seen mixed population but seems in Canada people are staying in non-fragmentation way. I guess, just guess, that every community is limited to specific areas.... I hope that not to be true, because in USA mixed population is lot helpful, and one get chance to learn positive of every community.... seems I would need to learn more about this on internet.

I am planning to visit again next month or may be earlier if I get short-listed for positions I am applying...

thanks to GOD for opening such a wonderful door & to all of you for making it possible.

[canada_dream100]

I need some information as I am also planning to land in Canada via the Rainbow bridge on 15th October. It would be great if you can email me or give me your phone number so that I can call you to discuss. I am going with my family with expired visa but valid I-94 in our I-797.
**> Same case with us (me & my wife).

1. I saw you mentioned something regarding car import & photo on the COPR doc, can you elaborate on that?
**>We had photos on CPR (CoPR) doc, but immigration officer was not happy with those.... that's why I suggested either those photo must match with photo standard mentioned. You don't need additional photos... but if you feel those photos were not matching to standard, you can carry with you & if immigration officer asks, s/he can replace the photo.... but if you feel your photos on CPR were as per standard, you are fine... no photos needed....   

2. Did you take photo's with you while you landed? My attorney says no photos are required.
**> Ans above

3. What questions did they ask at the US border when you came back?
**> I gave our passports & Original 797 to him. He asked, Why are you here? I said I got PR of Canada so I was there to complete PR process & now I am coming back to US... He said, so are you planning to move to Canada, when? I said may be in couple of weeks.

4. Did you removed the I-94from I-797 and attached it to the passport or it was part of the I-797?
**> No I did not remove, it was with 797

5. Did you mention to US border officers that you went to Canada specifically for landing?
**> Yes

6. Did you apply for SIN number while you were in Canada, if so can you pls tell me where you applied?
**> I got reference of someone through my friend, I met him... and mentioned that I am going to give his address for all legal documents. So I searched SIN office near to that, I visited that office and it took 10 minutes to apply for all of us.
I located SIN office from http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/sin/
I filled the downloaded form & gave to officer in SIN, and she completed everything in 10 min...

7. What places can we visit in Niagara Falls Canada side, Toronto and Mississauga?
**> Mississauga is full of desi... you would find 99% desi (immigrated people) in that area...  Mississauga is approx. 15 miles from Toronto.... you can stay any where.....

8. Which hotel did you stay in Mississauga?
**> I stayed at someone's apt....

9. How is the weather right now there, do we need full cold weather dress?
**>Weather is totally unpredictable.... you must carry clothes for severe cold weather.....even though you use it or not... my daughter got sick after visiting Nigara Falls... and having chest congestion...she is on medicine for 7 days... if you have young kid... and weather.com predict cold on the day you plan to visit NF... I would suggest you to avoid visiting or take care in advance....

Sorry for asking lot of questions, I am actually flying from Miami to Buffalo and driving in a rental car and planning to stay in Niagara Falls Canada side and visit Toronto from there. Let me know and thanks in advance.
**>Don't you use your own car... use rental car while landing....
**>You need an address to give to immigration officer, so that they can send your PR card at that address in 6-8 weeks...so make sure you have an address to give to them...
**>I pass by Peace Bridge, because on border near to NF, there could be heavy rush of tourists and may take more time.... (2 peace bridge plaza, fort erie, on)... http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/menu-eng.html