landed. sharing our experience and plan

Dear Forum Members
I express my sincere gratitude toward all of you for helpful info and support during my PR application process starting from the planning phase. Finally I, along with my family members, drove from Cincinnati OH and landed on July 2nd in Niagara Falls, Ontario through the Peace Bridge.

It was a pleasant experience. I would not repeat the conversation with the CBSA officers, as you all might have heard it from numerous other members....:-) I would only second that it is true, it's a very smooth process and pretty quick. The officers make it as much hassle-free as possible for you and yes they are friendly and very professional.

I declared the funds as x amount in USD (equivalent of >21k CAD as we are a family of 4) and 1k USD was cash. I carried 2 pp-size photos for each of us, in case required and all forms filled in.

The immigration officer who stamped my PP and worked on the CoPR, said the CoPR-attached photos were perfect - so no need of additional photos. She even did not require my PR Card application; upon question she answered she was filling it in, and no need for these forms.

The customs officer looked at the B4 form (Goods to follow list) and asked me how much total, that's it. I presented Goods accompanying list (another B4), but he said he does not need it. He additionally gave me a form for my car (I presented the title of certificate) and gave me an import form and asked me to pay 221.69 CAD later to a different address. Done.

We went to service CA the same day. Got our SIN numbers. I prepared SIN application before-hand, but they said they don't need it, will be done all-online on their system.

Next week went to one CIBC branch and opened bank a/c.

First time ever visited the Niagara Falls from the Canadian side. Beautiful. Enjoyed several attractions in Toronto.

After 2 weeks returned to our US address. The US CBP officer asked for passport and to answer his question I told him that I went to CA for landing. He asked whether I applied for US immigration and I said ‘yes'. He asked how would I fulfill my residency obligation? I answered “Sir, as per USCIS inventory and subsequent Visa Bulletins, I would have to wait for little more than two decades (I am from India and EB3). So once you approve US GC, I would consider which one to keep. I still “intend” to reside in US provided the GC is approved. He was ok and scanned our H1B visa page and let us in.
My US employer has agreed to transfer me to their Detroit branch. I clearly stated my plan as I will relocate my family on the other side of the border, Windsor, ON and travel every day for work. I will see if I can rent a small studio apt in Detroit MI, in case I ever need. On a second thought, I am, however, planning to withdraw our US GC application (I-485) and stick to Canadian PR. If I ever need I can re-apply (say, after I become Canadian Citizen) as I would have the underlying I-140 active and retain the priority date.
Upon US GC withdrawal I would still have US H1B and thus would try to apply for NEXUS card to help ease my daily commute. I guess I can apply as I have been staying in US for at least more than 3 years and having Canadian PR.

Thanks for your time... was excited to share my experience and plans as well...

All the best to your endeavor!