Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[mjh49783aa]

If she hasn't been granted permanent residence yet, you definitely don't want to start bringing in a lot of stuff at this time. Otherwise, you'll raise all sorts of suspicion, and she can even be denied entry.

If they're already looking hard at her as it is, then you don't want to give them any more reason to look at you. I've been there myself, and I even spoke with an inland enforcement officer at one point, because someone told them I was living in Canada without status. (which I wasn't)

Therefore, wait until you have the COPR, and you're ready to land!

So my wife and I are debating whether she should just move up here now.

As you may or may not know, we applied in August 2011, just got notification that we need to pay the RPRF (which I had conveniently forgotten to pay).

When she crosses the border, if she brings two huge suitcases and if I cross with her, will the customs officer be suspicious that she is just moving here before her PR is granted? Will that cause a problem? I have no idea how much longer this process will take (i'm guessing another month at least before PPR and another 2-3 weeks after that), but I'm anxious for her to come up. This is the main concern as she is always hassled by the border guards everytime she comes up about her intentions to stay.

Any thoughts?

[awor]

So my wife and I are debating whether she should just move up here now.

As you may or may not know, we applied in August 2011, just got notification that we need to pay the RPRF (which I had conveniently forgotten to pay).

When she crosses the border, if she brings two huge suitcases and if I cross with her, will the customs officer be suspicious that she is just moving here before her PR is granted? Will that cause a problem? I have no idea how much longer this process will take (i'm guessing another month at least before PPR and another 2-3 weeks after that), but I'm anxious for her to come up. This is the main concern as she is always hassled by the border guards everytime she comes up about her intentions to stay.

Any thoughts?

I know how hard it is to wait, but you're only a few weeks away from finishing up the whole process and then you're DONE with having to worry about all that border CRAP! Try to be patient - you're in the home stretch!

[cantor2537]

Thanks guys, that's what we decided but reading about how so many people are in Canada on a visitor's visa here makes me just wonder why we aren't doing that now.

[mjh49783aa]

Having a visitor record doesn't bestow upon you any special status or privileges, although they likely won't question you as much - especially when it says on the visitor record that you're applying for your PR. It will even say in bold print: Not Valid for Re-entry though I have re-entered with it. It still remains at the discretion of the border officer as to whether or not he'll let you in.

Meanwhile, the best time to be asking for a visitor record is at the border when you can show them your Canadian spouse, proof of your marriage to your spouse, and a copy of your fee receipt for the immigration fees. Once you show them that stuff, you can ask for a visitor record, and they'll give you a record of either a six, or a 12 month length, (it's up to them how long it will be) and they may also stamp your passport as well. But if you're that close to a COPR, then I wouldn't even bother.

Thanks guys, that's what we decided but reading about how so many people are in Canada on a visitor's visa here makes me just wonder why we aren't doing that now.

[mjh49783aa]

You bet. I know the last couple of weeks can be frustrating. Matter of fact, as soon as I got my COPR, my wife was so hysterical that she wanted me to land right then and there. Well I couldn't do just yet without filling out those personal effects forms so that I could bring over my stuff.

Thanks guys, that's what we decided but reading about how so many people are in Canada on a visitor's visa here makes me just wonder why we aren't doing that now.

[cantor2537]

I've just heard so many stories about people overstaying and doing the wrong things and such that I wanted to do things the right way. My former receptionist was this young girl who married a UK guy and he came over for the wedding, and overstayed or something, and they banned him from re-applying for at least 2 years, so they moved to the UK. I don't want that to happen to us.

[mjh49783aa]

Very understandable. That was why I still went back and forth, even with a visitor record, and I made it a point to stay on the US side longer than in Canada. What's also a good idea to have is things like rent receipts, insurance and utility bills, bank statements, a lease agreement will be a big help. Basically everything that can be had to prove ties to the US. Paystubs from a job can also work. Carry that stuff when you cross and be prepared to show it to them if they ask. That's what I did. It's a pain in the butt to do, but it's worth it just for the piece of mind.

I've just heard so many stories about people overstaying and doing the wrong things and such that I wanted to do things the right way. My former receptionist was this young girl who married a UK guy and he came over for the wedding, and overstayed or something, and they banned him from re-applying for at least 2 years, so they moved to the UK. I don't want that to happen to us.

[canuckofchicago]

Hey everyone,

I just had a quick question. I paid our RPRF (Nov 8th) online via Mastercard after it was requested on October 6th. I then sent/mailed a copy of the receipt to both Mississauga and Buffalo via expresspost and both offices received it on November 12th. Now not being familiar with the process a couple of weeks later I sent an email to Buffalo with a copy of the receipt and they said it would be added to the file (November 22nd) and now it is almost two months later and nothing has been received. I did call CIC on the 9th and they even confirmed it was posted on their system. Now the question, since this coming week will be two months since my email to Buffalo does anyone know how much longer we have to wait for a PPR email or snail mail?

I am asking because my wife is getting antsy and I am getting antsy.

Thanks

[mjh49783aa]

Buffalo is known to be slow and inconsistent. All I can say is sit tight.

Hey everyone,

I just had a quick question. I paid our RPRF (Nov 8th) online via Mastercard after it was requested on October 6th. I then sent/mailed a copy of the receipt to both Mississauga and Buffalo via expresspost and both offices received it on November 12th. Now not being familiar with the process a couple of weeks later I sent an email to Buffalo with a copy of the receipt and they said it would be added to the file (November 22nd) and now it is almost two months later and nothing has been received. I did call CIC on the 9th and they even confirmed it was posted on their system. Now the question, since this coming week will be two months since my email to Buffalo does anyone know how much longer we have to wait for a PPR email or snail mail?

I am asking because my wife is getting antsy and I am getting antsy.

Thanks

[ddobro2]

Hang in there, you are very close. They take up to two months to process it but you have to remember there were several holidays between November when you sent the receipt and now.

Hey everyone,

I just had a quick question. I paid our RPRF (Nov 8th) online via Mastercard after it was requested on October 6th. I then sent/mailed a copy of the receipt to both Mississauga and Buffalo via expresspost and both offices received it on November 12th. Now not being familiar with the process a couple of weeks later I sent an email to Buffalo with a copy of the receipt and they said it would be added to the file (November 22nd) and now it is almost two months later and nothing has been received. I did call CIC on the 9th and they even confirmed it was posted on their system. Now the question, since this coming week will be two months since my email to Buffalo does anyone know how much longer we have to wait for a PPR email or snail mail?

I am asking because my wife is getting antsy and I am getting antsy.

Thanks

[mcmasters]

Hey Everybody!

It's been a million years (OK, more like several weeks), but I wanted to stick to my word and come back to tell anyone who's interested how my visa-getting and landing went.

I can also give (some) answers about exporting/importing vehicles from the US to Canada, getting a SIN, and getting an Ontario driver license. I have yet to register my vehicles in Ontario or get insurance for them. :p

I got my visa in person at the office in Buffalo on Dec. 11th and landed at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge on Dec. 27th. I exported my vehicles on the American side of the bridge the same day and then did my landing. Both procedures took about 15 minutes.

I'll try to check back regularly to see if anyone has any questions for me. 

From start to finish, my entire processing time was just under 10 months, from the time we sent my application until I landed in Canada.

I wish everyone the best of luck with their immigration process!

-Maddy

[ddobro2]

Congrats on the landing 

Hey Everybody!

It's been a million years (OK, more like several weeks), but I wanted to stick to my word and come back to tell anyone who's interested how my visa-getting and landing went.

I can also give (some) answers about exporting/importing vehicles from the US to Canada, getting a SIN, and getting an Ontario driver license. I have yet to register my vehicles in Ontario or get insurance for them. :p

I got my visa in person at the office in Buffalo on Dec. 11th and landed at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge on Dec. 27th. I exported my vehicles on the American side of the bridge the same day and then did my landing. Both procedures took about 15 minutes.

I'll try to check back regularly to see if anyone has any questions for me. 

From start to finish, my entire processing time was just under 10 months, from the time we sent my application until I landed in Canada.

I wish everyone the best of luck with their immigration process!

-Maddy

[AmericaninQuebec]

Hey Everybody!

It's been a million years (OK, more like several weeks), but I wanted to stick to my word and come back to tell anyone who's interested how my visa-getting and landing went.

I can also give (some) answers about exporting/importing vehicles from the US to Canada, getting a SIN, and getting an Ontario driver license. I have yet to register my vehicles in Ontario or get insurance for them. :p

I got my visa in person at the office in Buffalo on Dec. 11th and landed at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge on Dec. 27th. I exported my vehicles on the American side of the bridge the same day and then did my landing. Both procedures took about 15 minutes.

I'll try to check back regularly to see if anyone has any questions for me. 

From start to finish, my entire processing time was just under 10 months, from the time we sent my application until I landed in Canada.

I wish everyone the best of luck with their immigration process!

-Maddy

How did you export on the same day? Do they not have a 3-day wait time rule? I haven't exported my vehicle yet, because the U.S. crossing near me says I have to bring them my original title (can't fax it) 72 hrs before I want to export my car. Are you saying it's not the same everywhere?

[AllisonVSC]

How did you export on the same day? Do they not have a 3-day wait time rule? I haven't exported my vehicle yet, because the U.S. crossing near me says I have to bring them my original title (can't fax it) 72 hrs before I want to export my car. Are you saying it's not the same everywhere?

It is not the same everywhere. You can fax the title to Queenston/Lewiston; 72 hours in advance thing still applies though.

[eeeeeeeelectric]

My PPR-COPR-PR story!

I know reading these accounts has truly helped me on this forum (to be honest, an immigration lawyer at the beginning of this process AND being pretty savvy with government-ese were useless without the practical experiences of you here guiding me through this).  Because of this, I want to now share my own time wading through the process from Passport Request to Confirmation of Permanent Residency to Permanent Resident, all in less than a week!
 
Background dates on the left... Story begins the day of my PPR...
 
It was a Monday, and I knew the Buffalo office was open only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  We contemplated mailing in the PPR, copy of passport pages, and photos (once I knew I went In Process, I'd gotten PR photos as London Drugs to be prepared to immediately submit my PPR package), but Buffalo never changed my address in their system despite multiple attempts.  I checked flights from Western Washington state (my then home), and even from YVR in Vancouver BC (my new home).  There were some that would work for me to get there Wednesday!  I immediately called my US boss and explained what happened, and that I wanted to take the week off to take care of my COPR and landing.  The only thing standing in my way was an enormous snowstorm system that was hammering the west coast.  Everything was in our favour.  We couldn't fail, eh?
 
After some nail-biting travel (3 planes, 3000 miles, no food all day, and running on empty through Vegas and Charlotte airports), I arrived late Wednesday night in Buffalo!!!

*Please be open tomorrow, CIC, and let me have prepared the correct documents!*
 
I arrived incredibly early at the HSBC building -- 6:30.  No one was there, and Tim Horton's did not have any sweets.  I needed coffe, calming down, and food!

I went up to the main floor where  a security officer said to go to the Tim Horton's area, and someone would be down at 7:30 to bring us up in groups.  I did just that, read, and saw not a soul else with any papers until just before 7:30.  The plaza area filled to capacity.  I was happy to have gotten a seat, orange juice, and a bagel.You cannot take food or drink with you, nor can you bring a bag bigger than a purse.  You also are discouraged from bringing small kids.

At 7:30, an officer (different one), appeared by the elevator and asked for anyone that was visiting the Consulate to line up single file in front of him.  A few people jumped ahead of me.  I didn't care.  We were all going to the same place!
 
We were taken up one flight on the escalator to the main floor where we queued up at the security table to be given a sticker pass for our chest.  They instructed us down to where we threw the backing of the sticker!  Very regulated!  I was #5.  We then were directed to the elevators, where we were to press the Canadian flag (30), and turn off all cell phones.
 
We arrived in the office with two bullet-proof glass windows and a podium at these velvet ropes.  I got a ticket for my mobile phone, and sat down.  We were called up by numbers to turn in our paperwork, then waited for our next task.  I only had to go up and get my COPR after 2.5 hours.  I was the first COPR issued of the group. There were 2 ahead of me who were seeking COPR, and multiple other types of visas, applications, and interviews happening for the 72 people I counted before I left.
 
They do have bathrooms there.

Onto landing!

I flew home protecting my prize like a hawk.

The weather was too bad for my wife and I to meet at the Pacific Highway Crossing on Friday, Jan 20.  We planned to go the next day for safety.

I had already prepared my goods and goods to follow lists so as to be prepared.  I signed NOTHING before going to the border.  Not the COPR, not the B4s.  They instructed me about the COPR, but I read about the importing forms somewhere.  Also, you really have to put the VIN number on the forms for your car.  They asked that at landing.  I had, thankfully.
 
My wife and I were in succession at the border.  I did not use the Nexus lane as I was not any longer the same status as that card showed (you have to update address and status if you change anything).  I told the border agent why I was there, flashed my COPR in its folder (it was wet and cold and windy, and I was afraid it would blow away), and he asked about my goods to follow.  He waived me in with my yellow tracking slip.
 
We entered the customs office to find no one there.  Sparse at 12 pm on a Saturday!  I was called up to the counter, notified the officer of my reason there (to land), and handed him my passport, COPR, and importation docs.  He redid the goods accompanying me list by hand.  

My COPR did not have an address listed for me, and he added that to my file as well.  It actually took us a lot longer than the 15 minutes I've read.  Our officer seemed a bit spent from dealing with some unruly folks before us, and there was some sort of camera crew moving around in and out of the border office.

After 45 minutes in the centre, he called us up and gave me my COPR-stapled passport, some sheets re maintaining my PR status, and settlement resources.  Also, I got a Canada flag pin!

BUT

he forgot the most important part!  He did not welcome me to Canada!  Haha.  My wife did that, gave me a huge hug right there, and we left smiling and taking pictures.

Tomorrow, I will go get my SIN# (card will come 10 business days later) in BC in person, and my wife will figure out how she applies for my MSP (she is already on MSP and can provide coverage through her own employer to pay my premiums).

That's it!

I'm in Canada, eh?