AINP - SRS H1B Landing Experience and post landing related activities.

[tyler_sam]

Yes, just a little worried. I haven't ever stamped my H-1s. I have an old expired F-1 from 05. I have a 140 approved and an H-1 extension. Maybe I should just get the stamp! Let me know what you think

hey don't worry...i spoke itself to the immigration and infact got an email answer from them that it is okay to use AVR as long as you do not go outside the u.s more than 30 days and you do not apply visa stamping while outside u.s.a.
also as long as you are going with in canada or mexico..

 

[mickey_sri]

Border Crossing sweetgrass/coutts( Montana) and came back to US

Family of 4 ( Including 2 kids )
Status : H1b and H4 visa ( Both of our visa & I94 expired ) kids are US Citizen.
Plan : Border crossing for PRL and coming back to US using AVR
Mind status : 4 months -very tensed don't know what is going to happen on coming back to US using AVR.
spend 4 months of time for preparing PR landing.

I booked Airticket from San Francisco to Greatfalls and stayed overnight in a Hotel near by Airport and on March 21'st Morning we took Rental car at 9.00 am. Before we were reaching the border we took a break in shelby for 10 min almost 11.00 am ( Nice and sunny little bit windy ) When I was about to reach canadian border, 50 feet before US patrol

blocked our car on the road and small booth with stop sign ,

=================== First officer US-Border Patrol Booth =========================================
Two officer in same booth ( one officer told my car plate number and another officer to enter in his system )

US-Officer: Is it your car or rental?
Me : Rental sir,
US-Officer: How many people in the car ?
Me : 4 people
US-Officer: Can i see all of your passport ?
Me : Gave all the passport ( he saw all the pages )
US-Officer: your visa is expired ,you have your I94
Me : showed the old expired ,( saw it and gave it to me) this also expired

US-Officer: you have new visa or i94?
Me : Yes i said i have new visa i-797 along attached i94 ( gave that )

he looked the visa and entered the info in to his system.
Then he scanned in his keyboard all of our passport and return all the passport and visa

US-Officer: see you later ( That word Gave me lot of confidence that my trip is going to be good one )

with in 10 feet Canadian border ( that day Two lanes are opened )
infront of me 3 cars ( just waited for 3 min )

======================= Canadian Booth 2 =======================================================
My turn drive to the window:

Canadian officer : Bonjour
Me : Hello
Canadian officer : why are you coming to canada ?
Me : For my Permanant residance landing
Canadian officer : can i see your passport
Me : Gave all the Passport
Canadian officer : How long r u going to say in canada ?
Me : 1 week and return to US and coming back to canada after a month.
Canadian officer : Do you have any alcohol, Amenities,Fire arm?
Me : NO
Canadian officer : Do you have any gifts to hand over somebody in Canada?
Me : NO
Canadian officer : Gave me yellow slip ( ask us to Park the car and go to immigration counter )

Got my yellow slip and passport parked the car.


==================== Canadian Immigration 3 ======================================================

went in side the office ( Office counter is like L shap ) 2 counter for immigration and 2 for customs and another two ( I dont know )

I went to imigration counter both counter officer are just sitting free

Canadian officer: How can i help you?
Me : came here for permanant residant landing .
Canadian officer: you have all the documents .
Me : Gave Passport and Corp documents.
Canadian officer: How long are u going to stay in canada :
Me : 1 week and go back to US finish up my daughter school and wrap up my things and will be back in 1 month
Canadian officer: You have address in canada to send PR card ?
Me : yes sir, Gave the address to him.
Canadian officer: who is in this address ?
Me : He is my friend, ( he got that address and took copy of it )
Me : sir one request , LosAngeles canadian consulate said the pictures in the copr are not up to the specification so they ask us to change the pictures at the port of entry
Canadian officer: Ohhh, do they think we fix all their work? ( laughed ) just kidding you,
Don't worry, I will fix everything on the Coprs. He also told he have a expensive camera to take pictures too...

Me : we gave the pictures that we took with correct specification.
Canadian officer : He looked at all the pictures and said they all looks good and will replace it.


He ask us to wait - we sit in the chair ( he filled all 4 of our info in system same time he gave training to another officer how to do that )
bcaz of the new officer training it took almost 30 min to finish that work

Canadian officer: verified all the info in copr and called us to sign in the green box.
Me : I and my wife signed with in the box not tocuhing the green color , ( good you both are permanent resident now ) Next turn for our kids
Canadian officer: Do you want to bring your kids with you?
Me : Yes Obsoultely Sir
Canadian officer: Do you have anyother dependent other than listed in the coprs?
Me : No Sir
Canadian officer: Then sign the coprs for your kids
Me : I and my wife signed the coprs and
Officer told your kids are also permanent residence now. He also added that we can get all the rights schooling, jobs,etc., same like canadians
It was really happy moment for our family.
Me : where I need to show the proof of funds, goods accompanying and goods to follow?
Canadian officer: Dont worry about proof of funds right now. For goods -B4 forms go to the traffic section on the left corner and give this yellow slip

you all done went to traffic counter:

======================== Canadian Customs 4 ==================================================================



went to traffic:

Officer : How can I help you?
Me : came here for PRL and need to show good accompanying and goods to follow
Officer : you know what are the items you are bringing?
Me : Yes sir,
Officer : try to pull B4 forum to fill
Me : sir we already filled it
Officer : thats good
Me : show the pic of jewellry and other scaned item.
Officer : ( very happy ) it will reduce my work a lot , if everyone come like this it will be great.
Me : smile
Officer : i dont need any copies of B4 accompany. if you want i will stamp all the pages in your b4 list. ( he stamped all the pages )

he took copy of b4 following and stamp all the pages in our copy.

Officer : if you bring your car please call UScustoms 72 hours and clear it
( next counter a chinese guy told me to clear the uscustoms before 3 days, he told me US customs hold his car for 3days at the port of entry)

officer : ohh really . (he said we are all done ),

Very happy that all our works are done very smoothly and officers are very nice

Drove 1 hour and reached Lethbridge at 1.45 pm
Had a food in Indian Resturant . Almost 3.00 we went to service canada to apply sin card, Got sin no , and they ask canadian address to send the card.
I gave my friends address ( it took 45 min for all 4 of us )

Started to drive back to US at 4.15 pm

Reached US Border @ 5.15 pm

In front of us 3 cars ( Only one lane open for cars )

waited for 5 min for our turn .

============================ US Border Patrol Booth 5 =========================================================

officer : Hello
Me : Hello
officer : where you guys are from?
Me : california,
officer : what are you doing there?
Me : I am working there.
Officer : How long you been in California
Me : almost 6yrs
Officer : can i have all your passports and i94s
Me : yes sir, ( Gave passport , old i94 , new i797 )
Officer : when u went to canada ?
Me : Today Morning 11.00 am.
officer : why u went to canada?
Me : PRL
Officer : Is this rental car?
Me : yes
Officer : How are you going back to California
Me : I am flying sir
officer : scanned my passport in his keyboard and visas
Officer : You all set. Have a nice time
Me : thanks a lot sir, have a nice time

( it took only 3 min )

( we never said anything about AVR Rule, Looks like the officers know every thing about it)
We were very happy and entered US with no hassle... 8) ;DNow our stereo volume increased to high and we enjoyed our trip to Greatfalls.

All the officer i meet in sweetgrass/coutts are nice and helpful.


I am silent reader of this forum last 6 months .Thanks qorax & Senior members in this forum .Good Luck all !!! :-*

 

[JENNYSEC]

Hi everyone,

Can any one guide me how to transfer funds from US to canda if planning to permenant sattled in canada.Which is the best and easy way? How much CAD$ we can take with us in term of cash.

I will appreaciate your guidence

 

[washington.state]

Border Crossing sweetgrass/coutts( Montana) and came back to US

Family of 4 ( Including 2 kids )
Status : H1b and H4 visa ( Both of our visa & I94 expired ) kids are US Citizen.
Plan : Border crossing for PRL and coming back to US using AVR
Mind status : 4 months -very tensed don't know what is going to happen on coming back to US using AVR.
spend 4 months of time for preparing PR landing.

I booked Airticket from San Francisco to Greatfalls and stayed overnight in a Hotel near by Airport and on March 21'st Morning we took Rental car at 9.00 am. Before we were reaching the border we took a break in shelby for 10 min almost 11.00 am ( Nice and sunny little bit windy ) When I was about to reach canadian border, 50 feet before US patrol

blocked our car on the road and small booth with stop sign ,

=================== First officer US-Border Patrol Booth =========================================
Two officer in same booth ( one officer told my car plate number and another officer to enter in his system )

US-Officer: Is it your car or rental?
Me : Rental sir,
US-Officer: How many people in the car ?
Me : 4 people
US-Officer: Can i see all of your passport ?
Me : Gave all the passport ( he saw all the pages )
US-Officer: your visa is expired ,you have your I94
Me : showed the old expired ,( saw it and gave it to me) this also expired

US-Officer: you have new visa or i94?
Me : Yes i said i have new visa i-797 along attached i94 ( gave that )

he looked the visa and entered the info in to his system.
Then he scanned in his keyboard all of our passport and return all the passport and visa

US-Officer: see you later ( That word Gave me lot of confidence that my trip is going to be good one )

with in 10 feet Canadian border ( that day Two lanes are opened )
infront of me 3 cars ( just waited for 3 min )

======================= Canadian Booth 2 =======================================================
My turn drive to the window:

Canadian officer : Bonjour
Me : Hello
Canadian officer : why are you coming to canada ?
Me : For my Permanant residance landing
Canadian officer : can i see your passport
Me : Gave all the Passport
Canadian officer : How long r u going to say in canada ?
Me : 1 week and return to US and coming back to canada after a month.
Canadian officer : Do you have any alcohol, Amenities,Fire arm?
Me : NO
Canadian officer : Do you have any gifts to hand over somebody in Canada?
Me : NO
Canadian officer : Gave me yellow slip ( ask us to Park the car and go to immigration counter )

Got my yellow slip and passport parked the car.


==================== Canadian Immigration 3 ======================================================

went in side the office ( Office counter is like L shap ) 2 counter for immigration and 2 for customs and another two ( I dont know )

I went to imigration counter both counter officer are just sitting free

Canadian officer: How can i help you?
Me : came here for permanant residant landing .
Canadian officer: you have all the documents .
Me : Gave Passport and Corp documents.
Canadian officer: How long are u going to stay in canada :
Me : 1 week and go back to US finish up my daughter school and wrap up my things and will be back in 1 month
Canadian officer: You have address in canada to send PR card ?
Me : yes sir, Gave the address to him.
Canadian officer: who is in this address ?
Me : He is my friend, ( he got that address and took copy of it )
Me : sir one request , LosAngeles canadian consulate said the pictures in the copr are not up to the specification so they ask us to change the pictures at the port of entry
Canadian officer: Ohhh, do they think we fix all their work? ( laughed ) just kidding you,
Don't worry, I will fix everything on the Coprs. He also told he have a expensive camera to take pictures too...

Me : we gave the pictures that we took with correct specification.
Canadian officer : He looked at all the pictures and said they all looks good and will replace it.


He ask us to wait - we sit in the chair ( he filled all 4 of our info in system same time he gave training to another officer how to do that )
bcaz of the new officer training it took almost 30 min to finish that work

Canadian officer: verified all the info in copr and called us to sign in the green box.
Me : I and my wife signed with in the box not tocuhing the green color , ( good you both are permanent resident now ) Next turn for our kids
Canadian officer: Do you want to bring your kids with you?
Me : Yes Obsoultely Sir
Canadian officer: Do you have anyother dependent other than listed in the coprs?
Me : No Sir
Canadian officer: Then sign the coprs for your kids
Me : I and my wife signed the coprs and
Officer told your kids are also permanent residence now. He also added that we can get all the rights schooling, jobs,etc., same like canadians
It was really happy moment for our family.
Me : where I need to show the proof of funds, goods accompanying and goods to follow?
Canadian officer: Dont worry about proof of funds right now. For goods -B4 forms go to the traffic section on the left corner and give this yellow slip

you all done went to traffic counter:

======================== Canadian Customs 4 ==================================================================



went to traffic:

Officer : How can I help you?
Me : came here for PRL and need to show good accompanying and goods to follow
Officer : you know what are the items you are bringing?
Me : Yes sir,
Officer : try to pull B4 forum to fill
Me : sir we already filled it
Officer : thats good
Me : show the pic of jewellry and other scaned item.
Officer : ( very happy ) it will reduce my work a lot , if everyone come like this it will be great.
Me : smile
Officer : i dont need any copies of B4 accompany. if you want i will stamp all the pages in your b4 list. ( he stamped all the pages )

he took copy of b4 following and stamp all the pages in our copy.

Officer : if you bring your car please call UScustoms 72 hours and clear it
( next counter a chinese guy told me to clear the uscustoms before 3 days, he told me US customs hold his car for 3days at the port of entry)

officer : ohh really . (he said we are all done ),

Very happy that all our works are done very smoothly and officers are very nice

Drove 1 hour and reached Lethbridge at 1.45 pm
Had a food in Indian Resturant . Almost 3.00 we went to service canada to apply sin card, Got sin no , and they ask canadian address to send the card.
I gave my friends address ( it took 45 min for all 4 of us )

Started to drive back to US at 4.15 pm

Reached US Border @ 5.15 pm

In front of us 3 cars ( Only one lane open for cars )

waited for 5 min for our turn .

============================ US Border Patrol Booth 5 =========================================================

officer : Hello
Me : Hello
officer : where you guys are from?
Me : california,
officer : what are you doing there?
Me : I am working there.
Officer : How long you been in California
Me : almost 6yrs
Officer : can i have all your passports and i94s
Me : yes sir, ( Gave passport , old i94 , new i797 )
Officer : when u went to canada ?
Me : Today Morning 11.00 am.
officer : why u went to canada?
Me : PRL
Officer : Is this rental car?
Me : yes
Officer : How are you going back to California
Me : I am flying sir
officer : scanned my passport in his keyboard and visas
Officer : You all set. Have a nice time
Me : thanks a lot sir, have a nice time

( it took only 3 min )

( we never said anything about AVR Rule, Looks like the officers know every thing about it)
We were very happy and entered US with no hassle... 8) ;DNow our stereo volume increased to high and we enjoyed our trip to Greatfalls.

All the officer i meet in sweetgrass/coutts are nice and helpful.


I am silent reader of this forum last 6 months .Thanks qorax & Senior members in this forum .Good Luck all !!! :-*

Thanks for posting such a big detail about AVR. Is there anybody who would like to post about the experience about H1B stamping in Calgary instead of just AVR.

 

[spartan.spartacus]

I am planning to do my landing on April and use AVR. Lets keep in touch.

What's AVR? Thanks

 

[tyler_sam]

AVR means AUtomatic Visa Revalidation Rule....this is a rule that will allow those who are in the U.S with expired visa and has nstill legal status to be able to go to Canada/Mexico and come back to u.S with expired visa....check rules regarding this if it applies to you:
http://www.trackitt.com/uk-discussion-forums/i485-eb/678557493/canada-automatic-revalidation-process

 

[aine0617]

All,

Can anyone help with the landing formalities, I need to land this month end and I need someone from here to help me with some stuff, please reply to that email.. so I can be in touch with you

THanks,
In anticipation

 

[aine0617]

H,

If you have already completed the landing formalities, Can you help me get some info, Does the toronto address helped you ?? Did officer questioned you with anything about that? I need to land this month end and I need someone from here to help me with some stuff, please reply to that email.. so I can be in touch with you

THanks,
In anticipation

 

[tyler_sam]

Re: AINP -Landed canada successfully and back to U.S. with AVR

Hello to everyone.. as promised, I will be sharing my landing experience, i know there are some here who were in the same situation and this might help you out guys to lessen that burden of anxiety in completing the landing at the same time the worries also of coming back to U.S. using AVR.
Here is the detailed narration of my experience:

I decided to do my landing last April 26, 2012. I took a flight from Dallas to Buffalo for reasons that I decided to see Niagara at the same time cross the bridge border to complete my landing process. It was a very long and stressing day for me thinking so many things as to how will be my landing and at the same time the feeling of coming back in the U.S. later with expired HI B visa stamp but with valid I797 with a new I94. My flight from Dallas was a connection to Newark then Buffalo, as usual like most airlines, there was a delay in my connecting flight to Buffalo with numerous changes in gate...take note the gate changes is not close to each other ...am talking long walks to another gate...I do not know what was going on with the minds of continental people keep changing our gates and the worse thing is they don't flash the changes or announce the changes in the TV screens....anyway to cut it a bit.....we finally did our boarding at 10 PM, can you believe that? we were supposed to be out to Buffalo at 6:45 PM and due to those changes I have to keep calling budget to moved my car rental reservation to make sure I got one reserved.
It was a short one hour flight and we arrived Buffalo at 11:20 PM. I went straight to the car rental since I only had a hand carry luggage with me.
I brought my own GPS , so before leaving the airport we set the GPS to the hotel address in Canada. By the way, my cousin who is a U.S citizen went with me.
From reading the blogs prior to my landing, I had set my mind to land in either Quennston-Lewiston bridge or Peace bridge as suggested by many.
After seeing the GPS to the Hotel address, I started driving onwards the border, so much mixed emotions but was confident though since I have all the needed papers with me.
As we got closer to the bridge, we noticed that the GPS did not directed as to the bridge I wanted , it directed me to the Rainbow bridge, unfortunately I can not back off the car anymore coz I was thinking to redirect my direction considering that I was right in the middle of it, so my cousin said, will that matter if you cross this bridge? I needed to just go ahead anyway, in my thinking it will be the same procedures anyways and besides I have same set of papers to present so we proceeded.
First we passed a toll both to enter the Rainbow bridge and paid for 3 dollars, then few meters ahead, there was another booth with the Canadian Border Patrol, make sure you follow the sign strictly, there was one car ahead of me so I have to stay behind the sign STOP HERE and only proceed when the area ahead of you is clear. Prior to driving by the way, I had my Canadian documents ready and handy in the car. SO at this point, I already opened my window and proceeded to the booth.
here is the conversation with the Canadian border patrol:
1. Good evening guys, may I have your identifications please-- I gave them my passport and my cousins
2. he return my cousins passport and asked my cousin when is he going back to the states, my cousin answered I will be back after 2 nights here officer.Then he looked at my passport and what are you here for? I answered I am here to complete my landing process, then he returned my passport and gave me a yellow slip to park the car and get into the building with my cousin just few meters behind the booth.
3. Thank you officer and then I went to park the car beside the building and there was two officers came out in the building and approached me and said, what can we be of help? I said and showed them my yellow slip and said am here to complete my landing process, then he said okay, go inside the building and leave your car here, I asked if I have to bring my hand carry luggage but he said just leave it there just bring all your papers.

4 I went inside the building with my cousin and it was very quiet with 4 officers in dark blue uniform. There was no other landing immigrants or visitor other than us.....I guess it was because it was past midnight already. Then a lady in her 50's called me, then I went and here are the most drilling part of my landing:
Inside immigration building:
Off: She called my cousin first and ask for the passport of my cousin, then after she checked that he is a U.S citizen, he asked my cousin to just have a sit there and wait while he is processing mine. So this time it was only me standing in front of the officer. I told her am here to complete my landing officer, gave to her my passport, then she asked for my COPR...

Off: What is your status in U.S? I was very surprised to be asked about my status in the U.S. , so I answered, I am on an H1 B visa officer,
Off: So are you going back to the U.S? Have you quit your job already?---- Yes officer, I am going back to the U.S sometime middle of May. Then she asked when are you planning to quit your job? When I go back this May, I will also do the final termination of my job in the U.S ( These are the answers that are so quick in mind) you got to be very quick and firm of your answers otherwise they tend to intimidate you.
Off: Thats quite a long filed leave you did in from your work, almost 3 weeks? I answered back immediately, yes officer quite long but having been with the company for 5 years had allowed me 6 weeks of vacation due to I am allowed a 3 weeks paid vacation every year and our company allow as to carry maximum of 2 weeks if you don't use it. That's why I have more than enough of days.
Off: Good for you, why not use them every year? I do used them for some trips inside U.S trips but the longest is 4-5 days off. Then he said, so how much vacation you have so far left for the year? I have about 5 weeks so far, based on my last pay date.
Off: Okay, wish I have that too..... (don't really care...lol in my mind what is your problem officer....why not just finish my landing and let me go...I was asking in my mind what is that that you want?) then she asked if I have my H1B papers, so I showed it to her excluding the original expired I-94 (the white one, since I know that I will need the original white I-94 in coming back) then she said okay have a sit there and i will call you back.
I went to sit beside my cousin and he was then whispering on me, what is going on? why it is taking so long? I told my cousin, I don't know, what she want, she asked me to wait and she said she is will call me back.....at this point, my worry is she had all my original I-797 approvals.....then after ... about 5 minutes, she called me back and ask her to follow her in the office
Inside her office:
officer: Here are your H1 B papers...thank you officer ( I took a quick check if it is complete and still originals ...LOL thank God they are all)
Officer: Do you have Alberta address? ---- yes officer, I gave her the address of my friend.
Officer: Who's is this address? ----its a family friend officer
Officer: Are you going to stay with them long? --- No officer, it will be just temporary, I am hoping to find my own place.
Officer: Have you started looking for a place?---- Yes I did, I started checking some in the internet and my friend in alberta is also helping me look for one.
Officer: Why did you choose to land in Ontario and not went straight to Alberta since you are a nominee of Alberta?---- (quick answer from my mind) I actually thought of that but when I was checking the fares, it was so expensive to get direct flights from Dallas (which is true coz I did checked then because i was anticipating this can be a question why I land in Toronto not in Alberta?) it was costing me like 750-850 dollars
Officerid you not check their promo fares? Air canada always have special fares especially in the West?----( AT THIS POINT...I AM STARTING TO BE ANNOYED AND IMPATIENT WITH HER...I WAS TRYING TO KEEP COOL STILL SINCE I AM IN THE MERCY OF DOING MY LANDING....SO STILL TRIED TO KEEP CALM AND POLITE BUT THIS TIME I DECIDED TO VOICE OUT MY SIDE IN A VERY POLITE WAY) you are right officer, there was even good deals , there was even a 3 day sale in air canada for only 256 dollars via phoenix
but the problem was it was only for 3 days sale and I do not have the control as to when my passport will be returned by the consulate of Canada in LA...in fact I can show you my numerous emails I sent to them asking the status of my passport, so it was difficult to plan out since I have no control with my passport. If you read back on my stamped visa, they issued my visa March 26, 2012 and is valid until June 19, 2012. They actually got my passport February 24, 2012. They sent it back to me April 18, 2012. It was just one week time that I got it back, so how can I plan out? With this short period of time that in my understanding you normally get at least 1 year preparation, how can you plan your landing well with a lot of things to consider? i have to give noticed to my employer about quitting my job, though my employers know that eventually I am moving to Canada, even disposing some belongings that i have accumulated in my 6 years in U.S is not easy in a period of time allowed by my visa. Had I known that eventually I will be moving to Alberta, I could have started doing that little by little while my papers was in process but as per advice by the CIC website, do not dispose your properties or belongings not unless you have your visa in your hand to be assured you are approved...and that is exactly what I did. I was just following the rules and the advice.
officer: I am sorry to hear that, I agree you normally have to have at least a year of preparation and that is for that reason that the visa is usually 1 year from the time you had your medical to allow you to prepare.....but what took so long why consulate give your visa in that short period of time?------(HERE WE GO AGAIN...I HAVE TO RELAY BACK THE HISTORY....AND SHE MIGHT NOT LIKED IT)---- i guess the story why it was like that was....way back in August 2011, when my file was transferred from Buffalo to LA consulate branch to expedite process according to them, the LA branch that took my file sent me a letter after a month that my file was transferred and informed me that my application was refused due to this reason..blah blah...I was so surprised then knowing they refused after almost 16 months of wait, had it not been transferred ...then I found out that the refusal was due to their mistake or error and it was not due to me...having known that, I immediately wrote the consulate and copied CIC headquarters informing them of the error they made causing them to refused my application for something that is not my fault. and thats why they sent me an email in response to my letter apologizing for the "overlooked" error and that they are reopening my file for reconsideration, to make the story short, thats how it cut my supposed 1 year visa to only 3 months.
officer: Wow...sorry for the inconvenience (YEAH RIGHT ....YOU ARE JUST DOING IT AGAIN..LOL), ...its okay officer, i also understand the job of the immigration officer especially those working in the consulate where they have to review hundred of thousands of hopeful immigrant or visitors in your lovely country, and I believe it was just an honest human error in their side with no direct intentions, it can happen to anyone...only good thing is I found it out that they had made an error, otherwise if they were right there is no point for me to fight and argue with them, I was just fighting for what is right then.
officer: That is really good, sometimes you have to stress things out for them to understand that they are wrong...do you have proof of funds?------yes officer, i have 2K dollars cash and I have a bank statement from Bank of America ---gave to her my statement...
officer: Ok ..... am sorry for the inconvenience that I have caused you..I know you are very tired after a long flight of delays as you said, the reason why it took this long is because I was just trying to get the sense of doing your landing in Toronto and not in Alberta-------I understand your side officer, at the same time understand your concern if I will be really living Alberta then, the reason why am doing my landing here is I did not see any reason why I can't do my landing here because based on the letter attached with my landing documents, it was saying there you can do your landing anywhere in Canada except Quebec, so I was just relying on it that I can do it in toronto in that way cheaper for me and I will get to see Niagara too.
officer: Okay, lets go back to the window.....(then she gave my papers to the other lady officer) she will continue your landing------Thank you officer (She probably has to leave work....)
New officer: Have a sit and I will call you back. Thank you officer, went to my cousin and we chat and he was saying wow...that was long conversation in the office...I told him yeah , at this time I am not anxious anymore and was more ready to answer questions if there is more.Then office recalled me:
New officer: Were you convicted of any crime? ---no officer
New Officer: Please initial here and sign at the bottom---- signed as pointed.
New officer: Your PR card will be mailed to this address in 4-6 weeks. welcome to Canada (WHAT A WELCOME AFTER BEING GRILLED THAT LONG BY THAT 1ST OFFICER) please proceed to the officer in the next window for your goods to follow if any.---Thank you officer
Customs:
Officer: Do you have goods to follow? ( As advised by many, PRE-FILLED FORMS IS ALWAYS HELPFUL)---- gave him the B4 (I already made 2 copies of these ready )form checked it and stamped it and then went to the cashier and gave me a reciept with 0 payment.
officer: Here are your copies and make sure you don't lost them coz you need them in importing by ship/air/Land, you are all set....another welcome to canada by the officer.
Then me and my cousin went to the car and drove heading to the hotel we have reserved. Finally landed successfully but that was really a long journey and stressing moment in the entire process of my canada journey, at any rate, I still feel it was all worth it...can't believe am an immigrant now in CANADA.
After checking in the hotel...it was past 2 AM, we drove some where to grab some food, we were so hungry and made some quick sight seeing and a feel of Canada. It was just then that things finally sink in to me.
Get some sleep for the next day to prepare for the SIN /Bank Account.
Woke up late around 11: AM then went to SIN office and apply. it was quick , went to bank to apply for an account it was quick too.
The rest of the day was spent going around the Niagara canada side and went back to the hotel early for another stressful day this time with U.S....my anxiety started again due to fears of using AVR.I
GOING BACK TO U.S ( THIS TIME WE MADE SURE TO GO QUEENSTON-LEWISTON BRIDGE) WE STARTED DRIVING TO THE U.S AS EARLY A 5 AM I DECIDED TO GO EARLY SO THAT I HAVE MORE TIME TO DEAL WITH U.S IMMIGRATION IN CASE AND WONT BE LATE THEN FOR MY FLIGHT FROM BUFFALO TO DALLAS WHCH IS 9:30 AM.
BEFORE DRIVING I HAD THIS READY :
1. NEW PASSPORT
2. OLD PASSPORT WHERE I HAD MY EXPIRED H1B VISA (EXPIRED LAST JANUARY 2009) WITH OLD WHITE I-94
3. NEW I-797 APPROVALS WITH I-94 AT THE BOTTOM
All these 1-2-3 documents i clip them together
4. LETTER OF EMPLOYMENT
5. COPY OF AVR TEXT
The traffic was so clear that there seem to be only 3 or 4 cars driving to that direction so it made us get to the bridge more quicker than expected.
Just like entering Canada, you have to observe the signs
Then we entered in one of the booth:
U.S. Officer: Good morning ---- good morning officer
U.S. Officer: what are your citizenship? Can I get your Identifications --- I am Filipino ....my cousin answered I am U.S. citizen.....we also give the identification , for me I gave my 1-2-3 documents clip as one
U.S. Officer: How long you stayed in Canada? ----- 2 nights
U.S. Officer: Any goods to declare? ---- None officer
U.S. Officer: okay you are all set
WOW THAT WAS THE EASIEST IMMIGRATION I EVER HAD,NO ASKING ABOUT MY EXPIRED PASSPORT, NOT EVEN STAMPED JUST LOOKED AT IT AND ALL SET TO GO.....it release all my stress as I continue my crossing;
So guys, this is my detailed experience....apologized for the long detailed message but I just want to share it to everybody.
I would like to personally thank QORAX....JUMPIN (SAM)....VAN77 thank you all guys for the information and for the tips.
Thank you to all the bloggers who have continued to share their experience ...it is such a help to everyone.
If anyone has question ...shoot me a message and i will surely get back to you and answer the most I can be of help.
THANK YOU EVERY ONE!!!!!!!
TIPS:
1. Stay calm and cool and be ready to think of answers and be sure to defend your answers in case being asked further
2. If you have jewelries to declare for goods to follow or accompanying, make sure other than have photos of it make sure you have the certifications from gemologist or jeweler.
3. Get ready with an Alberta address just in case you are being asked (if not asked then you are fine with out it)
4.I also suggest that if you land outside Alberta (for those nominee of Alberta) get at least a some sort of booked reservation with any airline to show that you are going to Alberta few days or whenever from where you are doing your landing
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE

Sam_tyler

 

[ksbs]

How long is normal processing time for PR card to arrive.. I complete my landing process in first week of march..Any suggestion

please reply

ks

 

[mickey_sri]

Hi Ksbs,

Looks Processing Time for New permanent residents card take 38 business days*

Got the info from the below link:

cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm-card.asp

Mickey

 

[ksbs]

Thanks

It is definitly more that 38 business days*, I hope everything work out well..

 

[aine0617]

Hi, I need your help to get the address from calgary, I am planning to land nest week, please let me know if anyone can help.. you can email me at reachsk007@gmail.com

thanks
Suresh

 

[aine0617]

After how many days can we apply for the change of address? I got a temporary leasing and want to move to a different location after a month or so. How to apply for the change of address?

Thanks for the quick responses!!

 

[aine0617]

Here is my exp,
**Prepare your paper work and better know what you are talking.
I completed my landing in...
1. officer was very happy to welcome me to canada, directed me to imm office inside the building
2. Inside, they welcomed me and asked for COPR
3. They saw the COPR and said, great no problem, we will finish the formalities for you
4. took 20minutes to finish everything,took my signatures on COPR
5. asked for address to send PR, I gave _____ and they accepted it
6. Greeted again, 'welcome to canada' and I asked What if Iwant to go back to US? They said, yes you can go, use the copy of the COPR to drive back and if u happen to go to INDIA then go for stamping.
7. Again greeted welcome to canada and said u are one of us now, have a nice stay....(they were very polite)

All the Best guys, ask me for any questions, I will reply for sure