Hello All,
I cannot believe it is my time to post now
. Sorry for the late post, but the info here is relevant all the same.
Below is my landing experience. Few highlights:
1. Read up as much as you can. It is best to have all documents possible.
2. Organize your documents and be familiar with them. Once the officers see you are prepared the process flows smoothly
3. I did my H1B renewal along with my landing. It did knock off to important items but it was a lot of prep work before I left. So if you decide to do both, have time for ateast a full weekend worth of preparation before leaving.
4. People are extremely helpful and friendly in Canada so do return the favor whenever possible.
We landed in Canada on a Saturday. It was the weekend of Thanksgiving in US, so really crowded at the US airports but very sparse in Calgary where we landed. The landing over there is in three steps, first they have a "passport control", next "immigration" and then lastly the "customs".
At the passport control, the officer checked our passports and determined that we had come to do our landing formalities. He asked us the same and we acknowledged it. We also did goof up about the $10,000 question. I told the officer that I was unsure about the question, and explained the situation (we were carrying more than $10,000 but less than $20,000). He checked the "No" box on that question since the amount was less than $10,000 per person. I am still not sure about this question but based on my experience you can check the "No" box if your total sum (husband+wife) is more than $10,000 but less than $20,000. Alternatively do not hesitate to leave it blank and explain your situation to the officer, they are very helpful and will help you choose the right option.
At the immigration counter, the officer was friendly but firm. We told him we were doing the landing formalities, we showed him the COPR and passports. He asked us for address where the PR cards need to mailed and the amount of funds we were carrying. He then asked us the questions that showed up on the COPR documents, asked us to sign the respective COPR document. And that was about it. No other questions. Couple of funny but important things, when he asked me and my wife to sign the COPR documents, I just grabbed the pen that was lying on the table and signed away. My wife though, pulled out her favorite pen and signed it. Apparently he did not like it, he said it was because of the blue ink, but not to worry, he filled up another copy for her to sign. These were our pre-filled forms (PR card application) that we were carrying were helpful, he immediately relaxed and proceeded. He also commented that the photograph on the COPR should not be with a wide smile (one showing teeth), regular expression or a mild smile is fine. Thus my mug shot passed his grades but my wife's photograph on the COPR was rejected (wasted was the half a day worth of efforts that the wife had spend on getting the COPR photo "just right" a month back
). They did have photo facilities there so she had to go do a quick photograph and complete her new COPR to finish up the paper work. So folks, use the pen that the officer gives you to sign the document and no wide smile in the COPR photo. Like I said, the officer here was friendly all the time, helping us with our deficiencies.
At the customs counter, things took longer time. This was mostly because we did not have enough details on our goods to follow list. So folks, add as much detail as you can on that list. I guess, this helps the officers check the items better. But even with this, the officer was friendly and did not give us any attitude at all. She asked us if we had done valuation of our jewelry (which we had not) but we told her that we had photos of the same and she was fine with it. She stamped the photos and the list, made copies and gave one copy to us for records.
And that was it, just like that we were permanent residents. End to a long journey and beginning of a new one.
Our visa experience was pleasant too. Folks who are interested to do both the visa and landing in the same trip, one word of caution, take a lot of time to make preparations, both procedures are very important and the paperwork is time-consuming. But if you are able to take the time and do it, then from our experience it made the visa process a little easier.
You can apply as a permanent resident since after you have landed, you technically are a PR (thought at the time of filling the appointment/application form you are not a PR). They had more interview dates available, so you have a better choice. At the consulate when we went it was not crowded at all. People were very polite and we did not have to stand more than 10-15 mins at any place. We were asked only general questions (place of work, work responsibilities, how long with the present company, education background, university name). Both me and my wife were applying for H1B visa renewals, we had applied separately and our interviews were separate. However we were asked the same questions and interview was done in 1-2 mins. PM me if you have any more questions on this.
When there, we did stop by to express our gratitude to the legendary "cchabert". He and several other senior members have been helping all of us here at the forums and doing great work. Everyone who gets their process completed, please do take time out and thank all these great people (simple email thanks should also suffice).
We also got our health card and SIN cards processing started. These cards will be mailed (just like the PR card) but we did get our numbers. And when there, we did go out (in the cold) and enjoy our selves as tourists too. Downtown Calgary has a lot of places of interest and there is skiing at Banff for the more adventurous.
So that was pretty much it. Overall we found the people to be positive, open, and very polite. I think we too have to have to reciprocate in like to have a good experience our selves. Let me know if you need additional info on anything particular. Please don't lose heart if your process is taking a long time, your case is moving forward all the time.
Good Luck to All! Share and Prosper
