hi everyone,
Congrats essex!! Just thought i'd update you all on my landing process. Still suffering jetlag ;D
Since it was under such short notice, and not doing a permanent move after first landing, this may not be applicable to all:
Landed at vancouver airport wed nite, ard 8.30pm. Went straight to immigration counter and was directed to the new immigrants counter. Officer asked for passport and declaration card. No smiles, just a somber welcome to canada. Cancelled my PR visa, stamp stamp then guide me to the new immigrant office. had to take number from a nice lady who was in a rush to go home, she provided me some leaflets, 2012 diary, told me to get my SIN and gave me meds form and ticket number to process the COPR papers.
Here's the funny part, 5 officers were working, 2 caucasian ladies, 2 chinese looking dude and 1 indian lady.
One of the ladies was having a difficult time with a philipino family, cause they didnt understand english and she kept saying she was frustrated but she stamped them anyways after some time. And lucky me, i got her as my officer. So casually walking up to the counter, she said hi, how are you, to which i replied, good thanks, yourself? to which she replied, not too good, to which i automatically responded yeah, it shows...it just came out of my mouth....
to which she promptly turned to her colleague in the next counter, laugh and said, i think someone does not want to be in canada today ;D
Anyways, she continued to process me, glad i made her laugh, she asked how much money i had with me, didnt ask me to show it though, checked if the address on the copr is correct to send the PR, which she corrected as it was hubby's work address, asked if i had any kids, i said 2 non accompanying, she said they are not in the system, i said they should be coz i did the medicals for them, then she ask why they are not accompanying, yada yada yada, signed 3 places on the copr and am done. She did warned me PR card will be ready in 2 months and to not leave before that as she will not allow me in without the pr card or visa. I told her u meant Travel Document rite? And she was like, yeah whatever. Then i showed the the B4 form and she said i cant sign that coz i cant see what u brought in.
Anyways, since i didnt have any goods to follow, only my accompanying personal items in my 3 suitcases, i.e. Clothes, shoes, handbags, phones, ipad, camera, i just went to pick up my luggage and walk through customs. Cant be bothered to show them the B4 forms anymore. he didn't stopped me when i passed him my stamped declaration form either. Then on wards to see a familiar face i havent seen in 8 months...
Going to get my SIN today. So wish me luck on another bureaucratic procedure, hubby says they are nicer as they get to tax you..so they welcome you with arms wide open
sorry for the long post, i'll update more later and to those still waiting, enjoy your hometown while u can, i miss it already
