I used to have landed immigrant status (Dutch citizenship) in Canada from 1980 - it's where I grew up and where I did all my studies. I moved back to Europe in 1995 and officially signed out as landed immigrant in 2011. I arrived with my family in Montreal, was taken to the immigration office, had to complete papers / have picture taken, etc. (which took 2+ hours) and then was told that when I would leave Canada after my holiday, I would have to contact immigration when I arrived at the airport. After a lovely visit with my parents, it was time to return to France and, once at the airport, I called the special number and was actually "escorted" by an armed immigration officer to my airplane who waited with my family and I to ensure that I boarded the plane.
After that visit, I have been requested to go to the immigration office EACH time I arrive in Canada....the last time was at Christmas, when it took 3 hrs. for my turn. I simply had to say ONCE AGAIN that I was visiting my parents and that's it....
Is this normal? I'm shocked at how incompetent the immigration office is at Montreal airport. We were actually making jokes (people around me who were also waiting) because it seemed that the immigration officers were more interested in chatting and drinking their Tim Hortons coffees than processing people through the system. Plus - these immigration officers are super mean, rude and not at all respectful of people's privacy. I felt really bad for some others who had difficulties with the language and were being yelled at.
I feel like a criminal because I "gave up" my permanent immigrant status....
After that visit, I have been requested to go to the immigration office EACH time I arrive in Canada....the last time was at Christmas, when it took 3 hrs. for my turn. I simply had to say ONCE AGAIN that I was visiting my parents and that's it....
Is this normal? I'm shocked at how incompetent the immigration office is at Montreal airport. We were actually making jokes (people around me who were also waiting) because it seemed that the immigration officers were more interested in chatting and drinking their Tim Hortons coffees than processing people through the system. Plus - these immigration officers are super mean, rude and not at all respectful of people's privacy. I felt really bad for some others who had difficulties with the language and were being yelled at.
I feel like a criminal because I "gave up" my permanent immigrant status....