Flagpoling Experience at Lewiston - Queenston Bridge (Niagara on the Lake)

[nomiabid94]

I did my landing on the 4th of March at Lewiston - Queenston bridge (Niagara-on-the-lake). I reached the border at 7:20AM and drove straight to the US side. At the US side, the CBP officer asked me to hand over my car keys & I was asked to go into the CBP building. This was a bit surprising for me because I had read in most of the threads that they just hand over you the flagpole document right away and ask you to go back to Canada [ I did get to know the reason why they asked me for my keys later on ]. Inside the building, another CBP officer asked me to wait in the waiting area & he said that it's better to wait here until 8 AM than going back to Canada because if I get to the Canadian side before 8AM, they won't do my landing and will ask me to repeat the process again. So, I sat in the waiting area from 7:20 to 8:10 AM. At, 8:10, the CBP officer called my name asked me a bunch of questions, took my fingerprints & photo and gave me the flagpole document & asked me to go back to Canada. I reached the Canadian side at 8:13 AM & I was asked to go to the CBSA building which was right next to the bridge. The CBSA building was already filled with lots of applicants & the officer at the reception told me that we only have space for 2 more people. I and another guy who was there for his work permit, were able to get in and then they closed the doors for the day! Inside the building, I had to wait for about 30-35 minutes before my name was called to complete the landing procedure. The CBSA officer asked me a few questions & told me to sign on the COPR. Afterwards, he gave me a 'Welcome to Canada' book & congratulated me on becoming the Permanent Resident of Canada.
The entire process took about 3 hours from going to the US side to officially completing the landing procedure & becoming the PR! I wish you all the very best who are yet to receive their PR status