I chose Sarnia since it is the nearest boarder to where I live. Went to the boarder along 402 around 11.30 A.M. I didn't know if this boarder has 'the u -turn facility' so I asked the lady in toll booth if I can turn around and do my landing, without going to the U.S. Me and my wife had valid I94s but still I thought why waste time going over the bridge and coming back. Toll booth lady told that yes you can turn into Canada from here and asked an officer to open the barrier so we can go into immigration office. So that worked nicely and in no time we were in immigration office parking area.
Then a boarder officer walked into us and told we cannot land like this and we have to goto the USA and come back. So we ended up waisting more time we would have if we we had gone to USA straight. The thing is that you have to come from Canadian customs gates in order to do the landing. The U-turn in blue water bridge is before that. So you are not officially out of the country. In peace bridge, you can turn after you pass Canadian custom gates and go back into customs gates. Not in Sarina, so remember that. So we went to Port Huron and came back to Canada. In Canadian customs gates we were given a yellow slip and asked us to go into the immigration office.
In the office we were asked the usual questions as everyone who did their landing in this forum experienced, so I won't go into details. The immigration officer signed our CPR (confirmation of permanent residency) and asked us to sign the same. I was under an impression that they should give us another document called Record of Landing (IMM1000). However I found out that they stopped giving IMM1000 from 2002. You will only get your CPR back with signatures and until you PR card arrives you can use it along with your passports as a proof of permanent residency.
And if you go to Sarnia for landing, after go inside the office take a number and wait. The number dispensing machine is somewhat hidden to your right when you go. You will see an arrow saying wait in the line so you would wait until you realize that you need to have a number. Just ignore the sign and take a number and have a seat.
So without any hazel we walked out as permanent residents. And went to a nearby Tim Horton's to have a mini celebration like all Canadians do.
Then a boarder officer walked into us and told we cannot land like this and we have to goto the USA and come back. So we ended up waisting more time we would have if we we had gone to USA straight. The thing is that you have to come from Canadian customs gates in order to do the landing. The U-turn in blue water bridge is before that. So you are not officially out of the country. In peace bridge, you can turn after you pass Canadian custom gates and go back into customs gates. Not in Sarina, so remember that. So we went to Port Huron and came back to Canada. In Canadian customs gates we were given a yellow slip and asked us to go into the immigration office.
In the office we were asked the usual questions as everyone who did their landing in this forum experienced, so I won't go into details. The immigration officer signed our CPR (confirmation of permanent residency) and asked us to sign the same. I was under an impression that they should give us another document called Record of Landing (IMM1000). However I found out that they stopped giving IMM1000 from 2002. You will only get your CPR back with signatures and until you PR card arrives you can use it along with your passports as a proof of permanent residency.
And if you go to Sarnia for landing, after go inside the office take a number and wait. The number dispensing machine is somewhat hidden to your right when you go. You will see an arrow saying wait in the line so you would wait until you realize that you need to have a number. Just ignore the sign and take a number and have a seat.
So without any hazel we walked out as permanent residents. And went to a nearby Tim Horton's to have a mini celebration like all Canadians do.
