I landed/flagpoled at Thousand Island today (Friday, 1/31) and it was very smooth experience. Drove from Toronto and reached the border at 11 am. There was absolutely no one other than me at both US and Canada sides. Waited 5 min at US side; 10 min at Canada side and became PR! Then went to nearest Service Canada office which was in a town called Gananoque. Again no one there so no wait. 10 min for SIN. Recommend everyone going to Thousand Island.
Landing experience Thousand Island bridge
- Thread starter Lanes1
- Start date
I am wondering if I can take greyhound/ megaus to Kingston and Uber to the bridge, then walk between US/ CA border office? I do not have a car so this is the question that I am trying to seek clarity before I can go. Thank you.
I don't see anyone walking to the border and unheard...feel like it is car only's port ~
maybe you can rent a car for a day? (find some discount code) it maybe cheaper than uber/megabus
I done my landing today in 1000 island. I had a very different experience. In the US broader they have taken my husband and mine biometrics and photos. While leaving they said all the best buddies and good luck for your permenant residence. Is this normal or any problem in future
karambollo
Newbie
- Jul 9, 2019
- 3
- 31
- Category........
- CEC
- NOC Code......
- 4212
- Job Offer........
- Yes
- AOR Received.
- 16-10-2019
- Med's Request
- Upfront
I received my PPR a week ago while travelling to Ontario from Nova Scotia. I only brought passport with me and currently I am on temporary work permit which I didn't bring with me.
You think it would be enough to present passport with stamped visa in it and CoPR at the landing or shall I stay on the safe side and do landing or interview in Nova Scotia with all paperwork on hand?
You think it would be enough to present passport with stamped visa in it and CoPR at the landing or shall I stay on the safe side and do landing or interview in Nova Scotia with all paperwork on hand?
Hi,
I'd like to share my experience in getting my PGWP at Lansdowne/1000 Islands.
We went there on Saturday morning Feb 15th at 10:30 am. Nobody was waiting so I told the officer in Canada that I need to the flagpole for my PGWP. First, he said why you didn't apply online. I said I didn't want to wait. He was absolutely grumpy. Then he said your husband must accompany you in the US border, while I didn't want to take him. We had planned that he waits for me in the Canada office while I cross the border. We had the same experience when he wanted to get his PGWP in another port of entry. But the officer insisted this is a governmental building and we don't let you sit and wait here. We explained that we are Iranian citizens and an unnecessary visit to the US border is foolish as we might go through an intense security interview, especially after the rise of the tensions between Iran and the US. But he insisted so I dropped my husband in a cafe 2-3 minutes inside Canada and let him wait there. It was such a cozy place and the lady working there was a nice and helpful person. I drove to the US border and waited in the line by car for 30 minutes. Then the officer guided me to parking and they got my car keys and I went to the office. As an Iranian citizen, I expected to be interviewed. But they were absolutely nice and asked me several personal questions and took my phone and its code to investigate. I was not taken to any special room, just a nice lady came and called out my name each time for asking polite questions. I was kept waiting for 2 hours there, then left the US with a flagpole paper. The Canadian officer at the border was also grumpy. He told me you should have applied online and you have been a student and are not a disabled person not to be able to use the computer. He was so rude. He finally guided me to parking and I went in to start the process of issuing my PGWP. Fortunately, the lady officer doing my work was so nice, however, she seemed to be a beginner and it took her another 2 hours to give me my PGWP. She asked for bank statements, so I recommend everybody to take it. I know from my husband's previous experience that issuing PGWP is a 10-minute process, so I was frustrated at the end. Finally, after a 5-hour process, I had my PGWP, valid for three years, at my hand.
Generally, I recommend this border because it is not busy. But expect to see the rudest and grumpiest Canadian officers and the most polite American officers of your life here. Also, many people came for landing, which in their case it was very straightforward and fast.
I went there based on the experience shared here. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I'd like to share my experience in getting my PGWP at Lansdowne/1000 Islands.
We went there on Saturday morning Feb 15th at 10:30 am. Nobody was waiting so I told the officer in Canada that I need to the flagpole for my PGWP. First, he said why you didn't apply online. I said I didn't want to wait. He was absolutely grumpy. Then he said your husband must accompany you in the US border, while I didn't want to take him. We had planned that he waits for me in the Canada office while I cross the border. We had the same experience when he wanted to get his PGWP in another port of entry. But the officer insisted this is a governmental building and we don't let you sit and wait here. We explained that we are Iranian citizens and an unnecessary visit to the US border is foolish as we might go through an intense security interview, especially after the rise of the tensions between Iran and the US. But he insisted so I dropped my husband in a cafe 2-3 minutes inside Canada and let him wait there. It was such a cozy place and the lady working there was a nice and helpful person. I drove to the US border and waited in the line by car for 30 minutes. Then the officer guided me to parking and they got my car keys and I went to the office. As an Iranian citizen, I expected to be interviewed. But they were absolutely nice and asked me several personal questions and took my phone and its code to investigate. I was not taken to any special room, just a nice lady came and called out my name each time for asking polite questions. I was kept waiting for 2 hours there, then left the US with a flagpole paper. The Canadian officer at the border was also grumpy. He told me you should have applied online and you have been a student and are not a disabled person not to be able to use the computer. He was so rude. He finally guided me to parking and I went in to start the process of issuing my PGWP. Fortunately, the lady officer doing my work was so nice, however, she seemed to be a beginner and it took her another 2 hours to give me my PGWP. She asked for bank statements, so I recommend everybody to take it. I know from my husband's previous experience that issuing PGWP is a 10-minute process, so I was frustrated at the end. Finally, after a 5-hour process, I had my PGWP, valid for three years, at my hand.
Generally, I recommend this border because it is not busy. But expect to see the rudest and grumpiest Canadian officers and the most polite American officers of your life here. Also, many people came for landing, which in their case it was very straightforward and fast.
I went there based on the experience shared here. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I wanted to share my landing experience here too, I hope it helps someone or the other. I landed at the Thousand Islands Bridge yesterday that is 24th of Feb. I tagged my brother along, so that I don't have to drive alone. We started at 6:30 PM evening and cruised around 260 KM from the place I live to get there by 9:00 PM. I arrive at the US border, told the officer that I was there for flag poling. The officer was funny - he said, "Oh! So you're going to be a PR in Canada?." I said, "Yes sir!." Officer said, "glad, you didn't bring car full of people, who don't have visas to enter the US and think it's fun to just come by". I laughed and said, "I could never do that." As I was the only person at the border, he took the responsibility to guide me, usually it is someone else who'd do that. I parked my car, went in to the office. I was the only person, along with the other officers. I was taken care of by a female officer, she asked me a couple of questions about my previous trips to the US, what I do, where I live, etc. She gave the flagpole receipt, and she walked me out through the doors and gave the directions to head back to Canada again. She wished me good luck, I thanked her, got in my car and then headed to Canada.
At the Canadian border, I gave the officer my passport, flag poling slip, he asked me if I bought anything at the duty free, I said no. He asked me to head straight in to the parking lot B. I parked my car, went in to the office. I was the only person. I was taken care of a male officer here. He asked, "Hello there! What are we doing today?" I said, "I wanted to do the PR landing." I handed him the passport, all the docs. He was excited to see the new visa (IRCC changed the visa design) on my passport. He said,"Oh! they changed it and made it look nice" I said, "Yes, much better than the old ones." He laughed and he showed the new visa to the officer sitting next to him, "It's cool, eh?" She said, "oh nice!". He came back to me, looked at all the docs, got my signatures. After the signatures, he said, "Congratulations, you're now a PR". I said, "Thanks a lot!" He then told me that the card will sent to my address with in 6 weeks. He also added, "If you want to travel to the states before you get the PR card, you can go ahead and do so, but make sure you're not flying as you'd have trouble getting on a flight with these docs. Using the land border to get in and out should not be a problem". He asked if had any questions. I said, "no". He said, "well, enjoy the rest of your night". I thanked him and said, "good night".
Overall, my experience was great! Both the US and Canadian side. I'm a frequent traveller and I've always had amazing officers at both sides. I understand that some people have reported here saying they have had bad experiences. They are humans too, you never know what their day was like. Either ways being good to each other is the key! Good luck to other folks in the process and the ones who are just getting started. Peace!
At the Canadian border, I gave the officer my passport, flag poling slip, he asked me if I bought anything at the duty free, I said no. He asked me to head straight in to the parking lot B. I parked my car, went in to the office. I was the only person. I was taken care of a male officer here. He asked, "Hello there! What are we doing today?" I said, "I wanted to do the PR landing." I handed him the passport, all the docs. He was excited to see the new visa (IRCC changed the visa design) on my passport. He said,"Oh! they changed it and made it look nice" I said, "Yes, much better than the old ones." He laughed and he showed the new visa to the officer sitting next to him, "It's cool, eh?" She said, "oh nice!". He came back to me, looked at all the docs, got my signatures. After the signatures, he said, "Congratulations, you're now a PR". I said, "Thanks a lot!" He then told me that the card will sent to my address with in 6 weeks. He also added, "If you want to travel to the states before you get the PR card, you can go ahead and do so, but make sure you're not flying as you'd have trouble getting on a flight with these docs. Using the land border to get in and out should not be a problem". He asked if had any questions. I said, "no". He said, "well, enjoy the rest of your night". I thanked him and said, "good night".
Overall, my experience was great! Both the US and Canadian side. I'm a frequent traveller and I've always had amazing officers at both sides. I understand that some people have reported here saying they have had bad experiences. They are humans too, you never know what their day was like. Either ways being good to each other is the key! Good luck to other folks in the process and the ones who are just getting started. Peace!
This is for PGWP? not PR??
CBSA website state that you should apply your PGWP online, not going to port office to do that...,maybe thats why they are not friendly to you
Hi guys,
This is Parisa. I would like to do flagpole at 1000 islands border this weekend.
I don’t have a car, and if someone drives to there, I would like to join and share the cost.
We also could rent a car and share its expenses together.
Pls let me know if anyone is interested.
This is Parisa. I would like to do flagpole at 1000 islands border this weekend.
I don’t have a car, and if someone drives to there, I would like to join and share the cost.
We also could rent a car and share its expenses together.
Pls let me know if anyone is interested.