Let's share our landing experience

[OntarioBound]

I got my COPR a couple of weeks ago, and I landed yesterday via Lewiston Bridge.
It went smoothly. I didn't get a Canadian flag like someone in this forum mentioned though, but it's all good

The officer said I would get my PR card in 4-6 weeks and that I can cross the border from the US by land with no issues, but I may not be able to cross the border by air (to come back into Canada), so he suggested that I refrain from traveling by air until I have my PR card in hand. (I wasn't aware of this restriction...)

I prepared one document (2 copies) of B4 for the goods I already had packed in my car and another document (2 copies) of B4 for the goods to follow, but the officer said he didn't need the 2 copies of B4 for the goods packed in my car. All he needed was 2 copies of the "goods to follow" document. As for the goods to follow doc, I only typed one line in the first section of the form showing the total value and added "See attached for the details" and attached my 7 page of spreadsheets sorted by categories), and the value of my vehicle in the vehicle section with my car information (Make, model and VIN).

The whole process took about 30 minutes.

 

[Majromax]

The officer said I would get my PR card in 4-6 weeks and that I can cross the border from the US by land with no issues, but I may not be able to cross the border by air (to come back into Canada), so he suggested that I refrain from traveling by air until I have my PR card in hand. (I wasn't aware of this restriction...)

That information is out of date. The current PR card processing time is 85 days, but it seems to be increasing at a rate of one week per week. That is, as far as we can tell CIC has not issued any new PR cards in about (edit: two and a half) months.

Travel for visa-exempt PRs is usually not bad, even by air. Canada does not need the PR card for your entry; it covers the airline's rear end since they have to fly you back if you're denied entry.

 

[Morganhannah]

I have an odd question for you! My husband will be landing tomorrow and I'll be with him. We were curious to what you said when you pulled up to the booth and showed your passport. Did you give your copr right away, or tell them you had it first?

 

[DanSlh]

I have an odd question for you! My husband will be landing tomorrow and I'll be with him. We were curious to what you said when you pulled up to the booth and showed your passport. Did you give your copr right away, or tell them you had it first?

In my case, when I reached the first booth and told the officer that I was landing as a new PR, she directed me to a new room and than I show all my documents, CoPR, etc...
It went really smooth.
All the process was done in less than 10 minutes. The officer was making jokes about his co-worker and was talking to me about heavy metal bands and tattoos.
It was funny

 

[melgolchuk]

Besides CoPR and my passport what else should I bring document wise? My CoPR doesn't say anything else. I'm landing tomorrow! Excited for it to be done. ;D

 

[melgolchuk]

Besides CoPR and my passport what else should I bring document wise? My CoPR doesn't say anything else. I'm landing tomorrow! Excited for it to be done. ;D

I should clarify that I've been in Canada this whole time and wont be bringing anything across.

 

[Aquakitty]

I'd like more info too, we are going to do a flagpole in the next couple of days. Does it matter what podunk border crossing we go to?

 

[Majromax]

I'd like more info too, we are going to do a flagpole in the next couple of days. Does it matter what podunk border crossing we go to?

The border crossing must offer immigration services.

 

[Aquakitty]

The border crossing must offer immigration services.

Oh ok, thanks, I figured that since we have some pretty small border crossings in the middle of nowhere here in BC, lol.

 

[Morganhannah]

My husband landed today and everything went great!

 

[melgolchuk]

I landed today and all went well. Flagpoled and the US border guard was super nice and helpful. The guard into Canada kinda gave me a hard time about flagpoling. He said I should've made an appt at a CIC officr bc their immigration was 'swamped' at the moment. Umm I'm not waiting months for a CIC appt dude. I went in and there were legit four people in there and they were all together. So anyways the guy in immigration was really nice and made up for the outside dude. All around good trip. Glad this is over!

 

[Aquakitty]

I landed today and all went well. Flagpoled and the US border guard was super nice and helpful. The guard into Canada kinda gave me a hard time about flagpoling. He said I should've made an appt at a CIC officr bc their immigration was 'swamped' at the moment. Umm I'm not waiting months for a CIC appt dude. I went in and there were legit four people in there and they were all together. So anyways the guy in immigration was really nice and made up for the outside dude. All around good trip. Glad this is over!

Ah what a jerk, it says right on the instructional paper with the COPR that you can leave and come back in order to land, it's perfectly valid.

My husband also landed today via flagpoling. A small wait in line to get through the borders, and the Canada border guard actually joked about flagpoling, didn't seem bothered by it. It took him about 15 mins inside, there was no one else in line (until we left about 5 people showed up).

All he needed was the COPR and his passport.

 

[melgolchuk]

He said we would probably wait hours. I was there maybe 30 minutes. Some of the guards....

 

[Aquakitty]

He said we would probably wait hours. I was there maybe 30 minutes. Some of the guards....

I notice all the large, bald, scary looking guards are outside, and the younger attractive guards are inside. Coincidence?

 

[melgolchuk]

Omg sooooo true! Lol ;D