Landed at Rainbow bridge today at 9:45AM.
Overall experience: Relatively smooth process with no rush.
Driven across the bridge to the US side, family wasn't in mood to walk though it wasn't very cold.
US Side:
Reached at the CBPS booth at 8AM and told I was there for flag poling to land back into Canada.
Officer took all of our passports (family of 5), examined for few minutes looked up in his system.
Then asked us to park the car and go to the CBPS office on 2nd floor to collect the passports and "Administrative Refusal (AR)".
Though there weren't many people, it took approximately 40 minutes.
An officer came out with our Passports and the white paper (AR) and guided us back to the Canadian side by opening a side gate.
Had to pay $3.50 toll on the bridge to get back into Canada.
On Canadian side:
It was at the CBSA booth at ~9AM
Was asked the purpose and whereabouts in Canada along with the Passports AND "Administrative Refusal"
My answer to any goods after our landing was negative and his reply was "perfect"
Gave the yellow slip and AR, asked us to park the car and go inside the building for completing the landing process.
Parked and went inside at around 9:05AM, we were the only ones there to land.
An officer took our yellow slip and passports and asked us to sit.
Another officer called in about 5-7 minutes, asking for documentation. I gave him the COPRs.
He then asked "Do you have something on you with address and ID?" - I gave him my Drivers License and the phone number.
It took roughly 30 minutes before he called us back to the counter.
Asked me and my spouse to sign our respective COPRs in addition to me signing the children's COPRs.
Took the set of COPRs with the photos and gave us the other set (without the photos), along with our PPs and my DL.
Explained the 'two-out-of-five-year-stay' policy to maintain the PR status.
Gave us an estimation of 4-8 weeks to receive the PR cards.
Asked us to go to Service Canada with the COPRs and to apply the SINs
Then asked if I had any questions
I asked if that was all, or is there any other document(s) I should be getting from them as part of landing. (I was anticipating to get color Canada immigration document, similar to Work/Visit Permit)
He answered.... No, thats it.
He then congratulated and received my sincere thanks.
I was out by 9:45AM
Will go to the Service Canada on Monday to apply the SINs.
Two questions:
1. Signed COPRs are we get back from the Landing process? That's correct. you need that & passport to renew your SIN#
2. Does my current SIN history gets associated to my new SIN?Yes service Canada links your current SIN to new SIN. Just make sure contact your employer, and banks to update them about new SIN#
Thanks to everyone for their wonderful insights on this forum. It's been great.
