Hi everyone,
We received our passports with visa and the COPRs last July 2, 2014 and we decided today to go to the Carway, AB border to land.
So, my family and I left Red Deer, AB at 8AM and reached Carway Border at around 1PM. Our first checkpoint was the US side and just before the immigration border window, we waited for the officer's signal to proceed. The US officer asked where were we going and I replied, "flag-polling." He understood what it meant and took our passports, instructed us to park my car and go inside the building. Inside the building, no questions ask, they gave me a sheet of printed paper with our names and the denial of entry to the US. He instructed me to give the paper to the Canadian border officers. US officials had neutral facial expressions. Very serious, no smiles but at least they were not rude. Off we turned around and back to the Canadian customs building.
The line up at the Canadian customs/border window was not too busy. There was only 1 vehicle in front of us so it was really quick for us to get to the window. We saw the officer's signal and off we proceed the window. The officer asked where were we going and I replied that we wanted to land as immigrants. The officer became rude and asked what were our status in Canada and again I replied that we were on work permit/visa and my kids had student permits. He rudely said that what we were doing, "flagpolling" is not allowed and that we were supposed to land an an immigrant office (Service Canada) thru Edmonton or Calgary CIC Office. He asked me if I was aware of that. i replied that I was aware that I could land at Edmonton or Calgary Offices but I was also aware that I could do the landing thru Canadian Border crossings as it was stipulated in the letter that CIC has given. He gave me a yellow slip, asked me to park and go inside the building with my family.
Inside the building, the officer at the desk asked me how he can help us. I again informed him that we were there to land as immigrants and gave him the paper that was given to me at the US border. Again this guy said the same thing, that I could not land as an immigrant the the Carway border office and he "might" not be able to help us. I said I am aware of that as it was explained to me by the officer at the window. He said if their system permits and all datas are correct in the system, he might be able to help us and if not, he will send us back to Red Deer without any change of status and that we needed to make an appointment at an inland CIC office. I replied, I do understand and that it will be okay for us to just go back if he will not be able to help us. Please note that I did not argue or anything as I knew I was on their mercy to be a landed immigrant. lol..., all I replied to them was I did understand what they were trying to explain. He then instructed us to wait at the waiting room. While waiting, we were praying for a positive outcome.
After 15 minutes, my family was called and instructed to go back at the desk, he asked us to signed the COPRs and gave us our passports back. The officer this time was smiling, very courteous and explained that everything in their system is up to date and on par with the data in the COPR. "what a relief". He was explaining that if there were some discrepancies with our file in their system he will not be able to help us and that we were actually lucky that everything was alright. He then told us to tell our friends not to go to any of the border as most of the time, they will be sent back.
Since I saw the officer that he was already engaging with us positively, I informed and showed him the CIC letter which stipulates that we can land in a point of entry (by land Canadian border crossing or international airports) and if we are not able to go to the border, we can set an appointment to inland CIC office by calling the toll free number. He then explained that CIC and CSBA are two different agencies and that it was actually a loophole on the law that states landing at a border crossing is permitted. He said we can only assist travellers coming from the US. I then replied, we came from the US, but we were denied entry as we did not have a visa, then he replied, that was the loophole.
I am not sure if this was a good or bad experience, but then again, the most important thing there was, we went back to Canada as a Landed Immigrant.
Just before I went to the border, a friend of mine landed at Coutts and it was the same experience. hahahaha... Oh in addition, if ever you guys are going to Carway or Coutts, make sure you arrive there before noon. After 1:30PM, the border became busy.
cheers everyone and I hope this can help future applicants who will be landing at Carway or Coutts, AB..
Great PR journey to all, Godspeed.
Neo
