ONLY - Who submitted CIC-AINP(SRS-U.S. Visa Holder Category) application

[gigi-2010]

I am also considering to rent a UPS mailbox to collect the SIN, PR card.

But I read a threat on the other forum about the officer on the border said the address of UPS mailbox is not a "residential address", so it is not acceptable.

But is there any other senior have the similar experience?

Thanks.

Hi Seniors
Could you please provide your valuable opinion on this(Renting a ups box)...

 

[what_a_joke]

Hi All,

First of all thanks for all the help from this forum, it was very helpful through out the entire PR process.

*****************Landing Experience*******************


Could not post this sooner and you will see why when you read but here is my landing experience in detail.


Sunday -> May 22nd, I, my wife and soon to be 2yr old son (May 26th is his birthday) , took flight from Fort Myers to Dallas to Calgary. Parked my car at Fort Myers airport.

Did not surrender any I-94, no one even asked for it. In fact I took the white I 94 out of my passport even though it was expired. I had my I797 and new I 94 with me with all the other documents. My wife has a valid US visa and I 94 but I still took her I 94 out as well. My son is a US citizen.

Landed in Calgary at 1.30 PM local time.
There was a long line for the 1st Customs officer. He was a bit rude and asked me why was I coming to Calgary and how long have I been in US etc.

We then went to Immigration area.
The lady officer didn't say welcome or anything. Probably she has seen too many of us by now or had a bad hair day

She simply asked for COPR , we signed it and gave address to mail PR cards, thats it. Completed all the paper work and we were out in about 15 minutes. I had carried a Cashier's check for USD 18000 which I told her as well as the 1st customs officer.

Went to the exit door and handed the customs form and that officer simply let us go out the door. This was interesting I thought. I actually returned through that same door back to him and asked him that I need to submit the good to follow list and told him that I am immigrating. He said that because on the customs form I selected No for the check box about shipping any of my stuff he let us go. So be careful here. Anyhow, he let me come back in and sent over to another customs area. There we provided goods carrying and goods to follow lists and the officer completed all the formalities there. He did not accept the photographs of our jewelry for some reason and said it should have been appraised per the rules. We were out in about 1/2 hr.


Monday -> May 23rd
It was a public holiday so we just went to Crossiron Mall, spent some time there and came back to hotel.

Tuesday -> May 24th
Went to Service Canada office and got the SIN numbers. That took about 1/2 hr.
We then went to Calgary Tower, it was great fun. Since we could not get to see Calgary any other way, at least watching it from the top of tower was fun.

We then came back to hotel and had a nice Indian dinner with one of my collegues who lives in Calgary and works remotely. I have provided her address for my PR cards.


Wednesday -> May 25th (I had planned to return on this date so that my son is still less than 2yrs and I don't have to pay for his seat)

Now the trouble begins.

We were at the airport at about 5 AM expecting to go through US immigration/ customs, but our American Airline flight at 6.50 AM from Calgary to Dallas was cancelled due to bad weather in Dallas. They told that previous night the flight from Dallas never came to Calgary so nothing was flying out to Dallas this morning. They booked us for another flight to Dallas at 2.30 PM since there was supposed to be a flight coming from Dallas to calgary at around 1.30 PM. Since we had checked out of hotel we had no choice but to wait at airport.

Around 10 AM I checked the arrival/departure info and found that the 2.30 PM flight is already delayed apparently because flight coming from Dallas was delayed. Finally around 11.45 AM when one of the American Airlines staff showed up at their counter I asked them about delay and that lady told me that I am better of skipping Dallas.She booked me on WestJet airlines flight from Calgary to Toronto to Fort Lauderdale for May 26th early morning 12.40 AM. I specifically told her that my son will be 2yrs old during that flight. She said that its OK since we began our trip when he was less than 2 yrs. I had no choice but to believe her.

She gave me only 2 tickets, one for myself and one for my wife. Since I had mentioned my son and he originally didn't have a seperate seat when coming to calgary I thought she didn't give us a ticket for him.

Now I suddenly also had to book a hotel room since we could not wait at airport till midnight with my wife and son.

At about 10.15 PM , we came back to Calgary airport, went to WestJet counter and they tell me that now my son needs a ticket since he is 2 yrs old and I should buy one. I explained the whole situation to them and they said its American Airline's fault that they didnt issue ticket for my son and now he cannot fly without a proper seat and ticket. To top this whole experience my Discover credit card did not work in Calgary at most of the places so I had to use the my bank/debit card and now there was only about $80 left there. WestJet did not accept that Discover card either. Now basically I am standing at this counter without money and unable to buy a ticket for my son even though I had a cashier's check for USD 18000 with me. It was a very helpless and frustrated feeling.

The WestJet guy at the counter was on the phone with someone almost for an hour and got everything sorted out and told me that they waived off the ticket and taxes and my son can fly on his own seat.

I also told the WestJet guys that I need to go to Fort Myers instead of Fort Lauderdale and he said that they do not fly to Fort Myers (my car was in Fort Myers and Fort Myers to Fort Lauderdale is about 2hr drive, I had no idea how I was gonna get to Fort Myers from Fort Lauderdale but anyways that was least of my troubles.)

Anyhow, we take a flight to Toronto and reached at about 7.10 AM local time. Flight to Fort Lauderdale was at 10.50 AM.
At Toronto I went to American Airlines counter (because WestJet told me that they dont fly to Fort Myers) and explained to them that I need to get to Fort Myers and since I originally flew with AA asked them if they can do something. Now this another women tells me that WestJet does fly to Fort Myers and there is a flight at 10.25 AM and she could book us on that one. I agreed and she again booked only me and my wife, left my son out again, now my son was scheduled to fly to Fort Lauderdale, me and wife to Fort Myers.

AA told me to go to WestJet counter now. I went there and explained the whole situation about my son's ticket and him being 2yrs old today and blah blah blah...they also told me that I need ticket for him etc. I again went blah blah blah..... this went on for about 10 minutes.

Finally they figured out whatever they needed to after reading some notes in their system and all three of us had boarding pass to Fort Myers on 10.25 AM flight.

By this time I was so exhausted that the thought of going to US customs and Immigration and using AVR was even more scary, we got into the line, I had the new I 94 forms and customs form already filled up, and to my pleasant surprise, the AVR was so smooth that the IO didn't even ask me that purpose of our visit to Canada.

Finally we were at the gate to board the flight but the trouble was not over yet. On our boarding pass to Fort Lauderdale, the gate no was B20 and we all for some reason when to that gate (I know some of you may think how stupid of me but trust me travelling with wife and 2yrs old very active child its not easy). We were at this gate for about 45 minutes.
Around 10 AM while taking my son to restroom to change his diaper and I suddenly read on the board behind the woman standing at the gate, it read Fort Lauderdale 10.50 AM. My eyes just kinda popped out realizing that we are at wrong gate, I pulled out the boarding pass for Fort Myers flight and thankfully that flight was at the next gate, gate B19. They were already boarding.

We simply got in the queue and boarded the flight finally to Fort Myers, Florida where my car was with about $50 left in my bank account.

So the silver lining to the whole story was that in the end my 2yr old son flew for free from Calgary to Fort Myers, my son's birthday gift from WestJet Airlines.

I guess the experience of getting back into US was more interesting and challenging than the actual landing in Calgary.

In the end it was a very memorable trip.

Sandeep

 

[royal148811]

Owesome landing experience:
We are from Seattle and under AINP program, we landed in Calgary by flight on May 28, 2011. We had very pleasant landing experience. There were just few questions(related to climate, flight details etc) and the officer was quite satisfied with the paper work. He did not even ask for any proof of fund, phoyographs or any explicit question on my intention to live in Alberta or whether we have come there to settle permanently. Just re-confimed my Alberta address to deliver the PR card by post.There after we moved ahead with custom formalities. On the goods to follow list, the lady officer had a glimpse and happily completed the paper work without asking any question. She was more excited to discuss the weather and normal well being. Though she was satisfied with the way, I put all the information together in spreadsheet. That was all and we were done with this last stage of our PR process. I would, however, be happy to answer any specific question if there any.
This forum has really helped me all along and npw it is my responsibility to help others achieving their dreams
Good Luck!!

 

[cooldeepforyou]

hmmm....some nice posts here....good now you have canadian PR. littil bit less hassselss..

I thought I post my AVR experience here as well

My case for AVR
Expired visa Stamped on Expired passport. Changed Status to H1b. Never had H1b stamped. Just have the I797 and I94.
Enter the Toronto US customs pre clearance area around 5 am on 12 May 2011

First encounter with Immigration officer after 15-20 Minutes. Show him all the passports and H1b approvals and tell him about AVR. This officer has no clue what I am talking about. Insists he has to deny admission since I donot have valid visa stamped, and also says no way to make across without a proper stamped visa. Wants to deny admission....asks me to go to consulate and get visa stamped. Asks me to take emergency appointment.( I am thinking atleast send me to the secondary immigration...isn't that the normal procedure. If you think something is missing....or you can't understand the case send me to the senior guys back in the secondary area.)In the meanwhile I keep talking about the AVR rule, how I need to join my job, I donot have time for visa stamping. This goes on for while...finally IO says allright, packs my stuff in a envelope sends me to the secondary area. Says let see what guys back there think.

Go to the secondary inspection area and hand them over the envelope with all the documents. The secondary area has lot of people. People applying for TN visa, people importing weird food stuff, people who have expired passports, people with name mismatch ...and me, a guy who wants to use AVR. I think this is going to be an interesting day. It will be more than a hour before my name is called. Atmosphere there is little tense.

Meet the new IO. Asks slew of questions.Show him all the crap and more. IO says I know AVR but doesn't apply to you.....why? You have changed status. If you want to use AVR you cannot change status. Then I start my rote about AVR, what my lawyer said what my company HR said. IO is not convinced. Says take a seat he needs to consult. In the meanwhile people pour in and people are escorted out being inadmissible. (remember no use getting angry and frustrated it is like twilight zone). And yes no phone in secondary area. Mr Lee(a chinese guy ...just stereotyping) wants TN visa stamped. IO there not convinced about his job responsibilities....think he questions his immigration intent. Mr Lee gets angry...tries to call someone. A IO shouts across the room..IF YOU DO NOT PUT THAT DOWN IT WILL BE CONFISCATED. Mr Lee is pissed.....complains about the treatment...takes the name of the officers says he will file a complaint. IO escorts him out.

I check the time holy cow!!! it is 7.15 am already....will miss the flight. There are other drama and side shows going on. One good thing is different Air Line staff keep coming to the secondary inspection area to check out if any of their passengers are stuck there. If you have any bags checked in, and if you are getting late they will hold your bags for you. I saw this with Air Canada. I ask the Air Canada lady to book me on the next flight....then I thought no use, I am not even sure if I am going to make it or what time. Air Canada lady says do not worry, we have flights through out the day.

Meanwhile stroke of luck....due to escalating backlog in the secondary area.....more senior IOs trickle in to help the staff. Another IO takes up my case file. After same routine of questions and some more he says, yeah you can use AVR. I told him... I know that, you know that......now tell it to that IO. Get a chuckle out of him. He goes to the previous IO and explains the rule. They have a very hearty discussion. The previous IO takes my file keeps it on the side. I go back to my seat. My flight is long gone...I am thinking hmmm!! thank God at least there is some light at end of tunnel.

Name is called again time is 8.00 am. IO is grumpy. Asks for all the documents h1b approval, pay stub, w2 , opt card, employment letter, what else you got to prove your employment? Says....ok I will let you in this time using AVR. But gives me his version (as if his belief was shattered that day) of AVR. Automatic Visa Revalidation. Revalidating your existing status...not your previous status. If you have no stamped visa in current status there is nothing to revalidate. Still goes into think mode as if he is making some kind of mistake......goes back to senior IO. Comes back. Says ok I am letting you use the AVR this time (I am thinking "let you".....what is this "let you" all about, either there is a rule or there is no rule. When his superior is saying I can use AVR......who is he to say "let you").Soon my answer comes....AVR he says is a privilege....there are lot of laws and regulations which give discretionary powers to IOs.

Then I begin to engage the IO in little chit chat. But then Sir, even if you have a stamped visa, isn't it the discretion of the IO to let the person in or not. Yes...he says confidently. Only US citizens with valid passport have the right to enter...that is the law. For rest with visas and even Green card admissibility is always determined at the point of entry. There has been cases he told GC holders has been denied entry because of felony records and DWI records. Then he says....I see your last stamped visa is very old....next time you exit US make sure you get the visa stamped. I donot like people using such old visa for AVR purpose. I am cancelling your old visa without prejudice and taking your old I94. This way you won't be able to use AVR any more. I am giving you new I94 and stamping your entry as H1b entry with expiry as your latest H1b approval.

8.30 am I am out of secondary inspection.

Justin

 

[cooldeepforyou]

Hi Avalap,
I think they are not mailing the PR card at residential address...you have to collect them personaly right ? so you have to be present there...after 8-10 weeks..

/*************************
Applying for PR Cards - As a new immigrant, you automatically get your PR card to the address you provide at the time of landing in approx. 8-10 weeks UNLESS you tell the VO that you are only completing the landing formalities and/or do not have an address and the VO gives you a fax number to send the address when you move permanently.

Kanadatrustee,

Here are my thougths:

1. 1. Has anybody with AINP nomination done landing in Toronto or Ottawa without any issues? Just an FYI I will be providing an Alberta address to send my PR cards in case I go to Toronto or Ottawa.

Many people from this forum (AINP Folks) landed in Toronto and other places. The experiences are mixed and the bottom line statement is "Convincing the Visa Officer at the port of entry that you intended to settle and reside in Alberta".

2. 2. Me and my wife are not planning to move right away due to job related obligations can we still get our PR cards before we permanently move to Alberta or do we have to apply for PR cards when we move to Alberta permanently.

Legally and technically, You have to apply for your PR cards when you move to Alberta Permanently. However, many people do apply for PR cards at the time of landing and make a permanent move at a later date.

Applying for PR Cards - As a new immigrant, you automatically get your PR card to the address you provide at the time of landing in approx. 8-10 weeks UNLESS you tell the VO that you are only completing the landing formalities and/or do not have an address and the VO gives you a fax number to send the address when you move permanently.

Hope this helps

 

[tsrikanth]

hi...

when are you palnning to land in canada?
enna

Not yet decided. May be in second-half of June.

 

[tsrikanth]

Glad to hear the good news Srikanth.

Good Luck with your journey ahead and feel free to ask if you have any questions regarding the landing...etc

Thanks Avalap. I have one question. Can I go Calgary from Austin (via flight), and come back via Road like Canada Border - POE - Austin ? So this way I can use AVR without any problem.

 

[tsrikanth]

Congrats!!! Hope you have got your passport and getting prepared for landing. If you could please share the validity of your visa. Is it till ur medicals??? Mine is also stuck in Detroit since Jan'11. My medicals are going to expire in July end.
Best of Luck!!

Thanks Tonyind. I got my passport back with Canada visa stamped on it. Visa validity till August-2011 (i.e 1 year from my medicals). Planning to land in second-half of June.

 

[enna]

Hi to all senior members,

can you answer my queries and help me prepare all the things/documents i need to do 'coz i'm planning to land last week of july and i'm using avr to come back here in USA


1.What are the things i need to prepare to show when i arrived in canada?
2. Using AVR what do i need to prepare?

thanks

 

[KKumar]

Hi cooldeepforyou....

Can you please provide the official link where it says that they are not mailing PR cards any more and you have to pick it up in person...it will help us all.

Thanks.

 

[cooldeepforyou]

Hi Kumar,
I read on this forum only, and i saw some office link on CIC which says about receiving Pr card personaly.
For same reason i canceld my flight to calgary..it cost me around 300$ just because of all this confusion... I also dont know what to do..need some concrete information...
I will post link once i find it..

Hi cooldeepforyou....

Can you please provide the official link where it says that they are not mailing PR cards any more and you have to pick it up in person...it will help us all.

Thanks.

 

[cooldeepforyou]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/pr-card/apply-after.asp

see this link....
//////////////////////////////////////////////////
If your application is complete and you meet the requirements for permanent resident status, you will receive a letter telling you where to pick up your Permanent Resident Card in person.

When you pick up your card, you must provide proof of your identity. Please bring with you the original versions of the documents you sent with your application
//////////////////////////////////////////////////
Now i dont know they are talking about new immigrant or is this for existing immigrant.

Hi Kumar,
I read on this forum only, and i saw some office link on CIC which says about receiving Pr card personaly.
For same reason i canceld my flight to calgary..it cost me around 300$ just because of all this confusion... I also dont know what to do..need some concrete information...
I will post link once i find it..

 

[kapilkumar]

This only applies to PR in Canada.

See this link
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/pr-card/arriving.asp

If you are immigrating to Canada, you will receive your Permanent Resident Card by mail.

If you did not provide a mailing address when you were granted permanent resident status at either a port of entry or a local Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) office within Canada, please contact the Call Centre as soon as possible (see Contact Us at the top of this page).

You have 180 days to provide this address.

If you do not provide a mailing address within the 180 days, you will not receive the Permanent Resident Card. You will then need to send CIC an application for a Permanent Resident Card and pay a fee of C$50.

 

[cooldeepforyou]

I know there is some confusion...please read the post..thats how i arrived at conclusion that they may not be mailing pr at given address

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/only-who-submitted-cicainpsrsus-visa-holder-category-application-t15729.0.html;msg759388#msg759388

This only applies to PR in Canada.

See this link
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/pr-card/arriving.asp

If you are immigrating to Canada, you will receive your Permanent Resident Card by mail.

If you did not provide a mailing address when you were granted permanent resident status at either a port of entry or a local Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) office within Canada, please contact the Call Centre as soon as possible (see Contact Us at the top of this page).

You have 180 days to provide this address.

If you do not provide a mailing address within the 180 days, you will not receive the Permanent Resident Card. You will then need to send CIC an application for a Permanent Resident Card and pay a fee of C$50.

 

[Avalap]

Hello Cooldeepforyou,

As a new immigrant I dont think that we have to personally collect the PR cards. In my case, I received my PR cards by post within 7 weeks of landing in Calgary.

Hope this helps

Hi Avalap,
I think they are not mailing the PR card at residential address...you have to collect them personaly right ? so you have to be present there...after 8-10 weeks..

/*************************
Applying for PR Cards - As a new immigrant, you automatically get your PR card to the address you provide at the time of landing in approx. 8-10 weeks UNLESS you tell the VO that you are only completing the landing formalities and/or do not have an address and the VO gives you a fax number to send the address when you move permanently.