Questions on landing process as a PR with vehicle

[celiamarie]

I am a US citizen, my husband is Canadian. We have been married and living in Oregon for almost seven years. We have three children - all US born, the oldest two already have their Canadian citizenship, I have not sent in paperwork for the baby yet - but he has his US passport. We are planning to move back to Ontario to live near my in-laws. I have already received my PR visa. I will be driving from Oregon to Ontario in a few months to land, I will stay there to look for housing, employment, look into schools for our children (etc). My husband will be staying in Oregon for at least a few weeks, as he cannot quit his job until we have found housing, etc. I will be returning to Oregon once we have more firm plans, to move our things, etc (moving a family of five is a considerable task!)


I will be taking our family car. It meets all import requirements, etc. My question is mostly if someone can tell me what the landing process is like. I am a little nervous - mostly because I will be doing it alone with three small children, and am worried it will take hours and hours. The other thing is, and I have called the border and they have given me helpful information - I believe I can land and provide them with a list of 'items to follow' - as our belongings, including our car, won't necessarily be in Canada permanently until the move is complete - mostly as I need to keep registration in the US until our entire household has moved so that it is properly insured. Does anyone have experience with this?

Also, I believe I can drive back and forth as long as I take my landing documents (just for the day - I certainly won't be driving back and forth from Ontario to Oregon on a regular basis), but do they mail the PR card to our address in Ontario (my in-laws) or do I have to wait there to pick it up. I am confused.

 

[NBaker]

It will depend on which border you choose to cross, time of day etc. as to how long the actually landing process will take. If a quiet time and all of your information is in order it could take a very short time. However, if you arrive when it is very busy you could be required to sit for some time.

It is possible to get twitter feed providing wait time information for border crossing so this might help you determine when the best time to cross might be.

These can be found here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/new-neuf/twitter-eng.html

Also you have been given correct information about the goods to follow. Provide a list to the officer when you are seeking entry to land.

All of what you are doing is very routine for the Ports of Entry and they see this way you have described doing things many times.

You will be required to give an address in Ontario/Canada where you will live and the PR card will be mailed to you there.

There are sometimes problems encountered by people travelling to the US with only their PR landing document and it is not encouraged either way. You may have no problem, but do not be surprised if you get a bit of hassle.

Other than that, good luck!