Hello everyone, In the spirit of giving back to this forum, I thought I would also share my landing experience. In case anyone else has questions
- I landed, as a single applicant, from India (via Brussels) in Toronto on Tuesday around 12pm (noon Canadian time).
- After disembarking from the plane, followed the signboards that led to the the arrivals/immigration section. the area is divided into two - A. US and Canada passport holders and Canada PR holders B. All other passports. There are handful airport officials who monitor, and announce on where passengers need to go.
- I got in the queue for all other passports where an Immigration Officer checks your customs declaration form and COPR. The customs declaration is handed to you on the plane. so if you don't get one, ask the stewardess for the same inflight. If you still don't get one on flight, these forms are available at the immigration area. It is pretty straightforward with details like name, address, contact details, flight details and the value of goods you are bringing to Canada. Take your time to read and carefully fill the details. The Officer asked me about my purpose for the visit ("complete permanent resident landing formalities"). Then she scribbled something on my declaration slip and directed me to proceed out. This part was real quick, I basically waited in queue for few seconds, and the officer took another few minutes per passenger.
- Upon leaving the immigration section, another officer checked my declaration form and directed me to a room. This room was empty except for a couple of border patrol officers enjoying the downtime over some huddled conversations and an Arab family at one of the counters completing their landing paperwork. I waited at the start of the queue (there was a board indicating the same) for an officer to call me. (this is a norm in Canada, everywhere you go - even at restaurants you need to wait at the door until you are acknowledged and led to an empty table).
- after about a few seconds, an officer motioned me over to her counter. She took my passport, COPR, and declaration form. After checking my details, she stamped my passport, scribbled across the visa and told me how the visa will now be invalid and if I needed to travel out of the country I will need to be careful and apply for another document accordingly (she was referring the the PRTD). She then asked me for a Canadian address, where my PR card would be sent to in 6-8 weeks. After inputting my details in the system, she asked me three questions - if I had any dependants, if I was convicted of any crime and if I was previously refused entry to Canada. She then asked me to sign both COPR copies in 3 places, handed me the duplicate copy of the COPR and checked if I had any questions for her. The entire process took barely 5-7 mins
- after which i was asked to go over to another side of the room - the Canada service centre where they provide you with a welcome book and few brochures about services, consultancy and helplines you can contact for different assistance - jobs, medicals, banking etc. At the same place another lady asked me if I wanted to get my SIN done and gave me a form to fill which they immediately fed in the system and handed me a printout with my SIN number.
- I was then shown the exit towards the baggage collection area, which I collected and headed towards the custom clearance. since I didnt have anything to declare or goods to follow, she took my form, said welcome to Canada with the widest grin and motioned me towards the exit.
