So as I hoped, I landed at Niagara Falls on my Birthday (Wednesday). It all seemingly went very smoothly. All the people who dealt with me were friendly. The wait wasn't too bad aside from about 40 minutes waiting in line to see the immigration officer on the Canadian side. The whole process took about an hour and a half. I checked to make sure my passport had been stamped. All good. Or so I thought!
Today I went to try to get my SIN, and discovered that in addition to the stamp in my passport, apparently there should be a hand written code corresponding to something on my COPR. They wouldn't tell me exactly what was missing in case I write it in myself... While on the phone to CIC the lady at Service Canada mentioned something about a T code though.
Long story short, I now have to wait 2 and a half months for my PR card to arrive or see if I can make an appointment with immigration at Niagara Falls to try to rectify the problem. That's a lot easier said than done given that I don't drive and have very little money, so for me it's an expensive and very time consuming trip. I haven't yet decided whether I'll do that or just wait it out for the PR card. I guess I've spent the last 10 months out of work and living in poverty, so an extra 2 and a bit months won't make so much difference!
Seriously though, I am still very thankful that overall my PR application was processed comparatively quickly, and my husband and I have been able to be together for the duration, so I can't really complain. Just a little frustrated I suppose. According to the Service Canada lady it is something that happens a lot. OK, but it really shouldn't!!! *sigh*
