Landing Experience from Rainbow Br, Niagara Falls

Canada Immigration Forum (discussion group)

Subject: Landing Experience from Rainbow Br, Niagara Falls

My time line:
Applied PR: Feb, 2004
IA received (no interview): Oct, 2004
Medicals/Addl docs: Nov/Dec, 2004
PP request/stamped: Feb/Mar, 2005
Landed in Canada: Last week in June

Me, my wife & 2+ yrs kid landed by car to Canada via Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls.

A week before to the landing date we reserved hotel in Buffalo and Avis car. Reached a day early and visited Niagara Falls, NY. Landing day morning packed all our goods that listed in ?goods in possession? list and drove towards Rainbow Bridge. Before enter into bridge we were stopped by a tollbooth gate (we thought US immigration booth, but not) to pay toll $2.50. Observed 20m from booth few US immigration Officers standing, watching vehicles, stopping few vehicles and asking some questions. When we passed, no officer stopped and we continued to cross the bridge. At the end of the bridge stopped by another tollbooth (but here Canada Officers sitting in booth) and asked what was our country of citizenship and I said India, came for landing. Then asked for passports and verified all visas in passports. Again asked whether the car is own or rental. Replied rental and then Officer gave one yellow slip and asked to stop the car at left side building.

When we reached building another officer guided to park the car in parking lot in front of Immigration office and asked purpose of visit. I said we came for landing and showed the yellow slip. He verified and asked to stop the car & go inside the building. We went inside with our documents bag and left all luggages in car. Most of the counters are free and we reached one counter and said we came for landing. The officer at counter guided to another counter. There we reached and the immigration officer said I am busy with some other things, wait at visitors bench some one will call you. When we about to reach bench another Immigration officer called us and asked COPR and passports. I handed over all. Officer measured photos that are on COPR application. Asked for proof of fund. Then I gave my bank statement. She filled COPR with my available funds details and asked do you have any other dependents to add and I said NO. Then asked to initial in one place, sign in the box and mentioned signature should be in the box within white place. We did it. Then Officer also signed on COPR and asked do you have address in Canada. I gave my friend?s address and phone no. Slip. She filled in COPR and said you will receive your PR card in 6-8 weeks.

Next we reached custom officer and officer asked goods to follow list. I gave prepared excel sheets goods to follow and goods in possession. Officer had taken only goods to follow list and asked when these goods will arrive. I said in a month. Then Officer filled one form, attached excel sheet to the form signed and made date seal on both. Taken one copy, gave us original and said when goods arrive here, you should come with this papers here to transfer your goods.

Then we went to SIN office in Niagara Falls, Canada, it took less than hour to apply SIN for all. Required docs: COPR copy, passport and Canada address. Then we went to Indian restaurant, which close to SIN office (about a mile) and had our lunch. Visited Niagara Falls from Canada side (it?s worth) and return to US after 3pm same day. Drove towards Rainbow Bridge, no one at Canada side and after cross the bridge stopped by tollbooth. There US immigration Officer greeted and asked country of citizenship. I said India. Then asked for passports. Verified all visas and I-94s (I am on H1B and had stamped visa). Asked purpose of visit to Canada and when? I answered to visit Niagara Falls and today morning. Then Officer gave our passports and we back to buffalo with sooner plans to move.

Finally, forums helped us a lot from start to complete the process. Thanks to all.

[26-06-2005,16:57]
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