Some have reported a wait period of 6-8 weeks as well. I'm guessing it may depend on the region / visa office.
My Landing appointment experience - Vancouver, BC
- Thread starter Vitesze
- Start date
Yeah....I waited 3 weeks for my appointment email, and then had to wait another 3 weeks for my actual appointment. So a total of 6 weeks.
Did they stamp your passport or noI did my landing yesterday, so I just wanted to write about my experiences so others can get a view on the processes. If anyone has questions, feel free to ask below.
- I was a CEC-applicant - living in Canada since May 2017. I have no dependents, and am Single (as per the law at least).
I already have been living in Canada (Vancouver) since May 2017, so I already have an apartment, job, bank account, Simcard, etc. Nonetheless, feel free to ask me about it and I will try my best to help
- on September 20 I received an e-mail, requesting me to attend an interview at the CIC office in Vancouver (1148 Hornby St) - this is usually considered to be a landing interview appointment, but certain applicants may also receive this request to establish spousal relationship (when sponsoring). CIC has started finalizing inland applications in this manner on a wide-scale to reduce the amount of flagpolers at borders, as it was putting a big strain on the CBSA. The waiting period seems to be about 4-6 weeks after file approval - you will not be able to flagpole instead.
- The documents I was requested to bring included my passport, my current + expired work permit, proof of RPRF and two photos that met PR-specifications, one of which had to be stamped by the photographer.
- Upon arrival at 1148 Hornby St, I found the doors locked - after knocking a few times, a security guard let me in and asked me to show my appointment letter (this CIC office is appointment-only). He took this letter, and went into some door and returned a few minutes later. The office is remarkably small - about double the size of a waiting room at a doctor's office. There were 3 counters/agents, and about 15 people waiting.
- Due to the small size, you could actually overhear everything the Agents + applicants were saying (e.g. requesting their documents, asking questions, etc.). This calmed my nerves a bit as I saw most people breezing through their interviews - besides the guy that brought the wrong RPRF receipt; I bet he had a mini-mental breakdown on the spot when the agent told him his consultant sent him the wrong documents.
- Every few minutes you would hear an Agent say the magic words "Welcome to Canada!", after which the person was allowed to leave and someone else would be called in. 40 minutes after my appointment time, it was finally my turn so I grabbed all my documents and went over.
- The Agent explained to me that she would ask me some questions to which I only had to reply "Yes" or "No" - I should also let her finish her sentences first before responding. The questions included if I was still Single (not married/common-law partnership), if I had any dependents not already declared on my application and whether I had ever been deported from Canada. I answered Yes, No, No. She then asked for my first entry date into Canada (which I had to look up as I didn't remember exactly) and my last entry date, as well as their location (both YVR-Vancouver).
- She then printed my COPR and asked me to verify all information on it. The only thing that was amiss was my City of Birth (which was missing the latter half) but she responded it was fine and the name was too long to be printed on the paper. She then signed the COPR in 4 places, and asked me to do the same. She then said "Welcome to Canada!", told me I would receive my PR card by mail, gave me a few helpful papers for new immigrants and told me I was good to go.
- Afterwards, to obtain my new SIN number I went to the Service Canada in Vancouver, where I arrived at 4.03pm (they close doors at 4pm) and wasn't allowed in anymore.... The next day (today) I went to the one in Richmond first thing in the morning. A security guard first joked around saying I was in the wrong spot and it was "a 45m walk that way", but all went well and it took less than 5 minutes to get my number.
- An important thing that I didn't know beforehand is that they immediately invalidate your old permit (in my case, my work permit). I'm not sure whether this could have implications on medical coverage, employment etc. if you don't get a new SIN number right away.
How long did it take to get an updated status in the websites
Yes, they stamped my passport. They also voided my current work permit.
I think the status update online was instant.
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Yeah I was Inland and did my landing at CIC Vancouver. I hope you'll be fine - for me, when applying for my SIN Number the agent actually checked to verify that the stamp was in my passport.
For me they just gave me the sin
M thinking if i go out of the country
Would this be a problem or no
Thanks for this. I am also an inland applicant and am giving a certain amount of money as POF for myself and my family. Currently my bank account is significantly more than the amount i am specifying in my POF statement. However given that i will probably submit my documents some time by the 2nd week of November and if things go smoothly (it is an assumption) then i am expecting a PR approval in 6 months. I think my funds might have dipped below 26000 CAD by that time possibly (which is requirement for a family of 4).
Should I strive to make sure that my account has this amount at the time of receiving this interview call or can I fall below this amount? Is this the amount of money they expect you to bring to canada (which I did), or is it that you need to have it in your account regardless.
I am normal FSW applicant (actually currently doing a phd in Canada but applied on the basis of my work experience previously).
Regardless, if you go out of the country now it will be a problem because you need either:
(1) a PR Card
(2) a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD)
If you do not have either of these (note: your previous permit(s) are invalid and you don't qualify for an eTa or Visitor Visa anymore) you will not be allowed to board any commercial plane to Canada.
If you do have these things, the missing stamp won't matter. As a Permanent Resident you have the right to enter Canada, assuming you can show proper identification of your status (i.e. PR/PRTD).
The minimum requirement for a family of 4 actually is $23,181. But note that as the PA you are also included in this number. So is it you + 3 family members (totaling 4), or you + 4 family members (totaling 5).
Yes i understand that
I am not going before PR card
But my only concern why no stamp
What if they ask me when i m coming back from vacation
Thanks for the answer, you are actually right, it is CAD 23,181 for a family of 4. We are a family of four. Me + wife + 2 kids. I already stated in my EE (on which I got the ITA) that I will bring 27k with me. So does that mean I can dip below 27 but stay above 23,181? Or does that mean I need to have 27k now.
I haven't yet submitted my documents after the ITA (medical is still pending and haven't uploaded all documents). is it possible to change the figure of 27k now?
Your minimum required funds are $23,181, just ensure that your balance stays above this in case they ever request new Proof of Funds (they shouldn't; but it's nonetheless a possibility). Fluctuations in your funds are perfectly normal.
It's still registered electronically, so no worries. My only concern is that Service Canada may not (probably not) have access to all that electronic information - that's why I could potentially see them throwing a fuss over a missing PR landing stamp.
Also note again, that as a Permanent Resident you have a right to enter Canada. You just need to show them a Passport + PR Card - they're not going to check every single stamp in your Passport as it's irrelevant for your PR status.