Landed!
I know the wait is excruciating and I feel for those who still waiting, but keep the hope up, prepare yourself for your new life here, prepare your resume, understand the job marketing, find rent options, build your Canadian network, be with your family and friends that are not coming (you will miss them), and more important check your spam box. This sounds cliche but is actually very important.
Also I want to share my landing experience and timeline;
09/23/16 - Passport sent to Ottawa
10/11/16 - Received passport back
10/13/16 - Landed
I drove to the US and entered as a tourist, spent the day shopping and had dinner at The Cheese Cake Factory because they don't have a Canadian branch
At the end of the day I crossed the Queenston Lewiston Bridge, it was a pretty quiet night, only one car in front of me on the Canadian side.
While crossing I told the border officer that I was landing, he asked how much we have spent at the US (was less then $200 in total) then he pointed where I should park and the way to their office.
Entered the office find few people working on their computers, a small group talking to one of the officers at the counter and no one waiting. They asked for my passport, and COPR letter, sent me to the bench, and after a few minutes one officer called me back. He asked those standard questions about crimes and etc. Then sent me to my seat again. Then he called me back and said; When you sign those papers you will be a resident of Canada. Are you ready? I signed the papers and all officers that were around clapped and cheered for me. It was very cool, really good vibe, I was really glad for the attention they spent.
In total it passed less than 50 min and I was driving back to Toronto with a feeling of mission accomplished. After 3.5 years as temporary I am finally resident of Canada!
That's it guys, I will be around and try to help with my experience and ideas, good luck to you all!
