April 2012 applicants, join here.

[Sweden]

COPR in hand! and landing tomorrow... can't wait!
Sunshine87, can you please update the spreadsheet for me? My visa was actually issued on the 5th of November (so the same day it was opened apparently!), and now I got the paper, and I'm landing tomorrow...

thanks all for the support, and good luck for those still waiting for news.
Sweden

 

[Creampop]

YAY Congrats Girlie!! I just got home... I officially landed just after dinner this evening in Niagara Falls, of course it was busy busy with everyone returning from shopping but it only took me 10 mins he asked me the 2 questions on the CoPR checked my address 5 times LOL told me to have a seat he was running a background check which took all of 5 mins, called me back up had me initial 2 spots and sign the CoPR he stapled it in my passport and said Congratulations Miss X as of today you are now a permanent resident of Canada, and if we weren't so busy we'd throw you party! He had the biggest smile on his face I couldn't help but laugh....

 

[Sweden]

YAY Congrats Girlie!! I just got home... I officially landed just after dinner this evening in Niagara Falls, of course it was busy busy with everyone returning from shopping but it only took me 10 mins he asked me the 2 questions on the CoPR checked my address 5 times LOL told me to have a seat he was running a background check which took all of 5 mins, called me back up had me initial 2 spots and sign the CoPR he stapled it in my passport and said Congratulations Miss X as of today you are now a permanent resident of Canada, and if we weren't so busy we'd throw you party! He had the biggest smile on his face I couldn't help but laugh....

Congrats on becoming a PR indeed! it seems that it was a very positive experience, that's nice! they probably have a lot of experience with that in Niagara Falls, probably less in Victoria! but I asked in advance ( already 2 weeks ago) and it's possible, but I have to go to the US (contrary to land borders) - so ferry ride to Port Angeles, then back 2h later!
Enjoy your new status!
Sweden

 

[Creampop]

Have A fabulous day! I would have loved a ferry ride!

 

[girzim]

OMFG my COPR just arrived!!! It's Saturday afternoon! I'm shocked!! Although my COPR sheet says NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL across it so I'm a little confused about what I'm supposed to do with it. Do I need to apply for something else or can I enter Canada with it? I thought I needed something stamped in my passport. No?

 

[bubblebee]

OMFG my COPR just arrived!!! It's Saturday afternoon! I'm shocked!! Although my COPR sheet says NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL across it so I'm a little confused about what I'm supposed to do with it. Do I need to apply for something else or can I enter Canada with it? I thought I needed something stamped in my passport. No?

Its all ok my copr sheet says like that too in a slanting form did u get a visa stamped in your passport?

 

[girzim]

No, it says I don't need to get one. I'm so confused! It says 'Elimination of Counterfoils for Approved Permanent Residence Applicants from Visa-Exempt Countries'....

 

[fireluck]

Congratulations Sweden and everyone who has landed and is soon to land. Hope to meet you if you are going to stay in Toronto. The waiting game is still on for me and my hubby. No word since the sponsorship approval. I wonder whom they would contact for the next step... well what is the next step anyway. Rhenanjay did you do anything else to make your process fast?

 

[fireluck]

Bumblebee you are also landing soon.... i'm so envious! Our papers took too long to get sponsorship approval... i hope the stage 2 would be faster.

 

[Sweden]

No, it says I don't need to get one. I'm so confused! It says 'Elimination of Counterfoils for Approved Permanent Residence Applicants from Visa-Exempt Countries'....

it's normal - it says the same on mine. It only means that you can not travel with that alone - you need to travel with the COPR + your passport when you go and land, not just the COPR which may sounds obvious but well - CIC makes it confusing.
So - since you're in Canada, go to the US border, and back, and that's it!
Congrats on the COPR!
Sweden

 

[girzim]

Ah... I see. That makes sense. I'm not in Canada though. I live in Korea but I guess maybe Ireland is exempt from a visa. Ouuuuuuuuuu NOW I'm MORE excited. Oddly, I'm going to a charity fundraiser tonight and where is it taking place? Oh, just a Canadian bar in Seoul...What were the odd of that?!!

 

[CKnD]

Congrads Sweden ... I'm really happy for you ... but dont be a stranger ( I know you have some time to make up for with your spouse ) .. but in a weird way ... we here are all family too ;D

Wish you all the best

 

[kaede1977]

It is a bit of a drawback - but for EU citizen, interviews are very rare... if you have been living together, or you are common-law for a while, and your partner has never sponsored anybody before, and you have all the proofs, it's unlikely you will be called for an interview (I haven't seen one called for interview from London VO for the last 6 months, if EU background).
If you do get called (which I doubt) then you can always make a trip out of it, go and see friends and family etc... and being able to settle in is quite nice (currently apartment hunting, and started job hunting although technically I'm still a tourist - but I hope that by the time I get an interview, I will have the COPR in hand...).
the other drawback is customs clearance for boxes if you are importing a lot of things. If you don't have too many, it can always be as "returning canadian" for your partner... otherwise you might consider delaying shipping things - but most of the time it takes at least a month from the UK/Ireland to Canada, so you also have time for that...
Good luck with packing etc!
Sweden

Thanks again Sweden for your much appreciated advice...good luck with the "landing process"

 

[Sweden]

Landed! today I officially became a PR of Canada very easy and friendly process... Sunny day in Victoria made for a nice ferry ride to the US and back. THe border officer was very friendly and not in a hurry (not many people flagpole in Victoria! ), took his time to welcome me to Canada, and explain the basics ( PR residency obligations etc). all in all, it's really difficult to realise it's finally over after the waiting, checking ecas etc...
Good luck to all still waiting, and I'll stick around - now I'm officially unemployed!
Sweden

PS> Sunshine87, can you update the spreadsheet for me? visa issued was actually 05/11 and not 08/11 according to the COPR, 8th Nov ws the "decision made" on ecas, but it was taken before. Landed 24th November.

 

[mc1234]

Hey All! Just an update with us. My spouse landed Friday night! For anyone wondering about the the landing process, this was ours. He walked up the officer and she asked him if he and I were still together, he said yes, then she asked "Are you still in love?" In a joking way, they laughed and waived him through! Over all it was really easy.

Overall our application took exactly 7 months, from start to finish.

Wishing everyone a speedy process!!

Cheers!!!