can someone explain the flagpole landing procedure to me?

[cec2011]

Hi everyone!

I got my CoPR today in the mail and plan to land in niagara falls next Saturday on the rainbow bridge (where I got my student visa so long ago... I know so sentimental it makes you want to gag eh?)

I know I can land "in land" but when I called immigration this afternoon to make an appointment and do it in Toronto it would be several months to land. So I have decided to cross the border. The agent said she would send me info on flag pole landing procedures but I didn't get it.

As I am an American citizen, I'll have no issues entering and leaving the country (or at least, one hopes ). My best friend, who will be accompanying me and is Canadian, let her passport expire so can't cross into the US. My understanding of the flag pole landing prodecure is that you basically leave Canada and can turn around without entering the US and heading back. I tried googling this and got confused by the information I found.

I have a feeling either way I'll have to go by myself now. Which is fine but what fun is Niagara when you're on your own?

So if anyone has any advice or tips on flagpole landing, or has done it themselves, your stories would be much appreciated!

 

[muskaanrani]

hey

wat do mean by "take several months to land"

 

[cec2011]

hey

wat do mean by "take several months to land"

When I talked to the immigration customer service person today she said I could land "inland" (at an office in or around Toronto) but I can do it only by appointment and getting the appointment might take a month or two. It's quicker if I go over the border and do it, which is what she suggested.

 

[sibran]

Does one need a valid visa for the U.S.A to do the flagpole landing? Or do you just turn around and come back. Is is your passport sufficient if you are not a US citizen. I want to make sure I have no problems re-entering Canada when I do the flagpole landing. Please advise.

 

[muskaanrani]

we spoke to some family members, they said there r 3 options u could use to land,

1 flagpole
2 go to border and tell them u want to get it stamped as landed. (family also mentioned that border officers do this all the time and they know about this)
3 inland landing - make appointment with visa office.

 

[wlee62]

I think what they mean is that when you go across the border, there is no Canadian immigration booth that you have to go through but only the American immigration. The American officer can just turn you around with a slip for the Canadian immigration when you cross the border back into Canada... I think you can just tell the American officer that you are only looking to do your immigration landing, and be redirected back to teh Canadian border