Can someone walk me through the landing process and what happens afterward?

[dominokitty]

We've got our landing appointment on Thursday in Calgary. We applied inland. We didn't get a "decision made" letter or any update on ecas, so I'm assuming it's safe to assume he was approved, since they scheduled a landing interview and not a "doubts about your relationship" interview?

Can someone walk me through the process? The way I understand it, we just provide the photos they asked for, answer a couple of basic questions (Do you still want to sponsor your spouse? Do you have any criminal convictions we were not made aware of? Can you confirm the information you provided is accurate?), get a confirmation of permanent residence, and move on our merry way. Am I missing anything?

What happens after landing and getting COPR? Do we have to apply for a PR card or will they set that up automatically?

Also, what is the difference between copr and a PR card? Is my husband officially a permanent resident after the landing interview? Will he finally be able to head back to his original country to visit family without worrying (he's from a visa-exempt country if that matters at all)?

And one more thing: He has a SIN here in Alberta that he got after we received his open work permit in the mail a couple months ago. Does he need to get a new SIN now that he will be a permanent resident rather than a temporary worker, or is the one he already has the one he'll have for life?

Thank you so much!

 

[Ponga]

Well...the sad part is that it will be pretty boring. You'd think that after waiting sooooo long, it would be a big deal (at least to the officer), but it probably will just be another Thursday.

It will be quick (maybe 15 minutes).

The landing officer will order the card for you.

He will be a Permanent Resident of Canada when he leaves the building. The officer will stamp his passport with the landing date and # of his COPR. He may or may not have trouble flying (back to Canada) without his PR Card and needs to follow the discussions regarding eTA documents that will be needed for those without a PRC.

Lastly, he will need to go to Service Canada to get a new permanent SIN, that doesn't begin with the number 9.

Congratulations!

 

[dominokitty]

Awesome, thank you so much! It might be just another thursday for the officer but for us, it's finally the end of a seriously stressful process. We're so happy!