COPR->PR airport and time required?

[zinneken]

Not sure I am posting this in the right section, hope I do.

We have our COPR and are looking into flights to fly to Canada and finalise the immigration at the border. Our destination is Halifax under NSNP. We travel with a baby, so can't really afford several connections and layovers, we need an as direct as possible route taking as little time as possible, through airports that are baby friendly.

Looking at flights for us, they are all arriving past 5 PM in the evening Halifax, regardless of direct flights, or single transits through Montreal or Toronto.

1) Can we arrive at the airport border on a weekend and/or after 5PM, or do we need to arrive on a business day during business hours?

2) Can we arrive at Toronto/Montreal and do the COPR->PR there instead of Halifax, and then fly on a day or two later, or do we have to clear at Halifax?

3) How much time does it take at the border to do the COPR->PR admin?

Thanks!

 

[PMM]

Hi

Not sure I am posting this in the right section, hope I do.

We have our COPR and are looking into flights to fly to Canada and finalise the immigration at the border. Our destination is Halifax under NSNP. We travel with a baby, so can't really afford several connections and layovers, we need an as direct as possible route taking as little time as possible, through airports that are baby friendly.

Looking at flights for us, they are all arriving past 5 PM in the evening Halifax, regardless of direct flights, or single transits through Montreal or Toronto.

1) Can we arrive at the airport border on a weekend and/or after 5PM, or do we need to arrive on a business day during business hours?

2) Can we arrive at Toronto/Montreal and do the COPR->PR there instead of Halifax, and then fly on a day or two later, or do we have to clear at Halifax?

3) How much time does it take at the border to do the COPR->PR admin?

Thanks!

1. It doesn't matter the time/day all International airports are staffed when overseas flights are arriving.
2. Yes, but for Montreal you would have to show onward transportation to NS
3. It depends on how many flights are arriving and how may Immigrants or Visitors they are carrying.

 

[zinneken]

Hi


1. It doesn't matter the time/day all International airports are staffed when overseas flights are arriving.
2. Yes, but for Montreal you would have to show onward transportation to NS
3. It depends on how many flights are arriving and how may Immigrants or Visitors they are carrying.

Thank you PMM! What I meant with 3 is how much time it takes with the immigration officer, not the queue at immigration. I guess there is an interrogation and the immigration officer goes over the whole immigration file checking everything over once more? Or do they just look at the COPR and then sign it leading to a 2 minute thing?

 

[Alurra71]

Once you get to an officer for landing (out of the waiting que) it should only take approximately 15-20 minutes. They ask a few questions, have you sign the COPR and welcome you to Canada and send you on your way. If your landing airport has an office to get your SIN immediately, I would suggest you make use of it so you won't have to go to an external office for it later on.

 

[Msafiri]

Thank you PMM! What I meant with 3 is how much time it takes with the immigration officer, not the queue at immigration. I guess there is an interrogation and the immigration officer goes over the whole immigration file checking everything over once more? Or do they just look at the COPR and then sign it leading to a 2 minute thing?

If you are organized with all your paperwork ready and the CBSA agent isn't a rookie then within 1 hour. Biggest delay comes from the to be PR who is either missing paperwork, proof funds, suddenly remembers a conviction/ family member that was never declared etc at the Port of Entry!

 

[zinneken]

Thanks for these replies!

While I have been able to get info on opening times ( http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/do-rb/menu-eng.html ) which for HIAA is 9~24, I have not been able to find full information on which documents and documentation is potentially expected at the border.

Obviously the COPR and passport, but then it is a grey area, a couple of examples:
- proof of finances are they looking to see bank account statements, or does one need to prove to have the money physically with them in cash and negotiables which in turn means making a declaration for bringing in more then 10K into the country?
- does one need a copy of the original police report sent to CIC, or a new updated one?
- does one need a copy of the full CIC file with all the correspondences (emails and letters) with them, or not?
etc.

Does anyone have a full list of what to bring at the border, and what can be expected by the border agent?

 

[keesio]

For my wife's landing, all she needed was COPR, passport and B4 form. They didn't ask for anything else.

 

[Alurra71]

Thanks for these replies!

While I have been able to get info on opening times ( http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/do-rb/menu-eng.html ) which for HIAA is 9~24, I have not been able to find full information on which documents and documentation is potentially expected at the border.

Obviously the COPR and passport, but then it is a grey area, a couple of examples:
- proof of finances are they looking to see bank account statements, or does one need to prove to have the money physically with them in cash and negotiables which in turn means making a declaration for bringing in more then 10K into the country?
- does one need a copy of the original police report sent to CIC, or a new updated one?
- does one need a copy of the full CIC file with all the correspondences (emails and letters) with them, or not?
etc.

Does anyone have a full list of what to bring at the border, and what can be expected by the border agent?

I would ensure you have Proof of Funds, your COPR, passports and a immunization record for the baby. Also if this is your 'final' move to Canada, have your B4 forms filled out and at the ready. That should be all you need for your landing.

 

[zinneken]

Thanks to everyone for your help!

I finally stumbled on this page:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/before-border.asp

It groups everything one needs to know in terms of which papers are needed and which are useful.