Landed! Officially a Canadian PR!!
I did my landing yesterday May 8 at Peace Arch Border. The car line-up to enter the States was long so I parked and walked to the other side. A Canadian officer gave me instructions on what to do and was really nice and helpful.
Once I reached the States I had to wait for over an hour in line. There are like 20+ officers in there and only 5 or 6 are actually asking for passports, the rest are just looking at you or walking around or working in the computers but not helping any travelers out. Anyways once it was my turn I told the American officer I was flagpoling and he asked a lot of questions regarding the FSW program, he was like did you really get a PR just because of that? I replied him briefly, did not give him details nor showed him my CoPR, because honestly I just wanted to flagpole as quickly as possible and was annoyed of standing in line for so long. Then he was asking me about my U.S. work permit, I told him I never used it and it expired on 2013. (I did not tell him this but I never used it because I preferred to move to Canada because I knew that the chances of getting a PR in the States or even renewing the permit were very slim).
Anyways, after getting my white paper denying me the entrance to the States, (I do have a tourist visa to go into the US but decided to flagpole to get the process done ASAP) I was walking back to Canada and realized that the officer had written my nationality incorrectly, (he wrote Brazil instead of Bolivia) so had to go back and get it fixed. After getting that issue fixed I came back to Canada.
Once I reached the Canadian Border, the Canadian officer asks for my Visa, I told him I was doing my landing, he asks me a couple of routine questions like are you carrying over 10k? Are you carrying any fruits or vegetables? Firearms? etc...after replying No to all his answers, he stamps my passports and tells me to proceed into Aisle B in the CBSA office, (a total different atmosphere in there, everyone is friendly compared to the US) there was only one person before me in line.
After one minute in line it was my turn, the officer asked me for my passport and CoPR, she asked me if all the information in the CoPR was correct, we reviewed it and I told her everything is fine, she asked me for my mailing address, I gave it to her. Then she told me to take a sit and was going to call me back. After 10-15 mins. she calls me back and tells me to sign the CoPR, I signed it, and then she states that I am a PR of Canada after signing the CoPR. Then she hands me a Canadian flag, wishes me luck, and gives me a paper with instructions regarding SIN number, etc.
By the way I had taken with me my PoF (bank statements), I had printed and filled out the applications for PR card and Customs beforehand because I read they were needed, I took my University certificates, I think I took all my application with me just in case. Anyhow I was asked for No Documents whatsoever. Only docs needed were the passport and CoPR in my case.
Went back to my car, told my family, social media, etc..went directly to Service Canada to update my SIN #, and I no longer have a SIN# that starts with a 9! yay!
So, that is it for me! I wish everyone here good luck with their process towards the Canadian PR!
This forum was really helpful all the way through the long process!
Thanks!
Carlos
